
Olayan Financing Company and IBM Consulting to implement next-generation SAP solutions
Olayan Financing Company has partnered with IBM Consulting to execute a groundbreaking SAP digital transformation program, setting a new benchmark for innovation and operational excellence in the region. This ambitious initiative lays a solid foundation for Olayan Financing Company's future growth, enabling streamlined management of its assets, diversified business lines, and expansive real estate portfolio.
The transformation program, which encompasses 41 legal entities, involved Olayan Financing Company's migration from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA and the integration of SAP Ariba along with other advanced SAP solutions. IBM Consulting deployed its IMPACT accelerator and industry-leading SAP transformation methodologies, adhering to clean core principles to minimize customizations. This approach ensured that the tailored solution met both the strategic aspirations and operational requirements of Olayan Financing Company.
Highlighting the success of the partnership, Dr. Nabeel M. Al Amudi, CEO of Olayan Financing Company, remarked, 'At Olayan Financing Company, we continuously strive to set new standards in operational efficiency and digital innovation. This partnership with IBM Consulting has enabled us to implement transformative technology that supports our strategic growth objectives, enhances our operational resilience, and aligns with our vision for sustainable and scalable success. We take pride in leading by example in adopting advanced technologies that redefine industry benchmarks in the region.'
Khaled Al Ofaysan, country head and managing partner for IBM Consulting in Saudi Arabia, stated: 'We are delighted to have successfully partnered with Olayan Financing Company to realize their complex SAP transformation program in less than 12 months. This project highlights our proven expertise in delivering sophisticated SAP solutions with precision and efficiency, leveraging the latest SAP technology and a deep understanding of our client's needs and strategic objectives.'
'Olayan Financing Company's forward-thinking approach to modernizing its core technology infrastructure underscores its leadership among financing conglomerates. By investing in robust, scalable solutions and working with global consulting firms like IBM Consulting, OFC demonstrates a commitment to staying ahead of market changes and leveraging innovation for strategic growth. We at SAP are proud to support organizations like Olayan Financing Company as they set new standards for digital transformation in the Kingdom,' said Dr. Fahd Nawwab, vice president, SAP Saudi Arabia.
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Arab News
18-03-2025
- Arab News
Olayan Financing Company and IBM Consulting to implement next-generation SAP solutions
Olayan Financing Company has partnered with IBM Consulting to execute a groundbreaking SAP digital transformation program, setting a new benchmark for innovation and operational excellence in the region. This ambitious initiative lays a solid foundation for Olayan Financing Company's future growth, enabling streamlined management of its assets, diversified business lines, and expansive real estate portfolio. The transformation program, which encompasses 41 legal entities, involved Olayan Financing Company's migration from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA and the integration of SAP Ariba along with other advanced SAP solutions. IBM Consulting deployed its IMPACT accelerator and industry-leading SAP transformation methodologies, adhering to clean core principles to minimize customizations. This approach ensured that the tailored solution met both the strategic aspirations and operational requirements of Olayan Financing Company. Highlighting the success of the partnership, Dr. Nabeel M. Al Amudi, CEO of Olayan Financing Company, remarked, 'At Olayan Financing Company, we continuously strive to set new standards in operational efficiency and digital innovation. This partnership with IBM Consulting has enabled us to implement transformative technology that supports our strategic growth objectives, enhances our operational resilience, and aligns with our vision for sustainable and scalable success. We take pride in leading by example in adopting advanced technologies that redefine industry benchmarks in the region.' Khaled Al Ofaysan, country head and managing partner for IBM Consulting in Saudi Arabia, stated: 'We are delighted to have successfully partnered with Olayan Financing Company to realize their complex SAP transformation program in less than 12 months. This project highlights our proven expertise in delivering sophisticated SAP solutions with precision and efficiency, leveraging the latest SAP technology and a deep understanding of our client's needs and strategic objectives.' 'Olayan Financing Company's forward-thinking approach to modernizing its core technology infrastructure underscores its leadership among financing conglomerates. By investing in robust, scalable solutions and working with global consulting firms like IBM Consulting, OFC demonstrates a commitment to staying ahead of market changes and leveraging innovation for strategic growth. We at SAP are proud to support organizations like Olayan Financing Company as they set new standards for digital transformation in the Kingdom,' said Dr. Fahd Nawwab, vice president, SAP Saudi Arabia.


