The growth of edge computing and its potential impact on Internet of Things (IoT) devices

As the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices continues to grow rapidly, the need for more efficient and effective ways to process and analyze the data they generate is becoming increasingly important.

Author: Marcus Sutton
05/15/17
Edge computing is emerging as a solution to this challenge, and it has the potential to transform the way we think about IoT devices and the data they generate.
Edge computing is a distributed computing architecture that brings computation and data storage closer to the source of the data. Instead of sending all data generated by IoT devices to centralized servers for processing and analysis, edge computing brings these capabilities to the edge of the network, where the data is being generated.

One of the primary benefits of edge computing is its ability to reduce latency. Latency is the time delay between when data is generated and when it is processed and analyzed. This delay can be a significant issue for IoT devices that require real-time data processing, such as those used in industrial applications or smart homes.

With edge computing, the processing and analysis of data can occur in real-time, at the edge of the network, reducing the need for data to be sent back to a centralized server for processing. This can improve the speed and efficiency of data processing and analysis, making it possible for IoT devices to operate more effectively and efficiently.

Another benefit of edge computing is its potential to improve data security and privacy. By processing and storing data at the edge of the network, edge computing can help reduce the risk of data breaches and other security threats that can occur when data is transmitted over a network.

In addition, edge computing can help reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over a network, which can help reduce network congestion and improve overall network performance. This can be particularly important in areas with limited network connectivity or bandwidth, where transmitting large amounts of data over a network can be a significant challenge.

The growth of edge computing is expected to have a significant impact on the IoT industry in the coming years. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the edge computing market is expected to grow from $1.47 billion in 2017 to $6.72 billion by 2022, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.4%.

As the edge computing market continues to grow, we can expect to see a greater focus on developing edge computing solutions that are specifically designed for IoT devices. This will likely involve the development of new hardware and software solutions that are optimized for edge computing, as well as the integration of edge computing capabilities into existing IoT devices.

Overall, the growth of edge computing is poised to have a significant impact on the IoT industry, enabling new applications and use cases that were previously impossible or impractical. As IoT devices continue to proliferate, edge computing will become an increasingly important technology for businesses and individuals alike, helping to improve the speed, efficiency, and security of data processing and analysis at the edge of the network.