Red Hat on Open Source Innovation and Market Expansion in Saudi Arabia

Integrator Media had an exclusive interview with Martin Lentle, VP, Northern Europe, Middle East & Africa, Red Hat

How do we all keep up with the fast pace of change of open source?

As the centre of innovation, open source represents the future of IT and is revolutionising software development methodologies. Moreover, the collaborative nature of open source greatly fosters innovation. As for Red Hat, we proactively participate in upstream communities to embrace this transition. Owing to its exposure to the newest technologies, our engineers are actively involved in this field, further providing us with insights into new trends and interests. This is significant as several businesses may find the landscape intimidating, given that managing a business requires a high degree of predictability, stability, and security. This is the point where Red Hat’s expertise comes into play. We engage in upstream activities while providing customers with clear commitments related to lifecycle, security, and stability. Red Hat therefore strives to be the bridge that facilitates the seamless integration of open-source solutions into enterprise settings.

What customer needs do you see at the moment in the IT Industry?

It is imperative for all IT leaders to find a balance between embracing and managing change. The primary concern with this revolves around figuring out the ideal pace for each customer, particularly with regard to containerisation and orchestrating containers. Red Hat is firmly committed to giving customers the freedom to take charge of this journey and the choices they make along the way. Giving customers the tools to learn how to containerise apps is a key component of this strategy. This philosophy is reflected in our product offerings where we integrate automation and containerisation tools into Red Hat Enterprise Linux, to help customers get started with container building and deployment. Recognising the growing significance of automation skills, we have also improved training opportunities for Red Hat certified engineers. Simply put, we carefully evaluate and empower our customers with the right solutions based on their own needs and preferences, rather than forcing a predetermined course of action upon them.

LEAP will be back for the third year to bring together the global technology ecosystem. What is the significance of the LEAP conference for Red Hat?

The LEAP conference plays a major role in driving KSA’s digital economy forward, attracting foreign investment, advancing women’s empowerment in the tech industry, and preparing Saudi youth for success. Over the years, the event has grown into a major platform for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging sectors. This holds particular significance as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries swiftly progress towards sustainability, with an increasing focus on economic diversification and a reduced reliance on oil. Consequently, technology will surely have a much bigger influence on innovation and growth in the coming years. Significant investments have also been made by the Saudi Arabian government to boost the nation’s technology market, either directly or through venture capital programs. Over 100 startups have been founded over the last few years in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030, and numerous venture capital firms have been established with the goal of empowering young people and steering further growth in the Saudi market.

How does Red Hat plan to grow and expand its market presence in Saudi Arabia?

Red Hat is committed to developing strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabian businesses, technology firms, or government agencies to expand its market reach and establish a stronger regional presence. By tailoring its offerings to the specific needs and demands of prominent industries, the company is better positioned to attract more customers in the region. As part of its long-term goals, Red Hat also collaborates with the Saudi Arabian open-source community and attends industry conferences, seminars, and events to increase awareness of its offerings and demonstrate its commitment to supporting the market. Providing localised support, training, and consulting services in Arabic, as well as catering to the specific cultural and business requirements of Saudi Arabian organisations, also serves as an important step towards the growth of Red Hat’s regional customer base. Furthermore, ensuring compliance with Saudi Arabian laws and regulations, particularly those pertaining to data privacy and security, as well as funding workshops and certifications to equip local IT personnel with the skills needed to effectively use Red Hat’s technologies, are all revolutionary steps that can support the company’s long-term success in Saudi Arabia. With this, Red Hat aims to establish itself as a reliable advisor and partner for digital transformation projects in the region by exhibiting thought leadership, delivering innovative solutions, adopting best practices, and maximising value.