The board, which aims to make the most of the public sector's buying power to shape the growing  market for cloud computing services, brings together leaders of technology firms and government representatives tasked with IT procurement.

The board is chaired by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, president of Estonia, and will deliver strategic advice about the uptake of cloud computing in the EU to EC vice-president Neelie Kroes, according to reports.  “I need this top-level input so that all of Europe can see the full benefits of cloud computing and quickly,” Kroes said. She said the board will give “no-nonsense, action-oriented” advice to get the European Cloud Partnership (ECP) moving. The ECP will develop common computing  procurement requirements for use by EU member states and create a common framework for cloud computing across Europe.

The ECP is also tasked with stimulating the migration of public IT to the cloud by resolving barriers to cloud computing adoption in the public sector. The board said in a statement: “The main beneficiaries of our actions will be European citizens, small and medium sized enterprises and national, regional and local authorities.” The board, with an initial budget of €10m, is to meet two or three times a year and may consult with industrial, academic and governmental bodies and experts.

“Cloud computing is a game changer in the ICT sector, for consumers and users in organisations of all sizes, and will give a much needed boost to productivity,” the board said.

Source: http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240172114/EU-launches-European-Cloud-Partnership-steering-board