Upload
phungphuc
View
223
Download
3
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
eRSA T +61 7228 6210E [email protected] www.ersa.edu.au@eResearchSA
Building 14, Hedge HouseLittle Queen StreetThebarton, SA, 5031ABN: 95-602-771-844
Photography Andrew Beveridge
Contents
About eRSA 4
Our Services 8
CEO’s Report 10
Say hello to TANGO 12
Innovation Sympoisum 14
Our Impact 16
eRSA Board 18
Financial Report 20
For eRSA, incorporation has created opportunities for
organisational growth while still providing the same powerful
eResearch tools and services that support cutting-edge research
development in South Australia.
In 2016, eResearch SA Ltd registered eRSA as a business
name, which we now use.
eRSA is the leading provider of computing technology expertise, services and
facilities to the research, government and business sectors in
South Australia.
eRSA enables researchers to explore new and innovative research opportunities by
providing access to a suite of advanced, reliable, secure and user-friendly tools and
services, including high-performance computing, data management, data storage,
cloud computing, software development and consultancy.
Established in 2007 to coordinate South Australia’s implementation of the
national and state eResearch strategies, eRSA is a collaborative joint venture
between the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of
South Australia.
eRSA was incorporated late in 2014 as a Not-for-Profit Company Limited
by Guarantee. Our founding members are the three SA Universities and
the activities formerly conducted as an unincorporated Joint Venture were
transferred to eRSA. In 2016, we evolved our brand and logo. We also simplified
our name from eResearch SA Ltd to eRSA.
About eRSA
“Not only do we now have a means to help promote visual understanding of 19th century cottages, we now have a practical example of how we can use digital technologies to bring to life items in our collection – it’s been a great outcome.”
Associate Professor Christine Garnaut Planning and Architectural History,University of South Australia
By providing access to a suite of advanced ICT tools and services that are reliable, easy to use and secure, we enable our users to explore new and innovative research opportunities that would not otherwise be accessible.
RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT
As South Australia’s leading provider
of storage solutions for very large
research data sets, we provide a
range of data management services,
in line with best-practices and funding
guidelines. We have a long history of
working with researchers in South
Australia and have built a reputation as
the leading provider of sophisticated
storage. We provide data management
planning, metadata creation and
publication, and data repository
services.
CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICES
Scalable, convenient, accessible and
collaborative, Cloud computing allows
users to host databases, applications,
and other online resources without the
burden of maintaining their own server
infrastructure. Discipline specific Virtual
Labs and eResearch Tools allows easy
access to the cloud with web-based
interfaces.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING
We provide world-class HPC facilities
and expert user support, enabling
SA’s research community to conduct
advanced research and development
locally, and to collaborate in national
partnerships. We maintain extensive
supercomputing facilities, giving
SA researchers access to shared
infrastructure, enabling researchers
to tackle demanding scientific and
technical problems with ease.
Our Services
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
We offer technical training programs for
all of our products and services, and run
regular workshops for HPC, Cloud and
Storage. We also provide User Guides,
FAQs and Service Desk support. Our
interactive workshops teach general
skills to users, and the tools used are
applicable to many types of analysis
across all disciplines. In addition to our
regular schedule of training workshops,
we can also provide personalised,
dedicated training for your bespoke
technical solution.
CONSULTANCY AND BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Our consultancy and business analysis
services can minimise research budget
spend on computing and data storage,
accelerating research outcomes.
As well as designing customised IT
solutions for specific research and
business requirements, we consult with
research groups and organisations to
advise them on how IT and eResearch
services could best be used to meet
their requirements and improve work
practices.
RESEARCH DATA STORAGE
We provide world-class storage and
access services for datasets of all
sizes. Using our services, you can store,
access, transfer, and backup your data,
and share it with your collaborators. We
also provide support and assistance in
the use of our data storage facilities.
Several models of storage are provided,
including funded, merit-allocated
storage, collection development and
general purpose storage.
I’m pleased to report on our key achievements during the 2016/2017 financial year. The eRSA team has gone above and beyond to support the SA research community with accessible, secure and reliable eResearch technologies. Our key achievements include:
• Released ‘TANGO’, our new
premium HPC and Cloud platform
on the latest generation of
innovation infrastructure, enabling
easy access to powerful compute,
cloud and storage.
