The Government is to set up a cloud technology scheme that could position Ireland at the forefront of information technology innovation.
In partnership with IDA Ireland, EMC Corporation will construct a cloud centre with hubs in government networks and in EMC's centre of excellence in the Cloud4Gov programme.
Implemented in the next few weeks, Cloud4Gov will provide a secure, private space for Irish small and medium-sized enterprises to demonstrate data efficiency and cost-saving solutions, and showcase the capabilities of a cloud-based system. The programme may have far-reaching implications about how the public sector will store and share information in years to come.
"This platform will remove the upfront IT cost and infrastructure barriers, and provide a unique opportunity for companies to develop and showcase their new applications using data sets from public sector organisations," said Jason Ward, EMC country manager.
"Cloud4Gov will be a platform to promote Ireland as a first-mover and leader in innovation which is committed to driving the smart economy."
Although, "cloud" is a relatively new term, most people are already familiar with the technology. It means that data is not stored on your personal computer but on a remote server that can be accessed by any computer or mobile device. If you've ever shared a Google document or purchased a song from iTunes, you've used cloud technology.
But unlike iTunes, not just anyone can access the information in this project. The data will be retained on the government network in the government data centre, and there is security built into the architecture of the system.
"It's built for trust. In terms of outside access, or the data floating around, that isn't a possibility," said Mr Ward.
The shareable nature of the system also has economic implications, potentially saving IT costs through more efficient data storage, driving job creation along the way.
Governments may be able to reduce up to 50 per cent of their infrastructure and operational IT costs simply by moving applications to a cloud, a 2011 study conducted by the Washington, DC-based Bookings Institution found.
According to a 2011 paper by the International Data Corporation, 70 per cent of IT budgets are utilised just for "keeping the lights on," consuming time and money without allowing space for technological innovation, Mr Ward said.
The Government's Action Plan for Jobs, also announced today, recognises that cloud computing will be a driver of growth for the information, communication & technologies sector, Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte said, adding: "Jobs will always come from new technologies".
The Government's action plan promised to create 100,000 jobs by 2016.
"Whether it's 100,000 or 150,000 the point of the matter is employment has to be our first priority," the Minister said. "Our biggest challenge in this country is to create more jobs, and what we're doing here today is part of an overall strategic plan to maintain a company growing in Ireland that already employs 2,000 people and that has roots here since 1988."