Cloud computing ‘could revolutionise economy and create 20,000 jobs’

THE cloud computing industry has the ability to revolutionise the economy over the next decade in the same manner as the IFSC did over the past 20 years — with nearly 20,000 new jobs a possibility — according to a new study.

The impact report carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants for Microsoft Ireland claims that Ireland is perfectly poised to capture “a disproportionately large” share of the global cloud market, which is estimated to be worth around €70bn by 2014.

By that time, according to the report, Ireland could be benefiting from €9.5bn in annual sales from the sector and directly employing 8,600 people in it — while another 11,000 could be employed in some 2,000 new non-IT related SMEs.

The report suggests early adoption of cloud computing by Irish users would save around €500m per year for Irish business.

According to Microsoft Ireland managing director, Paul Rellis: “Cloud Computing can be the new IFSC, if the incoming Government moves quickly to implement the correct policy requirements to deliver it. Cloud computing will revolutionise technology the way that the Internet did.

“As this global industry is in its infancy, Ireland has a real opportunity to pioneer its adoption to create new jobs, new businesses and enhance our competitiveness while attracting foreign direct investment and creating new export markets.”

The report calls for various quickly administered measures, including the implementation of a high profile Government ‘Cloud’ Computing project to showcase Ireland’s expertise worldwide; the promotion of cloud computing to SMEs and start-up companies; boosting its awareness among the private sector and a Government agency-supported programme to attract foreign investment into the sector in Ireland.

IDA Ireland, said that they had already identified the industry as a key focus area in their Horizon 2020 10-year blueprint for job creation.