Asharq Al-Awsat
14-02-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
SAP to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Is Now Home to One of Our Largest Global Investments
Saudi Arabia is accelerating AI adoption across various sectors, enabling businesses to harness data-driven insights, enhance efficiency, and scale operations with agility. At the LEAP 2025 conference, which concluded in Riyadh on Wednesday, SAP, the global leader in enterprise software, reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the Kingdom. In an exclusive interview at the conference, Ahmed Jaber Al-Faifi, Senior Vice President for SAP in the North Middle East and Africa, highlighted the company's significant investments in cloud infrastructure, AI-powered business solutions, and workforce development in Saudi Arabia. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he stated: 'AI is not just another tool for improving efficiency; it is a revolution that will redefine industries. Just as the internet transformed business operations, AI is set to become an essential component of every organization's strategy.' He further warned: 'Companies that fail to adopt and scale AI will become irrelevant within the next five years.' SAP's commitment to Saudi Arabia dates back to 2012, when the company invested $500 million to establish a robust enterprise technology ecosystem in the region. Over the years, this investment has focused on two key areas. The first is building a strong local partner network, with SAP working alongside more than 100 Saudi partners to expand its reach and provide tailored solutions for local businesses. The second focus has been talent development. SAP has provided over 400,000 training days for students, partnered with 33 universities, and launched a free two-year diploma program to equip Saudi professionals with the skills needed to succeed in the digital economy. Al-Faifi emphasized: 'Talent development is critical to digital transformation. We are not just bringing technology to Saudi Arabia; we are building the skills and expertise necessary to support and scale these innovations over the long term.' One of the most defining aspects of Saudi Arabia's digital transformation is the rapid shift to cloud computing. As companies increasingly migrate their operations to the cloud, SAP has been at the forefront of facilitating this transition. In Saudi Arabia alone, 75% of SAP customers have already moved to the cloud, and this figure is projected to reach 95% by next year. Al-Faifi explained: 'Saudi Arabia has embraced a cloud-first strategy at a pace faster than most markets. Through our data centers in Riyadh, SAP ensures that critical business data remains within the Kingdom while providing enterprise-grade security, scalability, and AI-driven automation.' Despite the rapid adoption of AI and cloud technologies, Saudi businesses face three major challenges in scaling these innovations, according to Al-Faifi. The first challenge is legacy system migration, as many organizations still rely on outdated infrastructure that must be modernized before they can fully leverage AI and cloud solutions. The second challenge is data quality and management, since AI-powered decision-making depends on clean, well-organized, and high-quality data, which many businesses struggle to maintain. The third and most pressing challenge is the talent shortage, with demand for AI and cloud computing experts far exceeding the available talent pool, leading to fierce competition for skilled professionals. 'Migrating to the cloud is not just about transferring data; it requires a fundamental shift in how organizations manage, analyze, and secure their information. AI can only deliver value if the underlying data is clean and structured,' Al-Faifi said. Recognizing that talent is the key to unlocking AI's full potential, SAP has launched exclusive training programs in Saudi Arabia, including the SAP Engineering Academy—the only one of its kind outside the United States. The academy has already trained over 600 Saudi professionals, including talent from the Ministry of Interior and Aramco. Beyond technical training, SAP is also focused on executive AI education, helping CEOs, CFOs, and other decision-makers understand how to integrate AI into their business strategies. The company has established partnerships with Saudi universities to provide hands-on experience with SAP's latest technologies. Additionally, SAP is launching AI literacy programs for organizations to ensure that businesses maximize AI-driven efficiencies and data-driven decision-making. Al-Faifi noted: 'Forty percent of companies that have implemented AI solutions have reported a clear return on investment, while another 40% are in the process of refining their AI use cases. AI is rapidly transitioning from an