en.Wedoany.com Reported - Smals, a Belgian joint IT organization for public institutions (primarily focused on social security), has selected Google Cloud as its primary public cloud provider. Following a rigorous evaluation under GÉANT's OCRE24 framework, SoftwareOne, in partnership with Google Cloud, won the contract. This framework agreement will enable Smals' member institutions to utilize Google Cloud services, thereby enhancing the speed and quality of critical citizen service delivery across Belgium.

Smals is incorporating public cloud into its infrastructure strategy, running in parallel with existing on-premises systems and the Government Community Cloud (G-Cloud). Smals will continue to operate its private cloud environment, but the addition of Google Cloud services provides member institutions with more options and AI-driven innovative value-added services, including access to AI models, agent platforms, and more. Smals will maintain full operational control over environments hosted on Google Cloud, ensuring a management experience consistent with on-premises operations.

Every architecture deployed in the public cloud will comply with the European Commission's Cloud Sovereignty Framework and the workload policies of the Federal Cloud Working Group. Additionally, the public cloud implementation includes portability requirements designed to maintain long-term technical flexibility and manage vendor dependency.

To support the transition to the public cloud, Belgian public social security institutions and Smals recently established a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE). This joint initiative, co-led by member institutions, aims to foster knowledge sharing, establish best practices across different cloud providers, and drive the strategic vision for cloud computing in the Belgian public sector. The ultimate goal is to evolve into an integrated hybrid multi-cloud offering for all Belgian social security institutions.

Dirk Deridder, CTO of Smals, stated: "Adding Google Cloud as a third pillar alongside our community cloud and on-premises systems provides member institutions with additional technological options. This framework agreement allows us to meet specific workload requirements in public administration while adhering to established security and sovereignty requirements."

Kurt Rommens, Head of Public Sector for Google Cloud in the Benelux region, stated: "Google Cloud is providing the technology needed to support Smals and its Belgian members' ambitious AI initiatives. Our focus is on delivering a secure environment that meets the portability and sovereignty standards defined by the Belgian federal authorities."

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