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TechTrade | 09 May 2012 :  A think tank on cloud computing was hosted this week by it@cork European Tech Cluster, a leading business organisation representing the interests of the IT industry in the Region.

Presenting on the opportunities for organisations moving to the Cloud, Tim Murphy of Strencom and Tim Horgan of CIT, discussed the opportunities cloud offers the Cork region.

"Cloud represents an incredible opportunity given the number of cloud computing firms in Ireland, from IBM, EMC, VMWare and Trend Micro to indigenous companies such as Strencom and Zartis. The expertise and skills in the area of cloud computing being generated by these organisations and the fact that CIT has developed its market leading MSc in Cloud Computing means that we will harness new strengths and exciting developments in this field," said Denis Collins of IBM and chairman, it@cork.

Tim Murphy, CEO of Strencom, said: "Ireland needs to fulfill the demands and requirements of both MNC and indigenous organisations that are embracing Cloud. Strencom's combined network connectivity, cloud computing offering and virtual data centre ensure that we can serve this important and growing sector. Demand is evidenced by Strencom's continued growth and market share."

Tim Horgan, head of the Cloud Computing Centre of Excellence, CIT, said: "The convergence of cloud and the exponential rise in data are creating unprecedented opportunities for IT professionals, but we need to drive expertise and knowledge in this area, and ensure that the roles created by this sector can be filled. We have pioneered the development of the world's first MSc in Cloud Computing online programme at Cork Institute of Technology, and we even have students from Russia, Spain and United States pursuing this qualification now."

Over 80 industry professionals attended the Cloud Tech Tuesday event in the Rubicon Centre in Cork.

TechCentral Reporters