• Implemented grant funds for
dedicated big memory nodes in
the TANGO HPC queue, providing
Centre for Cancer Biology (CCB)
with priority access, which allows
others to make use of the memory
resources when not being utilised
by CCB. It also allows CCB to utilise
additional memory resources
within the TANGO HPC queue,
during high workload periods. The
new hardware has seen a twofold
processing improvement from
their previous implementation,
significantly enhancing
their service capability. Also
implemented a new slide scanner
onto the eRSA network combined
with laboratory workflow
sequencing and instrumentation
management system, which
is hosted on an eRSA virtual
machine.
• Released our new ownCloud
service - a file sync and share
platform that makes it easier
for researchers to access their
storage.
• Deployed our brand new User
Support Site with a new and
improved knowledge base,
including an easy to use and sleek
user experience.
• Released our new User Portal,
which is designed to give our users
more control over their research
projects and easy access to
eRSA services and support, in an
efficient, streamlined interface.
CEO’s Report
Mary Hobson
Chief Executive Officer,
eRSA
• To make way for TANGO, Tizard
HPC was retired, having been in
service since October 2012 to bring
High Performance Computing to
South Australian researchers and
their collaborators.
• Spearheaded the national Cultures
and Communities project which
builds communities of practice and
provides research data services
for Humanities and Social Sciences
researchers.
• Delivered another successful
Innovation Symposium, headlined
by this year’s theme of “AI Beyond
the Myths”, which featured
prominent thought leaders from
from SA Government, University
of Adelaide, Australian Centre for
Visual Technologies, Connected
Intelligence Centre and eRSA.
• Launched ‘Reportal’, a self-serve
invoice reconciliation for Fee for
Service which offers our external
stakeholders the reporting
capability to inform an evidence-
based model of decision-making.
• Streamlined our internal
Information Management systems
using Microsoft’s Office 365
including SharePoint and CRM
which enables us to service our
clients better than ever.
• Introduced a new model of
engagement with researchers,
bringing together a team of diverse
specialists to provide targeted
services to researchers within
three domains.
• Appointment of Sarah Nisbet to
Chief Operating Officer, who will
oversee eRSA’s ongoing operations
and lead our national engagement.
• Implemented our new Cadetship
program, hiring two talented and
enthusiastic graduates within our
operations and marketing teams.
• Successfully engaged our first
commercial client, ElectraNet, who
is a critical part of the electricity
supply chain. Their transmission
network transports electricity over
long distances to metropolitan,
regional and remote areas.
In 2018, eRSA will continue to expand
our capability, while continuing to
support the SA research community
with accessible, secure and reliable
eResearch technologies.
As always, I would like to thank our
partners Hitachi and Dell for their
commitment to providing excellent
and reliable hardware. This year’s
achievements have seen us build a
stronger and more flexible technology
foundation that will support SA’s
researchers well into the future.
I would also like to thank the research
community of SA for their continued
support.
Finally, I would like to thank the eRSA
staff for their remarkable work in a
very successful 2017.
Regards,
Mary Hobson
This year, in partnership with Dell EMC, we delivered TANGO, our new premium HPC and Cloud infrastructure, built to enable collaboration and innovation among researchers across SA. TANGO replaced Tizard, our previous HPC.
TANGO introduces a level of flexibility
not seen before in Australian high-
performance computing. Built using
leading edge infrastructure from
Dell EMC and VMware, it provides
users with an unprecedented level of
freedom in the Research and Innovation
Sandbox, a service where they can
experiment with different combinations
of technology. The Sandbox eliminates
risk of technological experimentation,
offering an avenue to test the best
ways of processing analytics, big data
processing, complex modelling and
forecasting.
eRSA’s Infrastructure Manager, Paul
Bartczak, says that Big Data and
complex data analytics are increasingly
becoming a part of the research and
innovation landscape.
“In order to keep up with modern
research demands, having a powerful
HPC and Cloud platform is a necessity,”
Mr. Bartczak said. “TANGO allows
researchers and commercial clients
alike to process large amounts of data
quickly and easily, and the software
defined network capability provides a
secure environment to work in. Working
with Dell EMC, we also ensured that
it’s highly scalable, which means it can
keep up with increased user demand.”
Andrew Underwood, Dell EMC’s ANZ
high performance computing lead said,
“Australian industry is now realising
the benefits of adopting enterprise-
capable high-performance computing.
