high-performance computing ➤
us to make improvements,’ said Walsh. ‘We were able to get time and space on Mare Nostrum and developed an initial version [of the algorithm] on x86 architecture. We were also able to look at future architectures that are coming out, such as Knights Landing.’ By optimising the code using the expertise
and resources from Prace, Nsilico found that the operation could be sped up by a factor of
Te SHAPE programme is designed to help
SMEs overcome these barriers. ‘Especially for SMEs, there are cost-of-operation challenges, there are in many cases a lack of resources so we need to think how we can facilitate these challenges,’ Giovanni Erbacci told the conference. Erbacci leads the Services for Industrial Users and SMEs for Prace and is head of the HPC projects division at CINECA – a non-profit
THERE ARE IN MANY CASES A LACK OF RESOURCES SO WE NEED TO THINK HOW WE CAN FACILITATE THESE CHALLENGES GIOVANNI ERBACCI
two using the Intel Xeon Phi Coprocessor, and expected results using ‘Knights Landing’ would show further increases in efficiency. However, barriers remain that prevent SMEs
from adopting HPC, with the initial cost being the most prohibitive. Tere are also difficulties with cost of operation, lack of knowledge, and lack of expertise in managing the HPC resources and providing optimised code that can run effectively on massively parallel systems.
consortium, made up of 69 Italian universities, and three institutions, representing the largest Italian computing centre and working closely with Prace. One aim of the project is to provide a business
model that can be adopted by SMEs to take advantage of the benefits of HPC resources located in Europe. Tis requires SMEs to provide problems that can be solved by HPC but also dedicated teams and resources that can adapt an
SME’s challenge into a workable HPC solution. Aſter the announcement of the SHAPE Pilot
scheme, SMEs were invited to send in their applications. Ten SMEs were selected for the SHAPE Pilot. ‘Tese first 10 selected applications developed by SMEs give an excellent impression of what industrial players both large and small are capable of when given access to the right tools, in this case Prace’s world-class HPC resources and services. We will be attentively following the outcomes of these selected projects which will clearly demonstrate how Prace can foster co-operation between science and industry to strengthen European industrial competitiveness,’ said Jürgen Kohler, chair of the Prace industrial advisory committee. Te computer systems and their operations
accessible through Prace are provided by four Prace members (BSC representing Spain; CINECA representing Italy; GCS representing Germany; and GENCI representing France). ‘HPC is a powerful technology that can enable
the development of new products or services and reduce the time-to-market,’ concluded Erbacci. Te opportunities opened up by HPC can drive innovation in multinational corporations and engender interest among SMEs to turn to HPC in order to create new business prospects.
Atos to acquire Bull ‘to create single entity’
manufacturer. Both companies are headquartered in France and the transaction is proceeding with the full agreement of the boards of both companies. With revenues of €1,262 million in 2013, and operations across more than 50 countries, Bull is a leading player in cloud, cybersecurity, and big data, and is the European leader in high- performance computing. This acquisition will reinforce Atos’ position in cloud operations with around €400 million of revenue in cloud services, including Canopy. Canopy is Atos’ cloud computing solution, which delivers cloud-based enterprise IT solutions including consultation and software as well as cloud infrastructure through a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) model. It is hoped the addition of Bull will substantially accelerate time-to-market
A
tos, the international information technology services company, is to acquire Bull, the computer
for specific technologies, relevant to Cloud, as Bull brings new technical capabilities and technologies that Canopy already had in its R&D roadmap. In a joint release from Bull and Atos
it was reported that Atos intends to create a single big data & cybersecurity entity under the Bull brand with revenue of around €500 million. The objective is to use Atos’ global reach and existing operations in those segments with Bull’s expertise in cybersecurity and in high- performance computing (HPC). The market for big data is growing at
more than 40 per cent per year and is expected to reach €12 billion by 2015. Big data requires HPC technology so that information can be accessed quickly and Bull is the European leader in this market. Atos’ vertical market knowledge, large customer base, and systems integration capabilities combined with Bull’s expertise in HPC infrastructure, will expand Atos’ service offering and bring HPC business at scale. This will also allow Atos to further develop analytics
18 SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING WORLD
solutions and propose big data services to establish its position. The new group will benefit from in-house R&D, patented technologies, specifically designed hardware and software products in selected segments, such as cybersecurity and cloud security.
The acquisition will strengthen Atos’
European leadership, especially in France where combined revenue will
of Bull Group at approximately €620 million.
Thierry Breton, chairman and CEO of Atos, said: ‘I welcome this combination as a major step to anchor our European leadership in cloud, big data, and cybersecurity, toward our 2016 ambition to become a Tier 1 company and the preferred European global IT brand. Bull’s highly recognised teams in advanced technologies such
ATOS INTENDS TO CREATE A SINGLE BIG DATA AND CYBERSECURITY ENTITY UNDER THE BULL BRAND
exceed €2 billion with a strong footprint in the public and banking sectors. The transaction will enhance Atos’ position within the IT sector but the acquisition of Bull also represents new markets for Atos which has not been known for its experience with high-performance computing. The offer values the fully diluted share capital
as high computing power, data analytics management, and cybersecurity, ideally complement Atos’ large scale operations.
‘Thanks to our integration capabilities and operational effectiveness culture, this transaction will strongly benefit Bull and Atos clients, employees, and shareholders.’
@scwmagazine l
www.scientific-computing.com
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