Dimension Data has secured an ambitious consulting deal with Saudi Arabian Airlines, operating as Saudia, to lead a R14-million project for the company.
Saudia has a broad and ambitious vision for what it wants to achieve through technology. One of its most strategic current projects is to develop the Sinnovate Smart Technology Hub (Sinnovate) in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), approximately 100km north of Jeddah.
The Sinnovate project aligns three technology partners – Dimension Data, CH2M HILL and Microsoft – to deliver a best-in-class programme. Dimension Data has been contracted by the construction project managers and lead contractor, US-based CM2H Hill, together with Microsoft, to deliver jointly the Sinnovate Smart Technology Hub.
Dimension Data is providing transformational, strategic, architecture and technology consulting services to design the ICT architecture of the Sinnovate Technology Hub. This engagement forms part of Dimension Data and Microsoft’s joint Modern Datacentre Initiative.
Dawid Upton, services executive of Dimension Data Middle East & Africa, says: “We are very excited by this opportunity to contribute to Saudia’s ambitious ICT vision. This win also presents an opportunity for us to spread our wings in the wider MEA region.”
Announced in 2005 by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, KAEC is scheduled for completion in 2029, and will cover 186 square kilometres. The project will shift not only the culture from technology consumer to technology producer but also will provide knowledge transfer base for the region.
In addition, the Sinnovate Technology Hub is part of an ambitious vision of providing training to new Saudi graduates to become future technology leaders to support business, research, and academic demands in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region, while offering best in class data centre and cloud services to Saudia, businesses located at KAEC, and other regional organisations.
