Cloud computing has dramatically transformed the world in the last decade. Increasing digitalisation has spurred the growing reliance on the cloud across the globe, making the technology now more vital than ever.
Global spending on public cloud services is expected to reach $495 billion this year and hit $600 billion in 2023, according to research firm Gartner.
In the Middle East, organisations across the board are investing significantly to adopt cloud computing services. National strategic visions such as the UAE Vision 2021, Saudi Vision 2030 and New Kuwait Vision 2035 motivate governments to embrace newer technologies, many of which are powered by the cloud, to achieve their transformation goals.
At the forefront of digital transformation in the region is the UAE. With its government implementing directives that support and champion digital innovations, the country has become a hotbed for budding tech startups as well as an attractive investment market for global IT players.
In the same vein, major cloud players, like Oracle, have also demonstrated their commitment to the region with massive investments to enable organisations of all sizes to achieve strategic objectives through digital transformation. Earlier this year, the company officially launched a new cloud region in Abu Dhabi, which is its second in the UAE.
“The economic environment in the UAE is very conducive for any corporate,” says Nick Redshaw, Senior Vice President –Technology Cloud, Middle East and Africa & UAE Country Leader, Oracle.
“The innovations coming from the UAE have always been driven by the nation’s desire and willingness to leapfrog quickly, to deliver business value to businesses and to citizens and everyone is phenomenal. The environment they create for companies like us make it an attractive and exciting market. It is a tremendous incubation space to be and to deliver enterprise grade capability off the back of it.”
First announced in the November 2021, Oracle’s Abu Dhabi cloud region is the company’s third in the Middle East. In 2020, the company opened its Middle East’s first cloud region in Jeddah, which was followed by a centre in Dubai.
Built on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Oracle’s cloud regions in Saudi Arabia and the UAE enable customers to seamlessly migrate current workloads and data platforms or develop new cloud-native applications that benefit from improved performance, reduced costs, and built-in security features.
Oracle opens new cloud region to support UAE’s digital economy
Most recently the tech giant’s Dubai cloud region successfully completed the Dubai Electronic Security Center’s (DESC) cloud service provider security standard audit – a framework for supporting government entities with cyber risk management based on international standards.
“The DESC accreditation that we have received is testament to our commitment to supporting our customers’ innovation strategies,” explains Redshaw.
“It showcases that we can provide them not only with the openness, availability and flexibility that they need from a cloud platform but also the absolute confidence that they can manage the risks in what we all know as an expanding cybersecurity environment.”
A customer-centric approach in a multi-cloud world
Oracle has been present in the UAE for over three decades. During this time the company made significant steps to empower to achieve their strategic objectives with digital transformation, including continuously enhancing its Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
“The OCI is built for innovation. It’s a proven technology platform that’s architected bottom up for performance, scalability, availability and security,” says Redshaw.
“It allows us to give our customers the power of choice on how they want to build and deploy their applications in the cloud. Furthermore, it also provides enterprises with the tools and capabilities to build cloud-native apps that will enable them to future-proof their business.”
In a bid to optimise cost and leverage existing investments, many organisations are recoginising that there isn’t a ‘one cloud fits all’ solution. Enterprises today are embracing the opportunity to access a multi-cloud strategy for their business – and Oracle is well-aware of this.
“It’s a multi cloud world,” says Redshaw. “Multi-cloud interoperability is an element in evolution of cloud. We understand that in order to ensure that our customers can get the most value out of our innovations we have to provide them with flexibility as they digitally transform with cloud. Through our partnerships with other cloud players such as Microsoft and Amazon Web Services (AWS), we believe we’ve absolutely hit the sweet spot for our customers.”
Demonstrating the power of cloud and data at GITEX
At the upcoming GITEX Global in Dubai, Oracle will showcase the impact and application of its latest cloud innovations to help boost UAE’s digital economy across key industry verticals, with engaging demonstrations and immersive experiences.
“GITEX for us is the centre showpiece of the tech industry in this region. We have been participating at the show since its inception. This year, we are going to spotlight the impact and application of a lot of the innovations that we are offering. We’re aiming to demonstrate how we can help the UAE digital economy to thrive across industries including in retail, financial services, logistics, healthcare and more. Visitors will be able to visualise this digital world and how the future is going to look,” says Redshaw.
Oracle powers Red Bull Racing with data-driven innovations for new F1 season
According to Redshaw, Oracle’s stand will feature a completely redesigned exhibition area with specially designed interactive pods including an Oracle Red Bull Racing experience.
“The world champion Oracle Red Bull Racing team uses our technologies to power their race strategy, enhance fan engagement and more. Visitors at GITEX will be able to experience what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of one of the fastest Formula 1 cars and understand how real time data powered by Oracle Cloud helps give drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez peak performance,” adds Redshaw.
You can find Oracle in Hall 4 at GITEX Global.
