Cloudcatalyst aims to boost European cloud uptake

Cloudcatalyst aims to boost European cloud uptake

The European Union is aiming to tackle trust issues preventing some businesses from adopting cloud computing via new project.

The EU is putting money into Cloudcatalyst which will look at issues that are preventing wider take up of the technology and provide help to increase usage by the public and private sectors.

The European Commission has described the cloud as a revolution but believes that providers still face issues trying to persuade potential users to make the switch. There are still concerns about how securely information is held and the lack of data on security and legal issues are also considered key reasons why Europe has not adopted the cloud more widely.

Cloudcatalyst has a budget of more than over €50 billion from the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development and will use the money in projects targeted at the whole cloud computing industry, from providers to end users. It will report on the current market and look at what needs to be done to boost cloud user numbers, Computer Weekly reported.

Project partner, Dalibor Baskovc, vice-president of EuroCloud Europe, said: “We will cover all the main issues around cloud and give a clear overview on a number of topics, such as current cloud trends, critical success factors to overcome major technical barriers, data privacy and compliance requirements, and recommendations for quality of service and cloud SLA.”

Technology firms will be supported to create new user-friendly cloud-based products and services that businesses need.

In addition, a major study of the current Europe-wide cloud market will be organised to highlight why more businesses and organisations have not yet switched to the technology, and what support they need to persuade them to do so.

Businesses looking to move services into the cloud, should evaluate the performance of their existing network and consider setting up a leased line or MPLS network.