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Grid computing tries to shake non-business image

Open Grid Forum in Manchester points to the business world as it tries to prove that grid computing model isn't just for academics and research.

By Nicole Kobie, 8 May 2007 at 17:59

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Grid computing is the future for business not just academia, according to the planners behind the 20th Open Grid Forum (OGF).

Running this week in Manchester, the OGF is looking to convince business users of the industrial utility of grid computing model, which uses multiple computers in a network to process intensive amounts of data.

"It is for organisations to gather and engage and see proven solutions for what's out there," said Mark Linesch, president of the OGF.

And, as part of OGF20, a three-year government-funded program called Grid Computing Now will be holding its first business-focused sessions.

"OGF20 gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase the potential of grid computing and show how it is underpinning some of the most dynamic IT infrastructures in the world," said Ian Osborne, the project's director.

Grid computing models are used across many sectors, but haven't quite hit mainstream business yet, said Osborne.

"Finance is one area which has adopted grid computing quite briskly," he said. Other areas include pharmaceuticals, biosciences, and health care organisations, as well as the aerospace and automotive sectors. Media and creative firms are using grid computing to process films and handle major websites, he said.

Online auction site eBay uses a grid system to process its transactions. "It's a very impressive thing," he said of eBay's setup. "Not the sort of thing your IT director will go off and build, but it is a portent of the future."

Despite the successes, the growth of grid computing faces challenges. Aside from the usual security concerns, the infrastructure for grid computing can be daunting.

But Osborne noted that companies can start small and expand slowly. They can grid all their computers, or start with just a few.

Another worry is licensing. "How software is distributed is a problem in virtualised environments," he said. "There's no clear solution unless you have a site licence."

As usual, the biggest hurdles come from people, not technology. "One of the great challenges is to fill IT directors and CIOs with enthusiasm to try a new technology," said Osborne.