GEC NEWS WIREC-level executives and business leaders in the GCC and Egypt overwhelmingly agree on cloud computing’s positive and transformative impact, according to new findings released. Commissioned by F5 Networks, and conducted by research agency Think Positive, the study is one of the most in-depth of its kind to involve board-level decision-makers. The results are the most up-to-date gauge on current regional attitudes to the cloud, drawing on the views of 250 C-level executives and business owners from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Egypt.
“Cloud computing has significant potential to radically alter how businesses and organisations run in the GCC,” said Diego Arrabal, VP – Middle East, Turkey & Africa, F5 Networks. “This new study shows that, while the region still has plenty of room to ramp up cloud deployment projects, the overall recognition of the technology’s possibilities is at an all-time high. Decision-makers in the region see the cloud as a business priority. Firms that continually innovate and build a sustainable cloud strategy will increasingly stand out from their competitors, meet intensifying compliance targets, and be better able to substantively contribute to major government-backed transformation projects.”
Although the GCC is relatively early in its multi-cloud embrace compared to mature markets, such as the USA and parts of EMEA, there is widespread and enthusiastic receptivity for the technology’s potential.
Almost all GCC businesses (99%) believe the cloud can have a positive impact on market share and help to displace competitors. 90% also stated that it can improve brand perception, and 89% praised its capacity to improve innovation. A clear consensus was also reached on the cloud’s potential to enhance the overall customer experience (90%).
Similarly, 96% of decision-makers were keen to highlight the cloud’s likely starring role in driving major government-led transformation initiatives. 97% believed that the cloud would be integral to the ongoing rollout of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and 91% believed the same for the UAE’s Vision 2021.
Most respondents also flagged the importance of local regulations as a constructive cloud conduit, with 68% stating they had a favourable influence. Kuwait was the most positive in this respect (78%) followed by the UAE (77%), and Saudi Arabia (64%).
“The GCC is ideally placed to reap the benefits of the cloud in all its incarnations. Governments have ambitious, world-class plans in place to change the way people live and work, and there is a huge base of tech-savvy youngsters about to enter the workforce. As the findings show, there is also a strong appetite among key decision-makers to use the cloud as a conduit to move fast and innovate,” said Tabrez Surve, MEA Security Head, F5 Networks.
