VENUS-C

Microsoft BizSpark Programme Boosting Cloud Uptake

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:20:59 GMT

Earlier this week TechStars, a world-leading startup accelerator, and Microsoft Corp. announced a new synergy to help startups fast-track their businesses through the new BizSpark Plus program for accelerators and incubators. The enhanced programme enables TechStars accelerators in several US cities to offer each of their startups up to $60,000 (U.S.) of Windows Azure compute and storage over a 24-month period, at no cost.BizSpark Plus is an extension of the Microsoft BizSpark program, designed to accelerate the success of startups around the world. BizSpark Plus works through select incubators and accelerators such as TechStars to provide value-added products and services to high-potential startups. In addition to offering this to TechStars, Microsoft is making this offer available to all founders whose accelerator is part of the Global Accelerator Network, a network of nearly 40 high-quality accelerators from around the world that follow a model similar to TechStars. The accelerator has a wealth of experience working with tech startups around the world that are building products and services in the cloud. Cloud applications and smart devices are driving the new startup ecosystem, affording startups the ability to drive user adoption, scale their companies and generate financial returns with far less capital and much more quickly than ever before. Windows Azure offers a simple, comprehensive and powerful platform for the creation of Web applications and services. More details can be found in the HPC In the Cloud article.

Microsoft on Mastering Windows Azure Application Development

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:02:54 GMT

In the years to come, cloud computing will take a substantial piece of the market from traditional deployment models. This implies growing demand for applications that can operate in a cloud environment, and for software engineers skilled in cloud computing technologies. A recent article published in HPC In the Cloud explains how newcomers to the cloud can master application development for Windows Azure with an overview of required knowledge. A programmer should have a working knowledge of Microsoft .NET technologies, while particular skills span .NET Framework 4.0, ADO.NET Data Services, LINQ, Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), ASP.NET MVC 3.0 and multi-threading. Developers should be familiar with RDMS concepts and MS SQL 2008. Additionally, a solid understanding of HTTP protocol and the REST concept is valuable as it helps to assess the implications of network topology (load balancers, proxy servers, CDNs) on RESTful web services. Knowledge of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) design principles is essential as cloud applications strongly rely on services. The article also covers setting up the development environment, web, worker and virtual machine roles.

Cloudscape IV, 23-24 February 2012, European Commission, Brussels

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:41:00 GMT

Cloudscape IV is the annual flagship workshop that ensures all relevant stakeholders are brought to the same table to discuss hot topics in cloud computing. High on the agenda of Cloudscape IV, 23-24 February 2012 at the European Commission in Brussels, is the European cloud computing strategy with its three pillars dedicated to legal frameworks; technical and commercial fundamentals and the development of the cloud market by supporting pilot projects of cloud deployments. Insights come from standards bodies, international roadmapping projects, adoption trends in commercial, governmental and scientific settings, important impediments to adoption, as well as perspectives from the EC.
VENUS-C is showcasing its user-centric approach and pilot support through seed funds with a talk from Ignacio Blanquer, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia in a session on distributed computing chaired by Fabrizio Gagliardi, Microsoft Research Connections. The Networking Cocktail concluding day 1 is kindly sponsored by Microsoft Research and hosted at the corporation's Executive Briefing Center.

Registration for the event is now open!

Fuelling the European Economy, 30 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:46:00 GMT

The EU cloud computing strategy strives to build a digital single market and a “cloud active” Europe, enabling us to take full advantage of transformative innovations built on the cloud platform. This event focuses on the opportunities delivered by cloud computing to reenergize productivity, efficiency and competitiveness both for private industry – big and small - and public sector, stimulating innovation, growth and the European economy.

This invite-only event features Keynote Speakers, Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda and – Craig Mundie, Chief Research and Strategy Officer, Microsoft. Content Tracks include Start-ups & SMEs: opportunities and collaboration around cloud computing , eGovernment solutions: modernizing public administration, and improving citizen engagement & services, as well as “Cloud-Active” policies in Member States and Regions: emerging best practices as governments seek to fuel their economies with new technology developments, Building workforce capacity: preparing for the jobs of the future, Technology Showcase.

You will also have the chance to discover a variety of demos and better understand the benefits of cloud computing in areas such as education, health and e-governance.

VENUS-C e-Training

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:11:00 GMT

VENUS-C innovative web-based eTraining services are designed to empower current and future user groups by creating an environment where learning can take place at the trainee’s own pace irrespective of geographical location, reducing costs and time from learning to implementation. Modules leveraging a diverse set of multimodal tools comprise three different modules:

“Inside the Cloud” eTraining services with user-friendly multimodal content offer a powerful tool to keep up to speed on key developments and challenges in a rapidly changing landscape. eTrainees from academia, particularly graduates and post-graduates planning a career in enterprise, can enhance their skill sets by acquiring new knowledge on Cloud computing. Innovators from enterprise and research, particularly small organisations, can gain real benefits in terms of new insights into real-world uses of Cloud computing and how top-level challenges are being addressed to guide adoption roadmaps.

End-user eTraining: Provide training to current and future user groups in order to facilitate usage of the VENUS-C Platform. Such eTraining is largely technical in focus with the support of the VENUS-C Architect, Community Manager, Infrastructure Deployment and Operation Manager with current user scenario partners offering first-hand insights.

“On VENUS-C” eTraining services instruct communities on multiple facets of VENUS-C, spanning the main focus of the project, how it is addressing legal and sustainability issues coupled with use cases offering first-hand experiences across a range of sectors. Course content is also focus on positioning VENUS-C in the wider European and international context with particular reference to Europe’s strategy for e-Infrastructures and efforts driving interoperability and standardisation. Courses target but are not limited to new pilots with the aim of offering a “short-cut” to important background information on VENUS-C.

The Economics of the Cloud for the EU Public Sector

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:56:01 GMT

Computing is undergoing a seismic shift from client/server to the cloud, a shift similar in importance and impact to the transition from mainframe to client/server. Speculation abounds on how this new era will evolve in the coming years, and IT leaders have a critical need for a clear vision of where the industry is heading. The best way to form this vision is to understand the underlying economics driving the long-term trend. In this paper, the economics of the cloud will be assess by using in-depth modeling to better understand the long-term IT landscape.

OCCI: a Standard From OGF Meeting User Community Needs

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:03:24 GMT

The Standards Landscape in Cloud Computing

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:52:00 GMT

Running Large Workflows in the Cloud

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:37:00 GMT

Cloud computing & interoperability use-cases

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:25:00 GMT