Living on the edge: understanding edge computing and its unique power protection requirements
The explosive growth of Internet of Things (IoT) and other connected devices has resulted in the creation of unprecedented amounts of data. As the scale and complexity of data generation continue to magnify, these demands have begun to outpace the network and infrastructure capabilities of many organizations ― driving an increasing number to the edge.
To edge computing, that is.
What is Edge Computing?
Edge computing is distributed computing topology in which storage and processing activities are placed in close proximity to where data is being produced and used, edge computing is continuing to mature in both technology and adoption rates. Organizations across virtually every segment are harnessing the benefits, leading many to wonder, is edge computing the future?
A recent survey of more than 2,400 CIOs and technology executives found that 19% of respondents have already deployed edge computing, and an additional 32% expect to do so over the next three years, according to the 2024 Gartner CIO and Technology Executive Survey.
Thinking about implementing edge computing within your own organization? Keep reading to discover the numerous business advantages offered by this computing paradigm, as well as some important considerations when it comes to maintaining continuous uptime in edge environments.
What Is Edge Computing Used For?
One reason organizations are increasingly turning to edge computing is its ability to help collect and analyze raw data. More than ever before, businesses rely on their data to make informed decisions. Edge computing is also playing an important role in helping companies improve safety and performance, automate processes and enhance customer experiences.
While the massive amount of data generated by today’s proliferation of connected devices requires a place to land, transporting it to traditional sites ― such as a centralized data center or the cloud ― often challenges bandwidth, leading to latency issues. Yet by processing and analyzing data close to where it’s created, edge computing provides a more efficient alternative, reducing latency since the data doesn’t have to travel over a network.
Establishing networks close to the user in order to more quickly access data yields significant business benefits, including faster and more comprehensive insights, improved response times and better bandwidth availability. Placing computing at the edge also helps organizations to optimally manage and use physical assets, as well as create new interactive experiences. This type of distributed computing framework also helps industries that rely on processing sensitive data― such as hospitals and factories ― to power their systems safely and reliably.
The potential to transform an entire spectrum of business practices and activities ― from back-office processes to customer engagement and marketing ― is one of the most exciting aspects of edge computing. By enabling organizations to be more proactive and adaptive, edge deployments help to improve operational efficiency and optimize experiences for both customers and employees.
Take the retail industry, for example. By relying on real-time tracking of stock levels, stores are able to replenish inventory faster and reduce the risk of out-of-stock situations. Meanwhile, the ability to process data at distribution centers more efficiently enables retailers to generate real-time updates about shipments, routes and product availability. Edge computing also helps stores to deliver highly personalized experiences without delays, such as targeted product recommendations and promotions, essential for creating a seamless and responsive customer experience. And because edge devices can support facial recognition, video surveillance and anomaly detection, they represent a critical aspect to boosting security in brick-and-mortar locations.
Retail is just one of many industries capitalizing on the advantages of edge computing. There are countless other use cases; banks rely on edge computing to analyze ATM video feeds in real-time, bolstering consumer safety. In healthcare, wearable devices and medical sensors can now instantly process data, ensuring timely intervention in critical health scenarios.
What Are The Benefits of Edge Computing?
From helping companies innovate faster to expanding new revenue streams, businesses across every segment are discovering a wealth of opportunities at the edge, including:
- Reduced latency/increased speed ― With no need to transport data to a primary data center or the cloud, edge computing meets business’ increasing requirements for near-instantaneous transfer of data.
- Improved data security ― Because edge computing enables the majority of data to be processed and stored locally, data security is heightened. Even more, any information that needs to be transmitted to a data center can be encrypted before transmission. Enterprises also use edge computing to comply with data sovereignty laws by keeping sensitive data close to the source.
- Increased productivity ― Enterprises are able to improve operational and employee productivity by responding more quickly to information. By analyzing data collected at the source, organizations can hone in on departments, infrastructure or equipment that are underperforming. Edge computing can also be paired with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools to derive business intelligence and insights, ultimately enhancing productivity.
- Remote data collection ― Attempting to collect data from sites where connectivity and bandwidth are unreliable can pose significant challenges. Yet establishing compute and data storage capabilities at the edge helps organizations collect and transmit data from remote locations.
