Smart City Playbook

Business, Industry & Logistics

Usecases

Work in Al Madinah Digital Companion

Work in Al Madinah Digital Companion is a digital platform aimed at accompanying investors and entrepreneurs in their journey to launch their business in the city. In a digital world where ease of use, simplicity and personalization are essential, complexity and bureaucracy are no longer accepted. Not only have smartphones become essential part of the business-consumer relationship, but also at the heart of the way citizens engage with their governments. As such, and to eliminate the challenges that typically hinder starting a business in KSA, the “Work in Al Madinah ” digital platform will help guide investors and entrepreneurs through the process of doing business and better explain the country’s main regulations and requirements. By listing and gathering common and relevant documents in one place, the platform will grant investors a unified login to multiple government platforms and provide a digital assistant throughout the application process. Not only will investors be more attracted to invest in the city, but they will also enjoy a faster and frictionless interaction with the government. Powered by data and AI, “Work in Al Madinah ” will also act as an automated companion and advisor that facilitates touchpoints and reduces overheads required to start a business in Al Madinah.

KEY

CHALLENGES

Existing business are not enabled with the right tools and capabilities to boost productivity, acquire knowledge, and ensure a safe work environment

Supply chain phases are not planned and managed effectively

The business environment in Al Madinah lacks supporting services and tools

KEY EXPECTED BENEFITS

Higher “Ease of Doing Business Ranking”

The Kingdom’s ranking on the ease of doing business index will increase

Eliminated Bureaucracy

Stakeholders will need less time to manage government interactions, eventually reducing administrative overheads

ALIGNMENT TO SMART CITY OBJECTIVES

Streamlined

TARGET USERS

Start-Up

Business Enablers

Business Owner/ Manager

USE CASE

JOURNEY

After recently graduating from Taibah University with a degree in interior design, Huda is ready to set up her own interior design consultancy business. As she prefers to discuss the business set-up with a specialist, she visits “Work in Al Madinah” digital platform to book a virtual consultation with a business advisor.

Through the platform, Huda receives notifications informing her on the progress of her application registration process. The platform enables her to digitally conduct the whole registration process, including information gathering, documents submission and payment of fees.

She comes across a tender invitation for a new initiative launched by Al Madinah government to create luxury pop-up accommodation for tourists, so she reaches out to the listed contacts to discuss how her business can help.

Three months later, Huda is successfully awarded the interior design contract. After creating her initial plans, she logs onto the platform that lists furniture and goods from local manufacturers across Al Madinah city and beyond. By leveraging the AR technology, she designs the layout of the accommodation and makes a purchase order.

The luxury accommodation project is now in its final stages, yet Huda wants to add some unique local touches to her interior design plans in order to create a full-on experience for the city visitors. Using the digital platform again, she searches through the ‘designed by residents’ section  to purchase one-off crafts and artwork from small businesses.

POTENTIAL SERVICE FEATURES

Guidance on business requirements

What-if scenario modelling

Online support

Network of partners and co-founders

Access to business set-up tools and resources

Access to trend reports

KEY TOUCH POINTS

Web & App

VR/AR

Implementation
Timeline

Within 6 months

12 – 18 months

Over 24 months

Technology Commercial Viability

Currently commercialized

1 – 3 years to commercialize

5+ years to
commercialize

Regulatory Conduciveness

No New Policies and
Standards

Some Policies &
Standards to be
Introduced

Complex Policies to be
Introduced

Investment Requirement

Low

Medium

High

Use Case Ownership

Government Driven

Piloted by Gov. & Transitioned to Private Sector

Private Sector

Startups & Entrepreneurs

IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS

Product standards (size and weight) for autonomous robots

Policies to manage data collection from suppliers and its potential usage

Integration with procurement systems for automated PO creation

POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

IN THE MARKET

Business, Industry & Logistics

Use Cases

Smart Warehouse Management Solutions

Industrial 3D Printing

Smart Factory Solutions

The Human-Tech (Augmented) Workforce Solutions

Real-time Fleet Management

Work in Al Madinah Digital Companion

Industrial Collaboration Platform

Made in Al Madinah E-Commerce Platform

Smart Lockers “Ameen”

Al Madinah Loyalty Program “Madenati”