Alex Hilton,

Managing Director

The cloud industry forum aims to bring together like minded organisations determined to deliver common standards in security, privacy and interoperability that our end users can have faith in.

We very much look forward to working with CIF and helping them to succeed in delivering a credible and certifiable code of practice for the cloud industry as well as bringing business, consumers and suppliers of cloud services closer together in a trusted and sustainable marketplace.

Organisations seeking to use cloud services need a straightforward form of certification or 'code of practice' for potential suppliers that will accurately define the services offered, standards of operation and security

Cloud computing is the future of computing and is rapidly becoming fully mainstream. The Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) and its code of practice will help ensure that the highest standards are maintained. As well as ensuring CIF members are appropriately skilled and regularly assessed, businesses will appreciate the peace of mind as well as a clearly defined industry standard with which they can assess their suppliers, and undertake Cloud implementations with the highest confidence and trust. Outsourcery fully endorses the principles of CIF and is proud to be a founding member.

In my 20+ years working in the IT industry this is the first accreditation programme I've actively participated in, which can and will deliver real and quantifiable assurances to the end user around Cloud services. Such assurances have been inherent with other professional services bodies for many years now - so this is long overdue. Trust and Transparency are values which are at the core of ChannelCloud UK/Ireland and therefore becoming a member of the CIF has been a natural progression for us.

Whilst we will take the lead on this market activity we equally recognise that the Cloud Industry Forum has been leading the charge for better practice and transparency in the Cloud. Its Code of Practice is a ground breaking initiative offering end users the transparency and security they need in taking the decision to migrate to the cloud, and an initiative such is this is something we can support and reflects our values and commitment.

Access to the networked resources provided by 'clouds' enables companies to enter markets without having to meet the capital costs of building their own computer infrastructure. What they get instead is a sort of 'pay as you go' service tailored to their specific requirements.

Intellect, the UK High Tech Trade Association, welcomes the introduction of the Cloud Industry Forum, which addresses the need for Cloud Service Providers to establish themselves as responsible organisations offering services to customers at all levels in the UK. The idea of providing assured business information to equip customers will provide a valuable extra check to support the selection of suppliers and encourage the wider adoption of proven services. Thus bringing added value to all players in this fast growing marketplace.

Like with any traditional technology, customers expect the cloud to demonstrate transparency, capability and accountability, and we are confident that our robust and specialised solutions offer the stability needed to encourage businesses to work closely with cloud service providers to become more efficient.

We recognise CIF’s Code of Practice as an important part of industry self-regulation and are delighted to work with CIF to encourage and achieve best practice.

We firmly believe that the cloud industry forum will provide assurance for end users in a rapidly developing market, providing advice and guidance to consumers and service providers alike.

We believe that joining the Cloud Industry Forum shows FrontRange Solutions' commitment to delivering best-in-class Software as a Service solutions as well as working with a wide variety of partners to drive awareness, adoption and best practice in managing cloud-based services and solutions

The rapid adoption of cloud computing has seen cloud-based services become a central part of business strategy, with its ability to deliver flexibility and drive down cost being two of the main benefits for end users. This partnership further reflects our commitment to the cloud and more importantly our cloud-based customers.

We fully support CIF’s goal, which is to assist business users in identifying and investing in secure and robust Cloud services. We have been focused on delivering innovative new technology to provide secure search for the cloud, so we are aware of the importance of best practice in this sector. We understand the value of Cloud Industry Forum’s messaging and we are delighted to be joining them in championing their Code of Practice.

The traditional model of delivering software and it services has gone beyond the on-premise model. Our industry has changed as has the market. As we move towards a new business model end users need the confidence that only an authoritative code of practice can bring.