CCN Offers to Work for Smaller Cloud Computing Firms in Canada

The Canada Cloud Network (CCN) has decided to offer its helping hand to smaller cloud computing service providers to gain government contracts amidst growing worries about the security lapses in cloud technology.

Cloud computing has failed to take off in Canada, as businesses are fearful that the technology might undermine their safety.

A recent IDC survey found that 71 percent of Canadian businesses are refusing to make the shift to the cloud because they don't understand the technology and they're afraid it will leave them open to security risks.

But the CCN seems determined to persuade Canada’s provincial governments to shift their content to the cloud. The network will act as a broker, allowing smaller cloud computing providers to win government contracts.

As part of its program, CCN has now set up centers in Canada’s major cities including Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. A center at Ottawa was needed because it is close to the government departments, and Toronto is where CCN is based.

The network believes that its program may benefit citizens, reduce government spending and spur Canadian leadership in the cloud computing space.

“Cloud computing has not been aggressively adopted by Canadian business and governments because of general inertia, latent security concerns and poor packaging of solutions across companies,” said Neil McEvoy, CEO of L5 Consulting Inc. and founder of CCN.

McEvoy says smaller companies have had trouble winning government contracts because of the government’s complex and lengthy procurement system that favors major players.

The aim of the program, according to McEvoy, is to change the status quo and help smaller cloud computing companies band together and get in the game in a big way.

CCN will initially target the federal government and then provincial and municipal governments and the private sector.

The program, Cloud Ecosystem Accelerator Program, will back the participating companies with a service platform, joint marketing, sales campaigns and investment capital.

Solutions will be offered to cloud based e-government, ecommerce solutions and business continuity services.

The final aim is to strengthen smaller companies with co-operative marketing and sales campaigns.

“Companies participating in the CEAP clusters will be able to compete effectively against large companies for federal government business and beyond,” added McEvoy.

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