edge computing
distributed across smart devices and
edge computing systems.
The benefits of edge
computing
For those consumer facing
businesses operating on the edge
of the network, edge computing can
provide a number of advantages.
First, when data security is
paramount, nothing can replace
having this data contained in-house
where a company can have total
control over the security procedures,
rather than in a centralised data
centre. In some industries, there may
also be legislation which specifies the
security around and use of customer
data, requiring an in-house data
centre to be compliant.
Pressures on bandwidth and
latency for key client interactions
can make businesses want their
computing power to be closer, as
well as if they require devices to be
autonomous. For example, Internet
of Things (IoT) connected machines
which would work more effectively
having a local source of computing
power. Ultimately edge computing
improves response times and
availability for customers. End users
expect to be able to quickly access
their data from a variety of devices
and locations at any time and edge
computing enables this.
Shops embracing the edge
The retail sector is one industry that
would particularly benefit from edge
computing. The retail landscape is
rapidly changing; a few years ago
bricks and mortar retail stores were
stand alone environments, but this
is no longer the case. A retail store
is now a complex IT environment,
made up of a myriad of devices
such as PC based POS terminals,
hand helds, RFID readers, manger
works stations, local hosts and local
database servers. This expanding
array of devices at the edge plays a
critical role in enhancing the customer
experience but brings its own set of
challenges. Moreover, it all needs to
continually operate at peak efficiency.
Relying on a central data centre
to support all of these devices is
not enough. A comprehensive IT
management infrastructure in which
all the resources can be managed,
regardless of where or what those
resources are, is key and edge
computing could become a useful
part of this.
The retail sector is one industry that would
particularly benefit from edge computing.
Getting the edge on
Industry 4.0
In manufacturing, the growth of
the IoT is changing the game for
IT requirements. Manufacturing IT
systems are already complex today,
and this complexity is only likely
to increase in the future. A new
generation of ‘smart’ field devices
is coming, and this will spread
technical innovations away from
centralised IT data centres and closer
to the production systems that have
traditionally been the network edge for
IT. Such devices might include wireless
devices, RFID readers and tags. Not
only will there be more computing
power available at the edge, there will
be a lot more data generated there. As
these devices proliferate, the amount
of information flowing across networks
will need careful management to keep
up response times and routing this
information through local networks is
one solution.
These are not the only industries
that would appreciate the advantages
of incorporating edge computing into
existing IT systems. Sectors with
highly sensitive customer information
such as finance or healthcare
would benefit from the security and
accessibility of the edge computing
approach. After all, no-one can bear
delays in accessing their savings or
vital health records.
Edge computing and the
Internet of Things – a
perfect match
The success of the IoT is dependent
on edge computing – without local
data processing power, connected
devices will not reach their full
potential. Edge computing will be
instrumental in creating a future
where IoT is mainstream in smart
homes, smart cities and industry.
However, this doesn’t mean an all
or nothing approach. Data centres
will continue to provide most of
computing, but they will more and
more be supported by facilities on the
edge of the network, providing rapid
information for fast data processing
for IoT networks and low latency
applications for consumers.
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