The Steering Board of the new European Cloud Partnership (ECP) has met for the first time in Brussels, initiating a process where public authorities and industry work together to help build the EU Digital Single Market for cloud computing.
Under the guidance of its Steering Board, the ECP implement pre-commercial procurement actions for public sector cloud computing. The ECP will develop common cloud computing procurement requirements for use by Member States and public authorities throughout the EU.
Specifically, the ECP aims at use the public sector’s buying power to shape the growing and maturing market for cloud computing services. Chaired by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia, the board brings together tech chief executive officers and government representatives with responsibility for IT procurement.
European Commission vice-president Neelie Kroes said: “I need this top-level input so that all of Europe can see the full benefits of cloud computing, and quickly. President Ilves and all board members are going to give no-nonsense, action-oriented advice to get the European Cloud Partnership moving.”
