Vapor IO and Supermicro Launch Zero Gap™ AI, Powered by the NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip, in North America

Rhea-AI Summary

Vapor IO and Supermicro announce Zero Gap AI, a groundbreaking collaboration delivering private 5G and AI-as-a-Service platforms. The platform aims to revolutionize how enterprises and municipalities utilize AI by offering hyperlocal services with reduced reliance on centralized computing. Supermicro servers with NVIDIA MGX platform and GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip form the core of Zero Gap AI, enabling high-performance computing and AI servers. The platform targets various industries like smart cities, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing, offering cost-effective AI solutions at scale.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The announcement of Zero Gap AI, an AI and 5G-as-a-Service platform, represents a significant advancement in edge computing and network services. This initiative is poised to enhance the capabilities of enterprises and municipalities in processing data and executing AI tasks locally with ultra-low latency. The integration of private 5G networks and GPU-based micro-clouds could potentially disrupt the current market dynamics by offering cost-effective and scalable AI solutions.

From a market perspective, the ability to deploy AI services without the need for extensive on-site infrastructure could lead to a reduction in capital expenditures for companies. This could be particularly impactful for sectors like retail, healthcare and manufacturing, where real-time data processing is becoming increasingly critical. The Zero Gap AI platform's focus on specific verticals indicates a strategic approach to capturing market share in high-growth areas, which could influence the competitive landscape.

Financial Analyst

The collaboration between Vapor IO and Supermicro, leveraging NVIDIA's technology, could have financial implications for the involved companies. The deployment of Supermicro servers utilizing the NVIDIA MGX platform with the GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip indicates a potential increase in demand for NVIDIA's AI chips, which may positively affect their sales and revenue. Additionally, the consumption-based pricing model mentioned could attract a broader range of customers, offering a steady revenue stream for Vapor IO.

Investors should monitor the adoption rate of the Zero Gap AI platform, as it could serve as an indicator of the platform's financial viability and its impact on Vapor IO's and Supermicro’s financial performance. The initial deployment in Atlanta and Chicago, leveraging Comcast's network, suggests a strategic entry into the market that could scale rapidly, influencing stock valuations for these companies if the service gains traction.

Technology Industry Analyst

The technical aspects of the Zero Gap AI platform, such as the high-bandwidth connection between NVIDIA's Grace CPU and Hopper architecture-based GPU, are indicative of a significant leap in server performance for AI applications. This technological breakthrough could set a new industry benchmark for edge computing solutions. The emphasis on seamless integration and on-demand scalability addresses key pain points for businesses looking to expand their AI capabilities without incurring prohibitive costs.

Furthermore, the platform's design for zero downtime and congestion is a critical feature that underscores the reliability of the service. By delivering AI access points across a market, creating a mesh-like network grid for AI, Zero Gap AI could redefine how AI services are distributed and consumed. This innovation could accelerate the adoption of AI technologies across various industries, shaping future technology trends and standards.

Zero Gap AI-as-a-Service and Private 5G-as-a-Service Offerings to be Available in Local Markets

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vapor IO and Supermicro are today announcing a groundbreaking collaboration called Zero Gap™ AI, powered by the NVIDIA MGX platform with the NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip. Zero Gap AI is a unique 5G- and AI-as-a-Service platform, operated by Vapor IO, that delivers private 5G and GPU-based micro-clouds to specific locations, directly adjacent to where the capabilities are needed, such as next to retail storefronts, factory floors, and city intersections. The platform makes it possible to deliver hyperlocal AI services over private wired and wireless networks without running servers on premises. By offering extremely fast response times, reduced reliance on centralized computing, and the ability to handle sensitive data locally, Zero Gap AI can help transform how enterprises and municipalities utilize AI.

