EXPERT OPINION
growth , their entry into new markets and delivery of new services to almost anywhere on the planet . Simultaneously they fully benefit from global advances in analytics , AI , Machine Learning and business application innovation .
How the Edge ecosystem is taking shape
We can see how the Edge is developing with telecoms and hyperscalers starting to form partnerships with existing Edge Computing platforms . Last year , for example , Telefonica Germany entered partnerships with AWS and Ericsson to virtualise its 5G core network . The purpose is to enable fast integration of new applications , removing the need for time-consuming hardware setups and reducing cost . Customers need only a 5G radio network with antennae .
For the public cloud vendors , it has become vital to partner with current Edge platform providers who have ubiquitous low latency coverage and high-speed fibre connections between centres . The more advanced Edge platforms achieve sub 5ms latency , regardless of location . The Edge networking approach employed by these platforms spreads the load across several regional data centres , not only processing data closer to each enduser but also reducing the congestion in backhaul that undermines performance .
What enterprises should look for
Enterprises looking seriously at the Edge need to ensure they partner with a national platform that has a good geographical spread of sites that are purpose-built , and which maximise coverage in any area . Edge data centre networks must have high-speed connectivity to cloud services so transfers of data to the central hub are seamless , with route diversity to ensure resilience . And as more enterprises use Edge-reliant applications , there must be sufficient capacity to meet future demand for bandwidth . Partnering with one provider with a nationwide network of cloud and data centres , rather than a collection of multiple providers will also deliver benefits in terms of security and remove the headache of integrating complex IT services for enterprises .
The full range of Edge opportunities
For service providers and solutionbuilders , the advent of Edge Computing is the doorway to new markets and the ability to create new products and deliver higher levels of service that increase revenues substantially . Independent software vendors all around the world will have millions more customers and adopt new subscription and delivery models . They can orchestrate the network functions and computational infrastructure needed for secure delivery to their end consumers . Content providers will be able to offload from their central servers , transforming access and efficiency .
We can already see the exciting enterprise use cases supported by 5G-enabled Edge Computing . Remote monitoring and diagnostics in healthcare along with 3D medical imaging will be possible , while the availability of lowcost , easily-deployed sensors will extend the IoT . In manufacturing , automated , short-run , high-precision customisation of high complexity will be possible in new locations . In port management and logistics , Edge Computing stands to deliver far higher levels of automation and efficiency across expansive campuses and entire supply chains .
This vast potential of Edge Computing is available to enterprises if they form the right partnerships with dedicated Edge providers that have the right technology and the right ecosystems in place . With a network of strategically-sited data centres and seamless , high-bandwidth , high-speed connectivity , the right Edge Computing platform will transform the fortunes of its enterprise customers . ◊
THE RIGHT EDGE COMPUTING PLATFORM WILL TRANSFORM THE FORTUNES OF ITS ENTERPRISE CUSTOMERS .
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