New supercomputer market segments in manufacturing.

摘要

The supercomputer industry is at a crossroads. While its traditional markets have become relatively mature, the industry is becoming more competitive, especially with the challenge from Japan. The industry can either fight over this stable market or dramatically expand the market. The choice is obvious, but what are these new markets and how to approach them. This paper addresses these issues. First, it explains how the traditional definition of a supercomputer seriously constrains its market. An alternate definition opens up a much larger, emerging market. Second, it describes a market segmentation two barriers preventing customer in these new segments from using supercomputing and describes mechanisms to reduce and/or eliminate these barriers. Third, it discusses the portfolio analysis strategy to determine the markets in these new segments on which to concentrate. Obviously, parts of manufacturing are key targets. Finally, it draws some conclusions in terms of two scenarios -- one which describes a healthy, growing US supercomputer industry, the alternative showing the industry rapidly following the footsteps of the US consumer electronics industry. 6 refs.