Case Study Deep Dive: Deploying Enterprise IT in Saudi Arabia

When a major social media company approached us to deploy IT infrastructure for their new Riyadh headquarters, we knew it would be our most ambitious international project to date. This deep dive shares the complete story—from initial planning through successful deployment—including the challenges we faced and the lessons we learned along the way.

Project Overview

Client:

Major Social Media Company

Location:

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Project Duration:

14 weeks

Users Supported:

50 workstations + meeting rooms

The Challenge

Our client was establishing their primary Middle East headquarters in Riyadh as part of their global expansion strategy. The project requirements were demanding:

Complete IT infrastructure for a new office space supporting 50 workstations
Enterprise-grade networking with Cisco equipment and wireless LAN controller
Three meeting rooms with Microsoft Teams AV integration and iPad booking systems
Full compliance with Saudi telecommunications and data regulations
Tight deadline aligned with office lease commencement
Future-proof design supporting anticipated growth to 75+ users

The complexity was amplified by several factors:

First project in Saudi Arabia for both A1 Networking and the client
Limited existing local vendor relationships
Navigating unfamiliar regulatory requirements
Coordinating with local contractors and building management
Time zone differences complicating UK-based project management

The Planning Phase (Weeks 1-3)

Initial Site Assessment

Our project manager and lead network engineer flew to Riyadh for a three-day site assessment. Key activities included:

Physical space evaluation and measurements
Meeting with building management to understand infrastructure access
Identifying optimal locations for IT racks and access points
Assessing power and cooling requirements
Meeting potential local contractors and vendors

Key Learning #1

The importance of the initial in-person visit cannot be overstated. Issues that seemed straightforward on floor plans proved more complex in reality. For example, we discovered that the planned server room location had inadequate cooling—catching this early saved us significant rework.

Regulatory Navigation

We engaged a local consultant to guide us through Saudi compliance requirements:

CITC Registration: Coordinated with local telecom provider for wireless equipment approvals
Data Residency Planning: Designed network architecture to comply with data localization requirements
Import Documentation: Prepared comprehensive equipment lists for customs
Content Filtering Integration: Ensured network design supported required filtering systems

Design and Vendor Selection

We developed a hybrid procurement strategy:

Critical Equipment (from UK/Europe): Cisco switch, wireless controller, access points, meeting room AV systems
Local Procurement: Cabling materials, IT racks, cable management, basic hardware
Local Services: Installation contractors, electrical work, final terminations

The Implementation Phase (Weeks 4-12)

Phase 1: Infrastructure Deployment (Weeks 4-6)

With equipment arriving from multiple sources, coordination was critical:

Week 4: Core equipment arrival and customs clearance

Cisco equipment cleared customs (took 5 days vs. anticipated 3)
Local cabling contractor began structured cabling installation
IT racks installed in server room and wiring closet

Week 5: Network backbone installation

Fiber backbone between server room and wiring closet
Cat6A horizontal cabling to all workstation locations
Cable testing and certification
Initial switch configuration in UK, prepared for deployment

Week 6: Equipment installation and power

Cisco switch and wireless controller rack-mounted
UPS system installed and tested
Patch panels terminated and labeled
Initial power-on and connectivity testing

Challenge Encountered

During Week 5, we discovered that the building's power supply was less stable than anticipated. We upgraded from the planned 2kVA UPS to a 3kVA unit and added power conditioning—an unbudgeted expense but essential for equipment protection.

Solution:

Our local electrical contractor sourced a suitable UPS within 48 hours. Because we'd built a 2-week buffer into the schedule, this didn't impact the overall timeline.

Phase 2: Network Configuration and WiFi Deployment (Weeks 7-9)

With physical infrastructure in place, we moved to network deployment:

Week 7: Network configuration

VLAN configuration for data, voice, guest, and management networks
Firewall rules implementation
Quality of Service (QoS) policies for Microsoft Teams
Integration with client's global MPLS network

Week 8: Wireless infrastructure

Wireless LAN controller configuration
Access points installed in optimal locations (informed by our initial site survey)
SSID configuration for corporate and guest networks
WiFi performance testing and optimization

Week 9: Network hardening and security

Implementation of 802.1X authentication
Content filtering system integration (regulatory requirement)
Network monitoring tools deployed
VPN configuration for remote access

Phase 3: Meeting Room AV and Final Integration (Weeks 10-12)

Week 10-11: Meeting room technology

Microsoft Teams room systems installed in three meeting rooms
Displays, cameras, and speakerphones configured
iPad booking tablets deployed and integrated
User acceptance testing with client's IT team

Week 12: Final testing and handover

Comprehensive network performance testing
Load testing with simulated user traffic
Documentation package completion
Knowledge transfer to client's local IT contact

Testing and Validation (Weeks 13-14)

We conducted rigorous testing before final handover:

Performance Testing

Network Throughput: Verified gigabit connectivity to all workstations
WiFi Coverage: Achieved 99% coverage with -70dBm or better signal strength
WAN Connectivity: Tested and verified MPLS connection to global network
Microsoft Teams: Conducted test calls to verify AV quality

Compliance Validation

Verified content filtering system operation
Confirmed data routing compliance with residency requirements
Documented network security controls for client's compliance team
Obtained CITC approval documentation for wireless infrastructure

Results and Outcomes

Project Success Metrics

On-Time Delivery
Completed within 14-week timeline despite equipment delays
Budget Performance
Finished 3% under budget (UPS upgrade absorbed within contingency)
Full Regulatory Compliance
Achieved compliance with all Saudi telecommunications and data regulations
Network Performance
99.8% uptime in first six months of operation
Client Satisfaction
Office operational on day one with zero user-impacting issues

Key Lessons Learned

What Worked Well

Early In-Person Assessment: The initial site visit prevented multiple issues that would have caused delays
Hybrid Procurement: Balancing international and local sourcing optimized costs and timelines
Local Partnerships: Building relationships with quality local contractors was invaluable
Buffer Time: Our 2-week schedule buffer absorbed unexpected delays without impacting delivery
Compliance Expertise: Engaging local regulatory experts early prevented costly rework

What We'd Do Differently

Equipment Contingency: Should have ordered backup critical components (switches, controllers) given longer replacement lead times
Power Assessment: More rigorous upfront power quality testing would have identified UPS requirements earlier
Communication Protocol: Establishing WhatsApp business groups earlier would have improved daily coordination
Cultural Training: Formal cultural awareness training for the project team before deployment would have smoothed early interactions

Best Practices for Middle East IT Deployments

Based on this project, we recommend:

Plan for 50% longer timelines than equivalent UK projects
Build strong local partnerships before project start
Invest in in-person relationship building with key stakeholders
Engage compliance experts early in the planning phase
Over-communicate using multiple channels (email, WhatsApp, phone)
Build adequate contingency into both schedule and budget
Plan for environmental factors (heat, dust, power quality)
Document everything for regulatory compliance

Conclusion

This Riyadh headquarters project was a significant milestone for A1 Networking, validating our capability to deliver enterprise-grade IT infrastructure in challenging international markets. The success opened doors for additional Middle East projects and strengthened our position as a truly international IT services provider.

More importantly, we learned valuable lessons about international project delivery that now benefit all our EMEA clients. While the technical aspects of IT infrastructure remain similar across regions, the execution details—regulatory compliance, vendor management, communication styles, project timelines—require careful attention and local expertise.

For organizations considering similar international expansions, the investment in proper planning, local partnerships, and cultural awareness will pay dividends in project success. With the right approach, deploying IT infrastructure in new markets becomes a manageable and repeatable process.