It’s hard to believe smart technology has the potential to progress beyond the speed and ability cloud computing allows. Almost every major company utilizes cloud computing software because of its efficient features that streamline connectivity. However, the next generation of smart products is here, augmenting cloud-reliant technology with edge computing systems.
Edge computing brings the cloud to you by computing necessary functions and connections close to or inside of your personal smart devices. Open source edge computing solutions allow you to build edge architecture for your home network of innovative smart products. By switching from cloud-based solutions to an edge computing platform, you can speed up processing times, streamline customer relations, and boost productivity.
Faster response times
A typical issue developers face is outstanding latency times for cloud technology users. When using speech-to-text features on your mobile device, your phone analyzes, compresses, and sends sound bites to the cloud. Between decompressing, processing, and re-sending feedback to your device, wait-times can be frustrating and varying depending on location.
Instead of utilizing tedious cloud systems, users can implement edge computing solutions that break down the procedure, making it faster and more efficient. Instead of sending information across the globe for processing, edge computing analyzes information locally, streamlining speeds and limiting external systems.
Cutting out cloud-based systems speeds up voice recognition and other smart functions considerably. With edge computing, you can have a quick-acting smart TV without buffering times or a quick-response smart home assistant that keeps you up-to-date on weather warnings and traffic delays.
Tighter security
Because cloud computing systems are centralized, personal information can become vulnerable to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks and power outages. Edge computing protects against malicious attacks that disrupt entire networks by processing information locally. Additionally, because data processing happens on personal devices rather than transmitting sensitive information back to cloud servers, there is less data at risk at any given time.
Though individual devices can still be compromised, edge security protocols protect the rest of your network and information from being accessed through breached portions. Compromised devices also pose less of a security risk with edge computing platforms. Unlike cloud computing systems, edge technologies protect unused information from hackers and breaches by processing through local servers.
More reliable
Cloud-based network difficulties can render an entire server’s services useless, delaying productivity indefinitely. However, edge computing ensures distant network problems won’t affect your smart devices because it handles vital functions locally. Specifically, self-driving car manufacturers utilize edge computing as vehicle tech can’t afford to fall victim to outage-prone cloud servers like other products.
Connecting multiple edge computing devices and data centers to one network decreases the risk of server-wide failure. By building comprehensive edge computing architecture, services are rerouted through different pathways, ensuring users preserve their information and access products through unfortunate outages.
The bottom line
Edge computing in smart products has changed the way the world thinks smart technology should work. With processing functions performed locally, you can develop fast, secure, and reliable products. Though edge computing is still relatively new to the tech world, investing in development and implementing it in your products can give you a leg up on the competition.