CLOUD COMPUTING : A POWER TOOL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH.

Despite being an important tool for economic growth and job creation, cloud computing services remain under-exploited by public administrations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This is why the European Commission will present a strategy on the matter by the summer of 2012. The aim is to put in place an EU framework that promotes the use of cloud computing services. The task is not an easy one in that this technology facilitates data circulation - a field that is particularly sensitive.

The development of cloud computing can evidently contribute to the economic growth of the EU. By allowing access to data via the internet, without installations and IT infrastructures, this technology ensures a considerable effect of "reduction of capital costs," John Vassallo, Microsoft's vice-president EU affairs, told Europolitics information society after a conference on the subject ( Fuelling the European economy') at the Microsoft Executive Briefing Centre, on 30 January in Brussels. In fact, Microsoft has clearly got a good handle on the concept: out of the US$9 billion spent each year on research and development (R&D), some 60% are spent on developing cloud computing.

400,000 NEW SMES

Looking at the private sector first, a study published by professor Federico Etro(1) indicates that these services could generate 400,000 new SMEs. Indeed, freed from the need to spend on expensive infrastructures, SMEs could use their capital to develop new products.

However, to encourage the private sector to adopt the new technology, public authorities are the first target. "Governments have an important role to play" in that they manipulate a large amount of data, says Vassallo, adding that they also have much to gain from cloud services (economising and service efficiency). Yet, cloud services means that data will be held in centres located outside of the national...