“Our purpose is to create and deploy digital transformation of the highest standard, enhancing the way we live and work”- Mohamad Hejazi, 3M Data

CNME Editor Mark Forker managed to secure an exclusive interview with the dynamic executive leadership team at 3M Data, in an effort to better understand the company’s vision, strategy for future growth – and how its ability to deliver ‘extraordinary outcomes’ is what differentiates 3M Data from its market rivals.

Earlier this month, CNME Editor Mark Forker spoke to Mohamad Hejazi, General Manager of 3M Data, Mohamad Jamous, Sales Director at 3M Data, and Musa Kazim, Director of Services at 3M Data, for a broader overview on the Saudi-based IT services and consulting leader.

3M Data has described itself as an entity that is ‘powering the digital revolution’ across the Kingdom.

Despite being a new entity, 3M Data already has a broad portfolio, with an array of technological solutions from next-gen cloud architecture, managed services, and cybersecurity that makes the company the perfect fit for enterprises looking for tangible business outcomes amidst a backdrop of rapid digital transformation. 

The company has declared that it is in the business of delivering ‘extraordinary outcomes’ across major industry verticals.

Mohamad Hejazi is a hugely respected IT leader, not only in the KSA, but across the Middle East.

He came to prominence in the IT landscape across the KSA over the last 15 years, but earlier this year, Hejazi decided alongside two of his industry peers to establish 3M Data. 

He kickstarted our conversation by highlighting the factors that led to him to form 3M Data.

“The journey of 3M Data began with three industry leaders who have been in the market for over 15 years, particularly in the Saudi Arabian and Middle Eastern markets. We worked closely together in our previous roles, achieving significant success and delivering exciting projects. After years of collaborating and understanding the market’s needs, we decided to come together and take on a new challenge. Our goal was to create a company that could exceed client expectations and provide even more comprehensive solutions than we had in the past,” said Hejazi.

Hejazi added that 3M Data has lofty aspirations and ambitions, and stated that they want to bring ‘bold’ ideas to fruition.

“Our vision is to embody the boldest ideas and bring them to life. We’re dedicated to building the technological foundations for some of the most visionary projects in the Middle East. Our purpose is to create and deploy digital transformation of the highest standard, enhancing the way we live and work. We focus on synergizing expertise in next-generation cloud architecture, AI and automation, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and managed services. This vision drives our strategic initiatives and innovation efforts,” said Hejazi.

Hejazi also said that in terms of some of the guiding fundamental principles that are at the core of what 3M Data stands for, establishing trust was high on their agenda.

“Our values are centered around focus, flexibility, and trust. We strive to be a trusted partner for our clients, ensuring that we are perfectly positioned to take on their challenges and deliver outcomes that exceed expectations. These values guide every aspect of our work, from strategic planning to execution,” said Hejazi.

CNME then spoke to the man responsible for overseeing the sales operations of 3M Data.

Mohamed Jamous, is the Sales Director at 3M Data and he believes the company’s ability to incorporate AI, automation, and advanced technologies into its solutions is a key market differentiator.

He discussed their sales strategy, and outlined how it was closely aligned with the goals and objectives of the KSA’s Vision 2030 economic reformation program.

“Our sales strategy is deeply aligned with the digital transformation initiatives outlined in Vision 2030 for Saudi Arabia. This includes a strong focus on cloud computing and cybersecurity. We see significant investment in these areas, and our strategy is to position ourselves as a leading partner for organizations undergoing these transformations. Our approach is to align with these national objectives, ensuring that we meet the technological needs of our customers while supporting the broader vision for the region,” said Jamous.

Echoing the sentiments expressed by his General Manager, Jamous reiterated how the company is inspired to be ‘bold’.

“The idea of being the boldest is about leading the market with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Our strategy is not just about providing traditional services; it’s about bringing the right technical aspects to empower the next generation of products in the region. We’re focused on being ahead of the curve, offering solutions that are not only current but also future-proof,” said Jamous.

Jamous highlighted how the demand for cloud services across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has seen the company pivot their solutions towards that market vertical in particular.  

“We are focusing to provide our clients a unique and advance approach, where we aim to differentiate ourselves by incorporating the advanced technologies into our offerings. On the cloud side, we’re targeting the rapidly growing demand for cloud services in the Middle East. The cloud journey in this region is just beginning, and we see enormous potential to help organizations transition to the cloud efficiently and securely,” said Jamous.

AI is everywhere, and when asked how does he see the cloud market evolving over the next few years, Jamous believes the implementation of AI will drastically change the landscape.

“We anticipate massive demand for cloud, AI and cybersecurity in the next five to seven years in the middle East. As organizations expand and adopt more AI and cloud-based solutions, the need for robust security measures will grow. We plan to be at the forefront of this transformation, providing the expertise and technology needed to support these developments,” said Jamous.

The final person on the executive leadership team that I spoke to was Musa Kazim, Director of Services at 3M Data.

He highlighted the two major pillars on which its product portfolio is designed, and again believes that this is another market differentiator for the company.

“Our portfolio is built around two major pillars. The first is system integration, where we focus on network security, workplace collaboration, and other core technologies. However, we don’t approach this like a traditional system integrator. We’re heavily focused on incorporating Cloud services, AI, automation, and advanced tools into our solutions, which sets us apart in the market,” said Kazim.

Musa added that cloud and cybersecurity are key areas of focus for 3M Data, and said they were wholly committed to helping their customers yield the transformative benefits of cloud technologies and services.

“The cloud is a critical part of our strategy. We’re focusing on the full spectrum of cloud services, including on-premise data centers, private clouds, public clouds, and multi-cloud environments. In the Middle East, the cloud journey is still in its early stages, which presents a huge opportunity for us to lead. We aim to help organizations navigate this journey from start to finish, ensuring they get the most out of their cloud investments,” said Kazim.

The cybersecurity landscape is complex to say the least, and its imperative for companies to be agile and adaptable, as new threat actors continue to emerge.

Musa believes that AI technology can empower companies, enhancing their ability to defend against potential threats effectively.

“Cybersecurity is a paramount priority for us. We are focusing on key areas such as consulting services, with a strong emphasis on cloud security, governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), as well as securing operational technologies (OT) and implementing advanced cybersecurity solutions, whether in on-premises, cloud, or multi-cloud environments. As threats continue to evolve, so do our strategies. We are committed to staying ahead of the curve by integrating the latest AI and automation technologies into our cybersecurity offerings. This proactive approach ensures that our clients remain protected at all times,” said Kazim.

Musa concluded a wonderful insight into the vision of 3M Data by reiterating that its focus is primarily to be a trusted partner for its customers, and believes the company is well-positioned to meet the market demands of the KSA.

“The Middle East is in a phase of cloud readiness, where many organizations are looking for trusted advisors to guide them through their cloud journeys. At the same time, as cloud adoption increases, so does the need for robust cybersecurity. We’re seeing a massive demand for these services, and we believe this demand will only grow in the coming years. 3M Data is perfectly positioned to meet these needs, helping clients navigate the complexities of cloud adoption while ensuring their data remains secure. Just to reiterate, our focus is on being a trusted partner for our clients. We’re committed to delivering high-quality, innovative solutions that meet their needs and help them achieve their goals. Whether it’s cloud, cybersecurity, or system integration, we’re here to lead the way,” said Kazim.