Eduserv is preparing to launch a shared cloud infrastructure for higher education institutions.

Due to be launched this autumn, the University Modernisation Fund (UMF) Cloud Pilot is a £12.5m government funded initiative which will provide on-demand self-service access to a range of computer and storage services.

It is designed to address the major concerns of universities such as ensuring data remains within the UK, lowers the costs associated with IT provisioning and is operated for the long-term benefit of the UK academic sector.

The pilot will run for one year, after which time it will operate on a commercial basis.

Matt Johnson, head of research and development at Eduserv, gave a presentation on Eduserv's Cloud projects at the SeIUCCR summer school’s 'Using e-infrastructure for Research Summer School' event.

Slides from his presentation can be viewed here.