5 November 2024, Tue |
11:42 PM
Xebia, a global IT consultancy, is expanding in the Middle East against the backdrop of rapid demand in the region, as more businesses realize they must undergo digital transformation or face an uncertain future.
Since opening a Dubai office in 2016, the Netherlands-based Xebia has had a presence in the region. However, it has announced ambitious growth plans this year, backed by an ever-expanding client list.
From one local client and 14 employees in 2016, the company has experienced tremendous growth in the Middle East and Africa region over the last six years, with more than 300 regional employees and 14 clients spread across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt. Xebia assists forward-thinking companies in industries as diverse as airlines, real estate, government, banking, financial services, and insurance with digital transformation.
“We are seeing growing interest in our digital transformation consultancy services and solutions as the region awaken to the incredible possibilities of the hyper-connected world. We have new clients, new services, new staff, and a bold, bright future helping drive the region’s vital shift to more digital services,” said Shankar Garg, Managing Director MEA, Xebia.
To meet the growing demand for its suite of services, which includes data and AI, cloud, DevOps, business agility, software development, and quality improvement, the company’s team in the region will grow to more than 450 people by the end of the year and to 750 people by the end of 2023.
A key sector driving this rapid growth is banking. Xebia is now working with three of Saudi Arabia’s leading banks.
The roadmap assists banks in eliminating paperwork, reducing risk in core activities, and allowing employees to spend less time servicing clients and conducting transactions and settlements.
Xebia is long renowned for its coding expertise, with a focus on full stack development, Agile and DevOps expertise. But today, the company is seeing a wave of interest in Low Code – a highly visual, simpler approach to software development that brings cost efficiencies and saves time.
“Using Low Code in our software development endeavours means companies can get bespoke solutions in a fraction of the usual development time, and with better costs – vital elements in the battle to stay ahead in the hyper-fast digital world,” explains Garg, adding that he sees a great deal of interest in Low Code from Saudi Arabian entities keen to leapfrog overly complex legacy software and take advantage of rapid implementation of digital initiatives.
Data storage – especially in the financial services sector – is a substantial regional problem. However, Xebia offers solutions in this area too. Garg says Xebia is seeing a great deal of interest in the number of companies looking to move their data to the cloud.
“This provides a safe, secure and always available remote storage solution,” he explains.
In fact, one of the largest regional airlines recently selected Xebia as a preferred data partner. Xebia will transfer the airline’s data to the cloud via its India-based offshore delivery center as part of the agreement.
From assisting regional governments to assisting start-ups in gaining their first customers, Xebia continues to assist companies in rapidly evolving to meet the challenges of the digital-first era.
