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ELECTRONIC ASSIGNMENT COVERSHEET

Course/Unit Information

Extended Diploma in International Business and

Course
Strategy

Unit No. 4010

Unit Name Operations and Project Management

Unit code SQA/4010

Schedule Code SQA/OPMONLSA2101C

Instructor Information

Name Prof. Mohamed Ashmel

Assignment Information

Full/ Part Full Assignment

Assignment

Date Assignment

Issued

Date Assignment

Due
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Student Information

(To be filled by the student prior submitting the assignment)

Name

Student ID

Email

Your assignment should meet the following requirements.

Please confirm this by ticking  the boxes before submitting your assignment

The first page is completely labeled with my name, instructor name


and assignment information.
 I have completed and ticked the declaration page.
The contents of my assignment have been submitted to Turnitin and
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I have downloaded the report.
 I have strictly followed Harvard Referencing Style and Citations.
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Executive Summary

Machines talk has been offering optimal IoT solutions for the business industry in Saudi

Arabia. IoT has become the necessity for the businesses around the globe. Saudi Arabia has been

reviving its technological advancement with a progressive pace but still needs immense effort for

effective deployment of this technology in improving business proficiency and productivity. The

report will be aiming to discuss the challenges faced by Machines talk for bringing the dream

into reality by implementing the IoT solution a common usage for the industrial growth.

Machines talk has been facing the challenge of extending learning for using the IoT based

solutions. The equipment’s designed internationally comes with the trivial task of making the

existent workforce to learn the operational need of the IoT system.

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Machine talks has strategically incorporated the academic institutions for meeting their

future goals. Machine talks has been extensively working for improving the operational

productivity of the business industry in Saudi Arabia. Transforming Saudi Business industry into

a smart business industry and making it compatible for the tech industry. It is the aim of Machine

talks to offer cutting edge solutions and supporting the cause of Saudization.

Introduction

Machine talks is a national IoT solution provider and has been ranked as the leading

business for the Saudi industry. The team of Machines talk has been aiming of developing an

ecosystem which could help an enterprise to reinforce scalability and increase efficiency.

Machines talk is the most trusted business solution provider for at least 2000 businesses both

from the public and the private sector. Since the technological sector is constantly evolving,

Machines talk believes to have a highly competitive and progressive market. It has been the

vision of the company while establishing in Saudi Arabia for the first time that they are here to

cope up with the changing technological needs of the market and develop a sustainable plan for
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the key players. The team of Machines talk has been working on developing customer centric

solutions (81% of businesses in KSA already use IoT platforms, 2021).

The business had been the working for the government as well as the private sector. The

only challenges faced by the company is the extension of learning of the usage of IoT solutions

and its maintenance. Since the transfer of technology to a smart grid had been a dream and the

team has been working on bringing it into reality. However, it has been anticipated by the

Machines talk management that it will take a considerable amount of time for the population of

Saudi Arabia to have a proficient hands-on experience of this technology. Since IoT has been

evolving with time and to ensure that the aim of smart houses, security systems and much more

shall be working optimally, the Machines talk management has to increase their professional

capacity for timely meeting the needs of the business.

It may need to increase there operational and functional cost. However, the management

is not planning to increase the cost which would create an uneasiness amongst the customer

segment and other competitive businesses could take an advantage. It has been the responsibility

of the key account manager that I had to keep an eye on the increasing costs and the profits

margins. The financial reports have been developed on giving an insight to management about

the existent financial asset and the budget to be allocated for the innovation of technology and

maintenance. Managing the finances is the ultimate goal of every business. Accounting plays an

important role in management of resources (81% of businesses in KSA already use IoT

platforms, 2021).

The finalization of any future business plan is only possible if it is supported by

appropriate accounting and forecasting the existent assets. Machines talk has been offering

solutions for industries, supply chain, car leasing and renting as well sensitive installation like
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military equipment. Machines talk has been offering similar business solutions for construction

as well banking sector. The management has been operating on a large scale. the business only

has four offices with a limited number of workforces.

