Al Othaim selects Cisco as preferred technology provider in Saudi Arabia

Cisco's communication and collaboration solutions are ideally suited to help Al Othaim achieve its business efficiency targets, cut operational costs and accommodate its ambitious growth and expansion plans while enabling better service to its customers.

Al Othaim opted for a complete Cisco solution including core network architecture, local and wide area network (LAN/WAN), unified communications and contact center solution, wireless technology, network security solutions, and data center technology.

Al Othaim's investment in Cisco's solution highlights the critical role that the ICT network plays as the platform for its expansion and growth strategy across the Kingdom.

A centralized data center will connect all of Al-Othaim's outlets and retail shops together, giving access to various centrally managed services such as inventory, order status, delivery schedules and other productivity enhancing services to employees and staff. Also, an IP Contact Center of 1000 agents will be deployed to assist the company's employees with technical support.

Mr. Aadham Junaidallah, CIO of Al Othaim Holding, said:

"As a leading Saudi Arabian retailer, we were looking for a technology infrastructure that would support a high-speed network in a secure and managed environment to grow with our business needs. Cisco's technology architecture is designed to help save on operating and capital expenses by reducing IT complexity within the store environment through data center consolidation. We see Cisco as a long-term strategic technology provider that we can rely on for our current and future technology needs."

Dr. Badr Al-Badr, Managing Director of Cisco Saudi Arabian Region said, "Al Othaim is setting a trend for retailers in Saudi Arabia, Cisco is committed to developing solutions specifically designed to help retailers meet their objectives and increase network productivity. I believe we will soon see a shift in the Saudi retail industry with innovation and technology as the main driver."

Cisco's network infrastructure and IP based solutions offer retailers the opportunity to drive down daily operational IT maintenance costs. The Cisco network can be tailored to meet a wide range of retail needs, such as regulatory compliance, supporting in-store video surveillance, or deploying wireless retail solutions.

At the same time, the network plays a vital role in the company's long-term strategy for protecting customer, employee and operational data. In addition, it supports advanced voice, video and mobile data capabilities, helping enable stores to manage their entire business, from supply chain to customer support, using information provided in real time. Based on this single, integrated solution, the result is an agile, service-centric retail operation at Al-Othaim.