Abdulbary Atassi is a seasoned IT professional with a passion for driving digital transformation. Currently serving as an IT Director in Zamil Industrial, Saudi Arabia, he leverages extensive experience in enterprise applications, databases, and information systems to optimize business solutions. His career spans development, consulting, and project management, fueled by a lifelong fascination with technology. Atassi champions a collaborative leadership style, emphasizing strategic vision, team empowerment, and continuous innovation. He’s dedicated to exploring emerging technologies like AI and IoT, while balancing a commitment to family and personal well-being.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Abdulbary shared insights on a defining moment that shaped his path in IT and business solutions, personal role model, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Abdulbary. Can you share a moment that sparked your interest in pursuing a career in IT and business solutions?
That summer during junior high, when I couldn’t travel, turned out to be a pivotal moment. I spent my days at my father’s company, surrounded by these old business applications. With all that free time and no internet, I decided to learn BASIC programming and even built a phone dictionary. It was pure curiosity at first, but it ignited something that stayed with me. Even as I worked in IT operations, that initial interest in building solutions never faded. It drove me to learn, grow, and eventually carve out a career that took me from developer to consultant, project manager, business applications manager, and ultimately, to where I am today as an IT director.
What do you love the most about your current role?
What really drives me is the constant exploration of new technologies, the challenge of using them to build solutions that genuinely help people. It’s a collaborative process, working together to tackle a problem, and seeing that solution come to life. And let’s be real, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of announcing a successful go-live, knowing you’ve delivered something valuable.
How do you stay current with the latest trends and developments in IT and digital transformation?
Of course, staying up-to-date with tech providers, influencers, and industry news is essential. But what really makes a difference is building strong, genuine partnerships with our technology providers and system integrators. I always tell companies who want to work with us: take the time to truly understand our business, our technology, and how we operate. Come to us with ideas, with use cases that are tailored to our needs. That’s how we create real value together.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
My dad’s influence on my career is undeniable. He was the one who opened our eyes to the world of technology, showing me and my brothers all the cool things you could do. And watching him build business applications at his company? That’s what really cemented my decision to pursue computer science. Later, during my Masters, I naturally gravitated towards databases and information systems. It’s like he knew what I’d love before I did.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
Time off is a rare luxury these days, but I’m a firm believer in making time for what matters. That’s why I prioritize at least an hour of exercise every single day. And, like most of us, I have to admit I get sucked into the social media vortex now and then. But at the end of the day, family comes first. I make sure to carve out quality time with my kids and loved ones.
How do you approach leadership and team management, and what qualities do you believe are essential for effective leadership?
My philosophy is simple: create a clear, strategic vision that stretches beyond the immediate horizon, at least three years. Then, find the best people to lead the charge. But here’s the key – trust them. Listen to their ideas, give them ownership, and empower them to make decisions. Don’t try to be the bottleneck. Shared ownership is where real innovation happens.
Which technology are you investing in now to prepare for the future?
Our journey started with a clear ‘cloud-first’ vision, and we’ve come a long way. After successfully transitioning to a new SaaS ERP, we shifted our focus to unlocking the power of analytics. Now, it’s all about AI and IoT – exploring the cutting edge! But we’re not neglecting security. In fact, we’re doubling down on cybersecurity, especially solutions that leverage AI to stay ahead of evolving threats.
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Right now, my big focus is nailing down our digital transformation strategy at Zamil Industrial. I’m really passionate about streamlining our processes, moving away from relying so heavily on Excel for reporting and email for communication. Imagine bringing everything into our digital platforms – that’s the dream! And beyond that, I’m eager to push the boundaries of AI and data science, to uncover those hidden insights and see how much more we can automate. Personally, after years working with enterprise applications, I’m genuinely curious about what’s next. Is Gen AI the ultimate game-changer? Can AI truly revolutionize how we handle business tasks? We’re about to find out.
What advice would you give to someone looking to break into the IT field, particularly in enterprise business solutions?
Start with the fundamentals. Don’t try to understand business solutions without knowing how they’re actually constructed, both technically and functionally. Get into the weeds with databases, learn how they’re built for accuracy, consistency, and performance. And then, roll up your sleeves and learn the business processes – the modules, the functions, the relationships. That’s the practical knowledge that will give you a real, working understanding of enterprise solutions.