In our evolving world, we’re introduced to new technologies and innovations at such a pace that it’s become hard to keep up. One of these technologies has been the introduction of Edge Computing. What is Edge Computing technology? A platform that has been transforming the way amounts of data are available, processed. Also, delivered among millions of devices across the world.
From accelerating the performance of real-time applications. To analyze data and making artificial intelligence smarter. Edge computing power has got all that covered. It started as an attempt to counter the growing costs of bandwidth for long-distance data traveling. Now it has pulled itself up as the driver of technology for the future.
What Is Edge Computing Technology?
Edge computing handles bring data storage closer to the device that it is gathering. Rather than storing it in a central location. In other words, you bring the data to the receiver rather than take the receiver to the data.
While this improves performance by tackling latency issues. Also, it helps companies cut down on cloud costs. While helping them improve customer experience.
By establishing itself as a local source of processing, compute and storage. Edge-computing hardware plays a pivotal role. Ensuring that real-time consumer interaction with the application is in fact taking place in real-time.
Why Should You Invest In Edge Computing?
For starters, you get to save!
In more concrete terms yet, you get the ability to process and store data faster. Leading to higher rates of efficiency in real-time applications. For instance, something as simple as face recognition would earlier need the algorithm to run across a wide array of cloud networks. Hence increasing the processing time. With an edge computing model, the algorithm could run locally. So, increasing the power. In other words, your phone will recognize you faster than ever before.
In applications that need instant computing. There has also been a growing acceptance for edge servers due to the potential it offers. Since Artificial Intelligence algorithms need massive amounts of processing power. A huge chunk of them runs through cloud services. But, these very AI algorithms are now available for testing alongside edge computing. To see the impact it could have on the processing and response rates. The initial results showing great compatibility between the two. There is no shying away from the fact that edge could speed up the growth for AI soon.
Is It All sunshine And Rainbows Though?
Sadly, no.
With edge, there exists a very real threat of security for data. To store and process at local servers rather than a secured centralized system. So as the devices grow, so does the threat level due to a lack of protection for the data on these servers. With the cloud, you had the safety net since data is safe to a great degree.
Yet it isn’t all gloom and doom. Because with the right research into data encryption and access control. There is hope for improvement in the security framework.
An even more scary risk is the lack of processing power on various devices. Which can have an impact on the performance of edge on those respective devices. So if that means an improvement to devices or a solid base for performance. It is something that future research will help us uncover.
Edge Computing – Assessing The Technology
On paper, edge computing sounds like quite the lottery win for anyone and everyone. With its ability to channel huge lumps of data. While also working on gathering/analyzing data. It poses itself as probably one of the most useful pieces of technology at this point.
Speed
Who doesn’t like to go quicker, faster, and have an ‘edge’ over everyone else? Speed is vital for all businesses. It gives them the ability to maneuver through a wide array of areas without having to slow down their work.
Think about the finance sector and its reliance on high-frequency trading algorithms. A reliance is so delicate that the slightest of slowdowns in the data-information processing stage can lead to massive negative (and expensive) consequences. In any industry, thus, just the slightest of slowdowns leave the business at the risk of incurring losses like never before.
In the case of businesses that pride themselves on providing data-driven services to customers, lagging speeds can be a source of immense frustration. Leading to long-term damages in terms of a loss of customers and long-term damages to the brand.
Speed isn’t just an external factor that helps you ‘stand out from competitors but instead a need – plain and simple.
Edge computing’s greatest benefit is its ability to increase network performance by reducing latency. It creates linkages and channels through which data can be stored. Also, transferred without having to go through distant channels/ports.
The further the data processing happens. The more time it takes for the data to be routed through all mediums before finally reaching its destination. This is a bottleneck of great consequence. As the resulting time lag can lead to data losses and an overall slowdown in the activity levels of the business.
Yet with edge computing, the data processing happens much closer to the source. Which reduces the physical distance leading to a reduction in latency.
This reduction in latency might bring it down by mere microseconds. But these fine margins are what determine which business succeeds and which succumbs to competition.
Security
With edge computing, you might open up yourself to a few more threats. But with it, you’re also getting a bunch of security upgrades.
Traditional cloud computing is structured in a manner. Whereby it is inherently centralized. Therefore leaving it vulnerable to attacks and power outages. This problem, however, is catered to under edge computing. Whereby through the processing, storage, and presence of applications across a wide range of devices/data centers. You’re safe from any centralized disruptions or blowouts.
However, there’s definite concern regarding how edge computing devices could be used as entry points for cyberattacks. Which leaves it susceptible to malware or any other intrusions impacting it from a singular weak point.