This has allowed the industry to achieve
product innovations faster than their
competition in the global economy.
TANGO HPC is a powerful system for
SA researchers. It combines compute,
storage, networking and the scientific
software stack into a single platform
that is easy to use and highly-secure.
Not only is it a great representation of
industry aligned HPC, it is also a great
example of the Dell Technologies family
working together to drive discovery and
innovation in our economy.”
TANGO comprises of Dell Servers
connected with Dell Z9100-ON 100GbE
Software Defined Network switches and
purpose-built applications for high-
performance data centre and computing
environments. The Research Cloud is
built on VMware Cloud Foundation which
delivers a completely software defined
environment that is flexible, agile and is
fully managed by the VMware vRealize
Suite. Dell EMC Avamar and Dell EMC
Data Domain provides backup and data
protection providing piece of mind and
protection corporate customers desire.
The computational capabilities of
this infrastructure allow users to
experiment with combinations of
technology to manage heavy workloads
through a variable capability cloud,
software defined data storage and
software defined networking.
Say hello to
This year we ran our second Innovation Symposium as part of the statewide Open State festival. Subtitled “AI Beyond the Myths”, this Symposium brought together thought leaders in the areas of AI technologies, including machine learning and neural networks.
MC’d by Bruce Linn, the panel of
expert speakers included South
Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Leanna
Read; Professor Lyle Palmer from
the University of Adelaide; Professor
Anton van den Hengel, the Director
of the Australian Centre for Visual
Technologies (ACVT); Associate
Professor Theresa Dirndorfer Anderson,
from the University of Technology
Sydney’s Connected Intelligence Centre;
and eRSA CEO Mary Hobson.
Mary kicked off the event by providing
a glimpse into the origins of AI and
why the technology is not the fearsome
concept many are wary of, and how
we’re embracing it.
Weighing up the positives and negatives
of AI technologies, Dr Read discussed
how South Australia could benefit
from embracing the technology while
retaining a healthy understanding
of the risks involved. She mentioned
that “the positives are enormous”
of technological innovation, and
“we should not consider Artificial
Intelligence threatening” before
officially opening the event.
Professor Palmer delved into machine
learning within medical science.
Through explaining genomics and
medical imaging, he stated that
machines are capable of assisting
medical professionals in making
accurate diagnoses of patients. In good
news for radiographers, he believes
machines will not replace their jobs,
instead acting as a supplement to aid
their decisions.
Associate Professor Anderson, who
analysed the ethics of AI and related
data. Dispelling the myth that machines
will take over everyone’s jobs, she
mentioned that an algorithm had taken
over tasks she used to do, and she now
performs better work because she is
able to focus on higher level tasks.
Professor van den Hengel explained
how machines are capable of
performing image recognition. Poking
fun at how commentators keep stating
that AI is 20 years away, he noted
this is a prediction that has remained
constant for countless years. Professor
van den Hengel concluded by saying
South Australia is well-positioned to
participate internationally within the AI
industry.
Following this, our ‘Debunking’ Panel,
saw our speakers challenge commonly-
held beliefs and break down the
enigma of AI. The major takeaways
from the discussion session included
issues surrounding conducting public
consultations for AI policies, whether
AI would be capable of expressing
creativity, and that artificial intelligence
does not equate to sentience. Another
sell out event under eRSA’s belt!
Innovation Symposium
On stage, L-R: Associate Professor Theresa Dirndorfer Anderson, Professor Lyle Palmer, Professor Anton van den Hengel, South Australian Chief Scientist Dr Leanna Read, and Event MC Bruce Linn.
Dr Paul Medwell’s research looks at predicting and understanding combustion processes. An Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide, he and his research group have been using eRSA services since 2013, through the partnership with The University of Adelaide.
“We have used eRSA’s supercomputer
for our computationally-expensive
modelling and Nectar Cloud for
running multiple parametric studies
simultaneously. In addition to our
computational results, we also use
storage to ensure reliable archiving of
our experimental results from laser
diagnostic and optical measurements.”
“My research focuses on flames that
occur in a very low oxygen environment.
The so-called Moderate or Intense Low
oxygen Dilution (MILD) combustion
regime enables very high efficiency
with a reduction in many key pollutants.
These benefits come about because
Our Impact
of the more distributed heat release
profile under the low oxygen conditions.
