Advanced computer simulations made easy: Fortissimo Marketplace brings together key providers and SMEs
New Cloud-based marketplace offers fast and convenient access to sophisticated computing services
- New platform simplifies access to high-performance computer simulations for small and medium sized enterprises
- More than 120 partners already active on platform, sign-up is free for users
- Perfect for matching service providers to users’ requirements, handling of project management and billing
Edinburgh, October 31st, 2016 – Today, Fortissimo launched the Fortissimo Marketplace, a new platform for brokering High Performance Computing services to clients. Fortissimo, a fully incorporated company, emerging from a successful EU-initiative, will simplify access to high-end simulation services helping companies improve productivity and reduce costs significantly. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have in the past hesitated to utilize High-Performance simulation and modelling, due to its intrinsic complexity and price. The Fortissimo Marketplace, as a tailor made self-service platform, aims to remedy those concerns. Benefits for service providers include a targeted sales channel, perfect matchmaking with user requirements and providing a fulfilment service for end user accounting and billing. At launch time, Fortissimo already involves 139 partners including manufacturing companies, application developers, domain experts, IT solution providers and HPC Cloud service providers from 19 countries.
Proven business advantages through simulation and modeling
High Performance Computing (HPC) and the simulation and modeling software run on these systems is widely seen as an effective but very expensive design and development tool, only accessible to the largest and most financially potent companies. In an IDC study[1] it was estimated that each dollar invested in HPC returned, on average, US$ 356 in revenue and US$ 38 in profits or cost savings. Still, the supercomputers required to run the highly sophisticated simulation software plus the expertise of skilled professionals who handle the simulation tasks, require substantial capital investments by service providers. This means, the initial cost for setup and operation can be quite high and intimidate potential adopters.
Affordable access to computer simulations for all
By using Fortissimo Marketplace to perfectly match up users and service providers offering the cloud-based self-service platform, the new initiative takes out the complexity of the procurement process and markedly reduces costs. The goal of the Fortissimo Marketplace is to provide SMEs from a broad range of vertical markets including automotive, aviation, medical engineering, manufacturing, the energy sector and environment with cost-effective access to advanced simulation and modeling services operating on a cloud infrastructure of HPC resources coupled to software applications, expertise, and tools. Larger enterprises or academic institutions can of course benefit from the advanced simulation and modeling services as well. Fortissimo Marketplace is open to any service provider and offers flexible terms for pricing, payment and service presentation. Clients can immediately access and purchase services after registering on the platform. Registering is free of charge.
Portal of choice for HPC service providers
It is the goal of the Fortissimo Marketplace to create value and opportunities for all parties in the design process. This includes Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) looking for a reliable partner to implement their Software-as-a-Service strategy as well as Service Providers wishing to provide expertise. The platform provides a pre-pay or pay-per-use, one-stop shop for hardware, visualization, software and expertise that can be accessed as “tools” and are readily available on the marketplace. Through its streamlined and well thought out approach, the Fortissimo Marketplace aims to become the portal of choice for advanced computer simulations and service provision delivered by Europe’s major HPC technology providers. Two types of membership are offered. A Gold membership enables ISVs, Solution Providers, Integrators and selected HPC Centers to advertise and promote their services via the Fortissimo Marketplace. With a Platinum membership, FMP additionally provides an integrated sales platform providing a fulfilment service such as end–user accounting and billing.
Experiments evaluate the potential of digital modeling
Over 50 so-called “experiments” have already been conducted within the pilot phase of Fortissimo Marketplace. In an experiment, business relevant simulations of industrial processes are implemented and evaluated. Each experiment is collaborative and includes application and HPC experts or ISVs who become part of the Fortissimo consortium. In the second stage of the Fortissimo project, which was initiated in November 2015, more than 30 experiments have been started. Successfully concluded experiments become success stories, which are made available to other users through the Fortissimo Marketplace. Today’s experiments cover subjects as diverse as improving energy efficiency, the aerodynamics of light aircraft, CO2 emission prediction for automotive engines, low-pressure die-casting, routing architecture optimization and many more. All are available at: www.fortissimo-project.eu/success-stories.
[1] Steve Conway, IDC research vice president for HPC, IDC study “HPC: ROI You Can’t Ignore!”, Nov. 2013,
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