FEATURE : EDGE
Like the cloud , the network edge has become a major point of disruption and business opportunity for IT infrastructure vendors operating incountry , regionally , globally .
Market expectations
Enterprises are looking for rugged , reliable products and solutions for their front-line workers . Enterprises want to digitise operations , gain visibility of assets and inventory , empower their workers , and optimise workflows . “ They face changing customer expectations , higher volumes of orders and faster delivery times , and need to be able to hire , train and retain workers faster ,” says Zebra ’ s Saylawala .
Edge computing is a technology that brings data processing and analysis closer to the source of data , which can provide a range of benefits to enterprises . These include reduced latency , improved reliability , enhanced security , cost savings , and improved operational efficiency . By processing data at the edge , enterprises can reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over the network , which can significantly reduce the latency of data transfers .
Edge devices can also continue to operate even if they lose connectivity to the cloud , which can help prevent downtime and service disruptions . Furthermore , edge computing can help keep sensitive data closer to the source and limit the number of points of access , thereby enhancing the security of data .
“ Edge computing enables real-time data processing and faster decision-making , which can improve operational efficiency in various industries such as manufacturing ,” says Heriot-Watt University Dubai ’ s Shaikh .
Edge computing is constantly evolving to meet the increasing demand for efficient and cost-effective data processing , storage , and analysis closer to the edge of the network . By the end of 2023 , Gartner predicts that more than half of large enterprises will have at least six edge computing use cases deployed , which is a significant increase compared to just 1 % in 2019 .
“ These innovations are enabling significant developments across various industries , including autonomous vehicles , manufacturing , and smart grids ,” adds Shaikh .
Zebra offers a large and diverse selection of enterprisegrade mobile computers including handhelds , tablets , wearables and vehicle-mounted mobile computers . Zebra gives a performance edge to help those at the front line of business and government succeed through increased productivity , improved operational efficiency and enhanced customer service .
Zebra provides enterprise-grade Android-based mobile computing solutions and owns more than 60 % market share globally , with solutions optimised for the front-line of retail , hospitality , transportation and logistics , manufacturing , public safety , utilities , telecommunications and healthcare industries .
Edge computing is about bringing the compute processing and data closer to the users . Solutions can do this through real-time visibility , streamlined enforcement , dynamic policy adjustment , and automated response to compromised devices or anomalous activity .
“ As the network perimeter continues to dissolve , due in part to edge computing technologies and the global shift to remote work , organisations need to leverage all the existing security advantages , which means knowing how to implement a zero-trust security strategy ,” says Fortinet ’ s Bjorn .
According to a report published by Quadintel , the Middle East and Africa edge computing market is expected to reach US $ 1.46 billion by 2023 . It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 33 %.
“ Low-band 5G and 4G , which are being implemented with edge computing to enable low latency use cases
Is the edge now a mainstream solution
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