Edge Computing 101

Technology

As IoT Connectivity Demands Reach New Heights, Learn How Edge Computing Works and Why It’s Important to Enterprises

In today’s ultra-connected world, real-time monitoring and instant data are things we can’t live without. From the smartphones in our pockets to the smart appliances in our kitchen, data is being produced and processed faster than we can imagine. The same goes for businesses across every industry, from healthcare to manufacturing to financial services. More than ever, Internet of Things devices are being used for a wide variety of applications to help companies gather insights, streamline operations and improve productivity.

Worldwide, we produce, process and transmit extreme amounts of data via our connected devices — and the amount of data only continues to grow as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence technologies expand at a rapid pace. According to IoT Analytics, the number of global IoT connections grew by 18% in 2022 to 14.3 billion active endpoints. What’s more, the research firm expects the global number of connected IoT devices to grow another 16% in 2023, to 16.7 billion active endpoints.

Centralized Data Centers and the Cloud Are Not Enough
It is no surprise that as the need for connectivity among these billions of devices skyrockets, so does the need for quick transmission of data. As a result, organizations can’t rely on a centralized data center and/or cloud computing like they used to. Traditional transmission of data can take up a great amount of energy and time, which is not ideal when dealing with real-time monitoring tools and smart machines require instantaneous data reporting.

Enter edge computing. As more devices are able to connect to one another, enterprises are shifting to processing data at the “edge” — or at the local points of a network. Computing at the edge allows for more efficiency and less latency as data is transmitted to and from various endpoints near the network. Let’s take a closer look at how edge computing works and why it’s becoming increasingly important.


How Does Edge Computing Work?
Edge computing allows devices to transmit data close to where it is collected. The principle, according to TechTarget, is straightforward: If you can’t get the data closer to the data center, get the data center closer to the data. In other words, edge computing is removing storage and computing resources from the data center and shifting them to where the data is generated, such as a factory assembly line, retail store or a doctor’s office. Edge computing helps reduce latency by processing data locally and only sending essential data to a central data center or cloud for further analysis.


What Are the Benefits of Edge Computing?
The benefits of edge computing abound. Beyond offering more efficiency, faster response times, reduced costs and more productivity, edge computing provides:

  • Improved safety, especially in industrial environments where IoT devices are used to monitor work environments, equipment and heavy machinery
  • Heightened security, allowing enterprises to store critical data offline and not in a centralized cloud environment
  • Data sovereignty, enabling enterprises to adhere to local data sovereignty regulations within local borders
  • Enhanced scalability due to a more flexible infrastructure that is able to adjust and accommodate changing data processing needs


BDx Data Centers Are on the Leading Edge
Not surprisingly, the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing region in the global IoT market, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 30%, according to Fortune Business Insights. As the number of IoT devices and the need for quick computing continue to increase, especially across Asia-Pacific, BDx is implementing multiple edge data center facilities across its network. Our edge data centers enhance application performance and unlock innovation through proximity and responsiveness, making BDx Data Centers the ideal option for providing expanded connectivity.

To learn more about BDx’s innovative edge computing solutions and how they can help provide mission-critical infrastructure for your increasing IT workloads, contact a BDxpert today.