The cloud computing strategy for Europe will be placed under the spotlight in seven weeks’ time, when some of technology’s biggest names come together for the Cloud Computing World Forum, held at Earls Court, London, on 12 and 13 June 2012.

Following recent public and industry consultations into an EU-wide strategy on cloud computing, the European Commission’s Acting Deputy Director General (INFSO), Megan Richards, will deliver a talk on the second day of the conference, outlining the recommendations for developing a successful European cloud policy, and presenting key findings from the consultations.

“Cloud computing has the potential to permit access to information technologies to develop into another “utility” like electricity and gas. Using information technology services in such a way will bring benefits and cost reductions to users (in particular smaller users), helping them to develop and drive growth,” said Ms. Richards.

“But what does it mean for Europe? How will we stimulate the take-up and use of cloud computing on the continent, and what are the challenges that need to be addressed in doing so? These are all vital questions we have to focus on, and are why an event such as the Cloud Computing World Forum is so important,” she added.

The European Commission’s Digital Agenda, which Ms. Richards is a key catalyst in delivering, has made cloud computing a top priority in the last 12 months, as it aims to ensure EU nations are able to maximise the business and economic benefits cloud can bring.

In January 2012, the European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes presented three broad areas the strategy is intent on covering: the legal framework, the technical and commercial fundamentals associated with cloud, and the market (support to pilot projects aiming at cloud deployment).

Since then public and industrial consultations have taken place which have produced a number of recommendations, all of which Ms. Richards will be discussing in her talk at the Cloud Computing World Forum.

She joins a list of over 150 industry experts already confirmed to speak at the event, including CTO for Amazon, Werner Vogels, Former CEO for Apple and PepsiCo, John Sculley, Chief Scientist for Salesforce.com, JP Rangaswami, CISO for eBay, Dave Cullinane, and many more.

The seminar agenda will be held across 8 theatres covering all of the latest topics in cloud, including SaaS, Security, Big Data, PaaS, Mobile, Public Sector, Virtualization, Communications and Social CRM.

Delegates attending the Cloud Computing World Forum will also have access to the exhibition hall where over 100 global exhibitors from the enterprise technology sector will be in attendance, displaying their latest and most innovative cloud computing products and solutions.