Platform Lab FAQs

Does Platform Lab staff conduct the actual testing?

No. As a non-profit, we cannot compete with for-profit consulting firms. We have established a network of over 100 consulting firms that we regularly provide with anonymous client requests for test projects.

There is no cost to the potential Platform Lab clients to utilize this program to use this program and there is no cost to the consultants to join this program. Platform Lab does not markup any consultant cost or get reimbursed in any way. We do request that the selected consultant conduct the test portion of the client engagement at Platform Lab.

How long have you been in business?

Platform Lab was initially funded in June 2001 and opened for business February 2002.

Can for-profit firms take advantage of this resource?

Yes. Most Platform Lab clients are for-profit.

Can you service out-of-state clients?

Yes, over 25% of Platform Lab clients are from outside Ohio.

What are standard set up times?

Completely depends on the resources requested and the current availability.

Many configuration builds can be completed in a matter of hours or couple of days, as long as we have hardware resource availability.

As a rule, Platform Lab begins the set up process once paperwork is completed.

We ask that you review our current hardware and software lists, if you find that you need items that we do not have, please contact us ASAP (link) and we will reach into our outstanding network of vendors and partners in order to secure a loaner, rental or purchase. The greater the advance notice, the greater the possibility of securing the resources that you request.

Standard configuration builds are provided at no cost to the client.

What are standard set up times?

Completely depends on the resources requested and the current availability.

Many configuration builds can be completed in a matter of hours or couple of days, as long as we have hardware resource availability.

As a rule, Platform Lab begins the set up process once paperwork is completed.

We ask that you review our current hardware and software lists, if you find that you need items that we do not have, please contact us ASAP and we will reach into our outstanding network of vendors and partners in order to secure a loaner, rental or purchase. The greater the advance notice, the greater the possibility of securing the resources that you request.

Standard configuration builds are provided at no cost to the client.

Can clients bring their own hardware?

Yes, we will provide power, cabling and connectivity for all client hardware.

Will you tell us what we need to conduct testing?

No. Occasionally we will make suggestions, such as how large of a machine a client would need to drive load. For specific instruction on how a configuration should be set up, we rely on the client or their consultant to provide that information to us.

Standard configuration builds are provided at no cost to the client.

What are the client contractual obligations?

Every client must have a signed contract prior to their initial test or training engagement. A standard version of our Terms and Conditions are available here.

Once a contract is in place, each further engagement is documented with a Schedule of Deliverables that is agreed upon by both client and Platform Lab prior to a test engagement. The Schedule of Deliverables is a very flexible agreement that will often change prior to or during a test term. A variety of Schedule of Deliverables are available here.

What is maximum bandwidth capacity?

Each Platform Lab has 1 Gb Internet connectivity, however based on various loop arrangements, we could expect to drive roughly 600 Mb from each location.

The OSCnet backbone is scheduled to upgrade from 2 Gb to 10 Gb in July 2007.

Are you really a non-profit?

Yes, Platform Lab is a 501C3 non-profit organization. Legally, we operate as a legal dba (doing business as) of TechColumbus, a 501C3.

Platform Lab was created as a partnership of TechColumbus and Ohio Supercomputer Center, an educational and technology organization that operates as a legal subsidiary of The Ohio State University.

Platform Lab has recently been funded by the Ohio Department of Development through a Wright Project grant that provides $1,064,000 of hardware specific funds over a three year period.

Need more information?

Please contact Platform Lab Director Steve Gruetter at 614-675-3711x1 with any further questions