The limited workforce could possibly reduce the chances of increasing the customer

segment. But increasing the professional capacity would require the increase in the budget and

that is only possible if business slowly increases its operational cost. The business has been

focusing on customer needs as their main operational principle. Machines talk’s workforce has

been working hard on offering customized business solutions and maintaining the privacy of the

customer as well. There are numerous businesses offering similar services but Machine talks had

been focusing on developing long term relations with there clients. This proposition makes

Machine talks the prioritized busines when getting the services. The vision of Machine talks has

been sensitive for the development of Saudi Arabia’s business industries (Fast, flexible and ready

to grow, 2021). The success of any business these days depends upon its customer services. It

has been the prime aim of Machine talks that they are working for providing optimal and

workable long term business solutions for there clients.

Machine talks has prioritized Total Quality Management as there main driving force

while working on any individual business solution. The principle of total quality management

says that there is no difference between the manufacturing and the services sector. The machines

talk has been offering the customized business solutions while importing hardware for executing

the services from the trusted sources. Due to volatile market situation, the prices of the hardware

are changing and the business offering packages is unable to change the prices of its services.

Due to which the profit margin reduces and the overall implementation cost is increasing.

In the coming times, it will overall increase the operational cost but would subsequently reduce
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the profit margin for the business. If the profit margin will shrink, it will affect on improving the

operational capacity, offering maintenance services and subsequently investing into new

projects. The management has been focusing on maintaining the total quality management

principle by limiting their output and increasing the cost of the business implementation. It is a

probable outcome that the business shall increase the cost as per the changing prices or shall

begin manufacturing their own hardware. In this way they would have the opportunity of

innovating the existent hardware and offering more optimal and creative teach business solutions

for their customer segment (Fast, flexible and ready to grow, 2021).

At the moment a complete team of professionals from the planning to hardware

providers, developers, analysts and customer services representatives are working together for

developing a flawless smart solution for meeting the needs of their customers business. The

management at the Machine Talks has been working on improving the professional and personal

space of there customers. The business realizes that it has become the need of the hour for

revolutionizing the existent needs of the user and switch them to a smarter living and busines

solutions which could increase the comfort and could possibly increase efficiency of the

business.

The complete team work as components and at the completion of each phase, it is

checked by the quality assurance that if the particular component has been able to meet the

quality criteria and is giving the required results. Machine talks has been particular when it

comes to the supply chain. The business knows that only quality hardware is able to keep up the

system running and would not demand for constant maintenance or changing any hardware. The

Machine talks has gained the confidence from the customer segment that they have been

providing after sales services and are very thorough if any of the system implemented by the
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Machine talks has been experiencing malfunctioning or the customer is facing any type of

technical assistance the team of Machine talks claims that they will be responding to the required

assistance within 24 hours. The more lucrative proposition by the customer representative of

Machine talks is that they do not offer the assistance for a limited time duration but they consider

their customer as their family. This is the reason that customer segment of Machine Talk has

increased exponentially over the years (Fast, flexible and ready to grow, 2021).

The businesses these days like Amazon has been leading the e-commerce industry since

years due to there flawless customer services. The business has made the customer their center of

attention and their policies are for ensuring safe and quality shopping experience of the

customers. Despite many businesses working on similar lines have jumped into this field but

they hindered in managing the quality shopping experience on a massive scale like Amazon.

Amazon never compromises on quality of the product; they believe that the customer’s trust is

everything. It shows the operational principle of the business and how it is helping the business

to stay the leader since long. The businesses these days are not trusted for their products only but

the buyer’s behavior has changed and they focus on investing resources on business that focus on

offering customer services whenever the customer needs.

The Impact of Productivity and Workflow on the Organization’s Competitiveness

The implementation of the principle of total quality management is only possible, if the

business has adequate resources for evaluating the quality outcome of the proposed business

solutions. The business will be able to stay competitive and does not lag behind in meeting the

customers needs. However, it has been experienced that since the business has been expanding
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its services to a greater number of customer and adding more services to its expertise, the

management needs to focus on establishing more office for accommodating more workforce.

