Cloud computing is still in its infancy, with new services constantly being developed, as technological advances come to meet evolving user needs. A recent study financed by the European Commission reveals that, from 2015 to 2020, cloud computing could add a cumulative total of €449bn to the EU28 GDP, creating 1 million new jobs in the process.

These days,  we continue to see interesting developments in cloud computing: many of the more exciting and promising cloud computing products, especially at the infrastructure level, result from collaborations. Open Source based projects like OpenStack or Cloud Foundry are increasingly becoming global industry platforms. On top of this infrastructure, cloud service providers are trying to differentiate themselves and to create unique, innovative services, tailored to the need of their potential users.

How is this trend impacting the cloud computing marketplace as a whole? How to combine a flourishing market of innovative, unique services with users' demands for flexible, interoperable cloud solutions? Will collaborative work around cloud infrastructure result in formal standards that could facilitate users to link services from different providers and/or to change providers in the future?

This Round Table will open with keynote speeches from our panelists. The following debates with all participants will be held under the Chatham House Rule and will be moderated by Graham Taylor, OFE's Chief Executive. A cocktail reception will follow the event.