Tessella and Physics World free webinar on the current state of scientific research software available on demand

In the 60 years since the invention of the digital computer, millions of lines of code have been developed to support scientific research. Although an increasingly important part of almost all research projects, most research software is barely fit for purpose compared to equivalent systems in the commercial world. The code is hard to understand or maintain, lacking documentation and version control, and is continually ‘re-invented’ as the code writers move on to new jobs. This represents a tremendous waste of the already inadequate resources that are put into its development. We will investigate how this situation has come about, why it is important to the future of research, and what can be done about it.

Robert McGreevy will draw on his extensive experience at the STFC ISIS Facility, and explain how these issues are being addressed for the benefit of research science globally. Nicholas Draper, consultant at Tessella, will then expand on this, using the example of the Mantid project at ISIS.

To listen to the on demand version of this free webinar click here

To find out more or to register online visit http://www.stfc.ac.uk/KE/Events/spacetech.aspx

Defence Research 2010 is the only official UK MOD event to present the whole of the MOD’s £450 million annual research investment to the industry, academia and other suppliers, alongside key members of the MOD and Armed Services.  To find out more or to register as a delegate, visit http://www.defenceresearch.co.uk/

For more about Tessella and the defence sector, visit http://www.tessella.com/markets-clients/public-sector/defence/

Tessella and Physics World are holding a free webinar on the current state of scientific research software.

In the 60 years since the invention of the digital computer, millions of lines of code have been developed to support scientific research. Although an increasingly important part of almost all research projects, most research software is barely fit for purpose compared to equivalent systems in the commercial world. The code is hard to understand or maintain, lacking documentation and version control, and is continually ‘re-invented’ as the code writers move on to new jobs. This represents a tremendous waste of the already inadequate resources that are put into its development. We will investigate how this situation has come about, why it is important to the future of research, and what can be done about it.

Robert McGreevy will draw on his extensive experience at the STFC ISIS Facility, and explain how these issues are being addressed for the benefit of research science globally. Nicholas Draper, consultant at Tessella, will then expand on this, using the example of the Mantid project at ISIS.

To register for this free webinar click here

Oxford, UK | 4 February 2010. Tessella, the information technology and consulting services company selected by R&D, science and engineering leaders for business-critical assignments is pleased to announce the appointment of Air Marshal Sir Peter Norriss as its Military Adviser. Sir Peter will guide Tessella on how its capabilities can best serve the UK Ministry of Defence, its research providers and prime contractors and seek to address the wider UK National Security market. Sir Peter comments, “I have known of Tessella for a number of years now and am attracted by their combination of innovation and pragmatism. Their efforts are already addressing key operational challenges such as helping develop new techniques for IED detection and improving safety through the application of advanced mathematical models for munitions storage and testing. I am excited by the prospect of working with such a professional team.”

Alan Gaby, Director at Tessella, said, “It’s a privilege to be working with Sir Peter, he brings a wealth of understanding and experience to the business and will act as a sales force multiplier. His views are widely respected and his thought leadership will enable Tessella to reach previously under-developed areas of our target market.”

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About Tessella

For decades, Tessella has been successfully delivering IT and consulting services to world leaders in R&D, science and engineering. We enable our clients in life sciences, energy, the public sector, and consumer industries to achieve a wide range of objectives, including, forecasting floods, developing fusion power, enhancing military sensor capability, improving drug discovery and development efficiency, and reducing risk to health and the environment in the extraction and production of oil and gas. With offices in Europe and North America, global companies rely on Tessella for business critical assignments.

Media Contact at Tessella

Christina Tealdi | PR/AR Executive | Phone: +44 (0) 1235 555511 | Mobile: + 44 (0) 779 9346453

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The images shown below, of the M74 spiral galaxy, show the first test astronomical observations of Herschel’s Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) instrument. The galactic nucleus and spiral arms show up clearly. These images have given astronomers an exciting glimpse of some of the most important scientific studies planned with Herschel: to look at star formation up close in our own galaxy and in nearby galaxies, and to search for star-forming galaxies in the very distant Universe.

Tessella was a key member of the team that designed the Attitude Control and Measurement Subsystem for Herschel and Planck. In particular, Tessella was responsible for design and analysis of the attitude controller for Herschel’s observation mode, which allows Herschel to point accurately at the target of interest, allowing it to obtain the high resolution shown here.

“SPIRE images of M74 – (c) ESA and the SPIRE Consortium”