Creation of the European Technology Platform on HPC

On 21 June 2011, ISC11 featured a PROSPECT Association discussion panel with the title "Creating a European Technology Platform for High Performance Computing". The session was moderated by Sergi Girona (BSC) with the participation of speakers from Eurotech, the European Commission, PROSPECT, LRZ, JSC, ClusterVision, T-Systems, Megware, T-Platforms, IBM-Deutschland, HP and ParTec. It was a great success.

PROSPECT prepared a vision document describing the main targets and aims to be reached by 2020 in terms of the HPC technology market in Europe. In the course of the event, this document and the Letters of Intent signed by the 28 PROSPECT members were handed in to the European Commission, represented by Mr. Fabianek. This was a sign of the PROSPECT Association’s commitment and support of the creation of the Technology Platform on HPC in Europe (ETP).

From the discussions, it was concluded that there is a need for such an organization supported by industry, research organizations and the EC; the partnerships fostered by ETP could eventually help Europe to improve its industrial and scientific competitiveness.

The next step will involve the PROSPECT Association working with other players in order to achieve a consensus on the working structure of the future platform.

(Contact: Dr. Maria Ramalho)

from JSC News No. 196, July 2011