Data Centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their Role in Big Data Processing for Decision Support

Abstract

The present research paper aims to identify the role of data centers in big data processing for decision support, the sources of information in data centers in data processing, the competencies of data specialists for processing big data to promote decision support, as well as the difficulties encountered by data specialist in data centers during the processing of big data. The authors adopted the descriptive analytical approach by designing and applying a questionnaire to a sample of (313) employees in data, documentation, and decision support centers in the public and private sectors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The results showed that data centers play a major role in big data processing. Most of the participants (62.1%) reported that feasibility studies are the most important source of decision support at the center. Moreover, (51.1%) of the participants received training courses in statistical processing. Some difficulties face data centers, including the lack of the quality, maturity, processing, and maintenance of data. The study recommends the need to securely and adequately update the management systems and programs of data centers and to provide specialized training courses for data center employees.