The core of Zero Gap AI is built around Supermicro servers that implement the NVIDIA MGX platform with the GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip, which has a breakthrough design that forms a high-bandwidth connection between the NVIDIA Grace CPU and the NVIDIA Hopper architecture-based GPU for high-performance accelerated computing and AI servers. These high-performance servers are being deployed in specific geographies across Vapor IO’s Kinetic Grid platform, which is currently available in 36 U.S. cities. The optimized design of Supermicro’s NVIDIA MGX server portfolio makes it easy to support a wide variety of use cases, from real-time inferencing to supercomputing at the edge. The Supermicro MGX servers with the GH200 Superchip can support 5G and AI running on the same machine. This flexibility makes it possible to optimize Zero Gap AI offerings for different use cases.

“Our customers have made it clear they want comprehensive solutions,” says Cole Crawford, Vapor IO's founder and CEO. “Until now, the challenge has been the high costs and complexities of creating AI clusters in precise locations, not to mention managing the intricate dance of AI orchestration. For those aiming to achieve real-time inferencing, Zero Gap AI presents the ideal architecture. By eliminating the need for onsite AI and 5G hardware and leveraging private fiber from nearby access points, we're simplifying the process and cutting costs, enabling a seamless adoption and expansion of AI capabilities for businesses and municipalities alike.”

By combining hyperlocal AI-as-a-Service with private networking, Zero Gap AI is unlocking new, cost-effective ways to deliver AI services at scale. For example,

• A multi-location retailer can use Zero Gap AI to deploy an AI-driven automated checkout system without putting expensive AI equipment in each store.
• A municipality can use Zero Gap AI computer vision services to deploy a pedestrian safety capability to hundreds of busy intersections without putting equipment on every corner.
• A manufacturer can use Zero Gap AI real-time inferencing to support highly reliable factory IoT, reducing risk and lowering capital expenditures.

The companies expect to see a lot of demand for Zero Gap AI from the following verticals: smart cities, healthcare, retail, warehouse and logistics, hospitality, transportation, public venues, and manufacturing.

“Supermicro is excited to collaborate with Vapor IO and their Zero Gap AI platform,” said Don Clegg, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales, Supermicro. “Leveraging Supermicro’s NVIDIA MGXTM system portfolio combined with Vapor IO’s 5G- and AI-as-a-Service can bring AI processing power and 5G to the intelligent edge. Companies that embrace this technology will have a competitive advantage in the market.”

The Power of Local AI Clouds

The Zero Gap AI platform delivers AI access points across an entire market, creating a mesh-like network grid for AI. This highly distributed architecture and its automation capabilities make it possible to spin up AI micro-clouds where they are precisely needed—such as adjacent to a nearby factory or local hospital—on demand and instantaneously. Because Zero Gap AI is delivered locally, the data being analyzed can stay local, avoiding the need to send data to a centralized cloud. This can save time and money while also providing fine-grained control over data sovereignty, locality, and compliance.

Wired or Wireless

Zero Gap AI makes it possible to deliver AI services over wired and wireless networks. The most common configuration uses direct fiber that runs from one or more Zero Gap AI access nodes. The standard Zero Gap AI configuration includes a high-speed private network connection, typically over dedicated fiber or via an existing last-mile network. If further on-site distribution is required, such as across a large factory floor or warehouse, the built-in private 5G can be employed to provide wireless access as well.

Key Features and Benefits of Zero Gap AI:

• Seamless Integration: Effortlessly extends existing on-premises AI capabilities with additional resources, ensuring a smooth and integrated experience.
• On-Demand Scalability: Provides scalable GPU resources and inferencing services to meet fluctuating demands without the need for significant upfront investments.
• Ultra-Low Latency: Near-zero latency ensures real-time data processing and decision-making, crucial for time-sensitive AI applications.
• High Reliability: Vapor IO’s Zero Gap network is designed for zero downtime and zero congestion to deliver consistent and uninterrupted service.
• Cost-Effective: Reduces the need for extensive on-premises infrastructure, lowering operational and capital expenditures. Customers can purchase AI services on a consumption basis or a flat monthly rate.
• 5G Built-In: The NVIDIA MGX platform makes it possible to deliver 5G services in combination with AI capabilities. This lets Zero Gap AI customers deliver AI to both connected and mobile devices with the highest possible performance and reliability.