Despite the reduction of oxygen, these
flames still burn completely. MILD
combustion technology is extremely
attractive for industrial purposes and
is widely used in furnaces for some
specific applications. Nevertheless,
exactly how and why it works it not fully
known. Without this crucial knowledge,
we cannot reliably push this technology
into new applications. In particular,
we are investigating approaches that
could see the implementation of MILD
combustion into gas turbine engines.”
Paul’s research aims to increase
knowledge of combustion systems. By
understanding the flames, his research
enables development of better engines
for the future. Although renewable
energy technologies are important,
into the foreseeable future, combustion
will be required to supply the world’s
enormous, and growing, energy
demands. The research looks at ways
of making better use of fossil fuels, but
more importantly, how to make sure
that renewable fuels can become a
viable alternative.
“The capabilities and support offered
by eRSA far exceed anything available
anywhere else in South Australia.”
“The chemistry involved in combustion
is surprisingly complicated – much
more complex than the simplified
reactions taught in high school
textbooks. To accurately calculate
what goes on in a flame means solving
hundreds of reactions simultaneously,
and then coupling that with the
chaotic fluid motions in a turbulent
flow. This type of work needs serious
computing power, only possible with a
supercomputer. All of this is required
for just one flame; but we want to be
able to predict what happens with
different fuels and with different
operating conditions. Therefore, we
need to repeat these calculations lots of
times, changing only one parameter at
a time. The Nectar Cloud enabled us to
take the results from Tizard, and then
perform a series of systematic studies.”
To validate the computational models,
large volumes of experimental data
from comprehensive laser diagnostic
experiments are stored on eRSA’s
storage.
“From these calculations we now have
a much better understanding of the
fundamental processes that take place
in these flames, including predicting
how they will behave under operating
conditions that we’ve never tested
before. These results give us confidence
that we can take testing to the next
phase – actually trying some of these
flames. We are currently setting up
experiments that are getting closer to
operating under engine-like conditions.
By coupling our vast array of existing
data with some real-world tests we
will have a complete picture of what
is going on. This will enable us to take
this technology to new and exciting
applications.”
“Modern computers and modelling
software investigate new scientific
problems in ways only dreamt of in the
past. Whilst this doesn’t completely
eliminate the need for physical
systems and real-world experiments,
eRSA greatly reduce the costly,
time-consuming process of hands-on
experimental work.”
“We collect enough experimental data
to validate a model, and then let eRSA’s
HPC do the hard work of running
systematic studies. From such models
we also get access to data that simply
is not possible in actual experiments,
either because it simply cannot be
varied independently in the real world
or because it is simply too difficult to
measure. However, for these types
of computations to be performed,
large-scale dedicated supercomputers
are needed. It is not practicable for
individual research groups to replicate
the world-class facilities of eRSA.
eRSA BoardeRSA is governed by a Board comprised of the Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Research) of the three South Australian universities, an independent Chair, and the eRSA Chief Executive Officer as a non-voting member.
Mr Bruce Linn, Chair
Bruce Linn is an experienced Company
Director, Chairman and former CEO
who heads a successful governance
and strategic management consulting
business operating in Australia and USA.
Formerly CEO of Finlaysons Lawyers,
his previous executive roles include
CE for EDS (now HP Enterprise
Services), responsible for all State
Government business of EDS in
Australia and CEO of Camtech, one of
Australia’s leading Internet & Electronic
Payments technology innovators.
A Science graduate of University
of Adelaide, he is a technologist
with over 35 years experience in
business strategy, digital strategy,
governance, leadership, business
management and commercialisation
of a range of technologies including IT,
telecommunications, Internet and social
media.
Immediate past President of the
Australian Institute of Company
Directors (SA/NT Division), his current
Directorships include SABRENet
Limited, ITEK Ventures Pty Ltd and SA
Heart Centres Pty Ltd. He is Chairman
of Anglicare SA Ltd, eResearch SA
Ltd, and IPMO Pty Ltd. He is a fellow
of the Australian Institute of Company
Directors and the Australian Computer
Society. He has been awarded a
University Fellow from the University of
South Australia.
Professor Mike Brooks, Deputy
Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President
(Research), University of Adelaide
Professor Mike Brooks was appointed to
the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor
and Vice-President (Research) in July
2008, following almost a year as Pro
Vice-Chancellor (Research Strategy).
