Keepinging sharp with edge computing

Edge computing will require new partnerships between IT and OT.

[fsn_row][fsn_column width=”12″][fsn_text]

Edge computing answers issues about data throughput, but also brings concerns about security and scalability, but the biggest challenge might be how to get the right people to work together to make it work.

It makes sense. Rather than figure out larger pipes for transporting data from remote locations or try to program around latency issues, move the processing closer to the network’s edge where the action is. Data processing, storage and analytics are taking place more and more at the network’s edge, and it’s an industry to be reckoned with. GrandView Research predicts global edge computing will reach $3.24 billion by 2025 with a compound annual growth rate of over 40%.

The most talked about driver in edge computing is the thousands of new IoT applications coming online, but manufacturing is also a large contributor. Healthcare is getting in on the action driven by the need for reliable healthcare services in less time.

Edge computing is a complicated thing, with lots of moving parts and people. Networking, data center, cloud, applications, security… edge computing requires all of them to work together in an evolving space with all kinds of cutting-edge technology and early stage requirements.

“Most organizations say that cost is a top concern – even above data security,” says International Data Corp’s Jennifer Cooke. The research director for datacenter trends and strategies, adds, “Obtaining budget is difficult and requires a solid plan for how edge IT is going to drive value for the business.

The combination of IT with operational technology (OT) is a key driver of edge computing. Getting the two groups to work together is often the difference between success, failure and possibly disaster.

Utilities provide easy examples of this partnership. The OT team knows the application, say water purification or the operation of an electrical substation driven by a SCADA process control system. Bringing value from edge computing to create a learning system based on gathering, processing and storage of vast amounts of processing data requires IT and OT to be equal partners. Maximizing business value when it comes to edge computing will require ongoing partnership that in the long-term expands to include strategies, budgeting and sourcing as the technology continues to advance.

Uplogix has been about edge management from the start. Like today’s evolving edge networking solutions, moving the data collection, processing and storage to the source makes for a more robust system. The ability to communicate over a secondary network provides the resilience needed to trust remote management. It only makes sense that as edge computing systems are deployed, they will be managed at the edge as well.

 

[/fsn_text][/fsn_column][/fsn_row]

Published:

Share:

Subscribe to Blog Updates

More Posts

Uplogix Resource Center

Uplogix attacks the challenges of network management from a different angle. Take a few minutes to browse through our Data Sheets, Case Studies and additional resources to see for yourself.