23 12 月, 2022

Fujitsu to provide AIST’s “ABCI,” the world’s largest computational infrastructure for AI processing via Fujitsu Computing as a Service (CaaS)

TOKYO, Dec 23, 2022 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Fujitsu today announced that it will start to offer a wide range of GPU computing resource services for the AI Bridging Cloud Infrastructure ("ABCI")(1), the world's largest computational infrastructure for AI processing built and operated by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (hereinafter AIST)(2) via Fujitsu Computing as a Service (hereinafter "CaaS"), Fujitsu's service portfolio that helps lower the barrier to access advanced computing and software technologies. Figure: Overall image of CaaSWith the new service, Fujitsu aims to support companies in accelerating their R&D activities and improve their productivity using AI and HPC technologies. Leveraging the extensive GPU computing resources of ABCI, Fujitsu will provide applications for CaaS that will contribute to the solution of a wide range of societal issues, including in fields like drug discovery, material analysis, logistics, and natural disaster simulation, thereby contributing to strengthening Japan's industrial competitiveness. Fujitsu plans to offer the new service to the Japanese market in April 2023.The new service will be launched as part of Fujitsu's vision for "Hybrid IT" to realize digital infrastructure for a connected society, a Key Focus Area under Fujitsu Uvance, Fujitsu's portfolio of global solutions to achieve a sustainable world.Accelerating the implementation of cutting-edge technologies in society and contributing to the enhancement of Japan's industrial competitivenessWith the aim to accelerate AI development in Japan, AIST in 2018 launched "ABCI", one of the world's largest computational infrastructures. ABCI has since been used by many Japanese companies with remarkable results. By providing ABCI's GPU computing resources via Fujitsu's CaaS, Fujitsu aims to enable more companies, including domestic Japanese companies that do not have specialized expertise, to utilize advanced and large-scale computing technologies, and ultimately to accelerate the social implementation of cutting-edge technologies and enhanced industrial competitiveness.Outline of CaaSFujitsu offers CaaS as a cloud service portfolio including high-performance computing (HPC) and AI technologies as well as Fujitsu's quantum-inspired Digital Annealer.By offering computational resources including ABCI's GPU and its world-class computational and data processing capabilities via CaaS, Fujitsu will enable users to perform rapid processing of large-scale simulations that could not be realized in conventional on-premise computing environments.Toshiaki Ariyama, SVP, Head of Uvance Core Technology Unit, Fujitsu Limited, comments:"To solve Japan's increasingly complex societal issues, cooperation between the public and private sectors is essential. I believe this initiative can serve as a role model for such cooperation. I am confident that through these efforts, Fujitsu will further accelerate the realization of a sustainable society in which everyone can realize their goals."Dr. Satoshi Sekiguchi, Senior Executive Officer, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, comments:"We launched ABCI in August 2018, and thanks to its high computing performance, it has been utilized in Japan's advanced AI R&D and application demonstrations. By incorporating ABCI into Fujitsu's services, we hope that ABCI will be used by more companies, and that its cutting-edge technology will contribute to the acceleration of social implementation."(1) AI Bridging Cloud Infrastructure :A service launched by AIST in August 2018 to promote the social implementation of AI as a large-scale AI cloud computing system that can be used by general enterprises.(2) National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology :Location: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Kazuhiko IshimuraAbout FujitsuFujitsu's purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$32 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com. Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

25 10 月, 2022

Fujitsu launches “Fujitsu Computing as a Service (CaaS)” in Japan, new global co-creation partner program

