Quantifying the Impact of Edge Computing on Mobile Applications Business
Quantifying the impact of edge computing on mobile applications,Author: Phil Muncaster,Cloud computing has been with us now for over a decade. And it's helping countless organizations transform their operations, scale and innovate while optimizing costs. But it's not the perfect fit for every use case. An emerging class of applications demands ultra-low latency, high bandwidth and mission-critical reliability. This requires processing data as close to users and devices as possible. Welcome to mobile edge computing (MEC). The impact of edge computing on mobile applications could open up a whole new world of business productivity and outstanding user experiences. What is mobile edge computing?,MEC is a variation on the cloud theme. The difference is that instead of sending data back and forth to centralized data centers that may be located hundreds or thousands of miles away, most of the processing happens at the edge of the network. In effect, you're bringing the power of cloud computing to the edge—whether that's in smart factories, hospitals, telecom base stations or other locations. Servers, storage, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, edge gateways and network elements are typical components. But it's at the application layer where the fun happens. Mobile edge computing refers specifically to the edge of a mobile network. But in fact, can be described as an "edge location." These include local data centers, and devices such as routers, Wi-Fi access points and switches, i.e. the so-called device edge. That's why many organizations now refer to the technology as multi-access edge computing.,What's not in any doubt, however, is the market potential of edge computing. It's at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 42% over the next few years, topping $23 billion by 2028. What are the benefits for businesses and users?,Edge computing on mobile applications works for several reasons. Benefits include:,Why combine edge computing on mobile applications with 5G?,The mobile network may be just one of many access points for edge computing. But it's one of the most exciting when you consider the impact of edge computing on mobile applications. The low latency, enhanced reliability and support for greater device density 5G could offer may be a force multiplier for edge computing on mobile applications. That means speeds many times faster than 4G, better support for high-bandwidth applications, improved energy efficiency and resilience, and even enhanced security. The result is more opportunities to deliver innovative use cases for edge computing on mobile applications, driving improved productivity, cost efficiencies and enhanced user experiences. What is the impact of edge computing on mobile applications?,At the heart of the value proposition for mobile edge computing and 5G are the IoT devices that collect data and then act on analysis of this data performed almost instantly at the network edge. Because compute processing is done at the edge rather than the devices themselves, their energy requirements can be lower. Quantifying the impact of edge computing on mobile applications isn't easy. In fact, there's an almost limitless range of use cases. Some of those that eventually dominate over the coming years may not even have been dreamed up yet. Here are some examples:,Manufacturing,The smart factory will come of age thanks to edge computing. Industrial equipment fitted with smart sensors could monitor local conditions and to optimize production on the factory floor and reduce the risk of malfunction and safety issues. Financial services,Edge computing can power intelligent robotic customer assistants in branches, or facial recognition and other services at ATMs. Local data storage will suit the sector's strict regulatory requirements for data privacy and security and help to minimize data transport costs. Healthcare,Connected patient monitors could analyze real-time data on the fly to notify clinicians of any serious deterioration in health, and even suggest diagnoses. Mobile edge computing powered by 5G in ambulances could help first responders with diagnoses and send vital health data back to hospitals to prepare doctors for incoming arrivals. Entertainment/gaming,Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are the next frontiers in gaming but require ultra-low latency and high bandwidth. Edge computing could help open up a new world of immersive gaming experiences for users, who in turn would benefit from thinner, more lightweight devices. Find out how Verizon can support your . The equivalent of cloud computing performed at the 5G network edge, meaning data is processed closer to users and their devices than in the traditional centralized cloud model. Because data has less distance to travel, latency and bandwidth requirements are significantly lower. Security may be improved because there's less opportunity for data to be intercepted. It also reduces devices' energy demands and can cut power and data transport costs. The sky's the limit. Use cases for high-bandwidth, low-latency apps include healthcare, transportation, financial services, manufacturing, entertainment and more. Let's connect. Sales,Find out how we can help improve your business operations, no matter the size of your fleet. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. 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