IoT initiatives will change
WAN requirements
Many unsuccessful IoT initiatives are
characterised by their failure to consider how
the projects will change the requirements for
Wide-Area Networks (WANs).
According to Gartner, there will be 20 billion
Internet connected objects by 2020. This
influx of devices and sensors will significantly
increase network traffic and unused to the
volume of activity, traditional Multiprotocol
Label Switching (MPLS) links will become
congested. This will result in a decline
in application performance triggering a
whole host of problems, including reduced
productivity and loss of revenue.
In an attempt to overcome such capacity
limitations, many companies will turn to
alternate connectivity options, for example
cellular LTE or broadband Internet.
However, the routers and patchwork of
tools required for this process will create
an unnecessarily complex hybrid network
when combined with the volume and
diversification of IoT devices.
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“
FOR IOT
PROJECTS TO BE
SUCCESSFUL,
IT MUST PLACE
THEMSELVES
BACK IN THE
CONVERSATION.
Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN)
circumvents this complexity. Unlike traditional
infrastructure, SD-WAN will automatically
direct traffic through the most efficient route
available, regardless of connectivity type, to
ensure the seamless connectivity required for
a successful IoT deployment.
Ultimately, this simplified, intelligent and
flexible approach to network management
means IT administrators can quickly deploy
new services, policies and even entirely new
sites, through a centralised management
console. As well as being capable of
addressing evolving needs.
Edge Computing is vital for real-
time data analysis
The cloud is a key facilitator of digital
strategies. Particularly when it comes
to business intelligence, archiving and
centralising access. However, for data-
rich applications, or in scenarios where
employees need to turn data into actionable
insights as it’s created, Edge Computing is
far more suitable due to its lower latency.
Let’s take the IoT system on a
manufacturing floor as an example. The
system may have been designed so that the
production line will shut down automatically
in response to the sensors indicating that a
quality threshold is being exceeded.
However, if latency causes a delay in the
relevant information being conveyed from
the sensors, faulty units will continue to be
produced, ultimately increasing downtime
and overall costs. The manufacturer needs
more computing power at their remote
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