Computers with high-performance processing, increased storage capacity for large volumes of information and greater data transfer potential. These are some of the main scientific demands identified in an unprecedented and pioneering study carried out by the partnership between RNP and Embrapa.  
 
During the second half of 2022, a working group formed by technicians and researchers from both companies mapped the most important needs of programs developed by Embrapa scientists in the 46 units of the institution and the Mineral Resources Research Company of the Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM-SGB). They focused on researchers who demand high performance IT services and computational power.  
 
"Embrapa develops several projects that require a high-performance processing, storage and transfer structure. Consider, for example, demands in the areas of genetic improvement or satellite monitoring of areas. These are scientific demands that we were already aware of. On the other hand, there are other cases that were not duly considered. This initiative with RNP will enable the proper categorization of all these demands", explains Embrapa's Research and Development (R&D) analyst, Leandro Carrijo.  
 
In order to get a real view of the researchers' needs, a work team was set up that involved professionals from eCiber RNP. Still under development, eCiber is a science support cyberstructure division in Brazil created by RNP and which focuses on mapping and offering high-performance IT solutions for research centers in the country. 
 
In addition to specialists from eCiber RNP, IT analysts and researchers from Embrapa participated in the process of diagnosing scientific demands. RNP plans to offer, by the end of the year, the same type of study and service to four more Brazilian research institutions. 
 
To carry out the mapping of the scientists' needs, the Design Thinking methodology was adopted. An expert in the field, Design Thinking analyst at RNP Pedro Pires tells how the model works. “Immersion, analysis-synthesis, interviews, secondary data research and workshops were some of the tools we used to clearly outline what were the priorities, demands and the vision of researchers and IT at Embrapa on the needs and use of computational resources”, he says. 
 
The work took just over two months to complete. During this period, the key researchers to be heard and who would subsidize a relevant part of the diagnostic stage were also defined. For this mission, experience and contact with research that requires high computational power and the use of advanced computing methods, such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, were considered. 
 
“In the mapping, we find out who these researchers are, what they want and what their reality is like. We look at their pains and opportunities. Then, a validation dynamic was carried out with scientists and IT, from Embrapa and CPRM. In this stage, we go through the findings and manage to identify what should be prioritized”, adds Pedro.
 
It is based on this prioritization that a work plan and the model to be adopted will be structured, aiming to make IT at Embrapa and CPRM more scientific. “Throughout the months of February and March, a technical deepening of the researchers' demands will be carried out. We are going to identify how much processing and storage these scientists need or what is the engineering and operations infrastructure best suited to them”, he concludes.  
 
Working at Embrapa for 13 years, R&D analyst Leandro Carrijo is enthusiastic about the digital revolution that the company is about to experience. “By making room for the construction of a more scientific IT, we are ensuring its institutionalization within Embrapa. In practice, it means talking about benefits, such as resources and a long-term policy. The researchers, employees, the company and society itself win”, says Carrijo.