GEC NEWS WIRETell us about the year 2018. What changes/evolution did it bring to your thinking or mindset as a CIO/IT head?
2018 was a challenging year for me , I started my current role as CIO in Saudi Ground Services (SGS) on February 2018 to lead full digital transformation in the company from Implementing new ERP (SAP) solution to implementing new solution for our ground handling operation (Inform Project) to do full upgrade of our IT infrastructure and moving to Cloud in addition to normal daily challenges for any CIO on maintaining business as usual and keep the team aligned and motivated to provide high quality IT services to the business.
Were you able to stick to your New year resolutions? Did you achieve/over achieve/ under achieve?
- With the support of our board, CEO and the rest of leadership team along with full commitment from my IT team we were able to achieve great result and more to come.
- Inform project implementation completed for our major ground handling business unit in Jeddah .. full automation of our operations process with state-of-the-art manpower optimization solution and mobility devices, and we used IoT to schedule, operate and monitor our equipment’s in the airport efficiently.
- SAP project is progressing as per plan despite the fact we took the challenge to get it completed in less than five months and we are planning to Go live by 1st January 2019
In brief, which technology of 2018 attracted you the most? Have you planned to implement the same in your organization?
Artificial intelligence (AI) with its different technology like Machine learning, Natural Language processing & IoT , in addition to Augmented Analytics and Blockchain are very attractive to me and I am enjoying exploring them and trying to figure out the best way to benefit from them in our business. For example, for our ground handling solution we are using Machine learning to improve our manpower optimization algorithm and we are using IoT by installing On-ground board Unit on all our chargable equipment’s in the airport to enable the system to communicate with the equipment’s and know their status to schedule them automatically to serve fights as needed in addition to keep track of their usage. This will provide our customers with better services and improve our revenue as well.
How active are you as a CIO/IT head on social media platforms? Do you find them a good platform to share knowledge or has it become too monotonous?
Unfortunately, I am not active on social media not because I don’t believe on them but because I am quite busy and couldn’t allocate the proper time. I admit this is one of my shortfalls
What is your 2019 resolution? (if at all you are a ‘Resolution-making’ person) What goals do you have for your organization?
In 2019, we will continue the implementation of our IT digital transformation plan with more focus on business value of IT by providing business cost optimization and shaping business models