TOKYO, Oct 25, 2022 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Fujitsu today announced that it started to offer "Fujitsu Computing as a Service" (hereinafter CaaS), its service portfolio to deliver customers access to world-leading computing technologies via the public cloud to the Japanese market, with global roll out to follow in fiscal 2023.Figure 1: Overview over the CaaS service lineupFigure 2: 12 startups currently participating in the programFujitsu simultaneously launched the "Fujitsu Accelerator Program for CaaS," a new global partner program that aims to provide prompt solutions to societal issues including labor shortage in the logistics business, countermeasures to infectious diseases and the development of new highly functional materials by co-creating use cases on the CaaS platform with innovative companies such as startups.Fujitsu's new cloud services include "Fujitsu Computing as a Service HPC" (hereinafter CaaS HPC) as well as "Fujitsu Computing as a Service Digital Annealer" (hereinafter CaaS Digital Annealer) for developing and running simulations, AI technologies and combinatorial optimization applications. The launch also includes "Fujitsu Computing as a Service Technical Consulting Services" (hereinafter CaaS Technical Consulting Services) that support the selection of the optimum environment according to the characteristics of customers' applications and their acceleration.Fujitsu is providing these services as part of its vision for "Hybrid IT" to realize a new digital infrastructure for a connected society, a Key Focus Area under Fujitsu Uvance, Fujitsu's portfolio of global solutions to achieve a sustainable world.Moving forward, Fujitsu will collaborate with external cloud providers to strengthen its environment and enhance its services by expanding the applications offered under CaaS, aiming for an expansion of the service to the global market in fiscal 2023.Outline "Fujitsu Computing as a Service" ("CaaS") and "Fujitsu Accelerator Program for CaaS"1. Outline of CaaSFujitsu offers CaaS as a cloud service portfolio that enables Fujitsu and its customers to jointly develop and implement applications and services using cutting-edge computing and software technologies. The CaaS portfolio includes high-performance computing (HPC) technologies and Fujitsu's Quantum-Inspired Digital Annealer (1) as cloud services as well as technical consulting services.(1) "CaaS HPC"Via CaaS HPC, users will have access to: the computing power of the "Fujitsu Supercomputer PRIMEHPC FX1000," (hereinafter PRIMEHPC FX1000) which shares the same CPU at the heart of the supercomputer Fugaku (2); a PC cluster with a high-performance Intel CPU (3); and a PC cluster with a high-performance Intel CPU and NVIDIA GPU (4) to develop and run simulations and AI applications.(2) "CaaS Digital Annealer"Via CaaS Digital Annealer, users will be able to use Fujitsu's Quantum-Inspired Digital Annealer that solves complex combinatorial optimization problems at speeds not possible with current conventional computing technologies. CaaS Digital Annealer will offer quick and accurate solutions to combinatorial optimization problems from a wide area including distribution and production planning, drug development, and the search of new materials.(3) "CaaS Technical Consulting Services"Fujitsu will support customers in choosing the best solution for the development and implementation of applications by offering them the computing power of the PRIMEHPC FX1000, PC clusters, or Fujitsu's Digital Annealer.In order to further enhance the safety of Fujitsu CaaS services, Fujitsu further aims to provide "Fujitsu Computing as a Service Data e-TRUST" (5) that provides a high level of security for exchange and utilization of data between companies and individual users by the end of fiscal 2022.Masafumi Ito, Group General Manager, Corporate and Manufacturing IT Group of TOYOTA SYSTEMS CORPORATION (6), comments:"Toyota Systems Corporation has started practical application of Fujitsu's Digital Annealer - one of the core services of CaaS - to the optimization of vehicle production sequences at Toyota Motor Corporation's production plants. CaaS embodies Fujitsu's vision of a sustainable future. Our expectations are high that CaaS will be used in a wide range of industries and areas in the future, which will lead to further technological development and expansion of services."Eric Capodanno, CTO of Phytocontrol Group (7), comments:"For the past two years, Phytocontrol and Fujitsu have been building flexible, easy-to-use, and accurate AI solutions that revolutionize contaminant analysis in the agro-food business, accelerate processes, and eliminate human errors. Applying CaaS to our chromatography (8) -related work will require continuous learning to improve the accuracy of various AI models and further cutting edge computational resources. CaaS provides a strong, secure and flexible environment that we believe will accelerate our broad range of operations."2. Overview of the new "Fujitsu Accelerator Program for CaaS"On October 25, Fujitsu further launched the Fujitsu Accelerator Program for CaaS with the aim of finding prompt solutions to societal issues by promoting co-creation of new use cases on the CaaS platform with innovative startups both in Japan and overseas who share the same values that Fujitsu Uvance stands for. By promoting co-creation with various partners, Fujitsu aims to further enhance the value of solutions offered under Fujitsu Uvance. As a "Fujitsu Accelerator Program for CaaS Co-Creation Partner," participating startups will receive various benefits including free access to CaaS services, dedicated engineer support and training, and use case creation through joint development.In collaboration with startups in Japan and overseas, Fujitsu aims to co-create CaaS use cases in various fields including Web 3.0, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. In order to further strengthen and accelerate the establishment of the startup ecosystem through CaaS, Fujitsu will collaborate with startup support organizations worldwide that are acting as a hub connecting startups and companies.Comments from the following 12 startups that are currently participating in this program and 1 startup support organization are provided in the attachment.- Startups Anifie, Inc., GRID INC., HIKKY Co., Ltd., Infinite Foundry, Lda, Inc., Kashika, Inc., KOGASOFTWARE Inc., Kyoto Fusioneering Ltd., Japan Research Activity Support, Inc., Pocket RD Inc., Qubit Pharmaceuticals, SAS, Waylay NV- Startup support organization Unknown Group BV(1) Digital Annealer:Information processing technology based on domain oriented computer architecture (a basic design of a computer consisting of memory and arithmetic circuits) that specializes in solving combinatorial optimization problems that are difficult to solve with current general-purpose computers.(2) Supercomputer Fugaku:A computer installed at RIKEN as a successor to the K computer. From June 2020 to November 2021, it ranked first in 4 categories in the supercomputer rankings for 4 consecutive terms. Full operation started on March 9, 2021.(3) Intel K.K.:President: Kunimasa Suzuki; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan.(4) NVIDIA GK:Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Japan Country Manager, VP Worldwide Field Operations: Masataka Osaki.(5) CaaS Data e-TRUST:Data e-TRUST adds Fujitsu's IDentitY eXchange (IDYX) and Chain Data Lineage (CDL) technologies for secure data exchange and utilization trust functions to Fujitsu CaaS. Data e-TRUST provides advanced data security and ensures the authenticity and security of data exchange between different systems and services.(6) Toyota Systems Corporation:President: Hiroaki Kitazawa; Headquarters: Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Japan.(7) Phytocontrol Group:Founder and CEO: Mikael Bresson; Headquarters: Nimes, Frances.(8) Chromatography:A general term for the separation and analysis of the components of compounds in substances. Since the elution time is different for each component, each component is separated and detected.About FujitsuFujitsu's purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$32 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com. Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

