ICT service provider NTT Europe in association with London-based IT consultancy Cirquent will implement NTT’s new Compute Cloud hosting offering in British arts organisation Tate, to take the organisation into the cloud.

Tate has selected NTT Europe to host its public facing website to ensure a stable and secure web presence, in an effort to increase public knowledge, understanding and the enjoyment of art.

The new utility based cloud service will give Tate the complete control to allocate compute power, memory and storage resources between multiple environments on-demand through its personalised customer portal.

The Compute Cloud platform will particularly be useful for the institution as it regularly deploys micro-sites and short term campaign material solely for the lifetime of exhibitions such as the Turner Prize or Gabriel Orozco.

Tate Information Systems director Rob Gethen Smith said the decision to move into the cloud was sparked by plans to re-fresh the front-end of the main website and ambitious plans to increase online interactions and discussions about art.

"We wanted a solution that would support our growth and innovation. NTT Europe’s clear and professional approach made the cloud computing concept the right one for us at this time," Smith said.

NTT Europe will also provide access to its global Smart Content Delivery network, which caches rich content to the end users’ nearest exchange, ensuring that Tate’s sites are immediately responsive for its international audience.

Smith added, "Our mission is to increase the understanding and discussion around art and much of this is achieved by inviting debate and exchange online through our websites and social media."

NTT Europe vice president of managed services Damian Skendrovic said creating exciting online experiences and maintaining a secure and reliable online presence is vital for an institution like Tate, not only to drive visitors and revenue, but also to protect a brand which is renowned around the world.

"Our global IT network resources, Compute Cloud hosting and Smart Content Delivery solutions mean that the Tate and its visitors will be getting the stability, security and scalability that they deserve."

Tate, a public institution owned by, and existing for, the public, comprises of a family of four galleries: Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives; and is responsible for the national Collections of British art and of international art from 1900.