Edge Computing: the last frontier of technology

In recent years, we have witnessed the birth of a new technological frontier: Edge computing. The term indicates the use of a network of devices located on the “edge”, or on the periphery of a computer network, capable of managing the processing of data in real time.

In other words, Edge computing makes it possible to move computing power and data management from traditional processing centers to devices located in the context of use, such as sensors, security cameras, smartphones, wearable devices and so on. Thanks to the enormous amount of data generated in real time by these devices, Edge computing is becoming one of the most interesting technologies for the industry, especially in some specific applications such as logistics, manufacturing, industrial automation, security and surveillance.

How does edge computing work?

Edge computing is based on a distributed and scalable network of interconnected devices, capable of acquiring, processing and transmitting data in real time. This approach allows for faster data processing, greater security, and a reduction in management costs.

The system consists of three main components:

• Sensors: these are the devices that acquire data from the surrounding environment, such as temperature, humidity, vibrations, images and so on.
• Gateways: these are the devices that act as a bridge between the sensors and the network. These devices are responsible for collecting data from the sensors, processing it locally and transmitting it to the central database.
• The backend: it is the heart of the system, that is, the IT platform that deals with managing the data collected, analyzing them and providing answers in real time to user requests.

Thanks to this architecture, Edge computing makes it possible to eliminate the delay between data collection and its analysis, allowing users to have answers in real time both on mobile devices and on server systems.

Examples of edge computing applications

As we mentioned earlier, edge computing has great potential in many industrial and security applications. Let's look at some examples.

• Logistics: thanks to Edge computing, it is possible to monitor in real time the movements of means of transport, the loading and unloading of goods, environmental conditions and so on. This allows logistics managers to have a detailed view of the entire supply chain, reducing management costs and improving delivery times.
• The manufacturing industry: in this sector, Edge computing can be used to monitor the state of machines, prevent failures, maximize the efficiency of production processes and manage logistics flows.
• Security: Edge computing can be used to monitor public and private areas, such as parks, streets, supermarkets and so on. Thanks to the sensors and cameras located on the “edge”, it is possible to detect dangerous situations in real time, such as the presence of suspicious people or abandoned objects.

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Conclusions

Edge computing represents the new frontier of technology, with great application potential in many industrial and security sectors. Thanks to this approach, it is possible to more efficiently manage the data generated by sensors located in the field, providing answers in real time and reducing management costs. All that remains is to wait to see what new challenges and opportunities this new technological paradigm will bring with it.

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Author

Elvis Sounna, Data Engineer, Value s.r.l

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elvis-sounna

Contacts: amministrazione-value@we-plus.eu

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