We discuss the many definitions floating around for what edge computing is. Some call it fog computing or MEC (mobile edge computing). It is simple. It’s the understanding that as wireless networks and person-to-person interaction shifts to machine-to-machine interaction, underlying architectures must change along with that shift. For things like IoT and distributed data, they require reliability and speed at the source.
There are many use-cases for edge computing. Many often think first of Fitbits or of Amazon Echo. However, it is transforming enterprises and changing entire business models based on the access to real-time data on the edge. It’s used in places like industrial IoT where sensors and sound collection is taking place in factories. Managing these at the source helps solve scalability issues. Hospitals are also transforming into mobile computing labs. As edge computing enters the operating room, it needs to be 100% reliable and fast because lives are on the line. Finally, autonomous vehicles and drones use edge computing. Decision-making is brought closer to the device, reducing steps of communication that can result in errors or latency and could cause accidents.
