Introduction
The cloud is a powerful computing solution that’s grown exponentially in recent years. However, the cloud can’t do everything, and there are still some things it can’t do well. Edge computing is the answer to this problem, as it enables data to be processed at the edge of the network before being sent back to the cloud for additional processing or storage. This approach combines the best of both worlds: speed and security.
The Edge in the Cloud
Edge computing is the process of cloud computing at the edge of a network. It’s a combination of two trends: distributed processing and cloud computing. The goal of edge computing is to improve performance by reducing latency and improving security while making use of local resources like sensors or devices.
Edge-in-the-cloud refers to a model where data analytics are performed on site, but results are stored in the cloud for later retrieval or analysis by other users (see Figure 1). In this architecture, users can access data through either local applications (e.g., mobile devices) or web portals that are hosted remotely from their devices.[1]
Data Integration
Data integration is the process of combining data from different sources into a single system. Data integration enables you to make sense of your data and use it effectively, which is key for business success.
Data integration helps you:
- Make sense of your growing volumes of unstructured data (like images or video) by combining them with other types of information such as text documents and spreadsheets in order to extract useful insights
- Convert siloed systems into one enterprise-wide database that can be accessed by all employees across an organization’s departments
Considerations for Edge Computing and Cloud Integration
While the idea of edge computing is exciting, it’s important to consider your options carefully.
Considerations for Edge Computing and Cloud Integration
- Data integration: If you’re already using an on-premise data lake or Hadoop cluster for your analytics, then you’ll need to integrate that into an edge solution. This can be done through APIs or a custom software solution that pulls data from one system and pushes it into another–or both methods could be used in tandem (for example, pulling all available data from your existing systems before pushing selected ones into an edge solution).
- Security: Security protocols must also be considered when integrating cloud services with edge devices as well as between these devices themselves (for example, when sharing data between two IoT sensors). You may want to implement encryption at every level in order to ensure privacy while also ensuring integrity in case one device gets compromised by hackers or malware operators who want access without permission.* Cost: We’ve already discussed cost considerations above but there are other factors here too such as energy consumption requirements (which depends largely on whether there will be active cooling systems required) plus building costs such as construction materials used etcetera.”
The combination of edge computing, cloud and data integration is key to business success.
Edge computing is a critical component of the future of business, but it’s not enough on its own. The combination of edge computing and cloud with data integration is key to business success.
Conclusion
The combination of edge computing, cloud and data integration is key to business success.
