Saïd El Houari

What have been the main developments in the history of Alomra Group, and what are your main successes to date?

Alomra Group was founded in 2004 by Driss Benomar, just after he left his position at the Ministry of the Interior, where he was at the cabinet in charge of international cooperation. He launched this company in the security field for the main reason of securing strategic sites and institutions in Morocco. Initially offering consulting and advisory services in the security and defense field, the group developed its activities to complete an integrated security and technology offer at the request of our partners and clients and in relation with the increasing needs of Morocco and the African continent. I have been with the company since 2008. We developed an engineering department that works on safe and smart cities, securing industrial sites, and embassies by offering an integrated solution that combines both human and technological factors. In this frame, we have developed a manned security subsidiary that employs more than 5,000 security guards and cover strategic sites. For example, our guards are stationed at important industrial sites, embassies and other institutions and headquarters. 

What main issues did you navigate and overcome over the past 18 months during the pandemic?

The first challenge for us was to maintain a social stability and the incomes of our collaborators at all different levels, and secure the different sites under our supervision in an uncertain time. Our security guards where in the frontline at all time during this pandemic. I believe we have succeeded in this mission. The second aspect of the challenge was to take advantage of the digital transformation path that was taking place. We took the time to consider our development and how we could, with technology, improve our operations and situation during COVID-19. In the first three months of the pandemic, we deployed a new department that targeted the health and medical industry. We supplied our services to those clients because we saw the highest demand there. The other part was the work to consolidate with other partners in the security field in Morocco. We talked and exchanged ideas with other government institutions that are directly impacting our industry to see how it could develop further. By the end of 2020, we had an important global vision that allowed us to maintain our strategy and complete our business strategy.

How have you been using the latest digital technology to improve your operations, and what impact have you seen during the pandemic?

We have been developing our internal services and working through the digital transformation for several years now. The pandemic helped us in a way that clients began to understand the advantage of digitalization. Previously, they did not want it because of the additional costs it would accrue, but now it is requested almost 100% of the time, and we already have it set and operational. We have ERPs and a security system to manage our own systems, and the demand matched our current flows, and it was easy for us to accommodate. In addition, we have a strategic partnership with a company called Algo, one of the leading digital transformation companies in Morocco. That company saw heightened demand from different institutions all wanting to switch to digital processes and workflows. One of the main advantages of the pandemic was the push it gave to digital transformation in general, driving us ahead by five years or more.

What are Alomra’s objectives looking ahead?

For the rest of 2021, we are looking forward to have the new government in place and boost the global economy and social environment, something that is important for us. Internally, we are keen to finalizing some important projects by the end of the year such us the new speed enforcement systems that we are deploying all over the country that will increase road safety. After that, we are looking forward to 2022 with insurance.