- Without lightning-fast computing, businesses will struggle to unlock the full data-driven benefits of their newly adopted technologies.
- Edge-to-cloud is a strategy that involves generating/processing organisational data at the edge of a network and leveraging a centralised cloud platform for data storage and distribution.
Data centres are under increasing pressure as businesses digitise and demand more robust computing capabilities.
This is a significant challenge, especially for mission-critical applications like drones and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) that require real-time processing.
Unfortunately, real-time data processing isn’t always possible when routed through a centralised data centre.
This is where edge-to-cloud computing comes in, moving processing closer to the source, Yih-Khai Wong, Senior Analyst at ABI Research, said.
What is edge-to-cloud?
Edge-to-cloud is a strategy that involves generating/processing organisational data at the edge of a network and leveraging a centralised cloud platform for data storage and distribution.
In the modern business environment, whether it’s an IIoT device or a mobile robot, various applications generate large volumes of data in operations.
To convert these data into actionable insights, data must flow seamlessly between edge devices, the cloud platform, and the centralised data centre.
However, it should be noted that centralised data centres are still needed for further data analysis,” Wong said.
Moreover, he said that edge-to-cloud orchestration will significantly impact the future trajectory of cloud computing.
Already, companies like HPE and VMWare are helping organisations improve their operations through edge-to-cloud solutions.
“Emerging technologies such as AI, ML, robotics and smart Internet of Things (IoT) require reliable computing, often on-site. Without lightning-fast computing, businesses will struggle to unlock the full data-driven benefits of their newly adopted technologies,” Wong said.
Moreover, he said that some critical applications can be unsafe if latencies are too slow. For example, an AGV must have real-time data processing capabilities to safely react to obstacles in its navigation path.
Seizing the opportunity
As enterprises continue their digital transformation journeys, Wong said that edge computing will be increasingly necessary.
“By fusing edge applications with cloud computing, organisations can ensure that business applications run without hiccups and those data-rich insights can be retrieved in near real time. Moreover, processing and storing data in the cloud provides a level of scalability that is impossible with just a centralised data centre.”
Key benefits of edge-to-cloud
Efficient data processing: When cloud computing resources are placed at the edge, organisations gain real-time data processing and make business decisions faster.
Operational transparency: Organisations can better monitor/manage hybrid cloud platforms using edge-to-cloud orchestration, removing data silos.
Scalability and flexibility: Cloud computing is inherently scalable, providing organizations greater deployment flexibility for new technology applications (e.g., edge AI, robots, etc.) placed at the edge of a network.
Robust security: Sensitive data are more secure when computing is done locally at the edge. Moreover, some privacy regulations mandate that customer data be stored and analyzed at the edge. An edge-to-cloud platform allows organisations to keep sensitive data at the edge and transfer the rest of the data to the cloud.