The business shall hire professionals from even other countries but shall keep the fresh graduates

or under graduates at the learning end. In this way, they will not be only training future

workforce but they will be giving hands on experience which could help the individual to join

them right after the graduation.

Like any other business, Machine talks needs to innovate their existent proficiency and

constantly train the workforce for offering better services from the terminal end of Machine

talks. The incorporation of fresh talent is expected to bring more innovation to the existent

processes of the Machine talks. The focus of the business shall be to extend the services to the

extent with the aim of offering after sales services to which they can easily manage without

lagging behind on any other milestones. The business for becoming the regional leader needs to

increase the professional capacity for the reason that the increased burden is expected to reduce

the overall efficiency of the staff. The employees shall be given ample space and time for

coming up with innovative practices (Gadiya, 2017). The more the employees will be motivated

the increased will be the productivity. Since Machine talks has been offering optimal services

and the services could be proficient only if the employees are motivated to achieve the

organizational goals. The management plays an important role in improving efficiency of

employees.

The workflow shall be equivalently divided so that no employee is overburdened. It will

develop an insight amongst the employee for growing and coming up with the out of the box

ideas for improving efficiency of business proficiency and offering quality solutions for the

clients. It is the main principle of the employee motivation that only if the employee is self-
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motivated or motivated by the management that due to quality performance the employee will be

given adequate raise in the pay as well promotions, the employees will put in all their efforts for

coming up to the expectation of the management. Machines talks has the lowed turn over rate

due to there growing business, the management has been focusing on increasing pay and the

perks of the employees to keep them loyal with th business.

Along with the above discussed approaches if the management is able to manage the

workflow without burdening the employees would help in increasing employee productivity. The

tech solutions could never be legit until they are given adequate time of processing. A single

error if not identified in time could lead to any error for correcting whom could cost additional

resources and man hours. The customer would not be charged for this time and this cost has to be

compensated by the business only.

Key Role of supply Chain in Business Operations

Supply chain management is an integral component for making any business a success.

No matter if a business is service oriented or is in manufacturing domain, the supply chain

management plays an important role in enhancing customer satisfaction boosting company’s

success. The Machine talks has been particular in managing the supply chain management in a

particular way that helps in reducing the overall cost of the operations and increasing profits. The

framework focused by the management of Machine talks has been explained below and it helps

in emphasizing the importance of an effective supply chain (Gadiya, 2017).

Boosting Customer Service:

 Machine talks has been offering customized business solutions for its

customers.
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 Customers are given the services even after the installation of the services.

If the product or the service is malfunctioning, the Machine talks management makes

sure that they fix it at the earliest. Such services boost the confidence of customers on

business, that they will be supportive at nay time of the need. It also helps in spreading a

positive reputation of the business amongst the potential clientele.

 Delivering the services working in the goal-oriented state in the right time.

It has a positive impact on the business efficiency. The technological advancement

demands efficient implementation on the right time.

 Machine talks has been particular in managing the after-sale support.

Since the IoT devices is a new concept and technique for the Saudi market, it is expected

by the business, that the customers would need a lot of support from the tech team to help

in understanding the technical errors and the smooth working of the system.

Reduce Operating Cost:

 The high inventory costs are avoided by continuously keeping the supply

in the run. Keeping the hardware would increase the cost of maintenance only. Thus, the

management of Machine talks ensure that they keep a detailed check that no additional

products are placed in inventory which are not reported.

