Proposal to Create an HPC Association
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Based on the May 5th HPC Forum meeting and subsequent meetings, I am modifying my earlier proposal for the establishment of a non-profit association for HPC users in the Energy sector to include all HPC users. This association will be driven by the needs all parties who are interested in HPC. As part of the larger group, an Energy Special Interest Group could be formed. For the economies of scale, it seems best to form a more inclusive association that would include Aerospace, Medical, Financials, Pharma, Automotive, Academia and others. As a non-profit, the association will be able to create and fund projects for the various industries as desired by the membership or by sub-groups within the membership.
BACKGROUND
After discussions with several companies and individuals subsequent to the March 5th HPC Workshop at Rice University, it became clear that a need existed for some kind of HPC group for the Oil and Gas industry where users of the technologies could collaborate, share ideas, discuss issues, and propose projects of mutual interest. On May 5th a small team launched an HPC Forum, inviting only Oil company HPC personnel to discuss this concept. The idea was well received and will continue as a monthly or bi-monthly meeting but will be expanded to include other users of HPC technology in the industry.
On May 6th another meeting was hosted by an individual with a research proposal for an open-source project involving seismic data processing in the HPC arena. As a result of this meeting, it became clear that a mechanism for funding projects such as this one was lacking.
WHY A NON-PROFIT
The need for an association and for methods to conduct research in HPC have been identified. A non-profit corporation provides an effective mechanism for managing such a group or association. A non-profit status facilitates collaboration with universities and government entities. The non-profit can manage research projects in the HPC area for its members and can maintain varying levels of participation and disclosure for those projects. Because of non-profit status, participants can join projects with the certainty that no large company will be able to purchase the organization to gain access to any intellectual property created. As the organization matures, it can expand to assist universities with HPC programs by providing scholarships and grants, and by funding research projects at the universities.
NEXT STEPS
At the next HPC Forum on July 14, 2009 I would like to discuss this idea. We need to put together the mission statement for the HPC Forum and decide if a non-profit is agreeable as a mechanism for sustained activity in the HPC-Energy area. If we decide to move forward, we will need to create the organization, agree on an initial board of directors, and file 501.C.3 paperwork with the US government and incorporation papers with the State of Texas.
PROPOSED NAME
The HPC Association (HPCA)
PROPOSED VISION STATEMENT
The HPCA provides its members with a collaborative society consisting of individuals, corporations, and government entities who are associated with High Performance Computing (HPC) in various capacities. HPCA facilitates research and development of new technologies in HPC and promotes academic HPC programs. HPCA strives to provide members with resources and knowledge to better solve the complex emerging computational problems that face the world.
PROPOSED DESCRIPTION
The HPCA is a non-profit corporation. It consists of a collaborative society that includes everyone associated with High Performance Computing (HPC). This includes HPC users such as academics, scientists, computer systems personnel, government research laboratories, and government agencies, as well as HPC providers such as software and hardware suppliers, consultants, and niche technology companies. It is open to all interested parties. The association collects dues, provides processes to distribute knowledge, allows for advertising venues, and works with symposia and conventions to help bring the HPC community together.
PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT
The HPC Association is established to promote best practices and research in the area of high performance computing (HPC). It serves the common good by promoting HPC for a variety of industries, increasing knowledge, and facilitating research into HPC methods. It provides a forum for discussion and collaboration on all aspects of HPC including usage, operations, hardware, and software. The Association provides funding for HPC research and development and strives to assist universities with HPC programs.
HPC ENERGY FORUM
The continuance of the HPC Energy Forum is encouraged as a special interest group within the HPC Association. This forum will include the users and providers of HPC technology in the energy industry and includes universities, service companies, oil and gas companies, and HPC solutions providers. It will solicit sponsorship of the forum from various providers of HPC products or services. Participation at the forum will be open to HPC users, HPC systems and operations personnel, managers of HPC operations, software engineers, service providers, and solutions providers.
“Logos and Egos are Checked at the Door”
Bill Menger Page 2 7/13/2009
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