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DEVOPS FOR AGILITY & INNOVATION
By Alan Hale, director of EMEA Consulting at Red Hat
The most successful businesses use DevOps to remove any roadblocks that stand in their path, writes Alan Hale, director of EMEA Consulting at Red Hat.
Today’s business leaders across the Middle East want more innovation, faster. They know that, in order to beat competitors and continue to thrive, their organization must excel in bringing new products and services to market at speed and on consistently exceeding customer expectations.
That puts major pressure on those responsible for developing and delivering new and enhanced software functionality for the business to use. More frequent releases and shorter deadlines are increasingly becoming facts of life, but in the race to fast-track new pieces of code, IT teams often hit a roadblock.
That roadblock occurs at the boundary of application development and IT operations, an intersection where two very different cultures meet.
Conflict resolution
On one side of the boundary is the culture of the developer, where creativity, freedom to experiment and choice of tools are paramount. The developer is happiest using Agile techniques to produce a constant stream of software releases and upgrades that will get the business where it needs to be, in terms of innovation.
On the other side of the boundary is IT operations, where stability and control are what matters. Disruption is the enemy and frequent software releases can be complex to manage. IT operations agree that they want the business to move forwards – but not at the risk of critical systems falling over.
This cultural divide can lead to all sorts of ‘flashpoints’ before a piece of software makes it into production. Developers get frustrated if they are forced to wait for new development environments to be provisioned or new applications to be approved. IT operations, meanwhile, get exasperated if developers take matters into their own hands, setting up their own environments or releasing code early into test environments. And when code fails, due to library mismatches, for example, or platform/networking differences, everyone is infuriated by the perceived failings of the opposing side and the valuable time that will now be lost to debugging. Even worse, the business is left waiting until the next release window for the functionality it needs. Of course, if any of the bugs reach production or integration fails with other live systems, the fall-out isn’t worth imagining.
These kinds of conflict are the reason that there’s a great deal of interest in DevOps right now – a movement that encourages application developers and IT operations professionals to collaborate more, to remove the bottlenecks that delay the release of new software and to help the business to keep pace with the speed of innovation that will enable it to stay one step ahead of its competitors.
Cloud bridges the divide
We believe that the Cloud is the best venue for DevOps, providing a way of working that can benefit every business, no matter how risk-averse. A platform-as-a-service (PaaS) approach may be hosted by a third-party provider or remain on-premise, in a private cloud infrastructure, but either way, the same benefits that make cloud technologies attractive for production environments also apply to the development and delivery of software: lower cost of entry, faster speed-to-market, on-demand scaling and centralized administration, standardization of provisioning and deployment techniques, for example.
More importantly, however, a cloud-based PaaS provides a single collaborative venue where participants on both sides of the DevOps divide work together closely as a team, regardless of physical location, and get a better understanding of how the other side works.
In particular, automation capabilities guide all staff through the application development and delivery process, providing everyone involved with regular progress reports and alerting them to required next steps, while still preserving distinct roles and responsibilities.
IT operations staff, for example, can create templates in the PaaS environment that mean that developers have instant access to development environments that accurately mirror production whenever they need them. Developers, meanwhile, are provided with access to self-service capabilities that enable them to create scalable applications using their choice of languages and streamlined workflows that accelerate productivity. The result is a more efficient use of time and skills across the entire IT team and more opportunity for the business as a whole to innovate.
The DevOps roadmap
At the same time it is easy to recognize that most organizations have significant investments in existing tools and processes. The journey to DevOps, for many, will and must be an incremental one. That’s why it is vital to work with organizations to create a roadmap that will help them get the most of what they have in place today but, over time, will enable them to incorporate new technologies, such as hybrid cloud, and new ideas, such as continuous development.
Even if fully continuous development and delivery is not the goal for your business, or the idea of automating application development right through to production would be widely greeted with horror, DevOps can accommodate your company’s own particular comfort levels while at the same time helping it to increase reliability, reduce risk and optimize the resources required to get new software into use.
IT operations will get the control they require over environments, framework and reuse. They’ll reap the benefits in terms of cost and efficiency of virtualized and cloud-based environments, as well as vastly accelerated development and testing. Over time, they may choose to work towards charge-back mechanisms that make line of business units responsible for the cost of the development skills and environments that they consume.
Developers, meanwhile, get faster access to new environments; more choice in tools; and the scope to ‘fail fast’, when it comes to trying out new technologies, frameworks and versions. If one approach doesn’t work, they can quickly swap it for another. They get better scalability of environments and improved test control and repeatability. Above all, they spend more time developing and less time waiting to start on the next stage or the next project.