 Since, Machine talks depends greatly on the efficiency of the supply chain

for timely and accurate supply of the hardware to be further technically fixed and

operated for transforming into a solution. The manufacturers are given the exact amount

of hardware needed and they are liable of providing only that number of products. Since

the business is not ordering anything exclusive, it depends on the manufacturers that they

could offer discounts for maintaining a long-term relation with the clients (Markets,
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2021). The Machine talks, however, for further reducing the operational cost needs to

setup their quality control units in the manufacturing units. So that each of the product is

either manufactured at the exact quality standards of the business and even once the

product is fully developed before bringing it to the Machine talks workshop for further

fixing, the product shall be checked so that it is re-evaluated for its fitness. It could help

in saving future maintenance cost. The more the cost saved the more could be the

profitability. Once the hardware is refined, it would take lesser resources and cost for

maintaining the existent services.

 The Machine talks has been working on offering customized business

solutions for the customers. The supply chain of the business is particular in this regard.

The business only orders hardware when a customer registers the request for a solution

develop for either professional or private needs. In this way the machine talks business

does not have abundance of inventory which could ask for maintenance and increase the

repairing cost to the business. The Machine talks management has worked on the need-

based supply chain which helps them in managing the overall developmental cost of the

smart solution. However, the Machine talks need to start spreading this message amongst

the customer circle that due to the volatile market state, the prices of the products are

changing due to the changing prices of the raw material. However, the management of

the Machine talks is working hard for ensuring that they are offering optimal product in

best possible prices. The products are always supported by the after-sale services. It

would compensate the cost of the product since the business is taking the responsibility

that it is not limited for a certain period of time only.

Role of Management Information Systems

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The management information system is an efficient system that is developed

according to the needs of the business. For Machine talks business, since they are in

offering customized business solutions for the customers but the product is developed

passing through different stages like hardware manufacturing, assembling, software

development, and different phases of installation. The Management information system

keeps a record of every activity from order placement to status of order (Markets, 2021).

The MIS developed for the Machine talks has the capability of reporting about the status

of the project and would keep the team updated about the existent activities. For

increased efficiency, the MIS for Machine talks sends reminders to the team about the

recent deadline of the project. Thus, it is the main functioning of the MIS system that it

helps in planning, controlling and operating functionally in a designated time frame for

assisting the decision maker.

It is the main aim of the MIS system that it generates the actionable report that are

used for keep the project development on track.

Another benefit of the MIS system is that it helps the business managers to keep

the information on the finger tips about the progress of the projects as well as it keeps a

reminder track for the managers about the maintenance of the existent services. The

customers are sent a scheduled email that their system installed by the Machine talks

needs a routine check in order to keep the services flawless.

Advantages of Management Information System:

The faster the decision maker cycle the better the operational cycle and it will lead

to an improved performance of the business. The decisions could be accurate and result
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oriented only if it is catered by accurate data forecast and time management. The

advantages of having an MIS system for Machine talks is explained below:

1- The reports and data generated by MIS could help the managers and the

accountants to evaluate the financial state of the business from every angle

2- The MIS system could be used in managing and predicting the profits of

the business

3- The success of the business requires the immediate decisions for future

projects and the future projects could be finalized only if they are supported by sound

financial status of the business. This data is evaluated and presented by the accounting

team only.

4- Along with the technical team the MIS system is overall effective for the

operational and financial management of the business (Research, 2021).

Role of Information and Communication Technology in Business

Management of the business tasks is the only challenge for keeping the business activities

running. Since the Machine talks business is all about high tech Io solutions, the business itself is

using improved efficient software’s for developing and supporting the IoT applications. The IoT

solutions ensures improved security measures having the capability of masking the identity of

the user from unauthorized people. Where the quality of work is the concern the, information and

communication becomes the integral part of the success. The Machine talks has always been

sensitive towards managing the security of the system. The software’s are constantly updated and

their privacy settings are changed frequently so that no customer private data is revealed to the

unauthorized users.
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The more the technology is updated and safe at the Machine talks, the more the number

of customers would trust the machine talks for getting any technical IoT solution. The aim of

shifting to smart solutions is for increasing the convenience of the user rather then putting the

customer security on stake. The Machine talks could only stay on the top of the regional business

for offering IoT based solutions, only if they are able to manage their own business with the top

security and privacy needs. It is important for the business that since they are serving for both the

public as well the private sector that they keep a strict privacy policy and no detail of any

customer is shared or revealed to unauthorized people. Machine talks has been focusing on the

latest technologies like IoT for developing smart applications for customers. However, with the

constant technological advancement, there will be soon become a time that there will be an

advanced technology better then IoT will be presented to the user’s community (Research,

2021).