A former Head of the School of
Computer Science, Mike is a leading
international researcher in computer
vision and image analysis, and his work
has seen wide commercial use in the
security and defence industries. He has
published numerous influential papers
and won many ARC Discovery Grants for
his research.
Professor Brooks is a Fellow of the
Australian Computer Society and serves
on the Board of National ICT Australia.
The role of the DVC(R) is to provide
leadership and vision in achieving the
University’s research and research
training strategic goals.
One of the key responsibilities is the
development of strategies to facilitate
growth in University revenue to support
research-related activity.
Professor Robert Saint, Deputy Vice-
Chancellor (Research), Flinders
University
Professor Saint has 118 publications
to date, two patents and numerous
honours and awards, including the
Julian Wells Medal, the MJD White
lecture and the President’s medal of
the Australian and New Zealand Society
for Cell and Developmental Biology. He
currently holds National Health and
Medical Research Council (NH&MRC)
research funding and has held
significant grants from both Australian
Research Council (ARC) and NH&MRC
over a period of 25 years, including
an ARC Special Research Centre from
2000-2008.
He was a member of the ARC College
of Experts (2008-2010) and in 2009
was Chair of the ARC Biological Science
and Biotechnology panel. From 2009-
2013 he was a member of the Human
Frontier Science Program Grant Review
Panel and has served on National
Health and Medical Research Council
(NHMRC) panels. From 2012-2014 he
was a standing member of the Prime
Minister’s Science, Engineering and
Innovation Council (PMSEIC).
A PhD graduate of the University of
Adelaide, Professor Saint’s research
career has taken him to Stanford
University, The Walter and Eliza Hall
Institute, The University of Melbourne,
CSIRO (Canberra), and ANU. His
experience in academic leadership
includes a number of management
roles at Adelaide University and ANU,
followed by his appointment as Dean
of Science at Melbourne University. He
returned to the University of Adelaide
in 2013 to the position of Pro Vice-
Chancellor (Research Strategy) prior
to commencing as the Deputy Vice-
Chancellor (Research) at Flinders
University on 6 July 2015.
Mr Paul Sherlock, Chief Information
Officer (Library and IT), University of
South Australia
Paul is the University’s first Chief
Information Officer and he has overall
responsibility for the University’s
Library and IT services. Prior to joining
the University in 2001 Paul held senior
ICT management roles at the Defence
Science & Technology Organisation
(DSTO) and BHP.
Paul is Director and Chair of SABRENet
Ltd. and the Project Director for the
Federal Government funded National
Research Network (NRN) Project. He
is also a member of the Australian
National Data Service (ANDS) Steering
Committee, and the Treasurer at the
Australian Access Federation (AAF).
Paul is a former President of the Council
of Australian University Director’s of IT
(CAUDIT) and was a founding Member
and President of the Australian Access
Federation (AAF).
He was also formerly a Member of the
Australian eResearch Infrastructure
Committee (AeRIC). Paul leads CAUDIT’s
benchmarking activity and is the author
of the complexity index which is used by
CAUDIT members to make meaningful
comparisons of benchmarking data
across the ANZ HE sector
and internationally.
Paul was a member of the AARNet
Advisory Committee between 1998 and
2014 (including as Deputy Chair 2004-
2008) and is a past faculty member of
the CAUDIT Leadership Institute (2004-
2008).
Statement of Financial Position for year ending 30 June 2017
ASSETS
Current Assets $
Cash and cash equivalents 1,234,883
Trade and other receivables 582,411
Other assets 589
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,817,883
TOTAL NON CURRENT ASSETS 28,607
TOTAL ASSETS 1,846,490
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities $
Trade and other payables 95,275
Current tax liabilities 31,225
Employee benefits 231,524
Deferred income 270,000
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 628,024
Non-Current Liabilities $
Employee benefits 64,271
TOTAL NON CURRENT LIABILITIES 64,271
TOTAL LIABILITIES 692,295
NET ASSETS 1,154,195
EQUITY $
Reserves 266,005
Accumulated surplus 888,190
TOTAL EQUITY 1,154,195
Financial Report
“With eRSA, we have access to the latest
technology allowing us to continue to provide the
best platforms to our end-users”
David Blockow, Software Architect Data to Decisions
T +61 7228 6210E [email protected] www.ersa.edu.au@eResearchSA