Edge clustering and edge computing–you may have heard these terms before, but what exactly do they mean? Although the terminology can be somewhat vague, the innovation behind these new cloud processes is growing in importance for the future of business applications.
Whether you are looking for edge-compatible products like the Kubernetes products on offer from providers like SUSE or trying to find your bearings in edge computing, here are a few answers to the questions you have about bringing your business up to speed.
What is edge clustering?
Edge clustering allows business applications to process and service data at the network’s edge, rather than waiting to be collected in a central cloud or storage center and then processed.
Edge clustering eliminates the cost of extra data processing and allows real-time data collection and usage. This process is becoming increasingly vital as new businesses emerge in the cloud, demanding new technological innovations to keep up.
As more businesses invest in the cloud computing space, the International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that spending on Edge-related computing will reach $250 billion by 2024.
How do businesses benefit from edge clustering?
Businesses looking to invest in the future would have much to gain from edge clustering.
Edge clustering helps with scalability. An edge cluster is a cost-effective way to add more cloud capacity on the fly and can be set to auto-scale up to meet business needs. It also reduces the reliance on being close to a data center, allowing data processing to increase speed and efficiency.
Edge-native computing eliminates data silos–areas where data is too isolated–in your system that can cause issues with employees having to re-enter information repeatedly into different platforms.
These data silos can slow down productivity as employees or customers continually search through different applications to find what they are looking for.
Edge clustering saves time, reduces human-caused mistakes, protects and secures data, and improves the satisfaction of your clients and employees.
How do you integrate older systems into an edge cluster?
Many businesses looking to integrate their systems use an integration platform as a service or PaaS. These services take different applications and synchronize the data between them, storing them on the cloud where multiple people can see them.
Businesses can then install devices allowing the integration of edge clusters into their data services. Now, in addition to your native physical storage, you will have access to a quick and easy cloud server that synchronizes data that you don’t have to pay electricity to maintain or resources to secure.
Before you go
Consider your data processing costs and needs under your older systems before counting out an edge-native solution for your business. Investing in the future now is the best way to make sure you have your best foot forward.
You expect your business and your employees to adapt and carry forward long into the future, so why shouldn’t you bring your data along with you?