Edge Computing

“Delays are the parent of failure.”

  -George Canning

Holds for technical latency as well. Real-time decisions are of utmost importance in business. Delay in data transmission can cost your business in the technology-freak pacing world. In the era of solutions at a click, no one bears the patience and time to deal with latency.By the end of 2023, the IT Infrastructure is predicted to shift from data centres to edge computing.

Let’s see what the dynamic technological world has in the pocket for us.

What is Edge computing?

Karim Arabi defines edge computing as all computing outside the cloud happening at the edge of the network, and more specifically in applications where real-time processing of data is required. Edge computing works on real-time data generated by sensors or users.

Edge computing can be perceived as a modification or extension of cloud computing.

In simple terms, edge computing comprises the deployment of data- processing actions away from central computation to the edge of the network (IoT device, Edge server, user’s computer).

That is computing will be performed near to the source of the data.

Concept of Edge computing:

Escorting the computing activities near to the source and their completion by local computer or server will limit the burden on network bandwidth requirements. It will also make the real-time data transfer possible. 

 Advantages of edge computing:

1. No latency: edge computing provides really quick data transfer facilities. Edge computing is a concept of real-time data transfer.
2. Decreased bandwidth: edge computing allows the transfer of only the important data over the network and the insignificant data can be restricted to the local unit while processing. This enables data efficiency and bandwidth saving.
3. Enhanced operational efficiency: the deployment of analytical operational tools near the end-users contributes to enhanced operational efficiency.
4. Cost-effective: decrease in the expenditure on the server resources and the increased need for bandwidth, can be counted as one of the advantages of edge computing.
5. Security: the locally analyzed data is protected by the company’s security tools and resolves the issue of data security. It also helps to enhance reliability.

 Applications of edge computing:

• Internet of Things: edge computing helps in data manipulation locally by any device that leads to real-time data transfer. Improving the application of the internet and IoT for a better experience.
• Smart cities: in the era of 5g and the Internet of Things, edge computing will serve the purpose of automation.
• Manufacturing and retail industry.
• Health care: edge computing clubbed with IoT devices can contribute to a technical revolution in the field of health care. From patient sample collection to diagnosis, each step can be supplemented with edge computing.
• Traffic management: real-time data can help in the optimization of traffic management systems and eventually resolve complexities.

Benefits for different industries and businesses:

Greater operational efficiency as a great amount of data gets analyzed by devices collecting them. Network latency is conquered. Lower operational costs provide financial benefits for the businesses.

All the mentioned factors contribute to efficient and effective business growth.

 According to Grand View Research, the value of the global edge market in 2019 was approximately $3.5 billion. The Grand View Research estimates a compound annual growth rate of 37.4% by the year 2027 with a value of $43.4 billion.

Disadvantages:

1. Security: just like other digital information it is also prone to Cyber security concerns.
2. Requires more local hardware. However, it can be dealt with by taking advantage of the edge server.
3. The potential loss of data.

Difference between cloud computing and edge computing:

• The difference in data processing:

In cloud computing, the data is processed in the cloud with the help of centralized-                servers. Whereas, edge computing allows data manipulation at the user end. 

•   Time consumed:

Cloud computing involves the data transmission to central servers and then is processed there that indeed consumes more time and resources as compared to edge computing. 

Sumit Sugathan

CO - Founder

Ed Aura Technology