The Zero Gap AI platform specializes in delivering AI and 5G services using NVIDIA technology, offering a wide range of machines and instance types. Zero Gap AI customers can work at whatever level they prefer. They can operate at a low level with bare-metal instances, or they can use prepackaged third-party models and solutions for specific use cases, including those for smart retail, smart manufacturing, and smart cities.

Zero Gap AI in Comcast Pilot Markets

Zero Gap AI will be available first in Atlanta and Chicago, where the platform can take advantage of Comcast's extensive network infrastructure, close to customers, to deliver faster and more powerful applications and services, like real-time video processing and augmented reality experiences. Zero Gap AI is now included in the integration work that Vapor IO and Comcast announced last year.

“Our low-latency, high-bandwidth network and connectivity services unlock a world of applications for large and small businesses, residences and mobile customers,” said Elad Nafshi, Chief Network Officer, Comcast. “We’re continuously innovating and collaborating with partners like Vapor IO to identify new ways to leverage our network, and Zero Gap AI is a unique opportunity to expand the limits of what we can do together with edge computing services.”

About Vapor IO

Vapor IO stands at the forefront of the AI revolution, delivering ultra-fast, AI and private 5G solutions across distributed edge locations. The company’s Zero Gap™ AI platform offers Network-Delivered AI services in 36 key U.S. markets, including cities like Dallas, Las Vegas, and Seattle. Zero Gap AI uses Vapor IO’s Kinetic Grid® infrastructure, Supermicro's AI-optimized servers, and Nvidia's groundbreaking AI silicon to offer on-demand AI services in top U.S. markets. Discover the difference Vapor IO can make with Network-Delivered AI solutions that fit your specific needs. Visit www.zerogap.ai to learn more.

Zero Gap, Vapor, Kinetic Edge, Kinetic Grid, and Kinetic Edge Exchange are registered trademarks or trademarks of Vapor IO, Inc.

About Super Micro Computer, Inc.

Supermicro (NASDAQ: SMCI) is a global leader in Application-Optimized Total IT Solutions. Founded and operating in San Jose, California, Supermicro is committed to delivering first to market innovation for Enterprise, Cloud, AI, and 5G Telco/Edge IT Infrastructure. We are a Total IT Solutions manufacturer with server, AI, storage, IoT, switch systems, software, and support services. Supermicro’s motherboard, power, and chassis design expertise further enables our development and production, enabling next generation innovation from cloud to edge for our global customers. Our products are designed and manufactured in-house (in the US, Taiwan, and the Netherlands), leveraging global operations for scale and efficiency and optimized to improve TCO and reduce environmental impact (Green Computing). The award-winning portfolio of Server Building Block Solutions® allows customers to optimize for their exact workload and application by selecting from a broad family of systems built from our flexible and reusable building blocks that support a comprehensive set of form factors, processors, memory, GPUs, storage, networking, power, and cooling solutions (air-conditioned, free air cooling or liquid cooling).

Supermicro, Server Building Block Solutions, and We Keep IT Green are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Super Micro Computer, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240215612086/en/

Media Contact

Eleni Laughlin

e@eleni.press

(510) 406-0798

Source: Vapor IO, Inc.

FAQ

What is the collaboration announced by Vapor IO and Supermicro?

Vapor IO and Supermicro announced a groundbreaking collaboration called Zero Gap AI, delivering private 5G and AI-as-a-Service platforms.

What is the core technology behind Zero Gap AI?

Supermicro servers implementing the NVIDIA MGX platform with the GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip form the core of Zero Gap AI.

Which industries are expected to benefit from Zero Gap AI?

Zero Gap AI targets industries like smart cities, healthcare, retail, warehouse and logistics, hospitality, transportation, public venues, and manufacturing.

Where will Zero Gap AI be first available?

Zero Gap AI will be first available in Atlanta and Chicago, taking advantage of Comcast's network infrastructure to deliver faster applications and services.

What are the key features of Zero Gap AI?

Key features of Zero Gap AI include seamless integration, on-demand scalability, ultra-low latency, high reliability, cost-effectiveness, and 5G built-in capabilities.