Rami Kichli, Senior Vice President for the Middle East and Turkey at Software AG, unveils the company’s transformative strategies and bold ambitions in Saudi Arabia.
In this conversation, Kichli delves into how Software AG is redefining the digital landscape to streamline complex business operations and champion technological integration and innovation.
Discover the products, dynamic partnerships, and strategic advancements that align with Saudi Vision 2030. This insightful dialogue sheds light on Software AG’s pivotal role in propelling Saudi Arabia towards a digital future, from pioneering smart city initiatives to forging collaborations that enhance public and private sector capacities.
Tell us about your core focus of Software AG, and what are your recent
At Software AG, our core focus was to reiterate the need for a robust digital backbone to eliminated complexities in business operations, integrate seamlessly and technology connects more effectively. Our solutions showcased at LEAP included Super IPaaS, IoT and Analytics, and Business Transformation to simplify the connected enterprises.
Software AG’s Super iPaaS revolutionises the unified iPaaS platform, catering to the demands of an AI-driven era with seamless connectivity across application, API and B2B integration in a hybrid multi-cloud environment. It breaks down silos with its unified platform, democratising integration for all while offering unparalleled control and flexibility, marking a paradigm shift in modern enterprise needs.
Among the many partnerships and successful meetings at LEAP, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National IT Academy (NITA) to partner in launching the region’s first IoT academy. In addition to providing social training services for Saudi talents, NITA and Software AG will also collaborate in integrating IoT, AI, and Machine Learning knowledge into university curriculums to prepare students for the real world.
Additionally, Software AG presented the “Alphabet Innovation Award” to The National Real Estate Registration Services company (RER) for modernising real estate in Saudi Arabia, acknowledging RER’s innovation, technology use, and customer service excellence.
Lastly, visitors witnessed student innovations driving sustainable smart cities – initiated under Software AG’s third edition of ‘Future Disruptors Program in the Kingdom. The ChainGuard team from the prestigious Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University Saudi Arabia emerged as the champion of this year’s edition.
Provide an example of a success story in Saudi Arabia
Software AG has been transforming some pivotal government services, such as the Ministry of Tourism’s e-visa system, significantly enhancing the Kingdom’s tourism infrastructure. In 2023 alone, the country attracted over 27.4 million international and 79.3 million domestic tourists, a 65 per cent surge over the previous year.
We are proud to have played a significant role in simplifying and easing the process of securing a visa for the country, which aligns with the Kingdom’s tourism goals.
Tell us about your presence in Saudi Arabia regarding partnerships and collaborations
We are establishing our RHQ in Saudi Arabia to strengthen our over 10-year presence there. Our robust team of 70+ employees serves almost 106 active clients nationwide, offering reliable, scalable, and flexible technology solutions to customers across different sectors.
Our integration business has grown 120 per cent, and our Business Transformation business grew 234 per cent (x3 times YoY) in the country.
We’ve achieved this growth trajectory through a strong partner ecosystem, building industry verticals and OEMs using world-class technologies. For instance, our collaboration with IBTech on the Public Safety Platform showcases our commitment to integrating Software AG’s robust Integration and IoT Technologies.
Similarly, our OEM agreement with Rootware, utilising our integration and API management capabilities, revolutionises the financial sector with a cutting-edge Payment gateway.
Additionally, our strategic alliance with IoT Squared – a joint venture between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and STC Group underscores our dedication to fostering an IoT ecosystem that supports businesses in their IoT adoption journey.
What are your plans in Saudi Arabia, and how do you intend to intensify them?
With Saudi Vision 2030 progressing at an accelerated speed, immense opportunities for all tech providers, including Software AG, are evident. Software AG is at the forefront of contributing to this vision by injecting the most adaptive AI technologies to advance further and simplify platforms for a wider range of business requirements.
We are well equipped to match the Saudi Government’s pace, and this is well entrenched in the company’s strategies to thrive in the dynamic Saudi market.
