Hanover / Unterschleißheim, February 28, 2011. Cloud computing provides great po-tentials for innovation, growth and solving social challenges. Consequently, the cloud will be the growth driver in information and communications technology in the next couple of years and beyond. ”We have the chance to make Germany the leading cloud nation in Europe”, says Ralph Haupter, Chairman of the Managing Board Microsoft Germany, on CeBIT 2011. ”Cloud services are key to solving many socio-political chal-lenges, from demography and health to open and efficient public services. We want to be the pacesetter in cloud computing.” Haupter emphasizes Microsoft’s responsibility and commitment by presenting twelve theses which explain the economic and social opportunities of cloud computing – and also describe the responsibility and commit-ment of Microsoft, the industry and politics. Haupter coined the phrase ”Corporate Technical Responsibility” for it.^http://www.microsoft.com/germany/presse/imagelibrary/e7edec50-4d19-4113-ab31-15fb95435185/e7edec50-4d19-4113-ab31-15fb95435185_73_53.jpg