£5 million in government support funding is to be given to thirteen business-led research and development projects to address the challenges impeding the adoption of Cloud computing.
The money will aim to address three issues that were highlighted by previous studies – backed by the Technology Strategy Board, an organisation that advises government and works to stimulate technology innovation in the UK. According to the organisation, the three barriers to wider adoption lie in interoperability, resilience of data and identity assurance.
The projects will look to improve networks, and offer information, content and services in the Cloud. There will also be investment from participating companies which will bring the total value to around £10 million. “The market for cloud computing services is growing by 26% each year. It is an area with exceptional potential for growth,” says Iain Gray, chief executive at the Technology Strategy Board. “Through this support we aim to help UK suppliers of cloud infrastructure and outsourced IT services to work together on the challenges that are holding-back the adoption of cloud computing, in order to capture a bigger share of this expanding market.”
It’s hoped that the funding will resolve interoperability problems, which will help organisations to use more than one supplier – helping push forward the hybrid Cloud computing model.