The Central Institute for Applied Mathematics (ZAM) is responsible for the planning and implementation, the operation and use of the central computer and server systems and the campus-wide data communication networks. As a German supercomputer centre according to the recommendations of the Science Council and a centre of expertise for scientific computing, ZAM provides supercomputer capacity, computer methods and problem solutions for science and research in the John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC). Its tasks determine the R&D work on methods and systems of information technology and on the methodological advancement of the supercomputers as scientific large-scale devices and of their information technology infrastructure for mass data, broadband communication, Grid computing, and multimedia. ZAM currently operates an IBM supercomputer with a peak performance of 9 TFLOPS, robot-controlled mass storage systems, a virtual-reality and video laboratory and a video conferencing studio. Further tasks comprise the training of university students (the director of ZAM holds a chair according to the Jülich model) and of technomathematics students at the Aachen University of Applied Sciences in connection with the training of mathematical-technical assistants (final examination at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce) as well as the promotion of young professionals in scientific computing and supercomputing (courses, internships, seminars, programmes for visiting students, summer schools, workshops, conferences). ZAM has five departments: Mathematics, Programming Techniques, Operating Systems, Communication Systems as well as Information and Operation.