Over the years, Saudi Arabia has made important contributions to the growth of the cloud communication space in the Middle East. The country has launched multiple satellites, supported various research projects, and created the Saudi Space Commission to coordinate and manage all of the country’s space-related activities.
With data doubling in size every two years, effective information processing and analysis tools and storage technologies are essential for any country with a defined digital transformation strategy.
Access to global cloud service providers is expected to be facilitated by the Saudi government’s cloud-first policy goal, which is expected to attract investments, define clear data regulations, promote innovation, foster agility, and scale up growth, according to experts.
Could Communication vs. Regular Communication
When it comes to how and when they work, employees can have greater autonomy using cloud-based communication platforms.
In contrast to traditional office setups, a cloud-based solution may be used from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection.
Since there are more digital tools accessible to increase the value and quality of some interactions, we’re having via the cloud than offline, this makes cloud communications nimbler than speaking offline, according to Unifonic VP & MD Ibrahim A Almohaimede.
Laws and Regulations
In terms of Saudi Arabia, Almohaimede told TRENDS during an interview, “The Kingdom has come a long way when it comes to the regulatory framework for cloud communications; there are significant improvements from where we were. But we also believe that regulators have to move on the same pace as the end consumers’ concerns”.
Simply put, the digital and social platforms that most people use now need more practical and much clearer restrictions (WhatsApp for Business as an example), Almohaimede said. That could free up a lot of value for businesses and consumers while also keeping out unsavory characters and organizations.
The best way to regulate this is to provide a functional framework that safeguards consumers while allowing businesses to experiment with novel methods of customer engagement and encouraging innovation in the broader ecosystem.
Cloud Communications Supports Businesses
The Saudi government announced plans to support local firms early this year. The Saudi Vision 2030, launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, intends to boost local content by localizing the production of goods and services to increase their competitiveness and provide sustainable job opportunities. New rules support SMEs and entrepreneurs. Saudi Arabia aims to reach 35 percent of GDP by 2030.
The enablement of local businesses through incentives and support could fast-track the growth. “The onboarding and offboarding processes and steps could also be improved to encourage people to take more risks when they are thinking about opening new businesses or closing them to open new ones,” said Almohaimede.
With both public and commercial organizations in the kingdom looking to speed up their digital transformation, cloud computing adoption has become a hot topic in the country’s information and communications technology industry.
Migration to the cloud has one key, and perhaps most important, feature: increased security. During the global pandemic, cyber threats throughout the whole digital landscape increased at an almost exponential rate. In order to circumvent the limitations of their current on-premises IT infrastructure, several businesses have migrated.