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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">John, <br>
<br>
Since you work in F1...<br>
<br>
The guys from Intelligent Light (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.ilight.com/">http://www.ilight.com/</a>) gave a
presentation at SC13 on how they helped both Red Bull F1 and Zipp
wheels (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.zipp.com">http://www.zipp.com</a>) with HPC. I think both of these
examples show how easily quantifiable ROI can be in certain
scenarios. It also shows how you can use different methods to
calculate ROI. <br>
<br>
In the Red Bull F1 case, they made it easier and quicker for Red
Bull to analyze the results of their CFD simulations. Obviously,
if you can calculate the # of aerodynamics simulations they were
able to analyze per week before and after, you can figure out the
value based on the cost of labor for the aerodynamics experts, and
then calculate the value of this increase in productivity. The
ultimate measure, though, would be to measure the increase in
co-sponsor dollars/prize-winnings after using this new workflow. <br>
<br>
For Zipp, they used HPC for the first time to design an
aerodynamic wheel, instead of just wind-tunnel testing. I have no
doubt that computer modeling is much cheaper and quicker than
wind-tunnel testing. From what I remember, Zipp used a very small
cluster, or the cloud, to do their simulations, so the investment
was very small. One ROI calculation could be based on the saving
of computer simulations vs. wind-tunnel testing. I think a better
ROI calculation, though, would be based on how much these new
computer-designed wheels are adding to their profits. <br>
<br>
I think which ROI calculation you use in the above scenarios
depends on who you are trying to convince - your dept head, or
your CEO (and shareholders), but there's no doubt all the
calculations are valid, and the numbers would be relatively easy
to obtain. <br>
<br>
On 11/26/2013 12:57 PM, John Hearns wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CAPqNE2U18SXEpfM0Lcd71_4yKASwGmuUqXX5n+4Om43dsYR3WQ@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<div>Regarding ROI in industry, I think that's a good topic for
discussion.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Like any area HPC is applied to, I would guess that the first
thing you have to look at is the capability the equipment gives
you.</div>
<div>Either in terms of 'we could not run this simulation, or a
simulation as detailed as we need' without it,</div>
<div>or 'we get the results back in time to influence our
decisions', ie. scale and time to solution.</div>
<div>Then you have to say what effect that will have on your
business goals - either by saying that if we do not have that
HPC capacity we</div>
<div>will have to do the modelling on other, perhaps more
expensive, ways such as crash testing real cars or aircraft
engines.</div>
<div>Or by saying that if we have the capability we can increase
the performance of our product, and thereby gain
competitiveness.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I think the time to solution argument is an important one -
certainly is where I work! And think of obvious examples</div>
<div>such as weather forecasting where you need that forecast to
be produced before a certain time.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Again time to solution can be quantified int he medical
diagnostic arena - you are probably able to say that if you run
(say) a radiation</div>
<div>dose plan within the time of a clinic it means the patient
does not have to come back for a second visit, thereby saving
soem amount of money.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Apologies if i am stating the blindingly obvious.</div>
<div> </div>
<br>
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<br>
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