Microsoft Corp announced it has released to manufacturing its newest server — Windows HPC Server 2008, giving Wall Street firms an easy-to-deploy, cost-effective and scalable high-performance computing solution. Today’s event kicks off a series of global launch activities in the coming weeks to support the new product.

During a keynote address at the 2008 High Performance on Wall Street conference, Bill Laing, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Windows Server and Solutions Division, discussed how financial services firms are increasingly turning to HPC resources to conduct real-time and intra-day risk analysis in response to the turbulent market environment.

In his keynote speech, Laing also noted that the company’s HPC vision goes beyond traditional HPC workloads. Microsoft brings the value of an integrated HPC solution and a productive development environment to customers for whom high-performance computing has been out of reach in the past. By focusing on productivity for users, developers and administrators, Microsoft is positioned to take high-performance computing mainstream.

Laing also talked about how Windows HPC Server 2008 gives developers the tools to use high-performance computing with the Microsoft products that businesses already own and use every day, including Office Excel and Office SharePoint Server, through a new service-oriented architecture within HPC development.

Last week, Microsoft announced a new partnership with supercomputer leader Cray to introduce a new compact supercomputer, the Cray CX1. With prices starting at $25,000, the CX1 running Windows HPC Server 2008 is easy to purchase, deploy, operate and upgrade. The solution will enable companies in various industries to unify their Windows-based desktop and server workflows.

Vinod /ITvoir Network