Finding value at the edge
Author : Jason Andersen, Vice President, Business Line Management, Stratus Technologies
09 April 2018
Shutterstock image
With the growth in highly connected devices and machines, industrial enterprises realise they need an efficient way to manage large amounts of data – thus escalating the importance and need for edge computing. Today, edge devices go beyond basic automation, enabling industrial enterprises to perform an expanding array of advanced computing and analytical tasks. But what should an industrial company look for when it comes to edge computing?
Many tasks have previously only been associated with the cloud. But organisations today are finding they don’t have the connectivity required throughout their operational technology (OT) infrastructure to send massive amounts of data to and from the cloud nor do they have the luxury of time. Latency issues impede the ability to act on data in real-time. Therefore, having this computing power at the edge can be more practical and cost-effective for organisations with big data and real-time analytic needs.
Edge computing puts processing power closer to where measurement and decision-making occur in the control loop, and can greatly benefit industrial enterprises. Some emerging edge computing solutions can give users the benefits of the cloud, without the limitations and vulnerabilities. But what should an industrial company look for when evaluating these technologies? Here are three critical components of a successful, “cloud-like” edge deployment:
1. The elimination of production downtime
Uninterrupted production and driving overall efficiency will always be priorities for gaining value with the Industrial IoT (IIoT). To more efficiently distribute workloads for mission-critical functions and real-time processing, enterprises should look to real-time analytics platforms that process and analyse data right where it is generated, at the edge. Performing this automated decision-making as close as possible to the process itself makes sense, particularly for applications like advanced monitoring and diagnostics, real-time machine performance optimisation and predictive maintenance. Computing at the edge can help industrial enterprises reduce unplanned downtime and ensure uninterrupted productivity, while driving cost efficiencies as a result.
2. The ability to analyse, act on and protect data in real time
The more enterprises use data from automated systems and IIoT, the more critical data becomes. In fact, the data produced may be an organisation’s most valuable asset from their IIoT efforts. Leveraging edge computing enables enterprises to find real-time value in critical data, without the latency associated with storing the information in a physical data centre or the cloud.
Because of its value, that data must be protected. This requires ensuring reliable infrastructure, predictive servicing, performance applications and secure connectivity. Enterprises will need to protect their hardware while also addressing the need for unified edge infrastructure that evolves their existing capabilities and makes the best use of critical data.
3. Simplicity of operation – limiting IT burden
With the rise of IIoT, industrial enterprises are blurring the line that traditionally separates the enterprise data centre and business systems (IT) from production automation systems (OT) and their respective networks. This converged “hybrid OT professional” has a unique combination of skills that enable them to bridge the gap separating the IT and OT worlds, thus reducing the burden on IT teams along their organisation’s IIoT transformation.
The growing adoption of IIoT is creating more demand for processing and data-intensive computing at the edge. By merging their IIoT applications and software along with comprehensive predictive modeling capabilities, enterprises can unlock the next generation of edge processing. Edge computing not only helps simplify these solutions, but it also reduces production downtime and related costs, drives value in critical data, and enables OT to lead the IIoT transformation, minimising the burden on IT teams. Leveraging the power of edge computing will help enterprises succeed as they take off on their IIoT journey.
Contact Details and Archive...