Recommended: System Errors? Click here to Fix your PC »
A long and arduous evaluation process spearheaded by ADCOÂ's Petroleum DevelopmentDivision IS/IT team recognized the unique technical and support benefits of theselected solution. When asked why ADCO chose the Altix, Masoud Al-Mughairy, TeamLeader (IS/IT) at ADCO had the following statement, Â Judging on the ratio of priceversus performance, no other vendors were able to compete with the SGI figures. Wewere also attracted by the long history of SGI in technical computing, and therevolutionary technology that was being proposed. Taken as a package our desire forthe solution was strong especially when this was backed with solid service standardsand warranty conditions from the local supplier.Â
ADCOsÂ' decision has been validated. The system is composed of 384 processor cores,768 GB dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) and has 10.8 TB of storage capacity. Thesuper cluster utilizes the all new Dual Core Intel Itanium Montecito. ADCO willeventually have several field teams working on the system, inputting datasets foroil reservoirs to run compositional simulations using Schlumberger  Eclipse orother simulation applications. These important simulations can take days tocomplete and are the basis for full-field development planning. Initial tests showthe speed to be 4 times faster than when run on the previous hardware.
On the eve of full operation the project so far has been a success.  We are veryexcited about our new acquisition, enthused Mr. Al-Mughairy.  We found EmiratesComputers to be a committed partner as always, their installation team together withSGIÂ's hardware specialists went well beyond the call of duty to ensure that theimplementation was as smooth as possible.Â
In mid October SGI announced a new lean line of products that like the Altix are allopen and based on non proprietary technology. Their philosophy is to deliver acomplete range of high-performance server and storage solutions to enable itsÂ'customers to overcome the challenges of data-intensive workflows and acceleratebreakthrough discoveries, innovation and information transformation.
The project has also been a landmark for Emirates Computers, according to theirmanager of technical computing Tony Abou Jawad.  Emirates computers have beenactively servicing the UAE oil and gas industry since 1978 and see this project as amajor milestone. You might have thought providing the biggest single image SuperComputer in the Middle East was challenging, however SGI and Emirates Computersengineers managed to get the machine operational in less than 48 hours. This makesproviding ADCO with this end result all the more satisfying. -ends-
About Emirates Computers: Emirates Computers (EC) is a leading technology company based in the United ArabEmirates. Since its inception in 1978, EC has been helping customers benefit fromtechnology by providing cost-effective quality solutions and professional servicesthat match the highest international standards. These services, range from mobilecommunication devices to advanced supercomputers; from small LANs to integrated,multimedia WANs; and from internally developed bilingual applications toenterprise-wide management and decision support systems.
