On 2 May, the Commission organised an all-day event on the topic of Research in future Cloud Computing. At the event, the Commission’s Cloud Expert Group presented the outcomes of its report “Advances in the Cloud”, stressing in particular the importance for Europe to focus on long-term research efforts.

The report also discussed cloud from a business perspective and provided suggestions for specific research areas. The report published on 2 may, was a follow-up on the Expert Group’s report “The future of Cloud Computing” from 2010.

In addition, Ken Ducatel, future head of unit for DG INFSO's “cloud, software and services”, gave an update on the Commission’s work on the Cloud Computing Strategy, anticipated for July this year. The following session included a panel discussion on current cloud computing offerings and future research challenges and discussed potential innovation areas such as big data, DevOps, Software-Defined Networks, Open Stacks and Integrated System Optimization. The event was wrapped up by the Commission’s unit for Strategy for ICT Research and Innovation, giving an update on the orientations for the FP7 ICT work programme for 2013 and the Horizon2020.

Please find links to the agenda and the presentations here: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/ssai/events_en.html