£5m TSB support to take innovation into the cloud

The government believes that previous studies backed by the Technology Strategy Board have shown three issues getting in the way of adoption – interoperability, resilience of data and identity assurance. Iain Gray, chief executive of the Technology Strategy Board, explains that's why the new projects are targeted at demonstrating how new or improved value chains and networks can be created – and that value can be increased by offering innovative information, content and services in the cloud. "The market for cloud computing services is growing by 26% each year," comments Gray. "It is an area with exceptional potential for growth [so] finding the correct balance between trust and flexibility, without compromising security, is vital." Gray says the government wants to help UK suppliers of cloud infrastructure and outsourced IT services to work together on the challenges currently holding-back cloud adoption to capture a bigger share of this expanding market when it comes. Ten collaborative R&D projects – led by Arjuna Technologies, BAE Systems, BBC, Building Research Establishment, Jaguar Land Rover, MobiBiz LtdSmoke and Mirrors Productions, Telefónica UK and Worknet – and lasting up to two years, will share grant awards totalling £4.74 million. A further three fast-track projects (lasting up to 12 months and led by AIMES Grid Services CIC, Metrarc and ThinkingSafe) will each receive up to £75,000.