It is interesting to watch the evolution of Internet of Things (IOT) from a simple "send the data to the cloud" model to a more realistic approach that recognizes the need to intelligently determine when and where data is processed, aggregated, analyzed, and acted upon.
Edge computing technology is now emerging from all key IOT Platform vendors as an integral aspect of their offerings. Each has their own unique Edge starting value, but the expectation is that all will converge to a common set of functions, with some "special sauce" differentiator over time. In December 2016, the Business Insider declared Edge Computing as one of the next big things and a natural complement to Cloud. Whether its Cisco Fog Computing, AWS Greengrass, Microsoft with Azure IOT Edge, or IBM with its Edge Analytics - each vendor is positioning themselves with the next iteration of IOT. Unfortunately there is yet no clear standards leader so don't expect interoperability for some time to come.
It is somewhat ironic that each of vendors that focused on the importance of Cloud Computing is now touting their Edge capabilities. Each has discovered the realities that Cloud, while excellent for many use cases, does have limitations when it comes to perceived availability, data transmission costs and propagation delays. There is also the reality that in many cases "compute at the edge" will reduce overall solution costs as data can be processed on purpose built devices, with only summarized information being forwarded to the Cloud.
But while Edge Computing does have its own unique values, the ability to aggregate data across a range of "things" itself drives unique value. Edge does not generally mean no Cloud in the solution, but instead it means "intelligent use of the Cloud".
Of course, as with any technological emergence, the new technology itself creates a new set of issues to be addressed, with "thing" and gateway level physical security, connectivity, and software/firmware issues driving new challenges to our solution development.
Over the next few months, I will continue this blog series with more depth on a range of Edge IOT topics and the challenges we must solve as we deliver solutions that encompass the Edge.
Jim Fletcher
Edge computing technology is now emerging from all key IOT Platform vendors as an integral aspect of their offerings. Each has their own unique Edge starting value, but the expectation is that all will converge to a common set of functions, with some "special sauce" differentiator over time. In December 2016, the Business Insider declared Edge Computing as one of the next big things and a natural complement to Cloud. Whether its Cisco Fog Computing, AWS Greengrass, Microsoft with Azure IOT Edge, or IBM with its Edge Analytics - each vendor is positioning themselves with the next iteration of IOT. Unfortunately there is yet no clear standards leader so don't expect interoperability for some time to come.It is somewhat ironic that each of vendors that focused on the importance of Cloud Computing is now touting their Edge capabilities. Each has discovered the realities that Cloud, while excellent for many use cases, does have limitations when it comes to perceived availability, data transmission costs and propagation delays. There is also the reality that in many cases "compute at the edge" will reduce overall solution costs as data can be processed on purpose built devices, with only summarized information being forwarded to the Cloud.
But while Edge Computing does have its own unique values, the ability to aggregate data across a range of "things" itself drives unique value. Edge does not generally mean no Cloud in the solution, but instead it means "intelligent use of the Cloud".
Of course, as with any technological emergence, the new technology itself creates a new set of issues to be addressed, with "thing" and gateway level physical security, connectivity, and software/firmware issues driving new challenges to our solution development.
Over the next few months, I will continue this blog series with more depth on a range of Edge IOT topics and the challenges we must solve as we deliver solutions that encompass the Edge.
Jim Fletcher
