Cray Inc. is Number One in New IDC Supercomputer Rankings.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 2001 Global supercomputer supercomputer, a state-of-the-art, extremely powerful computer capable of manipulating massive amounts of data in a relatively short time. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized scientific and engineering applications that must handle very leader Cray (Cray, Inc., Seattle, WA, www.cray.com) A supercomputer manufacturer founded in 1972 as Cray Research, Inc., by Seymour Cray, a leading designer of large-scale computers at Control Data. In 1976, it shipped its first computer to Los Alamos National Laboratory. Inc. (Nasdaq:CRAY) today announced it was number one in the new, more comprehensive rankings of supercomputer performance recently reported by industry analyst firm IDC. On the new IDC Balanced Rating test, developed with extensive input from supercomputer users in government, industry and academia, Cray(R) supercomputers dominated in both of the top two categories. -- In the Capability Class, representing the world's most powerful supercomputers, Cray systems made up about 39 percent of the total (58 of 149 systems), versus about 16 percent each for the two next-highest competitors. -- In the Enterprise Class that includes less-powerful supercomputers priced from $1 million, Cray systems comprised 45 percent of the total (43 of 95 systems), versus about 15 percent for the next-highest competitor. -- Four of the top 10 supercomputers in the global rankings were NEC SX-5 Series vector systems. Under a previously announced OEM agreement, Cray Inc. has exclusive rights to distribute the new NEC SX-6 Series and successor products in North America, and non-exclusive distribution rights in most other areas of the world. The IDC Balanced Rating improves on current `peak performance' figures and the Linpack A package of FORTRAN programs for numerical linear algebra that is commonly used to create benchmark programs for testing a computer's floating point performance. See benchmark. 1. LINPACK - A package of linear algebra routines. 2. test that is the basis for the semiannual Semiannual An event that occurs twice in a calendar year. Notes: A bond with semiannual coupons would issue payment once every six months. See also: Annual, Bond, Coupon Bond `Top500' list of the world's most powerful supercomputers. Erich Strohmaier, an author of the `Top500' rankings, noted earlier that "Linpack is a pure CPU CPU in full central processing unit Principal component of a digital computer, composed of a control unit, an instruction-decoding unit, and an arithmetic-logic unit. (processor) benchmark and was not designed to measure other system attributes that may contribute significantly to real-world performance, including internal memory speed, disks, and external networks." The new IDC Balanced Rating includes Linpack and supplements it with additional tests of processor performance, memory system performance and scaling performance. More than a year ago, U.S. supercomputing organizations banded together as the HPC (Handheld PC) A palmtop computer that weighs less than one pound and runs specialized versions of popular applications. Microsoft coined the term for its Windows CE operating system, which is an abbreviated version of Windows. See Pocket PC. User Forum and identified performance measurement as their most crucial concern. They asked IDC to develop a better standard test of the overall capabilities of the computers, while the HPC User Forum began the more time-consuming time-con·sum·ing adj. Taking up much time. time-consuming Adjective taking up a great deal of time Adj. 1. task of creating a benchmark suite to test performance on actual workloads representing a wide range of users. "We're pleased that standard tests are emerging that more accurately predict the actual capabilities of supercomputers," said Cray Inc. President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Michael P. Haydock. "The tougher the tests, the better we believe Cray systems will do." --------------------- ----------------- -------------- CAPABILITY TOTAL (149) % TOTAL CLASS --------------------- ----------------- -------------- Cray 58 38.9 --------------------- ----------------- -------------- IBM 24 16.1 --------------------- ----------------- -------------- SGI 24 16.1 --------------------- ----------------- -------------- Compaq 15 10.1 --------------------- ----------------- -------------- NEC 12 8.1 --------------------- ----------------- -------------- Fujitsu 8 5.4 --------------------- ----------------- -------------- Hitachi 7 4.7 --------------------- ----------------- -------------- Intel 1 0.7 --------------------- ----------------- -------------- --------------------- ---------------- --------------- ENTERPRISE TOTAL (95) % TOTAL CLASS --------------------- ---------------- --------------- Cray 43 45.3 --------------------- ---------------- --------------- Compaq 14 14.7 --------------------- ---------------- --------------- HP 13 13.7 --------------------- ---------------- --------------- SUN 10 10.5 --------------------- ---------------- --------------- NEC 9 9.5 --------------------- ---------------- --------------- SGI 6 6.3 --------------------- ---------------- --------------- About IDC IDC is the world's leading provider of information technology (IT) industry analysis, market data and insight, and strategic and tactical guidance to builders, providers and users of information technology. IDC provides global research with local content through more than 600 analysts in 43 countries worldwide. IDC is a division of IDG IDG International Data Group IDG Integrated Drive Generator IDG Installation Design Guide IDG Internet Discussion Group IDG Inset Dielectric Guide IDG International Dangerous Goods (mail, shipping) , the world's leading IT media, research and exposition exposition or exhibition, term frequently applied to an organized public fair or display of industrial and artistic productions, designed usually to promote trade and to reflect cultural progress. company. About Cray Inc. Cray is the premier provider of computational Having to do with calculations. Something that is "highly computational" requires a large number of calculations. solutions for our customers' most challenging scientific and engineering problems. Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. . There are certain factors that could cause Cray's execution plans to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements above. Among such risk factors are expected delivery and acceptance times, and timely availability of commercially acceptable components from third party suppliers. For a discussion of such risks, and other risks that could affect Cray's future performance, please see "Factors That Could Affect Future Results" in Cray Inc.'s quarterly report on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. . Note to Editors: Cray is a registered trademark of Cray Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
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