Saudi Arabia-based dairy company Almarai is migrating to Google Cloud.
The company is moving its critical systems to Google Cloud and hopes that this will improve its scalability and flexibility while remaining cost-effective.
The two key systems set to move include Almarai's SAP workloads and its sales application.
The data will be hosted in Google Cloud's Saudi Arabia region, enabling the company to meet digital sovereignty requirements.
A timeline for Almarai's migration has not been shared. DCD has contacted the company for additional information, including the company's existing data center footprint.
"We are happy to partner with Google Cloud on our digital transformation journey," said Dr. Faisal Alnasser, CIO of Almarai. "Almarai's global aspirations demand agile technologies and superior customer experiences in order to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) industry. Google Cloud's world-class infrastructure and advanced technologies will provide us with the foundation we need to achieve our strategic objectives and deliver exceptional value to our customers."
"Almarai is a true innovator in the food and beverage industry, and we are proud to support its digital transformation journey," added Bader Almadi, country manager for Google Cloud in Saudi Arabia.
"By leveraging the power of Google Cloud's infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies, Almarai is not only enhancing its operational efficiency but also setting a new standard for customer experience in the region. As one of the world's most valuable dairy brands, Almarai's commitment to digital transformation is an inspiration to businesses across the Middle East."
Almarai was founded in 1977 and describes itself as the world's largest "vertically integrated dairy company." The company, headquartered in Saudi Arabia, also offers juices & beverages, bakery, poultry, infant formula, dates, fish, and seafood products under 21 brands.
Earlier this year, IntelligentCIO reported that Almarai had established a Business Intelligence Center, which gathers and analyses data from "various company sources," and is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve productivity and operational efficiency.
Google launched a cloud region in Saudi Arabia in November 2023, located in Dammam. In October, the company signed an agreement with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to develop a global artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement is subject to regulatory approvals, but should it go through, Google and PIF will conduct joint research on Arabic language models as well as Saudi-specific AI applications.
