The business agreement signing ceremony between OPA and the Software Association. From the left, Ahn Hong-jun, head of the Korea Software Association, Song Gwang-heon, president of the Korea Commercial Software Association, OPA Chairman Kim Hong-jin, Korea Open Software Association Vice President Shim Ho-seong, and Kim Jin-taek, secretary general of the Korea Cloud Computing Research Association.
[디지털데일리 이안나기자] The Open Cloud Platform Alliance (OPA) is joining hands with the domestic software (SW) industry to support full-scale cloud transition.
On the 28th, OPA signed a ‘business agreement to pioneer new cloud markets for domestic SW companies and secure human infrastructure’ with the Korea Software Industry Association, Korea Open Software Association, Korea Commercial Software Association, and Korea Cloud Computing Research Association at the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. concluded.
OPA Chairman Kim Hong-jin said, “The biggest purpose of this agreement is to improve the competitiveness of domestic SW companies.” He added, “There are various players, including global vendors, in the current cloud market, but the basis of Platform as a Service (PaaS) is ultimately software, and this area is used by domestic SW companies. “We are preparing various programs so that we can take the lead,” he emphasized.
There are two main points of this agreement. The first is support for containerization of domestic SW companies. Chairman Kim emphasized the importance of container images, saying, “In the current cloud environment, interoperability has become very important in a situation where hybrid and multi-cloud have become common standards.”
A container image means that all the elements necessary to run software are bundled into one package. Just as cargo ships transport various cargoes using standardized containers, if software is standardized into containers, it can be freely moved from cloud A to cloud B, and even to a company’s internal system.
OPA provides support for SW companies to create container images on a pilot basis. We plan to provide technical support, cost support, and hub registration for SW companies wishing to enter the cloud market. Depending on the results of this pilot project, there is a possibility that it will be expanded into a formal project by government ministries or public institutions in the future.
In particular, this project is differentiated from existing government-supported projects that remained within the larger framework of ‘cloud native’ or ‘software as a service (SaaS) conversion’. Ahn Hong-jun, head of the Korea Software Industry Association, said, “This container image support project is the first attempt to solve detailed problems experienced by actual companies.”
Container image creation process [ⓒ OPA]
What is especially noteworthy is the prediction that chronic problems in the public market can be solved if the container image business becomes active. Chairman Kim Hong-jin explained, “If system construction (SI) businesses can also select various SW through the image hub, problems such as separate orders in the existing public market or costs for task changes can be naturally resolved.”
The second is training cloud native experts. OPA operates the ‘Cloud Native Edu Center’ to ‘expand the training of K-PaaS experts’. This is a system in which companies reviewed and designated by OPA carry out cloud native education projects. OPA is currently training 20 to 30 professionals per quarter.
This time, we plan to expand the scale of education by signing agreements with three cloud-related companies: Inogrid, iway, and Orchestra. OPA plans to go beyond simple technical training and include actual cloud native conversion guidelines and methodologies in the curriculum.
Kim Jin-taek, Secretary General of the Korea Cloud Computing Research Association, pointed out, “Companies know the need for cloud native and know what microservice architecture (MSA) is, but they do not know how to actually implement it.” He continued, “Currently, domestic companies are registering on the AWS Marketplace. “Even just looking at the insignificance, container development capabilities are lacking,” he said, emphasizing that “practical-oriented training is needed along with support for creating container images.”
Song Gwang-heon, president of the Korea Commercial Software Association, emphasized, “The container image production and education project of this agreement is only the beginning,” and added, “This agreement is significant in that it promotes integrated cloud-related projects currently being carried out by each association.” did it
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How will the OPA’s initiative to support container image creation for domestic software contribute to the advancement of Platform as a Service (PaaS)?
## Open Cloud Platform Alliance Partners with Software Associations to Boost Domestic Cloud Transition
**Seoul, South Korea** – In a bid to bolster the competitiveness of domestic software companies and accelerate cloud adoption, the Open Cloud Platform Alliance (OPA) has forged a strategic partnership with four leading software associations.
The landmark business agreement, signed on February 28th at the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry, unites OPA with the Korea Software Industry Association, Korea Open Source Association, Korea Commercial Software Association, and the Korea Cloud Computing Research Association. The alliance aims to pioneer new cloud markets for domestic software companies while simultaneously strengthening the nation’s human infrastructure in the cloud sphere.
“This agreement is a crucial step in elevating the standing of domestic software companies in the global cloud landscape,” stated OPA Chairman Kim Hong-jin. He emphasized that while global vendors currently dominate the cloud market, the foundation of Platform as a Service (PaaS) lies firmly in software – an arena where Korean companies possess distinct strengths.
This collaborative effort hinges on two fundamental pillars:
**1. Containerization Support:** Recognizing the increasing importance of interoperability in hybrid and multi-cloud environments, the agreement prioritizes the creation of container images for domestic software.
Container images, akin to standardized shipping containers, bundle all necessary software components into a single, self-contained unit. This allows for seamless transfer of software between various cloud platforms and even internal systems.
OPA will provide comprehensive support to software companies transitioning to this container-based model, encompassing technical guidance, cost assistance, and hub registration.
This pilot project holds the potential to evolve into a larger-scale initiative backed by government ministries and public institutions. Notably, this targeted support for container image creation stands apart from existing government programs focused on broader initiatives like “cloud native” or “software as a service (SaaS) conversion.” Ahn Hong-jun, head of the Korea Software Industry Association, commended this project as the first concrete attempt to address the specific challenges faced by companies in the real world.
**2. Public Market Transformation:**
The agreement anticipates a positive ripple effect on the public market. OPA Chairman Kim Hong-jin predicts that the proliferation of container images could alleviate chronic issues plaguing public procurement processes. He envisions system integrators (SI) being empowered to select from a wider array of software solutions, fostering innovation and competition.
This partnership signifies a collective commitment to empower domestic software companies, unlock the potential of containerization, and drive the widespread adoption of cloud technology in Korea.