6 9 月, 2021

Singapore lifts flight ban on Boeing 737 Max planes

SINGAPORE - Singapore's aviation authority has lifted a flight ban on Boeing 737 Max planes that was imposed more than two years ago. The 737 Max had been banned from commercial operations in Singapore in March 2019 after two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia involving the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Monday (Sept 6) said it has lifted the restrictions on the 737 Max after completing its technical assessment. This comes after other aviation authorities - such as those in the United States and the European Union - earlier lifted restrictions on the plane. The CAAS said it had evaluated the design changes made to the aircraft by Boeing, which were approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other validating authorities. "CAAS also reviewed the operational data of flights of the aircraft that had resumed service over the past nine months and observed that there have been no notable safety issues," it added. The 737 Max was grounded by aviation authorities worldwide after two crashes in five months - from October 2018 to March 2019. A total of 346 people were killed. Investigations pinpointed a faulty flight handling system known as the Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System as a principal cause in both crashes. CAAS has issued a directive for operating the aircraft, in line with the lifting of restrictions. It requires airline operators that operate the 737 Max in Singapore to implement a set of measures, including establishing a specific flight crew training programme. Pilots have to go through additional simulator sessions to ensure they are adequately trained to handle aircraft emergencies. SIA is the only one of the three local airlines which has the 737 Max, with six of such aircraft in its fleet. CAAS said SIA must prove that it has implemented all required actions before it can use the plane for commercial operations. Foreign airlines intending to operate the 737 Max will have to comply with a range of safety requirements as well. More on this topic Related Story Singapore Airlines flies Boeing 737-8 Max back to Changi Airport after CAAS approval Related Story SIA recalls an Airbus A-380 from Alice Springs as it goes ahead with retrofitting plans SIA said it welcomed the decision by CAAS and that it has progressively flown its six 737-8 planes back to Singapore from its Alice Springs storage facility in Australia. It added that it has proactively completed technical modifications and software upgrades to its aircraft, and conducted operational readiness flights in Alice Springs. SIA said it will continue to work closely with CAAS and relevant regulators in the coming weeks to fulfil all of the requirements for the return of service of the planes. It will announce further details on its 737-8 operations at a later date. More on this topic Related Story Largest Boeing 737 Max model takes off on maiden flight Related Story Boeing 737 Max departs for key test flight in China following 2-year safety ban

12 5 月, 2021

MOT deputy secretary Han Kok Juan to helm civil aviation authority from Aug 2

SINGAPORE - A new director-general will helm the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) from Aug 2. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) said on Wednesday (May 12) that Mr Han Kok Juan, who is currently deputy secretary at the ministry and senior deputy-director general at CAAS, will take on the role. He will be appointed first as director-general designate at CAAS from June 1 to Aug 1. The 47-year-old will replace Mr Kevin Shum, 50, who has headed CAAS since Aug 2, 2015. Mr Shum will be posted to Mr Han's former role as a deputy secretary of transport. Mr Han has been the deputy secretary at MOT since September 2019. MOT said he has helped to advance the ministry's agenda in aviation, maritime and international relations, among other issues. He is also credited with playing a key role in coordinating the transport sector's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Before his appointment at MOT, Mr Han was the deputy secretary in the Law Ministry from November 2015 till September 2019. Among his contributions there were leading a team to support the Parliamentary Select Committee on Deliberate Online Falsehoods. Mr Han studied at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. He later obtained a Masters in Public Administration from the Peking University in China. On Mr Shum, MOT said he led the Changi air hub to new heights during his time at CAAS. This is illustrated by Changi Airport reaching an all-time high of 68 million passengers in 2019, and Singapore Airlines carrying a record 36 million passengers to 136 destinations. Changi Airport Terminal 4 and Jewel Changi Airport were also opened on his watch. MOT said Mr Shum had worked with the aviation sector to innovate and invest in technology. He had also overseen significant enhancements to Singapore's air traffic management system. "Under his watch, the safety record was exemplary," said MOT. "Employment and productivity increased during the period." The ministry lauded his role in strengthening Singapore's profile and contributing to the development of the international aviation regulatory regime. For example, he had chaired international committees and contributed to multilateral efforts to revive the international air transport sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic, said MOT. "The Ministry of Transport would like to put on record its appreciation to Mr Kevin Shum for his significant contributions in his six years as the Director-General of CAAS," MOT added.