Edge computing is a key technology breakthrough that lets organizations complement and extend the power of their clouds, while taking advantage of real-time computing, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, internet of things (IoT) and other innovations to hasten and strengthen digital transformation.
While edge computing is not a new IT concept, it is now being used in combination with cloud computing, 5G networks, Wi-Fi 6 and other advances to create bold new ways for organizations across all industries to leverage the power of data, analytics and intelligence.
The availability of solutions powered by 3rd Gen Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors is another factor accelerating the use and value proposition of edge computing. Intel compute technologies are embedded into the fabric of 5G networks at every level. With workload-optimized performance, Intel Xeon Scalable processors offer revolutionary advances capable of meeting the data-intensive needs of 5G business use cases. From the cloud to the network to the edge, Intel-powered 5G networks deliver gains in productivity while unleashing new services and business opportunities.
IDC predicts worldwide edge spending will reach $250 billion by 2024.1 As of 2020, EMEA represented about 28% of the global market. The research firm says changes in the workplace have made edge a top priority by accelerating transformation of business models in most industries. As IDC notes:
The need to deliver infrastructure, application and data resources to edge locations will spur adoption of new, cloud-centric edge and network solutions that enable faster responses to current business needs, while serving as a foundation for boosting long-term digital resilience, enabling business scaling and ensuring greater business operational flexibility.2
Edge Computing: Winning with Platform Approaches
This paper explains how edge computing securres the digitalization of companies, which key challenges companies are facing when introducing edge computing, and how to successfully use edge computing.
Download NowWhy Edge, and Why Now?
To understand why edge computing has become such an important priority, IT leaders and business decision-makers should start with a clear definition of what edge is and what value it brings to organizations. The following description is excerpted from an informative white paper called “Edge Computing: Winning With Platform Approaches”:
Edge computing is a new paradigm for decentralized computing in which the computing takes place physically as close as possible to where data is generated and used. The goal is to extend cloud computing to provide a better and more holistic foundation for today’s challenges of digital systems and applications. The term edge computing includes any device that is at the edge of the central network, including:
- Edge devices, such as smart cameras or IoT sensors, which enable secure data processing in real time.
- On-premises edge, such as local servers, which enable secure data processing in almost real time.
- Far edge, such as external server infrastructure close to a company’s premises, for secure data processing with low latency.
The focus for most organizations is on-premises edge computing because that is the model that best meets the performance, latency, resiliency and processing needs of today’s more demanding applications—while also letting organizations maximize the value of a broad range of edge devices.
Addressing Real-World, Real-Time Demands
In coordination with cloud computing, edge computing lets enterprises collect data wherever possible to optimize decision-making across value chains. Organizations can facilitate comprehensive and seamless consolidation and analysis of data to enable a wide range of use cases.
However, the opportunities to use data in unique and transformative ways creates organizational edge computing demands that put pressure on IT teams to deploy comprehensive, holistic solutions that present a seamless and consistent cloud-edge continuum. Key technology demands include:
- Real-time processing: For certain applications, very large amounts of data must be processed in real time or near real time—for example, analyzing live video data for safety conditions in environments where machines and humans work side by side. For these types of use cases, the underlying infrastructure must provide low-latency processing and communication.
- Merging IT and OT: Software technology must be closely integrated with process components, such as machines and their local control modules via sensors and actuators. IT components must be accessible as part of the system architecture and the usual software processes.
- Local processing: The exponential growth of IoT data can create high costs if all data is sent to and processed in centralized cloud infrastructures. Preprocessing data and sending only relevant information to the cloud reduces costs and improves performance.
- Data security: The processing of certain data, such as personal information, is subject to compliance with security standards and regulations, particularly in the European Union with GDPR. Data exchange with clouds can raise concerns about data sovereignty and security. Therefore, special infrastructures and security concepts are required for many business-critical use cases.
Empowering Innovative Use Cases
By using solutions that address these challenges, IT and business leaders give their organizations the opportunity to leverage the cloud-edge continuum to bring innovation to a variety of important use cases. Some of the most prominent include:
- Artificial intelligence
- Positioning for transport, logistics, safety and other use cases
- Automated guided vehicles
- Augmented and virtual reality
For a more comprehensive look at these innovative edge computing use cases, please see “4 Innovative Use Cases for Edge Computing.”
Taking the Next Step
When it comes to a technology platform that enables organizations to maximize the value of edge computing, T-Systems offers a portfolio of solutions that are unmatched, particularly across the DACH region, as well as Spain and the Netherlands.
EdgAIR is a highly scalable platform that supports any edge computing deployment from a distributed fleet of edge nodes to a centralized campus on-premises data center. The T-Systems Edge Computing Platform leverages a best-in-class, vendor-agnostic technology ecosystem to enable customers to buy all edge computing components for multiple edge sites from a single provider.
EdgAIR and Edge Computing Platform both deliver value-added benefits that derive from using 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors. For example, 3rd Gen Intel Xeon processors have enhanced AI and high-performance computing capabilities that power demanding workloads, as well as security and privacy features such as Intel Crypto Acceleration for encryption-intensive workloads.
To learn more about how your organization can move forward on its edge computing journey, please review the other articles and resources on this special site and visit T-Systems.
1 “Worldwide Spending on Edge Computing Will Reach $250 Billion in 2024, According to a New IDC Spending Guide,” IDC, Sept. 23, 2020
2 “IDC Releases Its 2021 Predictions, Edge Computing a ‘Top Priority,’” Edge Computing Association, Nov. 4, 2020
