Smals Selects Google Cloud as Primary Public Cloud Provider
Smals, the joint IT organization serving Belgian public institutions focused on social security, has chosen Google Cloud as its main public cloud provider. The agreement was awarded to SoftwareOne in partnership with Google Cloud under the GÉANT OCRE24 framework.
cloud.google.comSmals will add Google Cloud services to its existing mix of on-premise systems and the governmental community cloud known as G-Cloud. The arrangement gives member institutions additional technical options while maintaining full operational control over environments hosted on Google Cloud.
The contract followed an evaluation process conducted under GÉANT's OCRE24 framework. It provides Smals members access to Google Cloud services intended to increase delivery speed and quality of citizen services across Belgium.
Smals will continue operating a private cloud environment. The addition of Google Cloud services is intended to supply AI models and agentic platforms for both Smals and its member institutions. "The inclusion of Google Cloud as a third pillar alongside our community cloud and on-premise systems provides member institutions with additional technical options," said Dirk Deridder, CTO of Smals.
"Google Cloud is providing the technology required to support both Smals' own ambitious AI plans and those of its members in Belgium," said Kurt Rommens, Head of Public Sector, Google Cloud Benelux.
All public cloud architectures must follow the European Commission's Cloud Sovereignty Framework and the Federal Taskforce Cloud's Workload Policy. The implementation includes portability requirements to preserve long-term technical flexibility. Belgium's public social security institutions and Smals have launched a Cloud Computing Center of Excellence to share knowledge and establish best practices across cloud providers.
