Race to the Edge: Dynamic Solutions for Demanding Edge Applications

Edge is here. And it is here to stay. However, there is great ambiguity in how to define it.  Well, Dell Technologies defines it as the unbounded and ephemeral place where the digital and physical worlds intersect and data is securely collected, generated, and processed to create new value.

But what type of server works best at the edge? And what industries are key use cases for the edge? Let’s take a closer look.

Technology in an edge environment is faced with multiple constraints: They may be hot, cramped, dusty, noisy, or more. What type of compute infrastructure can survive these parameters? Here are some constraints that impact the edge deployment:

◉ Dimensional: Edge locations typically do not have enough space to support servers with traditional form factors.
◉ Environmental: Extreme temperature toleration, optional filtered bezel may be required.
◉ Remote management: Servers and key services need to be deployed and provisioned remotely.
◉ Security: New nodes outside the data center require the same level of protection that IT infrastructure inside the data center enjoys.
◉ Latency and bandwidth: Accelerated performance with storage, memory, and low latency at the edge is key for applications at the edge.

It is critical that the hardware deployed at the edge must account for these constraints and must be diligently designed to mitigate the effects of these constraints. Now let’s take a look at key industries currently suited for the edge:

◉ Telco: With the 5G revolution already here, the question remains—can telco keep up? The current telco edge network is comprised of legacy infrastructure unable to meet the demanding digital challenges of the present. High bandwidth applications that are consumed by mobile devices puts great stress on the IT infrastructure. This makes it ripe for new edge infrastructure.

◉ Retail: Retailers are evaluating new applications that provide AI services and customer insights, smart inventory management, and new methods of tracking supply chain deeper. Their worlds have become extremely data-driven. Traditional hardware is often no longer appropriate for these space-constrained locations which tend to lack onsite support.

◉ Manufacturing: In order to capture the advantages that come with low-latency data, manufacturers are shifting applications and underlying compute resources to the edge. Insights gained are posed to optimize current processes and lower operational costs. However, for manufacturers to work at the edge, they need servers that can handle the environment on the factory floor.

Our new eBook, Find Your Edge: Robust Solutions for Dynamic Edge Applications, can help you navigate the edge and figure out which server is right for you if you are ready to take the plunge or if you have already done so and are ready to expand. Edge may be the key to making major improvements to your business and bottom line. Forrester has found that “43 percent of global telecom decision makers whose firms are using edge computing believe it will give them the power to harness present and future AI demands.” Don’t let your organization get left behind this wave of tremendous progress. Harness the edge today.