Edge computing can increase efficiencies and drive ROI through many innovative and practical uses. The value of edge computing is that it speeds up data processing and saves bandwidth costs by locally processing computations, storing data and delivering services.
Edge computing reduces latency and the time to process data
With edge computing, response times are faster because one or more application delivery components are performed locally. This is more efficient and can be less expensive than sending large amounts of data to the cloud to be processed and then returned for local use — which causes delays and increased bandwidth costs, especially with slow or inconsistent internet connections.
Some of the terms you’ll hear surrounding edge computing include:
Container: a standard package of software that bundles up code and all its dependencies required for the application to run. This allows processing to run quickly and reliably across a variety of computing environments.
Orchestration: a set of automated tasks that results in a consistent and coordinated workflow. It is most commonly used to control container operation, location and duration in order to maximize efficiency and minimize operating costs.
Workload: a set of application elements that includes processing, storage and networking and ultimately provides a service to a consumer.
Digital estate: electronic information assets that exist on the internet and on devices; these are appreciably less readily and tangibly transferable than physical goods.
Edge computing is being utilized in many different ways
An innovative example of edge computing workloads is Just Walk Out technology that is being used in Amazon Go stores. To be successful, the real-time processing of a large number of video and sensor streams to accurately recognize when items are removed from and replaced on shelves can only be done at the local level. Processing data in the cloud simply wouldn’t be feasible.
Another state-of-the-art application is the Tempo Studio home gym. Using pulses of infrared light, this system creates a detailed, 3D physique model that captures every nuance of user motion and lifting form to improve technique and provide safer, more efficient workouts. Edge-processing workloads make this technology possible.
Acumera has more than 70,000 containerized edge computing workloads currently being orchestrated in thousands of sites for network synthesis, network security, network operation management, digital estate visualization, and store operations. Acumera’s MG™ Edge Security Device is uniquely able to orchestrate software-defined networking, retail operations and security workloads on proprietary and standardized computing platforms in an economical, integrated manner.
Media processing demands media-rich workloads
It can be difficult to quickly deliver media over a network when it is stored far away or when there are simultaneous demands for media delivery. For that reason, media-rich workloads are natural candidates for local storage.
The good news is these workloads don’t necessarily require special content storage and delivery equipment. By containerizing content caching and distribution workloads and placing them into orchestration, they become easy to update to ensure consumer relevance and require lower network bandwidth. Also, since sensitive information never leaves the premises, and content security is managed along with the content itself, security and privacy are optimized.
The end result is faster response times, higher customer satisfaction, reduced bandwidth costs, increased efficiency, and improved reliability.
Store and forward technology workloads provide system availability
A popular implementation of edge workloads is transparently accepting purchase transactions during periods when network connections to the authorization hosts are not available. “Store and forward” technology caches transactions locally and then synchronizes them offsite when connectivity is reestablished.
While this is increasingly a standard feature of POS systems, it is critically important to maintain consistent availability — especially when combined with emerging consumer support technologies like order-in-store, buy-online-pickup-in-store and ship-from-store. ROI is delivered through the orchestration of these new services and workloads but also through the avoidance of lost sales resulting from outages.
Acumera integrates the orchestration and security of edge computing workloads
Adding a plethora of single-purpose appliances to a business’ digital estate can become unmanageable. A better solution is to extend the normal security appliance (like a firewall) to host containerized workloads and orchestrate critical native workloads, while managing containerized workloads on local servers or clusters if required.
Network connectivity and security functions can be encapsulated within the workload and then orchestrated across a vast number of sites without introducing errors that could lead to compromise of the digital estate. Computations can then be performed at the optimal location for performance and cost-efficiency.
Acumera goes one step further. Rather than managing security in the appliance separately from the workloads, Acumera’s solution integrates the security of workloads with the orchestration of those workloads — either on Acumera’s MG Edge Security Device or commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) server hardware — resulting in a unified approach to management, updates and security throughout the entire workload lifecycle.
By moving the single-purpose processes from a dedicated appliance to a containerized workload, operational efficiency and network security are enhanced because the security function is orchestrated along with the workload. This increases ROI and reduces the number of devices to be purchased and managed.
Learn more about Acumera’s security and edge computing solutions
Acumera is the leading supplier of network operation, visualization and security services via orchestration of business, networking and security workloads in the cloud, near the edge and at the edge.
At the heart of Acumera’s services is a robust, scalable platform that provides a full suite of containerized edge computing workloads for security, monitoring, management, analytics, loyalty programs, and more. For fast problem resolution, increased uptime, and reliable payment processing, Acumera also provides US-based, proactive, 24x7x365 network support and a cloud-based dashboard for detailed visibility of devices at all sites.
Download the “Secure Edge Computing for Multi-site Retail” white paper to learn more about edge computing and Acumera’s solutions or contact us at sales@acumera.net or 512.687.7410.
