[LINK] Supercomputing for everyone

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Bernard writes,

> > "Now that software is available on general purpose systems, so SMEs
> > can now use it for modelling."
> 
> If this guy is under the impression that the only requirement for the 
> sorts of modelling that requires a supercomputer is access to said 
> supercomputer, then he must be a hardware expert.
> 
> If he thinks that an SME will have access to the highly trained people 
> who do this sort of modelling well (there's always the keen amateur to 
> risk their business on) then I suspect he's in for a big surprise.
> 
> It looks to me like yet another cloud solution looking for a problem.


Take your point Bernard. Mind you, thinking about it, being cloud-based,
data will be in/of 'known' formats, so, if our many cloud-providers work
hard regards their interface & modules (eg a wind-tunnel module) whereby
one simply plugs-in data, and plays what-if, one can see it being indeed
a valuable and hither-to unavailable SME design and development resource.

Another module might be optimal chemical/food vat-mixing times & methods,
or structural optimal strength vrs weight tortional-rigidity modules, or
optimal liquid temperature/turbidity linear-flow characteristics etc etc.

The points I'm making is that there are many industry/science situations
whereby all the various and relevant factors are, or will be, quite well
understood and all that's lacking is the computing grunt to resolve them.

In time it might also become normal for machine manufacturers to provide
relevant Google cloud supercomputing modules as is product applicable as
additional product-sale drawcards. That is, "buy our machine and you can
not only produce your widget but also further develop your processes and
products sans a major investment in engineering-consultant teams .. that 
is, your in-house engineers can well handle many more and varied factors
in terms of your on-going/normal process & product development programs". 

I'm not an engineer as you are Bernard, and take your point. But, surely
there are many uses for supercomputing grunt aside from frontier science?

Cheers,
Stephen