Edge Computing is allowing users to experience IoT technology to its fullest potential. Where traditionally, data used to be transferred to off-site servers for processing and analysis, edge computing allows data to be collected, processed, and acted upon closer to the source of the action — where it’s generated. That can be a smartphone, an active asset in the field, or an internet-connected machine in a factory.
With the massive YoY growth of IoT networking devices, there is an equal need for edge computing to mature in how it empowers customers to run an edge business. With so much data being collected from IoT devices, making that data actionable and meaningful is where one major challenge lies.
Latency and data transfer costs of connecting so many devices and streaming all the data to a centralized data center or cloud are too high. Edge devices offer an intermediary infrastructure that can communicate, collect data, and perform critical services between core data centers and intelligent endpoints ‘til now have lacked a centralized workflow solution to drive out legacy IT operating expenses.
Among the advantages and benefits of edge devices include (but are not limited to):
Reduced Latency
Bringing resources closer to where the data is generated, edge computing can significantly reduce latency times.
Higher Bandwidth Capacity, Less Computing on Each Device
Edge computing takes away the heavy lifting computing requirements from IoT devices and puts them on the edge (devices) — removing the need for heavy data processing and reducing energy consumption. Organizations are still able to deploy large IoT network architectures and harness huge amounts of data without the traditional latency challenges.
Increased Security & Computing Ability
With edge computing, organizations can bring cloud computing capabilities to remote locations and conduct local processing and storage of data. This is critical for the security of confidential data.
Minimized Network Traffic
With the bulk of the IoT data processing happening at the edge, organizations can reduce network traffic and costs of data processing and transmission.
Actionable, Real-Time Data
Edge computing allows for an IT service environment and cloud computing capabilities at the edge of an IoT network and reduces the need to send collected data to distant servers — allowing for quick processing and actionable insights from data. It is the architecture of the future, allowing businesses to distribute computing power right next to the IoT devices that collect data from devices in the real world — where it’s needed most.
Edge Computing is Set To Grow 400% by 2025
According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the global edge computing market is set to grow by over 400 percent by the year 2025 — to $8.3 billion. The factors driving this phenomenal growth include:
The Explosion of Data
More and more devices are generating higher amounts of data. More and more devices are also being introduced in IoT networks across the globe. There is an increasing need for all of this data to be shared across networks that are bandwidth-constrained — hence fueling the explosive demand for edge devices.
The Need for Real-Time Actionable Data
In most industries, there is a growing need for real-time, actionable data collected from remote locations.
Latency Requirements
When a deployed asset in the field overheats, there is no room for latency in order for the most appropriate action to be taken immediately.
Government Regulation
For many laws to be most effective in regulating, timely data access and collection are key. Many times, that data needs to stay local, on-premises, and encrypted. This is especially true in industries such as finance, health, and safety.
The Role of 5G
5G is one of the primary drivers of edge computing, since it enables the interconnection of a greater number of data sources or processing points, meaning an exponential growth in the amount of data to be processed. This may rapidly become too much for current “sites to cloud” links, necessitating considerably closer data processing to the source. Additionally, 5G represents and offers reduced latencies, which is critical for certain emerging applications and another element in bringing processing power closer to where it is consumed or created. As 5G establishes itself as the new norm for mobile networks, advancements in the Internet of Things might result in quicker and more dependable connection. If 5G is augmented with edge computing technology, it will be capable of processing data in real time. This rapid reaction time between networked devices has a number of advantages in areas such as healthcare, where fractions of a second count.
Trends & Use Cases
The emergence of millions of IoT sensors and devices are generating massive volumes of crucial data, compelling organizations to relocate heuristic services closer to the sources of the data. The capacity to collect more data is made possible by technological advancements such as 5G, WiFi6, and the growth of national fiber networks. More and more businesses are developing mission-critical applications outside of traditional data centers.
Agriculture
With the world’s population growing quickly, maximizing food production is critical to human survival. IoT might significantly improve efficiency and production in smart farming — helping farmers check the health of their equipment as well as provide real-time data on important elements like soil quality and weather. This capacity to monitor several processes reduces costs and increases crop yields. This can save farmers on labor expenses and help them identify crop illnesses early.
Manufacturing
Edge computing and IoT has enabled a new phase in the manufacturing world. One that combines physical manufacturing with digital technologies. The list of benefits that stem from this merging of IoT connection and smart manufacturing include
- The ability to optimize processes and get critical insights.
- Lower production costs and more profits.
- Predictive equipment maintenance — extending the life of expensive equipment.
- Dynamic and efficient manufacturing configuration setups.
Simetric Leading The Way Forward
Simetric’s comprehensive ability to unify connectivity and device management is at the forefront of current IoT endeavors. Simetric’s platform has the unique ability to harness the power of visibility on both sides of the network — operators and enterprise — to optimize value and effectiveness of IoT Edge devices.
Simetric provides solutions to complex problems of carrier platforms by unleashing and centralizing complete control of all IoT connectivity and edge devices into one unified view. Simetric’s advanced platform:
- Enhances IoT solutions
- Reduces device management effort
- Improves business process automation and optimization
- Empowers business growth
- Unified, customizable workflow across CMPs and IoT devices
Simetric enterprise clients span across different industries — connected transportation, utilities, and energy to name a few. The company has established partnerships with well-known MNOs and MVNOs who utilize the platform for both internal purposes and to sell to their consumers.
Standardized Management Pane For All Your Devices
With billions of IoT intelligent edge devices and cellular devices that have no operational standard, Simetric effectively and efficiently addresses the need for a standardized management pane for all your devices. This leads to increased productivity with a custom workflow that operates globally across MNOs, MVNOs and in-house built platforms.. Simetric empowers an edge-first digitization strategy for any customer. Simetric’s IoT Single Pane of Glass SaaS solution easily integrates with existing systems in both device control and operator connectivity, enabling instant provisioning, rate optimization, anomaly detection, and process automation, all of which contribute to increased profitability – regardless of carrier or platform and in real-time. Simetric has successfully constructed a platform that is infinitely scalable and as accessible as the public cloud. Additionally, the platform is meant to deliver immediate time to value — 5 to 10:1 on average for every dollar invested on Simetric — but also to be sustainable for predictable monthly management. Additionally, Simetric also has worldwide system integrators and IoT-focused partners who white label the Simetric platform or incorporate its features into their own platforms via APIaaS.