experimental technology to a core business function.' SAP's Business Network, one of the world's largest B2B trading platforms, was previously hosted in the United States. However, with the rapid digital expansion in Saudi Arabia, SAP recognized the need for a localized version of the platform to comply with Saudi data residency regulations. Today, the SAP Business Network operates at full capacity from Riyadh, ensuring that all transactions, procurement activities, and supply chain data remain within the Kingdom's regulatory framework. Al-Faifi highlighted the network's economic impact, stating: 'In 2023 alone, SAP Business Network facilitated $550 billion in transactions—equivalent to 5% of Saudi Arabia's GDP. This demonstrates the scale at which Saudi businesses rely on SAP's solutions.' The network now includes 156,000 local Saudi suppliers, enabling businesses to source from domestic partners, reduce dependency on international procurement, and strengthen national supply chains. Discussing this transformation, Al-Faifi said: 'With Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 mega-projects, the need for a localized business network became clear. The SAP Business Network in Riyadh enables Saudi companies to trade more efficiently while ensuring compliance with local regulations.' With Saudi Arabia preparing to host Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the Kingdom is gearing up for massive technological advancements in infrastructure, smart city planning, and event management. SAP has previously deployed its enterprise solutions at Expo 2020 Dubai, where it helped manage logistics, ticketing, and crowd control. Al-Faifi revealed that SAP is currently in discussions with Saudi authorities to implement similar AI-driven solutions for upcoming mega-events. From AI-powered crowd management to real-time logistics optimization, SAP's solutions will play a pivotal role in ensuring smooth operations for large-scale events. The company is particularly focused on intelligent ticketing platforms, smart transportation systems, and digital security solutions, ensuring seamless experiences for millions of expected visitors. Beyond the events sector, SAP is actively collaborating with major Saudi entities such as Aramco, NEOM, and the Red Sea Project to integrate AI, cloud computing, and business intelligence into some of the Kingdom's most ambitious development projects. Al-Fafi stressed: 'Saudi Arabia is now home to one of SAP's largest global investments. Our goal is to empower the Kingdom with AI-driven solutions, ensuring that businesses and government entities have the tools to innovate, scale, and thrive in the digital economy.'


Saudi Gazette
12-01-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Almarai successfully deploys SAP solutions to power strategic expansion
Almarai, the world's largest vertically integrated dairy company and the world's fourth most valuable dairy brand in 2024, has successfully implemented RISE with SAP on Google Cloud. This milestone marks a pivotal step in Almarai's digital transformation journey to drive innovation and achieve operational excellence. Almarai's SR18 billion five-year investment plan focuses on growing its core categories and its poultry business, entering new categories, expanding into new markets, and technology & digitization. To support these goals, the company is leveraging SAP solutions like SAP S/4HANA, enabling a seamless transition to the cloud to streamline operations, boost agility and scalability, enhance decision-making, and grow geographically. Dr. Faisal Al-Nasser, Head of Enterprise Information Technology (EIT) at Almarai, stated: 'Partnering with SAP and Google Cloud has equipped Almarai with the technological foundation critical for achieving sustainable growth and realizing our long-term vision. This collaboration ensures that we are well-prepared to navigate emerging opportunities while advancing our strategic objectives, seamlessly aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and reinforcing our commitment to innovation and sustainability.' Close collaboration with SAP and Google Cloud ensured a seamless migration of data and core functions to the cloud, maintaining uninterrupted operations and resolving challenges in real time. Andy Froemmel, Vice President and General Manager for SAP MEA North, said, 'Almarai's deployment of SAP S/4HANA RISE on Google Cloud sets a new standard for innovation and agility within the region. This achievement positions Almarai to leverage emerging technologies such as AI while advancing its strategic goals.' Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030, this implementation reaffirms Almarai's commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and digital innovation while strengthening its leadership in the global F&B industry