The Case for Edge Computing in a World Dominated by the Cloud
There is absolutely no doubt that the future of computing is in the cloud. It provides robust storage, fast speeds, a host of powerful services, and ever improving security. However, the cost of the cloud is rising significantly alongside its improved performance, making it a larger burden on budgets every year. Here at CP North America, we’re trying to help offset those rising costs for our customers by introducing them to another technology that established itself in the military and other highly regulated industries, edge computing.
The problem with cloud computing isn’t performance; it’s the fact that organizations are often billed on a monthly or annual basis and those costs continue to rise as they need more storage. We’ve talked with some organizations paying upwards of $1,000 monthly for their cloud computing needs. Those costs continue to increase for organizations dealing with video, high-quality imagery and more. Organizations can significantly reduce costs by integrating edge computing to carry out some of their compute/storage needs.
The power of edge computing was put to the test in military operations for many years, where access to the cloud/internet is limited. It provides fast, high-performance computing power without needing an internet connection, and the hardware costs a fraction of what it costs today to expand cloud storage. And the technology has grown to be more commercially available, making it a perfect option for industries that are often on the go or located in remote areas to save money without sacrificing compute power.
The transformation of the form factor for edge computing hardware has also made it far more accessible to the commercial industry. Gone are the days when organizations need to invest in large server farms. With significant advancements in size, weight, and power (SWaP) reductions, individuals can carry edge compute hardware in a truck, or even in a backpack.
Edge computing has a significant impact on two industries: the film industry and oil and gas. The film industry is a significant beneficiary because they can shoot in remote locations with limited connectivity, store large amounts of footage and stay mobile at a reasonable cost. In the oil and gas industry, drones are often used to monitor oil fields. In this scenario, edge computing can help store massive amounts of footage sent directly from the drone. Even in remote areas without access to internet, these drones can still communicate with an edge compute system.
The cloud is a critical part of computing innovation. However, supplementing the costs with commercial-ready, high performance edge computing hardware is a great way to get the power you need without breaking the budget and offers a system that can move with you, no matter where you are or what connectivity challenges you may be dealing with.