To agility and beyond
The fact is that any organization in the Middle East – whether it’s an IT team or the business it works for – must be agile in order to innovate. That’s a familiar concept to developers who have been using Agile programming techniques for more than a decade to speed development processes. The point of DevOps is to bring the same speed and efficiency to IT operations, creating a win-win for both that breaks down barriers and gets them working at the same speed, towards the same goals. Developers get more freedom; operations still retain the control that they need.
In the process, DevOps enables the whole organization to become more agile and innovative. A steady stream of fresh software, released without disruption, can make a huge difference to business performance, at a time when responding at speed to changing customer demand and exploiting new business opportunities as they emerge has never been more important. DevOps is here already – your first step to better business agility and increased innovation should be to seize on the opportunity it represents.
Ardee Developments has announced the launch of sales for Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island, its highly anticipated branded residential offering in partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Official sales will commence on 1 June 2025 with expression of interest starting 15 May 2025, marking a major milestone in the evolution of Ardee Al Marjan Island, the company’s flagship, multi-billion-dirham development set to redefine coastal living in Ras Al Khaimah.
Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island will comprise 523 upscale residences — including apartments, townhouses, and sea villas — ranging from one to six bedrooms and spanning 86 m² to over 300 m². Every home is thoughtfully designed to embody refined beachfront living, with uninterrupted sea views and elegant interiors that reflect timeless sophistication.
Bringing together the prestige of the Fairmont brand with the ease of resort-style living, residents will enjoy exclusive access to a private beach, the Fairmont Fit Fitness Centre and Studio, family & kids pool, adults sky pool & terrace & bar, dedicated boardroom and private dining room, resident’s owners lounge as well as wellness facilities including treatment rooms, screening room, games room, kids club and seamless connectivity to the adjacent Fairmont resort.
Further enriching the offering is a tailored suite of à la carte services. From in-home catering and private chef experiences to childcare, dog walking, housekeeping, personal concierge support, and a home maintenance program while residents are away, every element is designed to simplify and enhance everyday living. In addition, residents will enjoy exclusive access to the Accor Owner Benefits Program. This includes Diamond status in the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) programme, the ability to gift Gold status to family and friends, and VIP privileges at over 5,700 hotels and resorts around the world.
With prices starting from AED 2.49 Million, Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island offers an exclusive opportunity for discerning buyers seeking long-term value, effortless luxury, and a lifestyle defined by exceptional quality in one of the region’s most iconic coastal destinations.
Beyond the residences, guests were given an exclusive look at the next phase of the Ardee Al Marjan Island masterplan. The development is progressing into a fully integrated coastal destination that blends residences, hospitality, leisure, retail, and entertainment on an unprecedented scale.
Key components of the masterplan include branded and serviced residences, private villas, townhouses, a flagship luxury hotel, and a vibrant retail and F&B promenade. The destination will also feature a variety of curated lifestyle offerings — from wellness hubs and gaming lounges to family entertainment zones and waterfront experiences — all designed to create a future-ready, immersive community.
Prioritizing walkability, nature access, and sea connectivity, the project will boast expansive green spaces, direct beach access, and panoramic views, setting a new standard for contemporary island living in Ras Al Khaimah.
Vishal Mehta, CEO of Ardee Developments, added: “As we prepare to open sales of Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island this June, we are proud to invite buyers into a community that reflects excellence at every level. In partnership with Al Marjan Island, Fairmont Hotels, and Christie’s International Real Estate, we are shaping a new era of luxury coastal living in Ras Al Khaimah — one defined by world-class design, hospitality, and lifestyle, brought together in a truly integrated destination.”
To support global sales efforts, Ardee Developments has appointed Christie’s International Real Estate Ras Al Khaimah as the exclusive master agency. Christie’s will lead GCC and international outreach and client servicing, ensuring a seamless buyer journey.
“This is a vibrant and integrated coastal lifestyle community that combines natural beauty, unparalleled hospitality and leisure not seen in the area before,” said Jackie Johns and Dinesh Chhatwani, Managing Partners at Christie’s International Real Estate Ras Al Khaimah. “Ras Al Khaimah’s momentum as a global hospitality and investment hub, and its rapidly growing real estate market, makes it the ideal launchpad for Ardee Developments to execute its grand vision.”
MERED outlined its long-term investment plans and strategic vision for Saudi Arabia at Saudi Giga Projects 2025 in Riyadh. The event, a key platform aligned with Vision 2030, brought together government bodies, giga project leaders, and private sector executives to discuss development, contracting, and talent-building opportunities within the Kingdom’s fast-growing construction and real estate sectors. As part of MERED’s participation, CEO Michael Belton joined a fireside chat where he shared insights into the company’s market entry approach and growth plans for the Saudi market.
