Axion High Performance Compute
The Challenge
As GM increasingly relies on high performance computing to simulate and validate advanced vehicle technologies, the need for a centralized platform became clear. Engineers needed a single destination where they could queue, monitor, and manage simulation jobs across various compute clusters, while staying informed about system updates, resource availability, and relevant issues. The challenge was to design a site that could handle complex workflows without overwhelming the user, combining deep technical functionality with a streamlined experience. The platform also needed to serve as a source for HPC news, policy updates, and usage guidance—all within a flexible, user-friendly interface built for scale.
The Process
We began by partnering with GM’s simulation, software, and IT infrastructure teams to understand the day-to-day needs of engineers working with high performance computing resources. The existing workflows for submitting and monitoring jobs were fragmented, with separate systems for queue control, cluster access, and status tracking. Our goal was to unify these into a streamlined, user-friendly experience without compromising on power or flexibility.
We mapped out critical flows including job submission, resource selection, queue visibility, and job status monitoring. At the same time, we scoped out supporting features such as real-time system alerts, HPC news updates, and issue reporting. Wireframes focused on simplifying complex technical actions and reducing friction between steps, especially for users managing multiple jobs at once.
After testing early prototypes with engineers and administrators, we refined the layout and controls to prioritize speed, clarity, and reliability. Particular attention was given to the job queue interface, which needed to handle dense data while remaining readable at a glance.
The final product brought HPC operations, communication tools, and system visibility together into a centralized, modular platform designed to scale with GM’s growing simulation demands.
The Results
The Axion platform provided GM teams with a centralized, efficient tool for managing high performance computing workloads. By streamlining job submission, queue visibility, and system updates, the platform improved day-to-day operations for simulation engineers while reducing reliance on disconnected tools and manual tracking.
The integration of news, alerts, and system health helped teams stay informed and proactive, improving both speed and collaboration across projects.