What’s all the sizzle about edge computing, and why is it the future?

Self-driving cars, autonomous robots and automated retail. These are a few innovations that spring to mind when people chat up edge computing. But to Teresa Tung, Accenture Cloud First chief technologist, the best example of edge tech sizzles up from fast-food chains.

These quick-fix restaurants run analytics on smart kitchen equipment data to decide when to dunk the fries in the fryer for perfect crispiness. They use edge computing to hyper-personalize French frying at each location.

 “Delivering services quickly with a personal touch. That’s what edge computing can do.”

 The company forecasts in the cloud, predicting how many waffle fries should cook per minute over a day. This is easy when harnessing transactional sales data. It’s also delivering services fast with a personal touch. That’s what edge computing can do.

Is the edge the end of cloud computing?

Definitely not. Rather, cloud computing is crucial to managing the edge. And edge computing is on track to drive the next wave of cloud computing. The edge is a new capability that moves computing to the edge of the network, closest to users and devices—and nearest to data sources.

In cloud computing, data gets generated or collected, then migrates to the cloud. But there are times when it doesn’t make sense to send data to the cloud, like when there’s no internet or the signal is limited. Or when data can’t be transferred due to security and privacy concerns.

That’s where edge computing provides a compelling—yes, you guessed it—edge. It’s best applied when a device analyzes data and makes split-second decisions, like during robotic surgery—when waiting for the right decision isn’t an option.

What are the advantages of edge computing?

The biggest benefit of edge computing is reducing the risk of network outages or delays. Edge optimizes real-life experiences by embedding automation into the physical world. Think optimizing factory operations or automating production in a mine. Plus, it enables unparalleled data control, reduces latency, improves reliability, and lowers cloud upload and storage costs.

Will edge computing replace cloud computing?

Not a chance. Even with these amazing benefits, edge will not replace cloud computing. For one thing, edge capacity is limited because edge reintroduces resource constraints on battery, bandwidth, storage and computing.

“Edge is best applied when a device analyzes data and makes split-second decisions, like during robotic surgery—when waiting for the right decision isn’t an option.”

 Plus, centralized cloud computing remains needed for the best performance and cost. What’s more, approximately 75% of enterprise-generated data will be created and processed at the edge by 2025, compared to 10% in 2018, according to Gartner research. More than ever, new applications and analytics will be developed in the cloud including those that use the new data unlocked at the edge and enabling new experiences. Thus, the urgency to embrace the edge.

The future is a new cloud continuum

Keep your eyes peeled because the future looks bright. New edge applications that create powerfully personalized experiences are on the way. It’ll be tough to top the crispy fries use case, though.

For a deeper dive into why it’s time to carve an edge into your organization’s cloud computing strategies today, read the full article here.