Edge Computing Accelerates Digital Transformation in Industry 4.0

Some challenges cannot be solved with cloud services alone. Companies that have large distribution centers, for example, require an extremely high level of operational control, with monitoring and communication of internal and external equipment and machinery, with high availability.

In this type of scenario, local data processing may be necessary to ensure agility and security. The volume of data to be queried is so large (big data) that a solution with Edge Computing becomes necessary, capable of performing on-site data processing.

Edge Computing is an emerging computing architecture that promotes the decentralization of both the data center and the cloud and supports companies that wish to adopt or evolve into new technologies, as is the case for companies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution or, more commonly known: Industry 4.0.

With the advent of 5G, the connectivity problem is practically solved. We know that there are challenges for operators to modernize and reach pure 5G, but once it truly arrives, we will no longer have connectivity issues as before. And this will enable a series of unimaginable applications or those seen only in movies, such as: having a specialist doctor anywhere in the world perform emergency surgery remotely, immersive and real-time experiences for high-risk human activities, factories operating 100% with robots and with intelligent decision-making capabilities, drone delivery services, smart cities and autonomous vehicles, among other applications we cannot even imagine yet.

In this sense, Edge Computing becomes essential to guarantee the expected performance of these new applications because it can extend Cloud Computing to the edge, as close as possible to the user or the data-generating source, so that processing occurs locally. This avoids the data journey to a data center or to Cloud Computing — also hosted in a data center — for decision-making. Additionally, with the growing number of devices and the large volume of data generated by them, IoT (Internet of Things) is one of the main beneficiaries of Edge Computing.

For Industry 4.0, the architecture enables the transformation of factory operational technology (OT) into the digital world (IT, or information technology) with a range of new technologies such as: digital twins, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), wearables, robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data and analytics, and data processing, in addition to providing greater information security. For example, by combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) with IoT, it is possible to analyze sensor data, predict failures in industrial assets and even remediate them, such as factory equipment, HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and assembly lines. Added to this, computer vision can be used to detect manufacturing defects and increase product quality, and help keep workers safe by monitoring and alerting possible anomalies in real time. Everything we are discussing revolves around data, and AI needs data to make more informed and accurate decisions. When we consider multiple facilities using such technologies, the amount of data to be processed increases exponentially, and Edge Computing can improve processing efficiency, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making.

The advantages of using Edge Computing increase when used in a Hybrid Edge model, in which Edge becomes an extension of the Cloud. One of the advantages is the unified management of the entire factory environment, including the Cloud and factory systems. Everything now has an interface with the same standard and level of service. The result is optimization of technical teams, who can leverage their expertise in Edge or Cloud, generating savings and better use of the professionals’ own skills. Additionally, the convergence of factory systems with IT brings the full benefit of data processing and analysis, which can be used to adjust or optimize manufacturing processes and solve problems in advance, saving time and avoiding losses.

In this context, Edge Computing provides the security and reliability necessary for process control and integrated management, which are essential in cases involving large volumes of data.

Like any innovation, the new architecture requires market awareness about its benefits. Many companies have invested in another direction. However, Edge Computing brings cost reduction, greater resilience, scalability, increased security and privacy, and high performance.

Furthermore, Edge Computing is suitable for different types of businesses. A large retail store that needs automated control of payments and inventory would be very well served by this architecture. For hospitals, it could provide greater resilience for their systems, offer equipment-location services, and enable real-time patient monitoring with alerts to the mobile devices of doctors and nurses, allowing a faster and more effective response in emergencies.

There are decisive factors in choosing Edge Computing. One of them is the real-time need, meaning the requirement for ultra-low latency. Another is the need to keep or process data locally to minimize exposure risks, especially for highly sensitive or critical data. Additionally, depending on the use case, Edge may increase availability and reduce dependency on the network and the Cloud.

Together with IoT and AI, Edge Computing becomes essential for the successful implementation of Industry 4.0. It can help improve efficiency, productivity, and production quality, in addition to creating intelligent and connected factories. Private 5G networks complete the solution as a “plus”, but we can talk about that another time :-).

Reference: Edge Computing accelerates digital transformation in Industry 4.0