What is Edge Computing?

Edge computing is defined as an information technology architecture that processes client data within the network periphery but as close to the original data source as possible. An internet technology architecture can be defined as a set of related fields that make up larger computer systems, programming languages and other systems that process and store data and information. You probably already know that data runs modern businesses, providing insights and helping to lead operations. That’s why handling data correctly and operating devices remotely is so crucial today. Traditionally, centralized data centers were the paradigm, but they don’t hold up today. Why? Because of the huge amounts of real-world data, bandwidth, network and speed issues. The great thing about edge computing is that it takes some of the weight off of central data centers and moves it closer to the data source. This means that instead of migrating data to and from central data centers, the work being done is handled where the data itself is generated. This is one of the main reasons why edge computing is transforming IT and business computing today: it helps companies and organizations tap into real-time insights, get better and more accurate predictions and answers, and speed up their transactions overall. 

What Are Some of the Advantages of Using Edge Computing? 

Different sectors like health, retail and commerce already use edge computing to process sensitive and important data in a safe, reliable way. That’s because places like hospitals or factories need to be able to run on low latency and without a connection to a network. No matter what the industry or sector, though, edge has a lot of potential to help create better experiences for people, whether they’re employees, patients, clients, etc. Edge allows companies or organizations to run their applications reliably and handle their real-time data requirements on-site. This also saves time, which means more opportunities for improvements and revenue. 

Businesses can reimagine the way they run things with edge computing, which can be incorporated easily to improve user experiences and improve decision making. 

Edge computing’s main benefits include: 

• Speed. Edge computing is a lot faster than waiting for data to go to and from centralized data centers, which is beneficial for use cases that can’t afford to waste time. 

• Managing large volumes of data. Edge computing processes large amounts of data quickly and easily, even more so than cloud computing in some instances. 

• Privacy and security. Some organizations may require their users to avoid hosting their data on the cloud for security reasons and keep control of sensitive information by using edge. 

• Remote accessibility. Edge can be used in remote situations where connectivity is an issue. 

• Cost efficiency. Processing data through edge computing can maximize cost efficiency overall for an organization. 

• Autonomous operations. Sometimes, connectivity to the internet and thus the cloud isn’t possible. Edge computing comes in handy for processing within local environments, keeping everything running smoothly. 

How Does Edge Computing Work? 

Edge computing, like its name suggests, is all about location. Traditional computing handles data that’s produced at a client endpoint, like a specific computer. This data is then moved through a WAN like the internet, and through a corporate LAN, which is where the data is then stored and potentially analyzed. However, the rapidly growing number of devices connected to the internet and the amount of data being processed simultaneously is leaving traditional tech infrastructure behind. 

That’s why the focus of IT has moved away from traditional central data centers to the edge of the infrastructure, migrating storage away from those centralized hubs towards the point where the data is generated. In a nutshell, it’s moving the data center closer to the data itself. This makes it easy to process data locally, saving time and increasing efficiency. 

Let’s look at a couple of ways in which edge computing can be beneficial in the real world:

• Retail: sales data is combined with video surveillance to determine the best way to set up the sales floor and the products based on customer behavior and demand. 

• Predictive analytics: this helps maintain or repair equipment before more serious damage is done or before accidents happen. 

• Utilities: energy generation or water treatment services can use edge computing to make sure their equipment is functioning and maintain product and service quality. 

• Farming: These days, lots of crops are grown inside without the factors that need to be taken into consideration in nature. Growing crops this way speeds up the growth process by more than 60%. Edge computing can be used to collect data and analyze  the effects of environmental factors, improve crop growing algorithms and make sure that the best quality is reached each time. 

• Safety at Work: Edge computing can use data from on-site cameras and other to help businesses track and improve their workplace conditions or make sure that the necessary safety protocols are always being followed, especially on sites that are particularly remote or dangerous. 

• Network optimization. Edge computing is used to help guide traffic across a network and improve performance overall. It can measure user performance across networks and analyze data to see what the best network path is for each user.

Cloud Computing and the Edge

Cloud computing is defined as running different workloads within clouds, or IT environments hosted on the internet. Cloud computing generally uses centralized cloud services, keeping resources scalable and maintaining control and security. Edge computing, though,  takes care of the use cases that can’t be handled by the data center approach for cloud computing. In cloud computing, software can be run in containers, letting businesses run them wherever they prefer. This type of strategy helps organizations take applications from the data center to the edge or vice versa seamlessly. Thanks to the cloud, edge can help businesses tap into new insights and experiences for their users.