MOEA, Microsoft agree to set up software, services center

Cloud computing is a Web-enabled software solution based on the use of computer technology. It allows clients who have no knowledge of or expertise in the technology infrastructure to complete common business applications online that are accessed from a Web browser.

Wu Ming-chi, director-general of the MOEA's Department of Industrial Technology, and Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Division at Microsoft Corp., clinched the accord on behalf of their respective companies.

Vice Premier Eric Chu, Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng, Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-hsiang as well as Software CEO Steve Ballmer and representatives of Taiwanese firms witnessed the signing.

“We hope that cooperation with Microsoft, a software giant, will further cement Taiwan's foundation for high-tech development,” Chu said on the occasion.

Shih voiced hope that Taiwan could become a pioneer of cloud computing in Asia or across the world through the cooperative venture with Microsoft and that Taiwan could play a bigger role in the global software supply chain, apart from its dominant position in hardware.

According to Wu, the joint venture has come at a good time when the Taiwanese government is seeking to promote six star industries. Among others, the cultural innovation and green energy industries are expected to benefit the most from the drive.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ballmer raised the “three screens and a cloud strategy” notion, saying that cloud computing-based service focusing on PCs, TVs and mobile phones is set to bring a wide variety of daily convenience to users and unlimited creative possibilities to enterprises.

Ballmer said the joint venture will help bring about enormous business opportunities for both Taiwanese companies and Microsoft after the world enters the “PC Plus” era, which is set to see an unrestricted integration between digital multimedia devices and computer technology.

Upbeat about the huge market potential for cloud computing software applications, Microsoft also announced its cooperation in value-added cell phone services with Chunghwa Telecom — Taiwan's largest phone service company — in the same ceremony.

Cloud is used as a metaphor for the Internet, based on how the Internet is depicted in computer network diagrams and is an abstraction of the underlying infrastructure it conceals.

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