Corporate information: ACSys and the CRC Program

From 1993 through 2000, the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Computational Systems (ACSys) brought together private industry and research organisations interested in information technology. Established under the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centre Program, ACSys mobilised knowledge and resources to further Australia’s information technology capacity, and made powerful contributions to Australia’s economic competitiveness.

ACSys operated as a collaborative venture between leading businesses and research institutions in the information technology sector:
Compaq
Fujitsu
SGI
StorageTek
Sun Microsystems
Australian National University
CSIRO

A further 50 business and government organisations were involved in ACSys research activities either as participants or associates. ACSys also conducted joint research with eight higher education institutions located in Asia, Europe and the United States.

To provide focus to its activities, ACSys set up four research programs and two special projects:
Advanced Server Technologies Program
Data Mining Program
Digital Media Libraries Program
Virtual Environments Program
Advanced Cooperative Research Networks Project
Network Modelling, Abstraction and Parallel Processing Project

ACSys also established an Education Program to help develop human resources in computer science and information technology.

ACSys entered into commercial arrangements with both public and private organisations to translate research into profitable products and processes. These arrangements included technology licences, contract R&D, consultancies, case studies, collaborative product development and joint ventures.

"The Cooperative Research Centre Program is a very good example of the fostering of industry relevant research and consequently industry innovation and improved competitiveness," noted Senator Nick Minchin, the Minister for Industry. ACSys has enjoyed playing a valuable role in shaping that outcome.

ACSys ceased operations at the end of September 2000. However, it core esearch activities will continue under ANU or CSIRO management.