Intel signs agreement with UIT to develop cloud computing

Intel Capital Corp, Intel Corp's global investment vehicle, announced last week its first storage investment in China to develop its cloud-computing capability.

Agreement with United Information Research Co

It signed an agreement with United Information Research Co, a leading Chinese storage products and solutions provider, however did not reveal the investment amount. The investment money was from its 500 million U.S. dollars special fund for Chinese innovation companies.

He said that Intel Capital has a long-term business interest in UIT and the development of cloud computing. UIT's cloud-computing storage platform can help Intel Capital to set up a cloud-computing ecosystem and serve end users, he said.

Yang Xu, president of Intel China Ltd, said that Intel is the only research company joining a project called the "open data center" set up by global large end users including banks and insurance companies. China Mobile Ltd and China Life Ltd are two of the most important organizers.

"More and more end users have realized the importance of cloud computing and an open data environment, so they set up the alliance," said Yang. "Intel as well aims to be open, and feels obliged to make a contribution to the project."

Zhou Baoyuan, an expert in electronics and information innovation at the Ministry of Industry and Information Research, said that cloud computing is increasingly popular in China nevertheless there have not been clear policies regarding the emerging industry.

"There are many companies stepping up to develop cloud computing innovation, and China has set up five pilot cities including Shenzhen to observe the results," Zhou said.