14th June 2011
Microsoft Joins The Cloud Industry Forum
Cloud visionary and market pioneer Microsoft becomes latest organisation to endorse CIF and its drive for a Code of Practice
Microsoft UK has today announced it has formally joined the Cloud Industry Forum, an industry body established to promote trust, security and transparency within the sector.
Microsoft is large player in the cloud landscape, according to Gartner it offers one of the most visionary and complete views of the cloud and is predicted to be one of the two leaders in the cloud computing market over the next few years.
In 2010 Microsoft launched its “Cloud Power” global campaign to help IT professionals better understand the fundamental shift going on in the industry. The campaign focused on three key business scenarios including private cloud, public cloud and cloud productivity. The campaign promoted the benefits of cloud computing over those of traditional computing, offers prospective clients advice on how to get started, and introduced Microsoft’s cloud portfolio.
Andy Burton, chairman of the Cloud Industry Forum, stated: “We are delighted that Microsoft has joined as a member. There is no doubt that the experience Microsoft has had in recent months in educating end users will be of tremendous value to us. We have always acknowledged the breadth and diversity of the Cloud marketplace and have welcomed organisations from every part of the cloud supply chain from ISVs to service providers, and from local vendors to truly global partners such as Microsoft.”
“We have prided ourselves on the work we have done since inception in terms of developing a credible, independent voice for the sector. We have alliances in place from BASDA, Eurocloud, the Cloud Security Alliance as well as the likes of Intellect. We are recognised through our work on standards and briefing Government at the highest levels as acknowledged experts in Cloud computing. So the time is right for organisations such as Microsoft to become members,” he added.
Janet Gibbons, director of partner strategy and programmes, Microsoft, added: “Microsoft has been following the work of the Cloud Industry Forum over the past few years with interest and we fully support its aspirations to champion the adoption of cloud services. We share a common goal: improving consumer confidence in the Cloud. This lies behind our investment in the ‘Cloud Power’ campaigns and is the driving force behind the push for a Code of Practice, as promoted by the Cloud Industry Forum.
“With over 10,000 corporate customers already using Windows Azure, we are firmly at the forefront of the market and we felt the time was now right to endorse the work of the Cloud Industry Forum in championing its certified Code of Practice throughout the Cloud supply chain, building confidence in Cloud solutions for ever increasing numbers of users,” she added.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx
About the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF)
The Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) was established in direct response to the evolving supply models for the delivery of software and IT services that has expanded well beyond the traditional on-premise method to one that now embraces hosted and/or, pay-as-you-use Cloud solutions.
CIF’s purpose is twofold: To drive a common and public level of transparency about the capability, substance and best practices of online Service Providers (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, Web hosting providers etc) through a process of self-certification to a Code of Practice. Second, this Code of Practice, and the use of the related Certification Mark on participant’s web sites, provides comfort and promotes trust to businesses and individuals wishing to leverage the commercial, financial and agile operations capabilities that the Cloud based and hosted solutions can offer. CIF is ensuring the integrity and governance of the self-certification process through regular random audits as well as investigating complaints from parties that challenge any specific participants self-certification status.
Our ambition is to bring business consumers and suppliers of Cloud and Hosted Services closer together in a trusted, sustainable and rewarding ecosystem.