The management at the Machine talks shall ensure that they are always on the head of

learning and implementing new technology. The new technology will help the business aim of

offering optimal services using the latest technology along with this the business shall be

upgrading the existent services of the clients in order to keep a long-term relationship with the

customers. The management of Machine talks shall work on offering training and development

services to their employees. So that they are able to grow personally as well as professionally as

well. The competent workforce is the actual asset of the business. The constant training of

employees will upgrade there existent skills. There is a probability that the business will be able

to devise better and improved business solutions with the help of innovative and creative ideas of

the employees.
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The technological advancement has slowly ruled out numerous applications like AI due

to their weaker aspect of security. Security is the main concern of the digital world. The more the

services are relying on technology, the greater has been the growing concern of the people that

their private data is secured. Thus, the workforce shall ensure while technically developing any

smart IoT solution that they had considered all the priacy concern of the users. It has been

recognized as the complement to the services by users that Machine talks has been concerned

about security measures and no user had ever complained about the breach in security for the IoT

solutions developed by Machine talks. It has been the focus of IoT based applications that they

have been able to improve the security as well as the intrusion attack from any unauthorized

user. However, the management of Machine talks shall focus on developing their own

manufacturing units over a period of five years so that they are able to develop the IoT based

services that are not only exclusive but the business is able to maintain the quality and increase

the profit margin as well (TechSci Research, 2021).

It has become necessary for beginning the manufacturing of hardware too. The changing

market scenario has influenced the change in prices due to which if the business may get

burdened that they have to switch the supplier it could affect the quality of the service and may

lead to a negative impression amongst the customer segment. Therefore, the management shall

plan ahead of it and develop the feasibility approach of implementing this domain of Machine

talks in which they are able to manufacture the hardware required for developing the IoT

services for there clients. It could also give the opportunity to the management that they could

begin selling these hardware’s to other businesses developing IoT solutions.

Managing project is the main skill required by every business. The project management is

a complete cycle which is initiated once the project begins to the time the project is fully
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completed and delivered. Once the users demand the business for the project. The management

bids a price for the project after assessing the feasibility that with a certain marginal profit limit,

how much it would cost the business? Once both the parties agree such as if a user comes to

Machine talks for asking them to develop a smart security system solution for his house. The

machine talks management would propose a price to the customer. Once the customer agrees,

then actually the project management cycle begins. A team will ask the client for his exact

requirements and expected end result. This is the most challenging phase for the reason that if

any important requirement is missed, it would take a lot of resources for the business to cover up

the requirement. The project management typically has four key phases: Initiating the project,

project planning, executing the project and project closing (TechSci Research, 2021).

Initiating the Project:

The project initiation is the most critical phase in the project management techniques

which includes the following elements:

1- Establishing the team for conducting project initiation: This team is

designated for collecting the requirements for the project

2- Establishing the relationship with the customer: The team will understand

the infrastructure for which they have to develop the service. It will foster the relation

between the business and the client

3- Establishing the project initiation plan: Activities are defined for the team

needed for developing the project

4- Establishing the management procedure will help in developing the means

of communication between the business and the customer as well as the project team will

come up with the project milestones helping for developing the project
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5- Establishing an environment for project management will guide the team

that what type of project management tools are required for developing the business

solution

Planning the Project:

The project planning is critical for the successful development of the project. It includes

the following steps:

1- The main motive of the project will be described. This is the phase that the

actual expected outcome needs to be identified. It is the most lengthy phase, however,

once the client finalizes the requirements proposed by the business, then later the

requirements are not changed.

