Edge Computing is a data-processing method in cloud-based computing systems. It performs at the edge of the network more closely to the source of the data. This technology has a bunch of advantages including –
- It helps to build futuristic network infrastructure.
- Edge Computing fights against the latency challenges.
- It brings the bandwidth intense content and the user, closer.
The edge computing sector is growing at a steady pace in the last decade. However, it is bound to see a drastic growth in this upcoming year or so. There have always been many technologies popping-up like the Internet-of-Things, but there was no solid infrastructure to use all the data collected so far. But 2021 will be the change. We can see the necessary infrastructure, edge computing, and other software platforms matching up to the speed of IoT and similar smart technologies.
The explosive growth is in line with cloud computing as well, especially in the past few years. You can observe many companies trying to catch up with edge computing as they acknowledge the growth.
Edge computing offers everything for smart technologies
Most modern smart devices and technologies like IoT devices, autonomous vehicles, and 5G need the low latency data processing characteristics that true edge computing provides. These smart products require such processing, particularly at the source. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to bring back all that data to the cloud and analyze it. Additionally, you need to get the results back to the source in real-time or instantaneously.
Basically, edge computing does all the analytics and processing at the source itself. It does not bother to bring them to the cloud-based or remote servers.
Private and public edge networks take care of the processing of the information based on data type, and location among other rules. With this type of computing, data processing and analytics have greater security too.
Edge computing will not replace cloud computing
It does not mean to replace cloud computing per se, but enhance it and improves efficiency. Edge computing aims to bring about a revolution in distributed computing.
In the recent five years, there has been close to 321% growth in patent investment for edge computing platform technologies. The platform technologies play a vital role in commercialization and practical purpose, while the hardware is just important.
There are 123 published patents in 2020 compared to the 55 in 2018. Also, the number of published computing applications increased from 74 in 2018 to 176 in 2020. These numbers are real-time exposure to the growth of this technology over recent years. This aggressive growth accurately maps the potential of the industry.
The industry leaders
The pioneers and leaders of the industry include Akamai, Cisco, and Intel. They are the owners of the most published patents and applications. Today, the top 10 edge computing corporate owners are:
- Cisco Systems
- Intel
- Akamai Technologies
- Limelight Networks
- Verizon
- IBM
- Itron
- Microsoft
- RedHat
- Centurylink
Having said that, you can always bet on the small disrupters like EDJX to innovate and deliver results throughout the day. There is so much room for breakthroughs and changes on an everyday basis with technology like edge computing.
The pioneers in patent investment will play a huge role in the decision-making process as a whole. They will cover the broader aspects and make an impact on the growth of the technology. But it should be noted that the small companies will strive to make a difference in edge computing, while the corporations will handle cloud-based computing.
Akamai Technologies
Akamai Technologies are the leaders in the edge computing sector. They help companies to increase their digital security with an intelligent edge platform. The platform is “The Akamai Edge” and includes:
- Security
- Web performance
- Enterprise access
- Video delivery solutions
- Mobile performance among others.
Akamai is the largest patent holder in the industry.
Cisco Systems
They are yet another company to keep an eye out for in this computing sector. They are one of the pioneers and have coined the term “fog computing” as early as 2012.
Currently, Cisco Systems recently released “Hyperflex Anywhere servers” and is focusing on – hyper-converged infrastructure. Additionally, they acquired Acacia Communications in September 2020 to strengthen their hold in edge computing.
They are right behind Akamai Technologies in the second place in this space. However, they are hoping to expand further.
Intel
Intel, a household name in the tech industry is the next in line behind Akamai and Cisco. The company is historically famous for processors, but they have strategically used that to move on to edge computing.
Their core business focuses still on processors but has moved into partnerships with the likes of Microsoft to bring computing platforms to the public. The company is growing rapidly since the last year and continues to install its presence in the future as well.
The completion among the industry leaders will intensify as they crave more success. However, edge computing will surely change the idea of data and industries in the coming future.