Rockwell Automation launches its premier digital excellence center in Saudi Arabia

Atop Al-Fardan Tower, overlooking the shimmering corniche waters with neatly designed structures beneath, stands Hussain Al-Khater, Rockwell Automation's managing director for Saudi Arabia. Representing one of the globe's most prominent industrial automation corporations, he's experiencing his company and nation's transformative journey firsthand.

Al-Khater recently inaugurated the Center of Excellence, geared towards advancing Vision 2030's objective of digital reform, positioning Saudi Arabia as a hub of digital excellence.

"Rockwell Automation's decades-long presence in Saudi Arabia has always been about bolstering local businesses with innovative automation and control solutions," Al-Khater commented. "This new center elevates our commitment to the Kingdom's technological aspirations, allowing customers to explore how we can lead their digital metamorphosis."

Perched amidst the tranquil surroundings, this center is Rockwell Automation's inaugural foray into the Middle East and their third globally, with prior centers in Milwaukee, US, and Bologna, Europe. It underscores Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in the digital age.

Rockwell Automation, a US-based industry leader in digital transformation, has a vast global footprint with roughly 28,000 professionals spanning over 100 countries. Their latest center in Khobar showcases the enormous potential of digital transformation, offering immersive experiences like a 3D pump demo illustrating maintenance operations.

Visitors gain insights into diagnostic processes for electric submersible pumps and real-time data analytics using augmented reality tools and other state-of-the-art tech solutions.

Another section, focused on the oil and gas industry, brings oilfield simulations to life through interactive demos made possible by collaborations like Sensia, a joint venture between Rockwell Automation and Schlumberger.

More than just a demonstration hub, the center highlights Rockwell Automation's commitment to sustainability, emphasizing energy and water conservation. "Digital innovations extend beyond oil and gas, presenting immense growth opportunities in the Saudi market," Al-Khater remarked, highlighting the broader societal benefits of these advancements.

He believes fostering innovation and collaboration with tech leaders is crucial to achieving sustained growth and shaping Saudi Arabia as a global innovation magnet.

Aligning with the center's inauguration, Rockwell Automation hosted its inaugural Decarbonization Conference in the Kingdom, spotlighting strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of Saudi Arabia's industrial sector. Experts convened to share insights on diverse aspects of decarbonization.

Ediz Eren, regional vice president for the Middle East at Rockwell Automation, noted the profound impact of digital transformation and automation on the region's entire oil and gas value chain.

Michael Sweet, Rockwell Automation's director of New Energy, stressed the importance of understanding an organization's automation starting point to plot its future journey. Automation, he stated, presents inventive ways to curtail energy usage, with technologies like artificial intelligence playing a pivotal role.
As technology continues its rapid evolution, the imperative for energy-efficient solutions grows. This futuristic vision is already taking shape for Faissal El-Osman, Rockwell's Enterprise Software Solution Consultant.

The dynamic El-Osman, a representative of the younger generation, is keen on leveraging the past's insights to navigate the future's challenges. He envisions engaging younger talent by highlighting Rockwell Automation's technological prowess.

El-Osman's enthusiasm is palpable. "The youth are gravitating towards manufacturing, seeing the tech infusion," he shared. "With tools like Microsoft HoloLens, decision-makers can gauge real-time metrics, blending efficiency with fun," he concluded.