Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2022. Read them in this 14th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
2022 Will Open the Gates for True Edge Computing
By Max Kolomyeytsev, VP of Product at Hivecell
The edge computing market size is estimated to grow from 36.5 billion in 2021 to 87.3 billion by 2026. 2022 will be a significant year for edge computing, and companies should expect to see major changes when it comes to standardizing the market.
Over the next few years, there will be significant movement toward implementing solutions that can actually process data at the edge and bring immediate insights without having to rely on cloud computing. This movement will put the foundation to true edge computing.
Enterprises should be aware of the advances on the horizon when it comes to edge computing including: shorter latencies, robust security, responsive data collection, and more flexible solutions. So, what can businesses considering an edge strategy expect in the year to come?
More standardization in the market
Next year, we’re going to start to see companies move toward solutions that can actually process data at the edge, as opposed to what we see now, which is just gateways pushing data to the cloud. Enterprises will need to re-evaluate their current technologies and should consider the potential benefits of Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offerings tailored specifically for the edge. They will also appear under Edge-as-a-Service (EaaS) name.
It’s clear that service models work and are crucial for driving innovation. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) was the largest market segment in the cloud in 2020 and Gartner forecasts it to grow to $117.7 billion by the end of 2021. Edge-as-a-Service will very likely have a similar ascent.
By taking the next step in the edge lifecycle, the data can be processed and adjusted at the edge with the goal of enabling machine learning (ML) at the edge to enable ML-based automation users can leverage in places where it wasn’t possible before. Also, edge-processed data combined with streaming ML models to the cloud unlocks the potential for much faster insights in edge locations across the entire organization.
Readdressing tech adoptions in 2022
Organizations are constantly seeking out the most effective ways to automate things and improve cost efficiency. For example, with new edge computing platforms existing cloud-based ML models will be deployed directly at the edge. This will enable organizations to have true automation and real-time diagnostics, all to make real-time decisions without having to wait for data to be sent to the cloud for processing. In the cloud, this process can be as good as nearline, but edge computing enables true real-time diagnostics.
This becomes especially important in the remote areas where edge computing is most needed- such as drilling sites, wind turbines, or maritime deployments. Having portable hardware, like a Hivecell, that will continue to run and process data throughout a power outage, storm or other disruption is the key for real-time decision making in mission critical scenarios. In some industries, like oil & gas, a millisecond difference can be a matter of life and death.
Security will be implemented properly
Unfortunately, security concerns are expected to hinder the growth of the edge computing market to an extent. It can be easy to forget that the edge is still a set of servers, and if security best practices are followed, can enable even better security of the overall infrastructure. Even though locations are more dispersed, effective cybersecurity practices can be applied just like in the on-premises data centers. All-in-all, edge computing is a safe bet for companies concerned with data security. Even safer than the cloud, I would say, since all data is processed on-premises and not moved offsite. Also, any potential attack from the edge only affects that specific edge location and is easier to isolate to prevent affecting the entire infrastructure.
As the edge computing market continues to grow, enterprises across industries should re-evaluate their on-site data management and consider making the switch to an Edge-as-a-Service model. Not only due to the aforementioned benefits, but due to the ease of installation and day to day management that this model requires. No IT staff are required to set up or scale a system like Hivecell, no need for buying and maintaining hardware in thousands of locations – with the push of one button you are getting real-time insights from processing your data safely and efficiently at the edge. It’s clear that the edge market will continue to soar in 2022 and beyond as enterprises continue to look for ways to automate their processes and boost their bottom lines.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Max Kolomyeytsev, VP of Product, Hivecell
Max Kolomyeytsev, VP of Product for Hivecell, is a seasoned product expert who enjoys exploring new architectures and solving complex IT challenges by combining his engineering background and technical knowhow with his entrepreneurial skills. In the tech field for the last 15 years, Max assists companies to get the most from their IT and achieve their goals by helping them adopt new technologies, like hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) and software-defined storage, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics. Currently, Max’s focus is aiding organizations worldwide to make instant data-driven decisions based on the information they gather and process with the use of edge computing.
