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FPT and its partner Microsoft will jointly provide a number of cloud computing services in Vietnam by the end of the year.

Cloud computing, the leading IT trend

This is the first result of a cooperative agreement between the two companies that was signed last May.

Speaking at a recent conference named “Journey to the Clouds” in Hanoi, Tran Gia Hanh, Director of FPT Information Technology Infrastructure Centre, said FPT will introduce a service, similar to cloud computing-based Microsoft Office 365, in the domestic market, including Microsoft Office, Exchange Online and Office SharePoint Online.

It will also launch some cloud computing software products designed for the Vietnamese market only such as eTax, eCustom, eHospital and eClinic. These are expected to be made available both in big cities and remote areas of the country.

Hanh disclosed FPT plans to invest tens of millions of USD for cloud computing development in Vietnam in the coming years, adding that FPT and Microsft will boost the cooperation in human resource training, hardware purchase and software distribution, to bring comprehensive cloud computing products to Vietnamese customers.

FPT defines cloud computing as one of its most important development strategies to supply electronic products to government agencies, enterprises and people in Vietnam.

Talking with reporters on the sidelines of the conference, Andrew Pickup, Chief Marketing Officer for Microsoft in Asia Pacific, said cloud computing has become the leading IT trend in the world today.

He highlighted that this technology can help Vietnam’s fast-growing economy to accelerate its IT sector.

Pickup said Microsoft have invested more than USD10 billion to develop cloud computing worldwide and now over 40 million people are using Microsoft Office 365.

According to market research firm Gartner, up to 80% of Fortune Magazine’s top companies will use some of cloud computing services.

Meanwhile, IDC believes that businesses will select private cloud computing service as a way to expand.