A guide to what the programme means, who can apply, its benefits, and the participating schools
uae5 hours ago
Concerns about privacy and data loss have hampered the take-up in Europe of cloud computing, where customers’ data is stored on remote servers that can be accessed from anywhere.
The European Commission wants to address such worries by getting experts to clarify tricky legal questions on data protection and to develop a global privacy standard, it said at a press briefing on Thursday.
“You shouldn’t have to have a law degree to use the cloud,” Neelie Kroes, the EU’s Telecoms chief said.
“But today, many potential users think it’s too complicated, too risky, or too untrustworthy.”
European customers complain that many cloud contracts do not specify who is liable when data is lost. And a proliferation of different standards for privacy and security can be confusing.
Commission research shows cloud computing can cut companies’ costs by up to 20 percent and groups like Amazon.Com Inc , Microsoft Corp, Google Inc and Salesforce.com Inc have been developing new products and services to attract business “in the cloud”.
The EU executive also said implementing the strategy could yield 957 billion euros in increased EU GDP in the years through 2020, c reating 3.8 million jobs.
But cloud vendors who have a hard time selling their services in Europe say the Commission’s economic forecast may be too optimistic.
Servers in the EU’s public sector are up to 90 percent under-used, Commission research shows. Ideally servers should work around the clock by having clients in different time zones.
“It’s been really painful to grow in Europe,” Justin Pirie from Mimecast, a British cloud vendor, told Reuters. His company is directing more business towards the United States after European clients insisted on using servers in their home country.
“For us that’s half a million in investments per country,” he said.
Some U.S.-based companies report that deals with European customers often hinge on whether they trust the company with their data or not.
“There is a natural caution in Europe compared to some parts of the world and providers need to be clear about their responsible data management practices,” said Microsoft’s Mark Lange
Companies with servers in the United States say their customers fear their data will be intercepted under US anti-terror law though those concerns might be overdone.
“If interception is so much of a concern they should not only avoid US cloud providers, but also avoid using the UK telephone, the Internet, and the postal system,” said Clive Gringas, from law firm Olswang.
Some EU-based vendors exploit these worries by publicly stating their non-compliance with US anti-terror laws.
But Thomas Boue, director of the Business Software Alliance lobby group, worries such moves fragment a market that is already being chopped up along national lines.
Others see the attractions of being close to their users.
IT service provider Colt Group SA, which has 20 data centres in 10 countries, says financial clients like the London Stock Exchange appreciate the proximity of Colt’s servers because it enables them to connect to the exchange in 100 microseconds to conduct high-frequency trades.
“The laws of physics tend to come into it,” Steve Hughes, the company’s cloud specialist said.
But cost-cutting in less well-off countries offers vendors some hope.
Greece, whose debt-ridden economy is under an EU/IMF rescue programme, shows a bigger cloud appetite than its biggest European creditor, Germany.
“Maybe it’s just that their hardware is coming up for renewal,” Robert Jenkins, co-founder of Zurich-based hosting firm CloudSigma, said.
A guide to what the programme means, who can apply, its benefits, and the participating schools
uae5 hours ago
Pogacar says his current form feels good enough to carry him to a rare cycling double as he chases victory in the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France
sports6 hours ago
Islamabad High Court will hear appeals against conviction of Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in £190M NCA settlement reference on May 21
world6 hours ago
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Monday applied for arrest warrants on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity
world6 hours ago
Archer likely to feature in the first T20 against Pakistan
cricket6 hours ago
In the 152 Premier League matches City have played across the last four seasons, they have recorded 112 victories with just 17 defeats, racking up 372 goals
football6 hours ago
The former president's party urges supporters to remain calm and go out to vote on May 29
africa6 hours ago
Gold jewellery shoppers in Dubai usually opt for a wait-and-watch approach when prices hit record peaks
markets7 hours ago