CTS sees huge growth in ‘The Cloud’

IT veteran Steve Kaye is gearing up for a surge in demand from businesses switching to cloud computing.

Mr Kaye, who has worked in the sector for more than 30 years, believes the next big shift in the way businesses use the Internet will come from companies adopting web-based technologies, such as Google Enterpise, rather than hosting their own sotware and servers.

Mr Kaye, who set up Bolton-based Cloud Technology Solutions in 2008 said: “We’re at the beginning of what I expect will be a wave of demand, particularly from SMEs.

“It is predicted that something like 20% of all corporate mail will be in the cloud by 2012 and so we are getting ready for demand to surge.”

Internet giant Google sees a mammoth opportunity in cloud computing and has developed a range of paid-for Premier applications for the business user.

CTS is one of a handful of managed partners selling for Google.

Mr Kaye, 55, says:”The battle between Microsoft and Goodle has begun in earnest – cloud computing is the next wave in delivering software as a service rather than companies hosting applications on expensive hardware which takes up space, consumes and energy and needs maintaining.”

CTS, which staged an event for IT managers and directors at the Imperial War Museum North, employs 10 people. It makes its money by selling the Premier Google products at £33 per user per year.

Mr Kaye accepts that certain sectors – banking finance and local and national government will not embrace the new technology – because of data security issues – but believes small business and charity use will soar.

“Currently we have greater technological advantages and freedoms at home than at work and I think this technology can make a massive difference to a small business from a financial and ecological point of view.”