FEATURE : EDGE COMPUTING
Edge Computing is a transformational reality and will be responsible for shaping technology operations well into the future . Andy Connor , EMEA Channel Director , Subzero Engineering , outlines the ‘ Edge explosion ’ and examines the crucial role of the modular , micro data centre in delivering Digital Transformation . manufacturing , energy and utilities , healthcare , smart cities and retail . This growth can be divided into two subcategories : Edge devices – all manner of ( IoTenabled ) sensors and handheld devices which will leverage Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to generate , process and act upon data locally ; and Edge infrastructure – the networks ( including 5G ) and data centre infrastructure required to support the ‘ local ’ applications and to house the servers which will collect , process and store the likely zettabytes of data and images these applications generate via the devices .
The idea of delivering IT resources close to the point of use is not a new one . However , where once the required data centre and IT infrastructure resources were relatively inflexible , slow and expensive to build out and run , today ’ s digital solutions provide the necessary mix of scalability , agility , flexibility , speed and cost-effectiveness to make the Edge a transformational reality .
The Linux Foundation ’ s recent State of the Edge 2021 market report suggests that , between 2019 and 2028 , approximately US $ 800 billion will be spent on new and replacement IT server equipment and Edge Computing facilities . At the same time , the global IT power footprint for infrastructure Edge deployments is forecast to increase from 1 GW to over 40 GW . Valuates Reports predicts that the global Edge Computing market alone will reach US $ 55,930 million by 2028 , from US $ 8,237 million last year .
The growth of Edge
Edge growth will be witnessed across almost every industry sector , including transport and logistics ,
Industry 4.0 promises to revolutionise the manufacturing industry , with more and more intelligence and automation being implemented to optimise product design and testing as well as actual production processes . Edge sensors , devices and infrastructure can be installed retrospectively to upgrade existing manufacturing facilities – indeed many organisations have already embarked on this process . Native Edge applications which incorporate advanced digital operations , such as autonomous , mobile robots , will be a major feature of new greenfield factories , constructed , for example , to produce the autonomous vehicles and alternative , sustainable energy infrastructures of the future .
Edge and affected industries
Autonomous vehicles are , perhaps , the best example of just how prevalent Edge Computing will become . Not only will all manner of IoT sensors and devices be deployed in the manufacturing supply chain , as well as during vehicle production ; there will also be the need for Edge data centre infrastructure to be created within the factories , to ensure near real-time communications between the computers , the networks and the data storage . The autonomous vehicles themselves will incorporate a wide range of Edge sensors and devices , ranging
Are we witnessing an Edge explosion ?
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