Home / Cloud Services /
But cloud computing brings its own complications, security, and risks, including a dramatic increase in communications traffic. Sometimes this traffic causes latency, making it unfeasible for time-critical operations. And sometimes – say in a remote operation like a mine or a farm – the comms infrastructure just is not there to carry all that traffic. Edge computing addresses those issues to make the benefits of cloud computing available to wider application.
Edge computing is an evolution of cloud computing towards a more pragmatic model where processing and data that is needed at the source, stays at the source, data that is needed at the central node is moved to the central node, and vice versa. This delivers both the advantages of the cloud and its services and the advantages of local computing.
It’s probably best illustrated in a real-world example that you’re already using: your smartphone.
Your smartphone is the edge. When you use it, you can unlock the phone, make calls, create documents, type emails, take photos and many other functions without being connected to the internet.
But when your phone connects to the internet, it becomes a more powerful device through being connected to a central server – or several servers. That’s the cloud. Suddenly your photos can be backed up to iCloud or DropBox and replicated across your other connected devices, your weather app can download an update from the server, your email can send the email you typed. The servers that your apps are talking to are cloud servers – they’re centrally storing and processing data that was created at the edge. And the device at the edge – your phone – was able to perform the critical functions that needed to be available at the edge quickly and efficiently without relying on the cloud server.
But the beauty of edge systems is that they’re so much more scalable than just your SmartPhone. Every edge device increases the scale of the system and generally doesn’t make much of a difference to the cloud. And the edge devices can be almost any autonomous device that can also connect to the internet – sensors in mines, ear-tag readers on farm gates, cash registers, POS terminals in restaurants, sensors throughout a manufacturing facility, blood fridges in hospitals, your smart fridge at home and, the example you see whenever anyone talks about cloud computing, your autonomous vehicle.
Edge computing is the best of both worlds – quick response and essential functions at the edge, where and when you need them, taking advantage of the extra functionality, data storage and processing on powerful cloud-based servers when they’re available. Of course, it doesn’t come without risks. While the benefits are great, it should also come with regular cloud security assessment including its risks.
Related articles: Implications of the Cloud on Security Policies
If your IT solutions aren’t delivering value, get in touch with us today.
By analysing your specific needs and priorities, we’ll give you a realistic and practical recommendation on what’s required to accelerate your modern architecture.
Our Senior Consultants will help you evaluate and understand your options, so you can make decisions that benefit both your business and your employees, while mitigating unnecessary risk.
Combining Strategy, Transformation, Management and Optimisation, we identify and remove the obstacles to a successful outcome, before you even know they’re there.
Step 1: Recap and review
Together we’ll examine the steps you’ve already taken in IT procurement and review the parameters for the architecture planning you’ll need in place going forward.
Step 2: Shape the
plan
Future planning for optimal performance, focusing on effective communication and collaboration, device lifecycle and configuration management and security.
Step 3: Identify your requirements
This is where we clearly identify the steps you need to have in place to develop your Strategic Technology Roadmap to create a Modern Dynamic Workplace.
Step 4: Get the
report
You’ll receive a high-level report with our recommendations to accelerate your modern architecture, and the next steps for delivering your Strategic Technology Roadmap.
With a high-level plan in place, you’ll have a clear understanding on the business case, benefits, and high-level budget considerations for your technology platform to accelerate your modern architecture. And you’ll be ready to leverage the Cloud to deliver the services and applications your teams need.
How successful was your business transition to a remote workforce during the COVID crisis? Read how the National Breast Cancer Foundation was able to transition to a remote workforce environment almost overnight, and with 93% employee satisfaction.
There’s nothing like a one in 100-year pandemic to test how your IT operations are performing and how prepared you are for change.
