FAQ
Majid Al Futtaim worked with Publicis Sapient to transform its data practice into a foundation for faster growth, better customer understanding and more effective decision-making. The work centered on building a custom data management platform on AWS, breaking down silos and making trusted data more accessible across the business.
What did Publicis Sapient help Majid Al Futtaim achieve?
Publicis Sapient helped Majid Al Futtaim turn its data practice into an engine for business growth. The work created a modern data foundation that made quality information easier to access, supported stronger customer insight and gave the business a better base for advanced analytics. It also helped the organization move faster across business units.
What business problem was Majid Al Futtaim trying to solve?
Majid Al Futtaim needed to break down operational silos and modernize outdated systems to better understand its customers. The organization wanted a single view of the customer across its retail, leisure, communities and shopping mall businesses. It also needed to support the seamless omnichannel experiences customers expect.
Why was data transformation important for Majid Al Futtaim?
Data transformation was important because Majid Al Futtaim saw data as essential to remaining a leader and serving customers better. The company had valuable customer signals across different parts of everyday life, but much of that value was trapped within individual business units. A stronger data foundation was needed to make that information usable across the organization.
What solution did Publicis Sapient build for Majid Al Futtaim?
Publicis Sapient and Majid Al Futtaim built a custom data management solution on AWS. The solution was designed to centralize data management, support a single source of truth and improve how data was collected, processed and turned into actionable insights. It also introduced stronger governance, access control and quality controls.
What does the Majid Al Futtaim data platform enable?
The platform enables Majid Al Futtaim to make the right data available at the right time across business units. It supports better access to trusted insights, stronger customer understanding and a more practical foundation for advanced analytics. The platform also supports continuous rollout of new capabilities with speed.
Did the solution create a single source of truth for data?
Yes, the solution created the foundation for a single source of truth across the business. That foundation was intended to unify information from across the organization and improve consistency in how data is managed and used. It also helped strengthen governance and data quality.
How did the transformation support analytics, AI and machine learning?
The transformation established advanced analytics capabilities that allowed the business to apply AI and machine learning models to uncover new insights. In the broader engineering implementation, the platform supported reporting, forecasting and analysis for data analysts and data scientists. This made advanced analytics more accessible across the organization.
How was the platform designed to scale?
The data practice was built as a highly scalable platform. Publicis Sapient and Majid Al Futtaim focused on a modular, agile approach that supported continuous deployment of new features and ongoing innovation. The engineering work also described the platform as future-ready, scalable, decoupled and modular.
What technology and engineering approach supported the transformation?
The transformation used AWS cloud services together with DevOps automation and microservices-based engineering. The implementation included an EKS-based environment, streaming data through Kafka, storing and processing data in AWS services and using tools such as Elasticsearch, Graph DB and a Meta Manager to orchestrate ingestion and consumption. Infrastructure automation, logging, monitoring and deployment were also automated through DevOps and GitOps practices.
How did agile ways of working contribute to the results?
Agile ways of working helped Majid Al Futtaim complete transformation in months rather than years. Publicis Sapient combined agile methodology with collaboration principles to accelerate delivery and improve adoption across the organization. The result was faster execution and earlier visible business impact.
What measurable business impact did the work deliver?
The work delivered AED 5 million in immediate cost savings, AED 5 million in additional savings over the next five years and an 80% improvement in go-to-market speed. The organization also improved cost efficiency and ROI while creating a stronger foundation for increased revenue as it scales. These outcomes were tied to both the new data platform and the new way of working.
How did the new data platform improve access to information?
The new platform made quality data more accessible across the organization. Instead of leaving useful information within separate business units, Majid Al Futtaim could share trusted data more effectively across teams. That improved the business’s ability to act on insight and support better decisions.
How did the transformation affect customer experience?
The transformation helped Majid Al Futtaim build better customer experiences by improving how it understands customers. With enhanced data capabilities, the business gained a more intuitive view of customer behavior, preferences and engagement across channels and business lines. That stronger understanding supports more seamless omnichannel experiences.
What role did governance play in the solution?
Governance was a core part of the solution. The platform included a data governance system designed to improve access control and data quality while making information more usable across the business. This balance helped Majid Al Futtaim expand access to data without losing control.
How quickly were results visible?
Results were visible within months rather than years. The combination of a custom AWS-based data management platform, agile delivery and collaborative ways of working accelerated both implementation and adoption. That speed was a central part of the transformation story.
What should buyers take away from this Majid Al Futtaim case study?
The main takeaway is that data platform transformation can support both operational efficiency and customer growth when it combines technology, governance and a new operating model. In Majid Al Futtaim’s case, the work unified data across the business, made advanced analytics more accessible and improved go-to-market speed while reducing costs. The case also shows that a scalable data foundation can create ongoing value beyond the initial implementation.