Esker backs UK EuroCloud

Europe’s first ever SaaS and cloud services community

Esker, the leader in document process automation solutions today announces that it fully supports the UK region of EuroCloud, Europe’s first ever SaaS (Software as a Service) and cloud services business community.

Cloud computing is being adopted by thousands of organisations, to help grow their businesses and dispose of silos of rigid information that hinders development and business intelligence. EuroCloud will support the developer community at large, helping share plans and ideas to ensure that the migration to the SaaS platform is uniform and streamlined.

It is working with a number of other organisations to build a pan European network, bringing together leading SaaS vendors, enablers, integrators and industry experts to share best practice and expand their businesses across the continent.

The main goals of the cloud service community are:

To build relationships with the European authorities (Commission and Parliament) to help to recognise the Cloud Computing industry as the future of IT in Europe and to promote a stimulating environment for development and growth of the industry.
To promote business relationships between members throughout Europe and internationally.
To promote technological relationships between members throughout Europe and globally.

Phil Wainewright, EuroCloud UK coordinator and independent analyst on emerging software industry trends at Procullux Ventures comments, “I’m supporting the EuroCloud initiative in the UK because it represents a tremendous opportunity to promote best practices and business benefits of SaaS and cloud services across Europe.”

James Elkington, Managing Director Northern Europe at Esker UK comments, “It’s a privilege to be at the forefront of EuroCloud, we believe that SaaS is the way forward for many different types of software; developing a UK and European community will strengthen the bond between developers and give them a concrete platform going forward.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

The EuroCloud concept

Pierre-José Billotte came up with the concept and created a strategic plan including a clear vision of what this initiative could bring to the whole IT industry. Following the launch, the regional associations will be driving initiatives supporting local business issues while exchanging information with the other markets via the European central board.

According to IDC, worldwide IT spending on cloud services will grow almost threefold, reaching US$44.2 billion, by 2013 (IDC eXchange, “IDC’s New IT Cloud Services Forecast: 2009-2013”, http://blogs.idc.com/ie/, October 5, 2009).

About EuroCloud

EuroCloud is a European network of local SaaS and cloud computing communities from Denmark, UK, Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, France and Spain, including vendors and industry experts. It is aiming at developing the next generation of added value applications. EuroCloud plans to create further local communities in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden, and will set up its headquarters in Brussels. Through its diverse membership, EuroCloud will promote cloud computing in Europe, including current state of the markets and future innovations, and will become a critical exchange platform across the different continents.

For further information, visit: http://www.eurocloud.org/ or follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EuroCloud

About Esker

Esker is a recognised leader in helping organisations eliminate manual processes, gain process visibility and control, and reduce the use of paper by automating the flow of documents into, within and out of the organisation. With patented document delivery automation software and hosted document delivery services, Esker offers a total solution to automate every phase and every type of business information exchange.

Customers achieve significant and immediate operational efficiencies, cost savings and measurable ROI in as little as three to six months. Founded in 1985, Esker operates globally with more than 80,000 customers and millions of licensed users worldwide. Esker has global headquarters in Lyon, France and U.S. headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.esker.co.uk.

For more information contact:

Sara Lewis/Dana Corson

Ascent PR

T: 0161 830 4720

E: dana.corson {at} ascentpr.co(.)uk