- Reduced costs ― Bandwidth isn’t cheap, and transporting large amounts of data to centralized data centers can take a toll on a company’s bottom line. Because edge computing decreases the amount of data sent to data centers, it can significantly lower operating costs.
- Reliable performance ― The edge computing model is often deployed in remote areas where internet connectivity may be scarce or unreliable. Establishing an edge computing environment helps businesses to ensure that data is reliably processed, analyzed and stored ― significantly reducing the likelihood of operational downtime caused by network or connectivity disruption.
How Do Uninterruptible Power Systems Impact Edge Computing?
Regardless of the industry, edge applications require proper power protection solutions in order to safeguard equipment and prevent unplanned downtime. Uninterruptible power systems (UPSs) play a critical role in protecting data integrity and preserving continuous uptime in these environments, which often lack IT resources on site. As a result, they require highly reliable and durable UPSs that can be remotely managed and demand minimal maintenance.
Going back to the retail example, where UPSs are tasked with keeping point-of-sale terminals up and running at all times, store clerks are unlikely to recognize a UPS light blinking to indicate that its battery needs to be replaced. In addition, because edge computing often involves distributed, mission-critical applications that require real-time processing and minimal latency, UPSs deployed in these environments must have specific features tailored to these requirements.
Key features of UPSs deployed at the edge include:
- Lithium-ion batteries ― Offering a “set it and forget it” approach to power protection, UPSs with lithium-ion batteries are an ideal alternative for edge environments. Boasting a higher energy density than their lead-acid counterparts, lithium-ion batteries offer a higher energy capacity that translates into longer runtimes for UPS systems. Their higher energy density means they are capable of delivering the same amount of power as a lead-acid battery while being smaller and lighter, making them easier to install while freeing up rack space for other devices. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be discharged more deeply than lead-acid batteries without significant damage ― typically up to 80% or even 90% of their capacity compared to only 50% for lead-acid ― resulting in an extended lifespan, better long-term reliability and longer runtimes.
- Space-saving models ― Since edge computing systems are often deployed in locations with limited space ― such as closets, break rooms or even under a desk ― UPS units should be compact and easy to integrate. Models offering a two-in-one form factor are especially beneficial, enabling them to be deployed in both rack-mounted and tower configurations to fit various space constraints.
- Remote management capabilities ― Because IT resources can be limited or nonexistent at many edge locations, the ability to remotely control, manage and monitor UPS systems is critical. Doing so enables many issues to be identified and remedied before equipment goes down.
- Modular design ― Because edge environments often must scale quickly as compute requirements increase and new devices are added, modular UPS systems represent an ideal option since they allow additional capacity to be added without having to purchase another UPS. In this way, companies with growing edge environments don’t have to compromise on UPS capacity since they know they will have the protection they need as their capacity requirements expand.
- High efficiency ― Since edge computing systems are typically deployed in remote or constrained environments, energy-efficient UPS systems help minimize operational costs and prolong battery life.
- Flexible power output ― Because edge devices can vary in size and power consumption requirements, it is desirable for a UPS that can support various power configurations.
- Redundancy ― If possible, UPS systems should be designed with N+1 or higher redundancy to ensure that if one UPS fails, another can seamlessly take over without disruption. This is important in edge computing environments where downtime can have significant consequences.
- Hot-swappable batteries ― The ability to replace batteries without shutting down the UPS helps maintain high availability in edge applications.
Is Edge Computing the Future?
As the world continues to become increasingly connected, edge computing holds the power to transform the way we live, work and interact with technology. By enabling faster, more efficient and real-time data access, edge computing has become a game-changer, thanks to its ability to generate faster insights, reduce latency, minimize data transfer costs, personalize customer experiences, and help maintain continuous operations. As IoT, 5G, AI, and other technologies continue to evolve, you can expect that edge computing will establish itself as a foundational technology for a wide range of business segments and applications.
Find Support From Unified Power
Are you ready to begin ― or expand ― your journey to the edge? Unified Power is here to help! We offer a comprehensive selection of power protection solutions and services to support continuous uptime in edge computing environments. From lithium-ion powered UPSs to remote monitoring and management capabilities to space-saving UPS models, we have the solutions you need to harness the advantages of the edge. Contact us today for more information or a quote!