“The Kingdom’s rapid urban and infrastructure growth is reshaping residential demand and creating new opportunities for long-term development,” said Michael Belton, CEO of MERED. “Vision 2030 and ongoing economic diversification are driving strong demand across residential, retail, commercial, and hospitality sectors, supported by investor-friendly reforms. In major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, we’re seeing increased interest in premium and luxury living, as well as growing demand for Class A office spaces that reflect the ambitions of a modern business environment. MERED is well-positioned to meet these changing market needs through high-quality, innovative developments that offer lasting value.”
Yazan Al-Khalidi, Chief Commercial Director at MERED, joined a panel alongside leading developers, consultants, and contractors to discuss workforce capabilities and the skills required to deliver Saudi Arabia’s giga projects efficiently and at scale. The Kingdom’s real estate sector is projected to contribute 10% to GDP by 2030, while non-oil economic activity now accounts for over 50% of national GDP. Knight Frank’s Saudi Report 2025 reveals that 93% of high-income Saudi nationals are actively seeking to buy property, reinforcing the country’s ambition to build a competitive luxury real estate market.
Alongside its growth plans in Saudi Arabia, MERED is supporting the development of future architectural talent in line with the region’s broader goal of equipping young people with in-demand skills. As part of this effort, the company is sponsoring a select group of students to attend the Pininfarina Architecture Summer School in Turin this July, through its partnership with the prestigious Pininfarina Academy, founded by the renowned Italian design house. The program offers hands-on training and exposure to international design practices, giving participants valuable experience they can apply to architectural projects across the region.
MERED’s participation underscores its broader commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s real estate ambitions through innovation, sustainability, and knowledge transfer. With a pipeline of projects already launched in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including the 290-meter ICONIC Residences designed by Pininfarina, the brand is well-positioned to introduce high-end, future-ready developments to the Saudi market.
Financial
HODL 2025 Opens in Dubai, Advancing the Emirates’ Position as a Global Financial Innovation Hub
HODL 2025, organised by Trescon officially opened recently at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi).
The prestigious two-day event follows the Dubai FinTech Summit that commenced on 12th May. During the Summit’s opening ceremony, His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), announced the launch of the inaugural Dubai Future Finance Week, scheduled for 2026. This flagship initiative will bring together major financial events—including Dubai FinTech Summit, Future Sustainability Forum, Private Capital Forum, Seamless Middle East, HODL Summit, and Dubai Future District Fund AGM—under a unified theme: “Pioneering tomorrow’s financial landscape: Innovation, sustainability, and global connectivity.”
“Being part of the upcoming Dubai Future Finance Week reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the Web3 space,” said Mohammed Saleem, Founder & Chairman, Trescon. “We are proud to contribute to Dubai’s vision of becoming a global financial powerhouse.”
Crypto Rulebook: Toward Global Standards
A day 1 highlight was the expert panel “Crypto rulebook: Global best practices and regulatory measures”, moderated by Saqr Ereiqat, Secretary General, Dubai Digital Asset Association. Speakers included:
- Dyma Budorin, CEO, Hacken
- Samir Safar-Aly, MENA FinTech Association
- Erwin Voloder, European Blockchain Association
- Belal Jassoma, DMCC
“We want to have the best ecosystem for entrepreneurs to run their business.” — Dyma Budorin
“Regulations need to catch up and work together.” — Samir Safar-Aly
The discussion emphasized the need for global regulatory coherence and innovation-friendly compliance frameworks.
Insuring Web3: A $6 Trillion Opportunity
Another standout session, “Insuring the Future of Crypto: Bridging Risk & Innovation in the Digital Asset Economy”, spotlighted the crucial role of insurance in de-risking digital finance.
“Insurance has been a bedrock component of sustainability; it is a $6 trillion market.” — Joseph Ziolkowski
The panel explored how risk-aligned insurance solutions are key to unlocking institutional trust and long-term ecosystem resilience.
During his session, Cristian Ulloa, Co-Founder & CEO of Liquid Loans, Platinum sponsor of HODL 2025, shared valuable strategies for building wealth in crypto while steering clear of common pitfalls that lead to crypto regret.
Global Leaders on the HODL Stage
Day 1 also featured other prominent speakers sharing insights across DeFi, tokenisation, compliance, and blockchain banking including:
- Corbin Fraser, CEO, Bitcoin.com
- Nils Andersen-Röed, Global Head of FIU, Binance
- Gracy Chen, CEO, Bitget
- Rifad Mahasneh, CEO MENA, OKX
- Robert Crossley, Global Head, Franklin Templeton
- Joseph Ziolkowski, CEO, Relm Insurance
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