ITRI Kicks Off Operation of Cloud Computing Research Center

Taipei, Dec. 29, 2009 (CENS)--With R&D engineers successfully recruited, the Cloud Computing Research Center of Taiwan's government-funded ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) has become operational to tap, in cooperation with Taiwanese enterprises, the emerging business potential generated by applications of cloud computing technology.

Johnsee Lee, president of ITRI, indicated that the rise of cloud computing technology will bring revolutions to ICT (information and communication technology) and related industries, further varying uses and applications of IT (information technology) and the Internet in the future. Besides, this will also help Taiwan to upgrade industries to a higher profile.

Since setting up the Cloud Computing Research Center in September of 2009, the ITRI has actively recruited top engineers with related technical background, including Dr. Chiueh Tzi-cker, the head of the center, and sought cooperation with enterprises, in an effort to activate the center as soon as possible and assist industries on the island to carve out new niches through earlier involvement in the technology.

Chiueh noted that the center will be dedicated to development of software, hardware and application services based on cloud computing technology. Plus, he added that ITRI will establish a containerized data center, which will be installed with a total of up to 2,000 servers and related necessary equipment.

According to industry insiders, the global market demand for products and services based on cloud computing technology is estimated at US$42 billion in 2012, with 80% of the Fortune top 500 companies to use related services.