How to Implement Edge Computing Within Your Organization

If you’re working anywhere in tech chances are you’ve heard the term edge computing knocking around in recent years. Certain professionals within the field have gone as far as to say that edge computing is leading the way in the next tech revolution.

But you might not even know what edge computing means, let alone how to implement it properly. We’ve therefore written this post to quickly outline the meaning behind the term.

Then, we’ve gone into the core edge computing implementation tactics you can use. Finally, we’ve outlined some benefits of edge, so that you know just how vital it can be for your company.

What is Edge Computing?

To explain edge computing, we first have to go way back through the history of computing. Back in the day, computers were a scarcity which is hard to believe today.

Then, personal computers were invented, which meant people were responsible for storing their own data. Companies would still use larger computers or storage facilities at this stage to hold their key information.

Then, the wonders of cloud computing were invented. Today, the vast majority of companies use the cloud to save and hold their information.

This is thanks to the many benefits cloud computing can have as a data storage option. 

Edge computing is the idea that companies can go one step beyond the cloud to get ahead in their tech usage. It doesn’t stand for abandoning the cloud, instead, it stands for operating on the edge of the cloud.

What does that mean? Essentially, it means prioritizing the geographical location of your cloud storage. The closer your cloud storage is, the more on the edge you are and therefore the more benefits you’re able to attain from the process.

This idea of operating on the edge of the cloud is what we mean when we say edge computing.

Now you know what this concept is, let’s highlight how you can implement it in your company.

Edge Computing Implementation Strategies

The first major thing you need to do if you’re hoping to implement edge computing in your operations is to plan ahead. 

You need to identify just how much information your company uses through the cloud at the moment. You might use the cloud to collaborate remotely, or solely as an additional data source.

Once you’ve identified these purposes, you next need to figure out how to group your IoT devices together.

IoT devices stand for devices connected to the Internet of Things. It refers to anything using the internet, from laptops and computers to mobile phones and tablets.

To succeed with edge computing you can’t group all of your devices together. You need to identify which are important, in terms of managing core data sets, and then group these accordingly.

After you’ve done all of this planning, you finally need to plan what you want to achieve through edge computing. If you define your parameters of success early, it’ll be easier to tweak your setup if things aren’t working correctly.

Then, you need to move on to actual implementation. The best way of achieving edge computing is through a hub-and-spoke set-up. These days, there are a few dedicated edge computing service companies out there who can aid you with this.

The best way to ensure you implement edge properly is to contact a reputable edge computing services provider. They’ll be able to set up your hub and link all relevant IoT devices to it. 

They can also help you with analytics, which is the final stage to ensuring you get the most out of your decision.

What Are The Benefits of Edge Computing?

Now that you know how to implement edge, you need to know why you should in the first place. There are several core benefits to edge computing that can benefit many small businesses.

The first of these lies in the speed offered to your devices through an edge solution. Right now, your IoT’s will need to communicate with each other across a huge distance, to reach the cloud and back.

If you bring the cloud to them, access is considerably quicker. This can be particularly helpful when trying to collaborate on documents in real-time with employees.

Another core benefit lies in the fact that edge computing offers your company a heightened level of security. This is thanks to a large amount of IoT management and planning involved in setting up the solution.

The more you plan and manage your devices, the more consideration you give to their access. This is vital to ensuring that people aren’t able to infiltrate key information relating to your company.

The cloud is already a secure way of storing data, but edge computing goes that extra step beyond.

Finally, adopting edge computing allows for a more scalable and versatile computing model for your company. If your cloud solution is geographically closer to you, then it’s easier to modify overall.

This provides a greater level of scalability to your company, thanks to this heightened control. If you’re working with an edge computing services provider, they can make this scalability an easy process.

The versatility offered by edge computing also can’t be understated. You can use edge computing to store data more securely, but also to design more advanced software or services.

These wouldn’t be possible without the speed and security offered by edge computing as a solution.

Where Can I Find Out More About Edge Computing and How To Implement It Today?

You should now know what exactly edge computing is. You should also know how to implement it in your company, which we recommend doing with a services provider.

Finally, you should know the huge benefits this future technology can provide your business. If you want to find out more about business tech solutions or get answers on other matters, make sure to take a look through some of the previous posts on our website.