Exascale Computing - What does 18 Zeros Really Mean

In the realm of supercomputing the ability to process many 'FLOPS' allows science to increase the accuracy and resolution of large scale processing and models. 

To understand why Exascale Computing will be important to you and I, watch this new video from Hewlett Packard Enterprise:

The Future of Cash in a Frictionless Society

New apps, features, innovations and familiarity signal faster changes for consumers.

The Royal Bank of Canada recently published an article about the future of money.  In the article they site several studies showing the acceleration in consumer adoption of 'FinTech'.

The EY FinTech Adoption Index is a fascinating look at this global trend.

A Nielsen report on mobile payment trends also provides insight.

The Implication: Each business must ask, 'Where are the narrow sectors and friction areas of our payment/transaction system and how do we eliminate them?' 

As these reports show, consumers avoid friction and are familiar with how their smartphone can help them achieve their goal of less friction in their transactions.

Cryptocurreny Market Cap Surpasses US$160 Billion

According to CoinMarketCap, the combined value of all publicly traded cryptocurrencies has set a new record, surpassing US$160 billion for the first time.

On August 28th, the value of ether, bitcoin and more than 800 other blockchain-based assets had surpassed $164 billion.

Visit CoinDesk

CISCO buys HyperFlex developer Springpath for US$320 Cash

According to D&B Hoovers, Springpath annual revenues have reached US$5.085 million.

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) announced yesterday it is acquiring Springpath, Inc., a Sunnyvale-based leader in hyperconvergence software. Springpath has developed a distributed file system purpose-built for hyperconvergence that enables server-based storage systems. The acquisition will allow Cisco to continue to deliver next-generation data center innovation to its customers.

The acquisition is the culmination of a long-standing strategic relationship between Cisco and Springpath. The companies have worked together since early 2016 to launch HyperFlex, the industry’s first fully integrated hyperconverged infrastructure system. Since then, they have fully aligned on product development and go-to-market strategies. This acquisition will allow Cisco to continue to grow its computing business, enabling more customers to realize the benefits of simple and economic software-defined infrastructure.

“This acquisition is a meaningful addition to our data center portfolio and aligns with our overall transition to providing more software-centric solutions,” said Rob Salvagno, Cisco vice president, Corporate Business Development. “Springpath’s file system technology was built specifically for hyperconvergence, which we believe will deliver sustainable differentiation in this fast-growing segment. I’m excited to be able to provide our customers and partners with the simplicity and agility they need in data center innovation.”

Cisco will acquire Springpath for $320 million in cash and assumed equity awards, plus additional retention-based incentives. The acquisition is expected to close in Cisco’s first quarter of fiscal year 2018, following customary closing conditions and regulatory review.

Significance: Highlights the acceleration from hardware based infrastructure to software based infrastructure that allows simplicity, agility and lower costs for next generation applications.

Watching Brief: Ensure your infrastructure provider has a strategy to bring you the benefits of hyperconvergence like the IBM/Cisco VersaStack system and beware signing long term or auto-renewing contracts with those who don't.