PARALLEL SESSION D
D1 ICT challenges: Information and Communication Technologies
Thu 3rd Oct 14h00 - 16h20
Big Science organisations rely heavily on a variety of IT and scientific computing services throughout their lifecycle. Many organisations (particularly with user-based facilities) need to invest in computing infrastructure for data management and analysis in order to deliver curated data to the science community.
In this session the procurement opportunities dealing with computing infrastructure will be presented, as well as the projects and tenders for IT Services. Other topics of interest include user data access (database design programme and management, data indexing, discovery and retrieval, delivery methods), interfaces (embedded software, hardware controls, user interfaces and visualization tools, digital twins), data management (IoT, data analytics tools, big data) among others. Future trends like Artificial Intelligence applied to Big Science will also be discussed.
Speakers of the session
Agenda
Javier Echávarri Delmás
CDTI, E.P.E.
The presentation focuses on the ESO strategy for IT and Science Operation Software procurement and industry collaboration, in the period extending until 2028. The ESO IT Department, structured across three groups in Chile and Germany, operates cohesively across two continents and multiple time zones, ensuring consistent services at all sites. Key tenders include IT service provision (service desk, network, server and client support, cloud services, databases, cybersecurity, and web management) with typical contract periods of 3 + 2 years. IT communications and network infrastructure tenders focus on long-term contracts for Chilean observatories and network infrastructure. Moreover, Science Archive infrastructure and data center maintenance in Chile and Germany are included in the strategy, as well as software licenses and subscriptions. Science Operations Software development and maintenance is based on Agile approach, integrated into software development and maintenance contracts, focusing on dataflow development and software testing for VLT/ELT and ALMA dataflows. This strategic framework aims to enhance ESO’s scientific mission through advanced IT solutions and robust industry partnerships.
In the coming five years, the ESRF IT services will face significant challenges as we strive to advance in the realms of Big Data, High-Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Cybersecurity within the framework of Open Science. Our objectives include managing the exponential growth of data generated by cutting-edge research, optimizing computational resources to support complex simulations and analyses, and harnessing AI to unlock new scientific insights. Additionally, safeguarding our digital infrastructure against evolving cyber threats while promoting open access to scientific data remains paramount. This presentation will explore our strategic roadmap, highlighting key initiatives and innovations, and uncovering the numerous opportunities for industrial partners and providers to collaborate with ESRF by offering products and services that meet these pressing challenges.
Iacopo Ianniello
F4E
Introduction to F4E’s DT function: organisation, ways of working and collaboration with private sector. How is F4E DT Unit working to ensure the delivery of best-in-class services in collaboration with industry, followed by a high-level plan of upcoming calls for tenders for IT-related services.
Jeremy Main
SKAO
This talk will cover the approach to procurement and operations of the high-end computing infrastructure and software being developed as part of the construction of the world’s largest radio astronomy project – the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO). We will discuss how the SKAO is addressing the sustainability of its computing infrastructure through considerations of power consumption, water usage, embodied carbon and the role of collaborative industrial R&D in tackling these issues in the late 2020s and beyond.
Moderator and all speakers
Javier Echávarri Delmás
CDTI, E.P.E.