• Edge computing and cloud computing are two different computing models that can be used to process and store data.
• Edge computing is a distributed computing model that brings computing power closer to the edge of a network, while cloud computing is a centralised computing model that relies on remote servers to process and store data.
• The cloud platform itself consists of a virtualised mix of compute, storage and network elements that can flex to meet the resource demands of the workloads placed upon it
• You need to assess as a business what processes need speed and efficiency and these will require Edge computing processes so they are closer to the data source, reducing latency and enhancing real-time processing for devices like IoT. In contrast, cloud computing relies on centralised servers for extensive data storage and processing so this workload is much preferred for larger datasets

Edge Computing

In simple terms Edge Computing brings computing resources and data storage closer to the devices and sensors that produce the data, rather than sending it to a centralised location or cloud for processing.

This is becoming increasingly more relevant as the number of internet-connected devices, such as sensors, wearables, and mobile devices, continues to grow and where specific industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and smart cities, need to process large amounts of data in real-time, allowing for faster decision-making and more efficient resource utilisation. By taking this approach reducing latency, improving response times, and enhancing data privacy and security.

Edge computing is likely to become as necessary to your organisation’s overall platform as cloud is. Leaving it for a future time could result in major changes being required to existing cloud architectures and more time and money spent on trying to overlay and integrate more physical systems into a highly virtualised environment.

Key Benefits to Edge Computing

• Reduced network congestion – can be more reliable and efficient than cloud computing and can reduce the need for data transfer and ensure the continuity of operations.

• Lower latency – Edge computing is ideal for applications that require real-time processing and low latency.

• Better security and data privacy – In some cases, data privacy and security concerns may make it necessary to process data at the edge rather than in the cloud.

• Cost savings – can be more cost-effective than cloud computing in some cases, especially for applications that require

However, implementing edge computing requires careful consideration of hardware and software requirements, network connectivity, and data management, among other factors. So why not have a chat with an expert in this field to discuss your options and what is best for your business.

Cloud Computing

Migration to cloud technologies has always seemed like an inevitable, thanks to the increasing need for remote solutions for businesses and individuals. There are plenty of technical and human challenges that need to be addressed before any company can claim to be completely cloud-native or even adopt a hybrid cloud model.

Security, data storage, application compatibility, industry regulations, legacy software – there are a near endless amount of variables that can have an impact on any company’s journey to the cloud.

There are many benefits cloud computing can offer to a business:

1. Scalability: allows businesses to scale your IT infrastructure up or down as needed without having to invest in expensive hardware or software, allowing organisations to become more agile and respond quickly to changing market conditions.

2. Cost savings: organisations can avoid the upfront costs of purchasing and maintaining hardware and software and only pay for what you need, when you need it. However you do need to consider your business requirements beyond the first few years of use.

3. Flexibility: it provides flexibility to access your data and applications from anywhere, at any time, on any device. This can enable remote work, collaboration, and productivity.

4. Security: Cloud providers invest heavily in security measures and have teams of experts dedicated to protecting their customers’ data. This can help businesses to improve their overall security posture and reduce the risk of data breaches.

5. Innovation: Cloud computing enables businesses to quickly experiment with new technologies and services without having to make large upfront investments. This can help businesses to stay competitive and innovate at a faster pace.

Overall, cloud computing has the potential to provide businesses with numerous benefits, including cost savings, scalability, flexibility, security, and innovation. As a result, it has become an essential technology for many businesses and is likely to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.

Edge computing, based around the use of dedicated server-based systems that capture, aggregate and analyse data from IoT devices, can lead to a far more effective and efficient IoT environment that doesn’t negatively affect the overall business IT platform.

The cloud platform itself consists of a virtualised mix of compute, storage and network elements that can flex to meet the resource demands of the workloads placed upon it. However, the IoT devices — different types of devices are essentially outside of the cloud, being far more physical items. These then need to be aggregated behind physical edge servers that capture and carry out analysis and even initiate some events. The edge servers, if necessary, send data to the cloud for more extensive analysis and can receive demands from the cloud for the provision of data as required. Therefore, the data created by the IoT devices is separated to a large extent from the main data loads on the cloud. The edge servers create air-gapped environments where only important data gets to the main data network.

Here are the main steps that must be taken to get edge computing right.
1. Decide how much intelligence there will be in your IoT devices.
2. Decide how you are going to group your IoT devices.
3. Define carefully what the preferable outcomes are.
4. Use a hub-and-spoke approach.

To manage the flow of data that’s required, you must have an edge infrastructure that consists of different edge servers placed across a network with a hierarchical manner of dealing with the data between them. The optimum way to deal with such a complex system is to have the lowest-cost, least-intelligent edge servers – a relative use of terminology, these systems might be quite intelligent and costly in themselves – as close to the IoT devices as possible.

Where these edge servers identify events that might be of further interest, they must be able to send the relevant data to a more intelligent, more central server that is managing a group of or all the edge servers. This central system can then apply more intelligence to data analysis and better decide what actions are required. It’s also necessary for the edge servers to work in a bilateral manner: The outer edge servers must be able to identify events and send data to the centre, while the centre also must be able to demand data in real time from the outer edge servers to bolster the data it’s dealing with.

In summary you need to assess as a business what processes need speed and efficiency and these will require Edge computing processes so they are closer to the data source, reducing latency and enhancing real-time processing for devices like IoT. In contrast, cloud computing relies on centralised servers for extensive data storage and processing so this workload is much preferred for larger datasets and complex data inputs. Edge prioritises efficiency and speed, while the cloud emphasises scalability and centralised management.