Altair Announces High-Performance Computing Cloud Challenge

Challenge utilizing Intel and Amazon Web Services technologies supports high-value engineering projects in the Cloud

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Jul 14, 2015, 04:00 ET

FRANKFURT, Germany, July 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Altair today announced a new High-Performance Computing (HPC) Cloud Challenge utilizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Intel technologies to demonstrate the benefits of leveraging the cloud for large-scale design exploration in the area of computer-aided engineering (CAE).

The Challenge asks CAE users to submit project ideas to a team of Altair, AWS and Intel representatives who then select qualified projects to accept into the program; Altair will supply accepted participants with software, computing resources, and product support for the duration of the program.

The Challenge aims to democratize the usage of cutting-edge CAE tools by reducing barriers for highly complex engineering tasks. Together, Altair, AWS and Intel bring performance, flexibility, scalability and affordability to CAE, triggering simulation-driven innovation.

Participants may choose from among six different configurations of Altair's HyperWorks Unlimited™ (HWUL) Virtual Appliance, a turnkey software solution for high-performance computing in the cloud, in minutes. Access is free of charge, and participants may use the Virtual Appliance for seven or more days to complete engineering tasks for their Challenge project. The lowest configuration starts with 32 cores and the highest can go up to 128 cores or more on the Intel® Xeon® processor E5 product family. The free use of Altair's HWUL Virtual Appliance is supplemented through free credits from AWS.

"Getting a system ready in less than 15 minutes, with unlimited licensing of Altair's industry-leading HyperWorks® application software and seamless integration with PBS Works™ middleware and Altair's HyperStudy® for design of experiments and numerical optimization, paves the path for infinite design exploration. Making this completely turnkey for the engineer is our number one job," said Ravi Kunju, Altair's Vice President of Strategy and Business Development.

"This Cloud Challenge is a great opportunity for the engineering community to experience the power of scalable CAE capabilities on the AWS Cloud," said Hugo Saleh, Director of Technical Computing Segment Marketing and Industry Development, Enterprise and HPC Platforms Group at Intel. "The collaboration with Altair and AWS brings the best of software, infrastructure, and hardware based on leading Intel E5 Xeon Processors, together to enable broader use of advanced simulation and modeling techniques."

"AWS is committed to providing a seamless platform for the engineering community that has historically been challenged to do more with less while dealing with reduced product release cycles," said Terry Wise, Vice President of Worldwide Partner Ecosystem, Amazon Web Services, Inc. "Through collaboration with Altair and Intel, the High-Performance Computing Cloud Challenge marks a significant opportunity for engineers to get hands-on experience with the AWS Cloud and transform their experience with CAE's rich toolset."

Proposals will be accepted through September 30, 2015. Additional information about the Cloud Challenge is available at http://www.altair.com/hpc-challenge.

About Altair
Altair is focused on the development and broad application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimize designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance. Privately held with more than 2,500 employees, Altair is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, USA and operates more than 45 offices throughout 24 countries. Today, Altair serves more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com.

Media Contacts

Altair Corporate/North America
Jennifer Korail
+1-248-304-1429
[email protected]

Altair Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Evelyn Gebhardt
+49 6421 9684351
[email protected]

SOURCE Altair