This is definitely a legitimate risk. But the distributed nature of edge computing actually makes it easier to implement separate security protocols. This means that compromised portions could be sealed with ease. Without having to shut down the entire project/network.
With data being stored on localized devices and there not being too many backs and forth’s. The data is actually quite secure even if it is intercepted during transit. This is because that the only data lost would be the one transmitting during one point in time. While all the other locally stored data would be perfectly safe within their data points.
Scalability
With growth, you can’t really determine what your IT infrastructure needs could look like. With high costs up-front and a big question mark on what might coming next. There’s a constant artificial constraint on the growth of the company.
If businesses do indeed grow and exceed expectations, they’ll have more to worry about than be happy. Because they would be unable to cope. Due to there being insufficient compute resources.
With cloud-based technology and edge-computing in particular. Scalability has become something to look forward to. Rather than being wary of computing, storage, and analytical capabilities are now being bundled into smaller devices. They can be placed near end-users to improve overall accessibility.
Moreover, with combining services with regionalized edge computing data centers. Organizations can actually expand their edge network rather quickly and do so at a low cost. With their growth also comes improvements for edge computing’s capabilities. Hence creating synergies that let them adapt to evolving markets. Also, scale their data/computing needs quite efficiently.
At the end of the day, edge computing offers a far less expensive route to scalability. While also helping you maintain your standards.
Versatility
Who needs to pay huge lumps of money and invest in expensive infrastructure expansion if you can target your desired markets otherwise?
With edge computing, organizations have the option of partnering with localized edge data centers. To reach end-users without any latency whatsoever.
Edge computing provides IoT devices with the ability to gather huge sums of actionable data. Rather than waiting for users to physically interact with the devices/servers. They can gather data for future analysis since they’re always connected.
All the collected data is available to deliver quick services. Or sent back to the network core to support any analytical work/machine learning program. To help companies make much more informed decisions. Ensure the marketing needs efficiently.
With such an integration, companies can offer new and better services to customers. Without really burdening their IT infrastructure. With specifically designed devices, there’s a huge range of possibilities for organizations to expand their reach. And view innovation as a potential means of driving and escalating growth.
Reliability
With improved security mechanisms, there’s no surprise that it also offers increased reliability. With devices situated near end-users. There is a relatively lower chance of any network problems. Impacting customers or disrupting their experience.
With processing taking place closer to the source. There is a reduction in the amount of data that are being received and sent. This leads to lower latency and overall faster speed. All which is constant and can be repeated.
With a multitude of edge computing devices being inter-connected and situated near each other. It’s obviously harder to shut down the entire service. In the case of any unforeseen shutdowns. The data can be rerouted through a plethora of pathways. To ensure that users retain not just access to the product/information they need. Also, make sure that this data is secure throughout.
What Do The Experts Have To Say?
We’ve established an argument in favor of utilizing edge computing in your line of work. Let’s turn our attention towards the opinions that experts in the tech world have about the technology.
The CTO of Google, Sean Maday, regards edge computing as the revolution. This will improve machine learning processes. Enable us to establish prediction patterns not only quicker. Also, in close connection with the centralized data center.
Kris Beevers, the founder of NS1. A DNS management and development company based in the US identifies edge computing as a game-changer. For the “economy experience” i.e. with better options for scalability, and with tools. It will help you develop higher-quality content. We will be able to see some massive transformations in the digital sector.
Vikram Joshi, the founder of pulse and a member of the Forbes Technology Council. Considers edge computing to be key in creating high-end virtual and augmented reality games. The only thing stopping this development is the issue of latency. Which he believes will solve through edge computing.
So if you don’t want to take our word for it, listen to the experts!
What Can You Do With Edge Computing?
All this sounds great while reading. But you might be looking for some sort of evidence that can help you to appreciate the potential of edge computing.
The healthcare industry has invested in research hoping to use edge computing. To create medical devices capable of gathering and processing patient data. While they go through a particular course of diagnosis or treatment. Making the availability of data possible without being dependent upon physical interaction.
Banks are already releasing applications to improve service targeting for their customers. Creating an experience like never before. This is the same ideology they’ve begun applying on ATMs and banking kiosks. With the hope being to incorporate a wider set of features and make them capable of doing so much more!
The automobile industry has edged everyone else. Since the development of electric self-driving cars by Tesla is physical proof of edge computing providing an unmatched experience.
The Future Is Edge
The future is definitely edge-centric. Even if 5G technology comes forth as a worthy opponent for the throne of connectivity & processing. The edge still has the potential to grow at a faster speed and improve technology to suit its needs. With the advancements, massive research is going on currently. There is no stopping the growth of edge computing.
The future is all about faster processing, improvements in real-time interactions. Moreover, an increase in satisfaction with customer-device interaction!