As Saudi Arabia continues to play a key role in Nutanix’s MEA operations, the company, a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, is expanding into a larger office space in Riyadh to accommodate rapid expansion. Economy Middle East spoke to Talal Al-Saif, regional executive director for Central Gulf at Nutanix, on what has been driving the company’s business in the Kingdom, and how it plans to capitalize on this growth.
Could you provide details on the new office that Nutanix will be moving to, such as location, size, and inauguration date? How much bigger will the new office be compared to the earlier one?
Nutanix is set to announce the opening of its new, state-of-the-art office in Riyadh. Situated on the iconic King Fahd Road at Tuwaiq Gate, this expansion highlights Nutanix’s continued growth and unwavering commitment to Saudi Arabia’s dynamic digital transformation journey.
The grand inauguration of the new office will take place on October 13. Spanning three floors and tripling the size of Nutanix’s previous workspace, the new office is designed to accommodate the company’s robust expansion and provide an enhanced environment for collaboration and innovation.
The office’s prime location, named after the formidable Tuwaiq Mountain — a symbol of resilience and determination as famously compared to the strength of the Saudi people by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman — reflects Nutanix’s own growth and enduring dedication to the region.
What are some of the unique features of the new office?
As part of the launch of the new regional headquarters, an Operational Excellence Centre has been built by Nutanix Saudi experts in a state-of-the-art lab setup, to serve the technology needs of leading enterprises in the Kingdom. The center will develop new technologies and services architectures that will enrich the Saudi tech industry with locally-driven practices. The lab, combined with Nutanix’s focus on regulatory compliance and data security, ensures that enterprises in the Kingdom can confidently adopt advanced cloud solutions while meeting local requirements.
The cutting-edge facility is equipped with the latest technology to support seamless connectivity and collaboration. Nutanix employees will enjoy instant internet access upon entry, and the office is designed for effortless integration with employee cards. Meeting rooms are outfitted with Zoom rooms, enabling smooth wireless screen sharing and high-definition video collaboration for hybrid teams.
What prompted the decision to move to the new office? Could you provide details about Nutanix’s expansion since its move into the Saudi market?
The decision to move to a larger office reflects Nutanix’s significant growth in Saudi Arabia. Over the past six years, Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the largest contributors to Nutanix’s revenue in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. This has driven a 70 percent growth in headcount in the Kingdom in the past three years, illustrating the company’s commitment to scaling operations and supporting an expanding customer base. With ambitious plans in place, Nutanix intends to expand the team significantly over the next three years, ensuring continued growth and support for the company’s operations across the region. Nutanix’s partner count also increased by 75 percent as compared to last year.
What have been the key drivers of growth for Nutanix’s business in the Saudi market these past couple of years?
Enterprise customers in Saudi Arabia have increasingly been adopting Nutanix for their cloud and infrastructure needs due to the technology’s ability to simplify IT operations, reduce costs, and support digital transformation. The company’s multi-cloud solutions provide a seamless, scalable cloud platform that aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes the development of a digital economy, enhanced IT services, and sustainable smart cities. With a strong focus on automation, hybrid cloud capabilities, and security, Nutanix empowers organizations to transition to cloud-native solutions, driving efficiency and innovation.
Nutanix’s success in the Kingdom is further supported by its strategic partnerships with leading distributors. These collaborations have expanded its reach, allowing the vendor to deliver its cutting-edge solutions to a broader audience across the Kingdom.
Could you outline your business strategy and growth plans in the near future?
As Nutanix continues to drive digital transformation across key sectors — including government, education, financial services, healthcare, and telecommunications — the company remains focused on simplifying hybrid clouds with its Nutanix NC2 solution, advancing cloud-native solutions with Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP), and delivering AI-ready infrastructure solutions with GPT-in-a-Box.
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