| | DECEMBER 20168IN MY OPINIONHigh Performance Computing—Our Path to SuccessIf you had the choice of High-Performance Computing (HPC) or low-performance computing, which one would you pick? Nobody asks if you want low-performance computing, because who would want that? Maybe if you didn’t care when you got the results, or weren’t trying to be competitive, or the first to discover or invent something, then “regular” computing would do. We hear that high-performance gasoline might be over killing for most car engines, but we’ve been brainwashed to think our car engines need the higher octane (performance) gasoline.So what’s up with HPC? Is it worth the premium price? What makes it so special? Is performance truly better?It’s interesting to be involved with HPC and to watch how it is transforming so many industries and disciplines. What previously was used strictly for research is now becoming table stakes for many corporations to stay competitive. Employers want graduates with strong computational and data analytical skills. And who isn’t tired of hearing about big data? Is anyone working on little data?As the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Southern Methodist University (SMU), I have had the opportunity to watch our HPC interest, investment, involvement and results continue to develop, mature and pay dividends.A nationally ranked private university, SMU is a distinguished center for teaching and research located near the heart of Dallas. SMU’s 11,000 students benefit from small classes, research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through seven schools.HPC at SMU has significantly evolved over the past eight years. Recognizing the strategic importance of growing our research capabilities has become a major goal of the University. With limited wet lab expansion options, we concluded computational research was the best path forward for research at SMU. An initial grant proposal award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) brought funding for By Joe Gargiulo, CIO, Southern Methodist University
< Page 7 | Page 9 >