Edge computing - future of Computing

There is a continued dialogue among (Cloud Vs Edge), on who will overtake whom. The future of edge computing is right around the corner. Experts feel that it has the power to protect the climate, improve our health, and squash road rage. However, even though cloud-based computing is great for many things, there are some drawbacks.

IDC forecasts the global edge computing market to reach $250 billion by 2024, with a compounded annual growth of 12.5%. No wonder the industry is talking about Edge Computing.

Edge computing reclaims much of the storage and power that cloud computing took on over the years. Businesses are always trying to improve the reliability and performance of their software for users, while at the same time trying to reduce their own costs. We have seen how CDNs (content delivery networks) are an early form of edge software, with companies originally serving static content from locations closer to their users. The rise of CDNs has made it easier to roll out your entire application as close to your users as possible.

Edge computing is one of the "new revolutionary technologies" that can change organizations wanting to break free from previous limitations of traditional cloud-based networks. The next 12-18 months will prove to be the natural inflection for edge computing. Practical applications are finally emerging where this architecture can bring real benefits.

91% of our data today is created and processed in centralized data centres. Cloud computing will continue to contribute to businesses regarding cost optimization, agility, resiliency, and innovation catalyst. But in the future, the "Internet of Behaviours (IoB)" will power the next level of growth with endless new possibilities to re-imagine the products & services, user experiences, and operational excellence.

IoT, IIoT, AI, ML, Digital Twin, and Edge computing are at the core of the Internet of Behaviours. As per Gartner's research, about 75% of all data will require analysis and action at the Edge by 2022. Organizations have been debating what separates edge computing from the other traditional data processing solutions. Also, whether it is excellent for their business and to what extent is a hot topic.

The primary benefit of edge computing is that users get a better experience in terms of reliability, reduced latency, and potentially better privacy by keeping more of their data on-device or on the local network. The improved infrastructure uses sensors to gather data, while the edge servers safely process data on-site in real-time.

Edge technology is relevant today as it's empowered by new technologies such as 5G, Digital Twin, and Cloud-native Application, Database, and Integration platforms. The future of edge computing will improve alongside advanced networks like 5G and satellite mesh and artificial intelligence.

S Mohini Ratna, Editor, VARINDIA