Grid Strategies founder and CEO, and well-known HPC (High Performance Computing) marketing veteran, Mike Bernhardt, is forecasting a sunny outlook for a large number of 2005 marketing budgets as hundreds of companies jockey to stake a claim in the Grid computing market in parallel with a worldwide surge in interest for this emerging computing paradigm.

Grid computing refers to the private or public sharing of computing resources, from PCs to servers to networks to storage to supercomputers. The promise of Grid computing includes cost savings (more efficient use of existing computer resources), improved IT utilization (the ability to share computer resources to do work that previously couldn't be done), and improved IT performance (the ability to accomplish computing tasks more quickly). Grid computing does not refer to the types of computers, but solely to the approach of harnessing the power and capacity of independent computing resources for a common goal.

"A large number of computing platform suppliers and software companies will invest significant amounts of R&D and marketing money in Grid computing initiatives as they jockey for position in this rapidly expanding market segment," said Bernhardt. "While we've seen numerous budget cuts in other technology development and marketing budgets, investments in Grid computing technology, market development and marketing programs continue to rise at an impressive rate, and throughout this market we can expect to see an increase in marketing dollars flowing out to marketing, advertising and public relations agencies."

Grid Strategies conducted an interview with several dozen suppliers of marketing services, as well as dozens of companies currently delivering or planning to provide products and technology into the Grid computing market, regarding their plans for marketing budgets in 2005. Fully 92 percent of the suppliers of Grid computing products, technology or services indicated plans to increase their awareness and market position through more aggressive marketing efforts and confirmed plans to increase marketing dollars. Of the marketing service providers interviewed, all of whom have clients in the HPC or Grid computing space, 94 percent of the firms have confirmed forecasts for revenue growth attributed to clients increasing their Grid computing marketing efforts in calendar year 2005.

The concept of Grid computing is not new, but only recently have companies like Intel, IBM, HP, Sun, Oracle and others stepped forward to announce some rather aggressive initiatives in this area. The concept that started deep within the national lab and research university infrastructure now has validation from many of the leading computing companies and IT organizations around the world.

"Hundreds of organizations developing computing platforms, applications software, storage and networking products are pumping millions of dollars into R&D and market development programs to get in front of the thousands of commercial IT decision makers now evaluating the potential impact of Grid computing on their organizations," said Bernhardt. "It's been a long time coming but the infrastructure is finally taking shape and the progress in adoption of industry standards is now fueling significant growth in this market segment."

The overall market for Grid computing is anticipated to grow to a multi-billion dollar market within the next few years. International Data Corporation estimates this market will exceed $12 billion in revenue by 2007. Industries leading in the adoption of Grid computing include financial, oil and gas, healthcare, medical research, pharmaceutical, aerospace and automotive manufacturers.

About Grid Strategies Inc

Grid Strategies Inc is a niche market consulting and advisory group specializing in take-to-market strategy and business development programs for clients of all sizes with a desire to create, reposition or enhance their images within the HPC (High Performance Computing) and emerging Grid computing market segments. Grid Strategies has announced plans to publish the industry's first Grid Computing Resource Guide in 2005: www.gridresourceguide.com. More information on Grid Strategies can be found at www.gridstrategies.com.