Geographic Information Services (GIS) developed by Manifold.net is using the parallel processing power of GPUs thanks to Nvidia's Cuda platform.
GIS technology has a major impact on the safety and quality of our daily lives. City planners and businesses use GIS applications to combine physical mapping information with demographic data such as population, street layout and local resources. From tracking 911 calls and studying carbon dioxide levels to keeping track of pesticide use - the applications are endless and growing.
As users push the boundaries of GIS applications, datasets are growing increasingly complex, often involving many gigabytes of interactive maps showing vectors, surface layers and images. GIS system developer, Manifold.net, is under constant pressure to deliver a product that is capable of crunching through the most demanding datasets, efficiently and with absolute accuracy. For such advanced projects - and with projections for more elaborate functions - the company realised that a CPU-based computing solution was no longer adequate to meet user needs.
Manifold converted its software to the Nvidia Cuda platform, allowing users to access the parallel processing power of GPUs and interaction with the data at PCI Express bandwidth speeds. With the Cuda configuration, calculations that previously took 20 minutes to complete are now done in 30 seconds. Moreover, calculations that previously took 30 to 40 seconds are now real-time.
With its new Cuda acceleration, Manifold is helping tap previously inaccessible fuel reserves, track the progress of pollutants in our air, and give more precise information to emergency police and fire responses.
