The “Edge” refers to the place where IoT connects the cloud and the physical world. It is a theoretical space where a data center resource may be accessed in the minimum amount of time. The Edge is not just faster; it processes data in real-time. Edge computing allows data produced by internet of things (IoT) devices to be processed closer to where it is created instead of sending it across long routes to data centers or clouds.
In the past, data centers were owned and operated by the IT department, protected by a strong firewall. Today, a lot of computational requirements are driven by operational or workplace needs and can no longer be managed by the central data center alone, but require fast and flexible solutions that connect the core with the edge. IT decisions become business decisions that need to address the customers’ challenges and how companies use IT to improve their outcomes to add value to their business and their customers. But that’s not the only benefit. The following are a few more reasons to consider Edge Computing for IoT data storage:
- With some of the most sensitive data collected at the edge, traditional security measures cannot always protect this data. Your security needs to prevent physical access to the network through IoT devices and safeguard the data collected, and processed at the edge. Edge Computing ensures that there is no disconnect during real-time processing of information, keeping users—and in some cases, patients—safe.
- In the past, the IT department and the operational team may not have had much interaction and were working independently of each other with different goals. The first promise of value is that HPE Edgeline converges with OT by functions such as data acquisition systems, control systems, and industrial networks already in place at the edge with traditional IT systems. The benefit of this convergence results in less space, less energy, lower operating expenses, and overall higher performance in a converged edge system.
- Companies are looking for new ways to minimize costly interruptions and process breakdowns caused by equipment failures and maintenance activities by harnessing the real-time data from IoT devices and operational data at the data centers. Organizations in all sectors and industries want to move from disruptive, reactive maintenance to a more proactive, future-ready approach such as digital predictive maintenance.
Edge computing can lower costs by reducing the number of times your organization has to copy large amounts of data from one system to another and then have to process and analyze it. Storing data and downloading it can be expensive, and the more data that is transferred means having to pay higher bandwidth costs.
The edge is everywhere that is not the data center nor the cloud—a factory floor, an oil rig, or an airport—practically anywhere. The things residing at the edge—cars, drills, cameras, personal devices, and more—are sources of rapidly growing big data. The ability to analyze this data rapidly and efficiently, and then take action on the data, enables you to optimize operations, redefine employee experiences, improve customer satisfaction, and create differentiated business models. For those edge environments, HPE Edgeline delivers on two promises of value: Converged operational technology (OT) with informational technology (IT), and delivering enterprise-class IT at the edge.
HPE Edgeline Converged Edge Systems are first-of-a-kind offerings that physically converge OT capabilities with traditional data center IT systems—enabling customers to deploy a single integrated platform that contains both physical and virtual OT systems along with enterprise-class IT. Integrating IT with OT already at the edge enables enterprises to take action prompted by the vast amount of data gathered at the edge.
The benefits of HPE Edgeline Converged OT and IT are significant that can span both direct and indirect costs through:
- Space savings due to consolidated hardware platforms (smaller physical footprint).
- Consumption of less energy.
- Lower capital and operational expenditures.
- Better performance with datacenter grade computation and less data movement.
- Less cabling which simplifies deployment and management.
- Reduced time to operations through faster deployment models.
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Paul Santilli
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
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Paul_Santilli
Hewlett Packard Enterprise OEM Intelligence & Strategy, Int'l Speaker, Author, Board Member, Managing Director & Advisor