European cloud-based simulations can significantly improve the competitive position of manufacturing and engineering companies. Due to financial and technical obstacles the use of simulation software is still very low among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The EU project CloudSME, wich provides them with low-threshold access to simulation software, is supported with 4,5 million euros.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should soon be able to benefit by simpler and more reasonably priced simulation solutions. Small companies have hitherto hardly used the various possibilities provided by process-based simulation software. High obstacles, such as hardware prices, licence costs and a lack of technical know-how prevent them from entering. Yet, computer simulation contributes considerably to enhancing the competitiveness of companies producing and developing goods and services. Massive price cuts are enabled through more efficient production and development processes or by optimizing procurement, logistics and financing processes.
The European Union has launched a project, tailor-made to meet the application requirements of SMEs, that aims to remove the obstacles to access. The CloudSME (Cloud based Simulation platform for Manufacturing and Engineering) project will offer cloud-based simulation solutions by a variety of software producers for an array of application areas from one single platform („one stop shop“ and „pay per use“).
The platform for simulations – from small to large, numeric or statistical – pools the operation of simulation technologies for the production and engineering sector. It provides individual tailor-made simulations and/or packages via simulation software providers.
The project is being funded by the European Commission to the tune of 4.5 million euros over a period of two and a half years. The cross-border co-operation project CloudSME unites 16 partners from across Europe, 12 of which are themselves SMEs.
The kick-off meeting took place in London, 9 – 12 July 2013. Headed by IT specialist Dr. Tamas Kiss (University of Westminster) it devised the common grounds for future work. Another ten SMEs will be identified for participation via an Open Call scheduled for early 2014. CloudSME simulation platform does not only provide entirely new opportunities to SMEs but also to simulation software producers and cloud service providers. In other words: CloudSME aims to give all kinds of SMEs more clout in the market.
CloudSME is an EU project which provides small and medium-sized companies with low-threshold access to simulation software.
Kontakt:
EU-Projekt CloudSME
Andreas Ocklenburg
Hans-Pfitzner-Straße 31
47057 Duisburg
+49 172 9217406, +49 203 99377-0
a.ocklenburg@sanderwerbung.de
http://www.cloudsme.eu, www.facebook.com/cloudsmeproject