Brussels, 28/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - Businesses have welcomed the cloud computing strategy proposed on 27 September by the European Commission (see EUROPE 10698). In the view of the European Union of Crafts and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (UEAPME), the communication gives “a correct overview of the benefits of cloud computing to enterprises as well as for society as a whole”. The strategy also shows the key areas which require action, also with regard to data security and legal security. UEAPME is, however, of the opinion that the decision made by the Commission to refer to joint European sales law, an instrument which is not yet been adopted, for contracts governing cloud services is risky, because it has not yet been applied in practice and is therefore not a sufficiently stable basis.
Jonathan Zuck, chairman of the Association for Competitive Technology, a network of 3,000 innovative SMEs, stresses the irrefutable importance of cloud computing for the competitiveness of businesses, particularly innovative businesses, and welcomes the initiative put forward by the Commission. At the moment, businesses are subject to many different standards and the absence of an effective single digital market leads to major challenges in terms of security and respect privacy. “The innovative SMEs are looking to the Commission to demonstrate the leadership necessary to create a unified market for cloud computing services, with flexible rules to enable innovation and growth”, Mr Zuck commented. (IL/transl.fl)