The number of digital devices is expected to witness double-digit growth in the coming years. PC, mobile phones, autonomous vehicles, IoT equipment, and smart devices are all contributing to this sheer growth. As the volume of such devices escalates, however, many consumers are finding that latency is becoming a significant problem. It is of paramount importance to minimize latency for end-users that reside in populated regions and companies that administer large pools of IoT devices. Many businesses have stepped forward to implement edge computing as their frontline solutions for latency mitigation via automation technology solutions. Some trusted managed IT service providers have also started rolling out services around this technology owing to its increasing popularity.
An Interplay between Edge Computing and Latency
Edge computing takes a major toll on latency. Its implementation varies company-wise. It works on a simple principle- decentralized data centers aka “edge nodes” that are near to consumers and minimize the burden on the cloud while decreasing latency.
Most digital devices and IoT equipment are backed by the cloud to operate seamlessly. As the device collects data, it may need to spare or evaluate certain details. For instance, a digital thermostat may examine building temp data and patterns of energy use to figure out the best possible setting for a home.
In the industrial landscape, manufacturers may leverage IoT devices to keep the tap on equipment performance, and consequently opt to optimize settings for better performance. Such devices usually lack ample storage and processing power to conduct analysis. Instead, they transfer some of the data to the cloud in a bid to perform optimally.
The cloud can perform all such tasks on the “edge” of the network located a thousand miles away from the devices. This triggers considerable latency that eventually derails the performance of smart devices. Edge computing shifts some of the tasks of the cloud to the edge of the network, closer to the target consumers and their devices.
Practically, edge computing often leverages solutions such as edge nodes (decentralized data centers) to perform some of the tasks handled by the cloud. Edge nodes are usually operated by either a managed service provider or the edge device’s owner. Apart from this, edge computing also transfers some of the computing tasks to edge devices.
The edge computing system can categorize works such as processing and data handling on a priority basis. Companies generally handle high-priority tasks in-house to minimize latency on critical analysis. Likewise, low-priority tasks are routed to the cloud for processing. Edge computing has emerged as a viable solution for latency issues in internet-connected edge devices.
Customer-centric businesses are more concerned about the latency issues and often seek help from automation technology solutions providers to fix this gap.
Significance of latency for end-users in a real-world scenario
For some smart device users, latency doesn’t pose any considerable issue since it lasts for a few seconds. The same is not true for technologies such as autonomous cars or surgery robots that constantly rely on the cloud. A single second of glitch or latency can derail their algorithm, which in turn could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Latency that accounts for micro seconds delay can prevent these technologies from performing their tasks normally. The implementation of edge computing can bridge this gap by ensuring lag-free processing for these systems.
Conclusion
Edge computing is still in the incubation phase, and it is likely to become a commonality in several sectors in coming year. It seeks to make businesses sounder for response time, service facilitation, and after-sale support. The companies that leverage cloud services to entertain their clients can use Edge computing as a primary solution for ensuring expeditious services with no lag whatsoever. Thus, the time has come for businesses to reach out a trusted managed IT service provider and strategically deploy this technology to maximize benefit.
