OCE chips in to support RapidMind’s software solution   |  October 17, 2008  

Multi-core processor technology makes computer applications run 150 times faster

A breakthrough in computer processing technology developed in Waterloo, Ontario is saving lives through enhanced medical imaging.
RapidMind Inc. has developed a computer processing solution that has enabled medical researchers to develop an ultrasound technology that can effectively identify tumors with minimal patient impact.

“Highly complex image processing that used to take several minutes now takes milliseconds,” says Dr. Michael McCool, RapidMind‟s Chief Scientist and a Professor at the University of Waterloo.

With support from the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), RapidMind‟s Multi-Core Development Platform has impacted medical treatment, as well as a wide spectrum of other industries that rely on today‟s most advanced computers.

RapidMind has developed a solution that takes full advantage of multi-core processors – the nerve centre of today‟s computers. (Until now, software developers and the applications they created have been unable to take full advantage of the superior performance made possible by these faster processors.)

Through RapidMind, software applications can now harness the full processing capabilities of multi-core processors and be pushed to unparalleled levels of speed and performance.

In addition to medical imaging, RapidMind‟s solution is being used across diverse markets such as 3D modeling applications in the automotive and aerospace industry, video games and film production.

Banks, investment houses and brokerage firms are also embracing RapidMind‟s technology for 'financial analytics' to assess the price of a stock or commodity. When calculating a predicted price and determining risk level, seconds can mean millions. So it‟s no surprise that a tool that can make such calculations 150 times faster is in high demand.

Having supported high-performance computer research work since the 1990s, OCE calculated RapidMind was well worth investing in.

“We wouldn‟t be here if not for OCE,” says Dr. McCool. “OCE not only funded our research, it also provided early capital that allowed the founders to move towards commercialization. OCE bridged the gap financially and helped RapidMind establish its business structure.”

To help build its personnel structure, OCE also focused on networking and relationship building –ultimately bringing in RapidMind‟s CEO, Ray DePaul and the VP of Marketing, Matthew Monteyne. Both were sourced through OCE‟s industry connections.

An investment from OCE‟s Market Readiness program also helped RapidMind secure its first customer contract. Today, major industry players like AMD, Intel, Hewlett Packard, and IBM now consider RapidMind to be the new industry standard.

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Ontario Centres of Excellence
Centre of Excellence for Communications and Information Technology


For more information, please contact: Sean McNeely, Manager, Communications and Media Relations, OCE Inc. (416) 861.1092 x1034