Mobily Tuesday reiterated its belief that cloud computing can prove transformational for Saudi businesses, and warned that those slow to adapt could risk losing out.

“Cloud computing has immense transformational potential for businesses in Saudi Arabia,” said Taher Al-Dabbagh, executive GM, alliance develop and implementation at Mobily.

“Applied with strategy and vision, the benefits of de-coupling from traditional infrastructural constraints and embracing more scalable, flexible and nimble ways of working cannot be underestimated. From SMEs to huge corporations, cloud will clearly inspire new levels of innovation, competitiveness and profitability in the coming years. Late adopters could risk losing out, so it is up to companies like Mobily to raise awareness and help implement the solutions that can really make a difference.”

Al-Dabbagh's comments follow IDC’s recent prediction that spending on cloud services in the Kingdom is expected to increase by 52.9 percent during 2014. In the MENA region, meanwhile, Gartner estimates that from 2013 to the end of 2017, $3.8 billion will be spent on cloud services.

According to another report by Cisco Global Cloud Index, the MEA region is set to post the world’s strongest cloud traffic growth rate from 17 exabytes in 2012 to 157 exabytes in 2017.

MENA’s growing receptivity to the benefits of cloud computing is also echoed by the recent uptake of SAP’s cloud offerings. Between 2012 and 2013, SAP’s cloud deals in the region increased by over 300 percent

Mobily is currently collaborating with SAP to increase business pick-up of cloud solutions across the Kingdom. An agreement signed last year established a framework for Mobily to introduce a host of cutting-edge SAP innovations to its end-users.

“Cloud computing is very much moving from hype to reality in Saudi Arabia,” said Mazen Jabri, head of channel and general business at SAP Saudi Arabia.