AWS Acquires NICE Compute-Intensive Cloud and Visualization Technologies 

In announcing its acquisition of NICE, the Italy-based software-as-a-service provider for high performance and technical computing, Amazon and AWS not only acquire technology for optimizing customers’ HPC, cloud and visualization resources and tools for distributed workforces using mobile devices, it also acquires access to NICE’s global customer “A List” in aerospace, life sciences , energy and automotive, among other sectors.

Amazon declined comment on the acquisition other than a brief blog post from AWS Chief Evangelist Jeff Barr, in which he stated that the NICE brand and team will remain intact and will continue to develop and support:

• EnginFrame – NICE’s grid portal that enables application-oriented HPC job submission, control and monitoring.
• Desktop Cloud Visualization (DCV) – remote 3D visualization technology that enables technical computing users to connect to OpenGL and Direct/X applications running in a data center.

In a prepared statement, NICE stressed the additional development and support resources that the Amazon deal brings.

“Like AWS, we are a customer obsessed company and we are globally appreciated for the excellence of our support and professional services”, said Bruno Franzini, Support and Professional Services Manager at NICE. “With the backing of AWS, we will pamper our customers even more.”

According to NICE, its solutions are present in compute intensive environments worldwide delivering HPC, grid and cloud solutions to aerospace, automotive, electronics, life sciences, energy, financial services, manufacturing and telecommunications, along with education and government-funded research.

In acquiring NICE, AWS also acquires access to NICE’s impressive global customer list, which includes AIRBUS, Kimberly Clark, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Audi, Bridgestone, Honda, Toyota, Chevron, Conoco-Phillips, Schlumberger, Harvard Medical School, Motorola and Samsung SDI.

“Customers will continue to receive world-class support and services, enhanced with the backing of the AWS team,” wrote Barr. “Going forward, NICE and AWS will work together to create even better tools and services.”