Conference on 'Cloud Computing' organised by Microsoft...

On Oct 6th, 2010 Microsoft's East and Central Europe division held a presentation, discussion, and panel debate in Brussels on the role of innovation and technology in the improvement of cooperation between local and regional administration and business with the goal of stimulating development. The presentation, given in the wake of a major global economic slowdown, emphasized the importance of social and economic cohesion between regions in Europe in restoring both growth in the internal market and competitiveness to the EU in general. The speakers included, among other, Jacek Murawski, Director General of Microsoft Poland and Mr. Jan Muehlfeit, President of Microsoft in Eastern and Central Europe. The speakers called attention to the impact that modern technology can have on the efficiency of both the private and public sector on all levels in the European Union. Jan Muehlfeit illustrated Microsoft's efforts in achieving this goal across Europe, focusing on innovations such as "Cloud Computing", which he described as potentially the biggest revolution in information and communicative technologies since the advent and boom of the internet.

Cloud computing is an internet-based infrastructure that allow for the storage, management, and provision of data - of all kinds - as a service. It removes the burden of having to store information on individual physical hardware, instead granting the user access to their applications and data on-demand via the internet "cloud". This means that the consumer is relieved of the need to download their applications and data when switching from one device to another, substantially freeing up memory and physical storage space while reducing energy costs. As a user makes changes to their information on one device - whether it be a desktop computer, laptop, or hand-held device - these changes are automatically updated in the cloud, and thus made available as such on any other device to which the cloud is connected.

Mr. Muehlfeit communicated his excitement over cloud computing's potential positive impact on the administration of public services such as health care, the operation of small and medium enterprises, and the efficiency with which citizens carry out their daily activities. He concluded offering the audience his vision for a Europe which will have, thanks to new innovative technologies such as these, regained its competitive edge.