Maxeler Technologies
For an HPC-Driven Business World

Data has become the main focus of the High Performance Computing (HPC) industry. Firms across the world, today, are harnessing the competence of Big Data and Internet of Things in combination with HPC to create competitive advantage and opportunities in their space. Be it predictive analytics or optimization of business processes, today, HPC is seen as an eminent wielder of data in manufacturing, internet services, aerospace, finance, and healthcare verticals. One such company that brings the amenities of HPC to the door step of many Fortune 500 companies is London and Palo Alto based Maxeler Technologies.

Maxeler Technologies was founded in 2003 with a mission to develop a novel computing paradigm, called Multiscale Dataflow Computing. At that time, the service of computation was more about execution of instructions rather than actual movement of data. However, in the current era of modern chip technology, the increasing cost of computing is more about moving data than about the operations themselves. Maxeler helps address this over growing challenge. Oskar Mencer, CEO and CTO of the company, has delineated an expert analogy describing how his company is successfully addressing this challenge through its Multiscale Dataflow Computing technology. “As we now know from advances in Psychology, the brain has two parts that are used in the mechanism of thinking; a fast and efficient system that works automatically, and a second system which requires dedicated effort, such as what is needed to calculate 27X14,” says Mencer. “Maxeler machines operate in a similar way, by splitting tasks into a fast and efficient dataflow part and an uncertain and energy hungry control flow part.” This unique approach has enabled the company to execute HPC tasks efficiently for its customers, allowing them to understand the implications of complex scenarios within minutes.

Over the course of the last few years, supercomputers from Maxeler have witnessed a surge in demand from a wide range of firms and verticals.

In 2006, Maxeler entered the Oil-and-Gas sector and in 2009, the Finance sector. Three years later, Maxeler joined forces with a firm to penetrate the networking market. With such a diverse clientele, the company garnered the knowledge of these verticals that later aided them to become more proficient and successful. A testament to this was an instance where a major exchange firm was left astounded when they implemented the Finance Gateways using Maxeler technology, which empowered them to reduce the cost of trading, and delivered a guaranteed first-in-first-out ordering. Maxeler is also at the forefront of Ultra HD real-time video—selling one of the first compact Ultra HD encoders in the world—now available for broadcasters, as well as for remote desktop access for presentations on the fanciest Ultra HD displays.

Our strategy is to be flexible, adaptable, and be the first to market efficient products designed around Maximum Performance Computing

To maintain the pole position, a firm has to possess key distinguishing factors and strategies up their sleeves, and a viable roadmap for a successful future. Keeping this notion in mind, Mencer mentions, “Our strategy to stay ahead of the crowd is to be flexible, adaptable, and be the first to market efficient products designed around Maximum Performance Computing.” With regards to the future, the company has quite a few ideas to continue their extraordinary journey. It involves building the fastest and most cost efficient computing, networking and storage appliances, and simultaneously creating infrastructures as well as applications that benefit from a vertical approach to the markets. Mencer is also very excited about their plans to add the healthcare industry to their portfolio in the coming years. “It would be gratifying to see our technology solutions be used in the welfare of people,” concludes Mencer.