This article will be published in its Spanish version
By José Alberto Llavot, Pre-Sales Manager and Business Developer at Schneider Electric for Mexico and Central America
The use of cloud computing by companies is rapidly growing. In fact, the industry is expected to grow from $371.4 billion in 2020 to $832.1 billion by 2025. As this happens, what remains in physical facilities may be shrinking in size, but the equipment that remains is even more critical, as connectivity with the cloud remains vital for current businesses.
The Role of Edge Computing in Business Strategy
Edge computing is a network architecture where data is processed as close as possible to where it is generated, rather than being sent to a central server or the cloud for processing. This means that instead of relying exclusively on remote data centers, data processing occurs on local devices such as routers, gateways, or even directly on IoT (Internet of Things) devices. This independence increases reliability and ensures that critical operations are not interrupted.
Companies are working to create enhanced customer experiences, improve security, and become more sustainable organizations. To achieve this, they increasingly rely on cloud-based technologies. This begins with upgrading the physical infrastructure equipment that is still on-site and rethinking resilience at the edge to ensure that employees remain connected to business-critical applications.
How Companies Are Redefining Their Edge Data Centers
- Redesigning edge data center systems: Nowadays, most local edge data centers have poor design practices, leading to costly downtimes. With the right methods and metrics, ranging from physical and cybersecurity to operational practices, companies can make tangible and realistic improvements.
- Adopting a systematic approach: It's crucial to assess data center availability in a hybrid environment, ensuring that the investment yields a higher return. For example, a dashboard approach allows executives and managers to view their environment holistically, considering the number of people and business functions of each data center while identifying the most critical investment sites.
- Implementing and standardizing best practices: Best practices such as uninterruptible power systems (UPS), organized and secure racks, proper cable and airflow management, remote monitoring, and dual network connectivity are essential to ensure that the most critical sites achieve the required availability.
Tools and Services for Edge Computing
Monitoring and Dispatch Services
Managing a fleet of UPS systems distributed across multiple remote locations can be challenging. With Monitoring and Dispatch Services, partners and end-users can effortlessly manage distributed IT installations, saving time and reducing operational costs (OpEx). This reduces site visits and the carbon footprint.
For example, Schneider Electric offers the EcoStruxure IT platform, which is vendor-neutral and provides visibility, monitoring, and management capabilities that can be leveraged to operate efficient edge environments and work towards sustainability goals. It is a next-generation, cloud-based Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software solution. This also enables partners to manage sites remotely and allows for data collection and analysis leading to better performance with predictive capabilities.
The platform includes access to a data lake with algorithms and IT infrastructure expertise that provides partners with the appropriate visibility, insights, 24/7 expert remote monitoring, and on-site support anytime and anywhere in the world.
Edge Software and Digital Services Program
The Edge Software and Digital Services Program helps IT solution providers quickly establish managed power services, offering implementation flexibility, lifecycle rebates, and a comprehensive resource guide titled "The Essential Guide to Growing Your Business with Managed Power Services." This will help IT solution providers effectively establish and grow their software and digital services business, managing needs throughout the customer lifecycle and generating recurring revenue.
The move towards edge computing is not just a technological trend; it is a fundamental shift in how companies manage and use their data. As more companies recognize these benefits, the adoption of this technology will continue to grow, driving significant transformation across multiple industries.
