Waterford Companies advised to move to the Cloud!

There is much anticipation ahead of the arrival of Microsoft Ireland’s MD Paul Rellis to Waterford as he is scheduled to address the regions’ businesses about the future of Cloud Computing.

Cloud computing has been prevalent in the news recently as it has the potential to create almost 20,000 new jobs over the next decade in Ireland. The impact report, carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants for Microsoft Ireland claims that Ireland is perfectly poised to capture "a disproportionately large" share of the global cloud market, which is estimated to be worth around €70bn by 2014.

In a recent interview with the Irish Times Microsoft Ireland MD, Paul Rellis, said "Cloud computing can be the new IFSC, if the incoming Government moves quickly to implement the correct policy requirements to deliver it. Cloud computing will revolutionise technology the way that the Internet did.

"As this global industry is in its infancy, Ireland has a real opportunity to pioneer its adoption to create new jobs, new businesses and enhance our competitiveness while attracting foreign direct investment and creating new export markets."

Tom Murran, President of Waterford Chamber of Commerce, welcomed this report and the impact cloud computing will have on the local economy. “Any technological advances that will create jobs and garner foreign direct investment for Waterford are to be welcomed.”

Mr. Murran added “The Microsoft report highlights that the need for the cloud is now and we are delighted that Microsoft Ireland’s Managing Director will give us an inside view on how businesses in Waterford can adopt and adapt to changing technology and go forward to be more progressive and competitive on the international stage.”

Waterford based companies that have already adopted Cloud Technology include TMH Solutions, Reflexite, and notably GlaxoSmithKline in Dungarvan, which has made a strategic worldwide decision to migrate email and collaboration services to the cloud.

According to Neil Phelan of HCS Business Solutions most companies and consumers are already using some form of cloud technologies and may not consider themselves as been cloud users. Services such as Online Backup and Remote Email Filtering are cloud based technologies that HCS customers have benefited for the past number of years where they receive a high quality reliable service at a fixed annual fee per user.

“The Future is the Cloud” briefing will take place in the Tower Hotel on Wednesday, February 16^th. For further information or to book your place call Sheila Quinn at Waterford Chamber of Commerce on 051 872639 or email sheila.quinn@waterfordchamber.ie