Project Background
Grid computing uses distributed computing resources connected through a network, presenting them as a coherent and scalable infrastructure in order to get access to a coordinated set of services. While ICT is evolving towards a more widespread use of software services (Service Oriented Architecture - SOA, Service as a System - SaaS) and the use of remote infrastructures (cloud computing), Grid technologies still play a crucial role in this context, by providing high level services to the user (standard interfaces, security, reliability, optimal resource usage, etc.).
BEinGRID has undertaken twenty-five targeted Business Experiments (BEs) designed to implement Grid solutions across a broad spectrum of European business sectors, in order to develop and deploy a critical mass of Grid-enabled pilots with different needs and requirements in terms of technological Grid challenges.
Complementing this work, Gridipedia, a knowledge and toolset repository, is being developed. It consists of Grid service components and best practices to support European businesses with the adoption of Grid technologies.
CETIC key responsibilities
- Leading the first wave of 18 experiments, with 70 partners involved and a total effort of about 1100 person-months
- Leading dissemination activities
- Strong involvement in security analysis and business modelling work packages, and quality assessment of the project dissemination portal Gridipedia.eu
Main Achievements
Three major outcomes available at the end of the second year of the project:
- The case studies resulting from BEinGRID’s first wave of 18 Business Experiments are gathered in a booklet entitled “BEinGRID: Better Business Using Grid Solutions - Eighteen Successful Case Studies Using Grid”. As dissemination leader, CETIC led the publication process and coordinated the content edition across the 18 business experiments.
- The project is producing four ”BEinGRID Demos” which are promotional material telling stories of successful use of the Grid within industry settings, from both a business and a technology perspective. Two demos were produced this year. One was built on CETIC’s Business Experiment “Grid for Architects”. It explains how CETIC built a portal offering on-demand Grid rendering services, providing substantial cost savings to their clients. The demo package contains a key story which explains the business benefits, a set of slides, and a rolling video. The application web portal can be accessed upon request.
- The BEinGRID project held its Industry Days from June 3 to 5 in Barcelona, in co-location with the Open Grid Forum’s 23rd edition. The event demonstrated how businesses can apply Grid technologies to solve a variety of problems. More than 500 participants attended this major Grid event, ranging from Grid experts to representatives from SMEs and large companies interested in learning how Grid can be a solution for their businesses. As dissemination leader, CETIC took a major role in the organisation of the Industry Days, and this event especially showcased the result of the first 18 Business Experiments, which were coordinated by CETIC.
