Italy''s University of Bari has adopted the IBM System z Cloud system to help local fisherman auction a day''s catch while still at sea.
The University of Bari (Universita di Bari) has selected an IBM System z mainframe as part of a cloud computing project to help local businesses, including fishermen, adopt new business models.
Delivering services through an IBM System z mainframe and Cloud computing allows multiple entities to tap into heavy-duty computing power at minimal cost and lowers the barrier to help local businesses to benefit from this technology.
For example, using a touch screen installed on fishing boats, fishermen can immediately determine the demand in local fish markets that on average handle 100,000 tonnes of fish per year.
Directly from the boats, using simple touch screen systems, fishermen enter the type of fish caught just minutes ago and instantaneously start a virtual auction with wholesalers on the docks.
If the auction price for a specific type of fish is too low, the fish can be thrown back or redirected to a non-profit organisation such as a soup kitchen.
If the price is acceptable, the system automatically provides the necessary distribution between boxes to allow the fish to be packed before the boat arrives at the pier.
The university has also developed systems running on the IBM System z mainframe focused on wine production and logistics operations.
It is developing Cloud-based solutions for southern Italy as part of the Daisy-Net consortium, which includes companies and universities from five regions of southern Italy.
Daisy-Net researches, develops and provides transfer and training activities for new technologies in the information and communication technology sector and beyond.
The Cloud solution is built on an IBM System z9 Business Class mainframe running the Linux operating system, and includes DB2, WebSphere and Tivoli middleware from IBM.
