Edge computing. This term has become ingrained in the lexicon of Chief Information Officers (CIOs), tech vendors, and service providers, featuring prominently in industry conferences, product platforms, and corporate strategies. Maybe it’s not as exciting to talk about as generative AI, but its importance in what companies can do today cannot be understated.
The International Data Corporation (IDC) closely monitors the evolution of edge computing, projecting global spending to reach $176 billion in 2022, marking a 14.8% increase from the previous year.
Forecasts from the IDC Worldwide Edge Spending Guide indicate a sustained growth trajectory through 2025, with enterprises and service providers expected to invest nearly $274 billion in hardware, software, and services for edge solutions.
In today’s Emerge5, we’ll be diving into five emerging trends from the IDC EdgeView global survey:
Edge is seen as a business enabler
Seventy-two percent of survey participants leverage edge technology to develop scalable business models, with 70% anticipating swift profitability. With an increasing influx of data from edge locations, enterprises are exploring strategies to harness this data for creating distinctiveness and gaining a competitive edge.
Edge deployment locations are incredibly varied
Frequently mentioned in a singular context, edge locations encompass a broad spectrum from remote office/branch office (ROBO) settings to industry-specific sites like factories, warehouses, and retail stores. This diversity often results in varied hardware needs, including ruggedization or specialized form factors.
OEMs are top source of edge solutions
When asked where organisations are procuring edge solutions, respondents indicated Infrastructure Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) as the most popular source. While there are many new entrants in the edge computing market, the history and reputation of IT OEMs are considered essential for mission-critical applications.
Edge requires consistency with cloud and data centre environments
In the initial stages, early edge deployments were tailored to specific needs, demanding a considerable degree of customization and integration with other systems. Presently, organizations are opting for edge solutions that prioritize interoperability with existing infrastructure and offer the flexibility to deploy across various environments.
Edge technology enhances the significance of IT
Although the rise of cloud adoption heightened the involvement of developers in technology decisions, the tangible characteristics of edge infrastructure reassert the authority of IT management, wielding nearly three times the influence compared to any other functional area. This underscores the significance of skill sets related to the remote management of multiple sites.