“What is edge computing” jumped in search engine queries in early 2021. It is quickly coming to the forefront for companies wanting to expand.

Technology continues to advance, moving away from traditional data centers and further out to local data centers and servers. Edge Computing can impact every industry to the point that major organizations are already planning how to stay competitive in their markets.

There are four top benefits that will change your mind about Edge Computing’s relevance. Once you understand the potential, you’ll see why Edge is becoming so popular.

But wait…What’s Edge Computing again?

It’s currently reported that about 10% of enterprise-generated data is created and processed outside a traditional centralized data center or cloud. Gartner predicts that by 2025, this figure will reach 75%.

To understand Edge Computing, you have to sort through a lot of dense information and buzzwordy articles. “Edge” can refer to multiple different things, depending on the source, so be careful during any research.

Essentially, Edge Computing refers to a distributed computing network layout, where data and information processing is located closer to the physical location where said data originated.

This type of network can already be seen in the real world, like at large brick-and-mortar retail stores. Supermarkets with multiple cash registers all operate with the same software, processing hundreds of transactions a day. Instead of sending all those transactions to the retailer’s central server, a local store can send them to a closer, smaller data center to process.

By keeping computing at the Edge four major benefits appear, enticing businesses to implement this new model of data processing.

#1: Fast speed, no latency

Edge Computing moves data processing away from central data centers closer to the data’s source, therefore increasing the speed of data processing by reducing/eliminating latency between nodes.

This is great for servers located far away from the central data center since Edge promises near real-time insights and would facilitate localized action.

Consumers agree latency is one of the biggest turn-offs with digital businesses. A wide range of companies, from manufacturing to financial institutions, can adopt Edge into their organization because it will make a huge difference in speed.

#2: Bandwidth instantly reduced

Edge Computing reduces bandwidth because local data centers can crunch their own data instead of sending it to central or the cloud.

Current systems rely on the cloud or the main data center to process the majority of generated data. Using Edge means a local data center or server can independently process its raw data and only sends the results.

By processing locally, the amount of transmitted data is greatly reduced, decreasing network traffic, and reducing bandwidth use and costs.

#3: Avoid outages and increase autonomy

Edge Computing allows a remote server or data center to act independently, regardless of outages or connectivity to the central data center.

Massive cloud outages are disruptive and bring bad PR to any organization. They affect system functionality, delay rollouts, and can cause all sorts of other issues. The limited autonomy of current cloud systems is pushing companies to the Edge.

Autonomy is useful outside of outages as well. Business controls can also be pushed to the Edge when warranted, and then brought back to the center for a sync – like for global transactions at financial institutions.

Removing dependency on a central network using Edge allows digital businesses to be agile in constantly changing markets.

#4: Security and privacy customized

Edge Computing helps companies stay within privacy regulations and be agile to new and incoming mandates as governments continue to push consumer advocacy.

Digital organizations can self-regulate and keep certain data on-premises in accordance with the local server’s physical location. A remote data center can operate under autonomous rules compared to central one (possibly in another country).

As for security – more and more data is being produced at the Edge compared to traditional central sources; more data is located outside of the enterprise than inside. The need to process all this data at least once will increase demand for security-as-a-service capabilities – thus Gartner’s term “Secure Access Service Edge” or SASE.

Security as a service with Edge will allow a company to be flexible, delivering infrastructure as they see fit.

The vast potential of Edge

Speed, Bandwidth Ease, Autonomy, and Security are the top drivers of Edge Computing.

There is so much potential within this new distributed computing layout that almost every industry can benefit from implementing an Edge Strategy for their future.

Historically the push towards the Edge was the drive for automation and cost-savings, but now much of the drive is increasing a company’s ability to be agile in operations, computing, and cost.

• Brick-and-mortar retailers can deploy applications at the Edge to better manage operations, security, and customer experience.
• Offshore oil rigs can rely on Edge Micro Data Centers to help predict and maintain oil will assets and pipelines.
• Financial institutions can rely on Edge to help with entirely digital transactions (stock trading) or optimizing services at branch offices.

Start planning for Edge now

The benefits of Edge are compounding every year. It’s important that software developers begin researching this growing field and developing their Proof of Concepts early so they may set standard infrastructure within their organization and ensure compliance with security.