2- The project is divided into different deliverables. The project is developed

in the form of deliverables and each deliverable is approved by the client.

3- The team develop the deliverables date for each deliverable

4- Project standards and procedures are identified

5- Risk assessment is evaluated and established

6- The planning team proposes the budget of the project and the project price

is quoted accordingly. The project price is approved by the client with some amount as

upfront only then the project is initiated (TechSci Research, 2021)

Executing the Project:

1- The project is headed by a project leader and rest of the team has to give

update to the project manager about the progress of the work.

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2- The project manager would keep a keen eye on the development of the

project and that if it has been moving on the same pace and using the right amount of

resources

3- Even if any changes are required to be implemented at any moment they

needed to be approved by the project manager.

4- A project log will be maintained in which every deliverable and there

acceptance or rejection along with the reasons of rejection will be mentioned.

5- The project completion step by step will eb communicated to the user so

that the customer has the confidence that the business is keeping them in loop

Closing the project:

1- This is another important phase in which the deliverable is integrated and

the project is gathered in a final look

2- A detailed documentation is conducted so that every detail is brought into

written form for future reference (TechSci Research, 2021)

3- The project is then presented to the customer. The reviews about the

performance of the project are noted along with the future suggestions for any

improvement

4- Once the project is approved, the customer pays the complete charges and

the project is finally closed with the customer.

Project Management Tools:

Project management is a complex process which could be devise in the right way using

the right tools. The machine talks have been working using Program Evaluation Review
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Technique using Gantt charts. The Machine talks has been working on using techniques that

provides visible progress status to the customers. The Machine talks has been focusing on opting

the critical path method. It is the main aim of the team that they are able to find the shortest path

for completing the project. The project management is all about managing the project with

minimal resources. The success of the project depends upon the effective project planning

(TechSci Research, 2021). The project is always defined for the estimated initiation date and the

completion date. If the project is delayed from the provided date, the company is liable to pay for

the damages to the customer and provide the complete solution within no time.

Conclusion:

Machine talks has become the trusted source for offering IoT solutions for the customers

in Saudi Arabia. The business, however, while assessing the actual cost of the project shall keep

a margin that if the hardware prices or any price change occurs, the business does not have to

bear those expenses or ask the client for an increase in the prices. It will leave a negative

impression on clients. Also, the business shall focus on improving their marketing and extend

their services to other Middle Eastern countries as they better understand the environment of

Saudi Arabia. The management of Machine talks has been able to identify their goals and the

complete team is working for achieving the targeted on a constant progressive pace.
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References

Gadiya, V., 2017. Top Robotics Market Majorly Driven by the Growing Adoption of IoT and

AI. Advances in Robotics & Automation, 06(02).

IBM. 2021. Fast, flexible and ready to grow. [online] Available at: <https://www.ibm.com/case-

studies/tabadul/> [Accessed 1 February 2021].

Markets, R., 2021. Saudi Arabia IoT in Manufacturing Market: Competition, Forecast &

Opportunities (2020-2025). [online] GlobeNewswire News Room. Available at:

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<https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/02/07/1981822/0/en/Saudi-Arabia-

IoT-in-Manufacturing-Market-Competition-Forecast-Opportunities-2020-2025.html>

[Accessed 1 February 2021].

Research, T., 2021. Saudi Arabia IoT in Manufacturing Market to Grow at 27% through 2025.

[online] TechSci Blog. Available at: <https://techsciblog.com/saudi-arabia-iot-in-

manufacturing-market-to-grow-at-27-through-2025/> [Accessed 1 February 2021].

Saudigazette. 2021. 81% of businesses in KSA already use IoT platforms. [online] Available at:

<https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/590331> [Accessed 1 February 2021].

TechSci Research, h., 2021. Saudi Arabia IoT in Manufacturing Market 2025 Size, Share &

Forecast | TechSci Research. [online] Techsciresearch.com. Available at:

<https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/saudi-arabia-iot-in-manufacturing-

market/2052.html> [Accessed 1 February 2021].