Businesses often have a strong aversion to being labeled a luddite. But implementing the latest technology can have swift, negative consequences for business networks in terms of bandwidth, connectivity and finances. The solution to these pitfalls that many companies are turning to is the network edge, where they can thrive without sacrificing latency, performance, or security.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and other cutting-edge technologies are exciting new frontiers. To take advantage of these new developments, businesses have been investing in moving to the edge in order to process data at the source rather than the cloud, which can cause latency and security concerns. Processing data at the edge can speed up business decisions while also collecting key data at the source, which can help refine product offerings and customer experiences. It also enables companies to minimize data transfer via external networks, bolstering security, producing better customer outcomes, and optimizing bandwidth utilization.
Challenges on the Edge
Cloud-based applications see substantial performance gains on an optimized edge network, thanks to the lower latency achieved by closing the distance between edge devices and their users. Placing security controls closer to cloud-hosted data also reduces the threat of private networks being compromised by outside attacks. Additionally, an optimized edge network helps avoid congestion issues that might arise with devices and applications by rerouting traffic to the correct destinations and ensuring the network is not overloaded. This shift to the edge also delivers cost savings businesses would typically incur from cloud providers by offloading processing and storage requirements to the edge.
While the benefits are enticing, it’s not as simple as adopting any edge network solution. A poorly configured one can turn the potential assets into liabilities. Security problems are the biggest risk. Businesses must ensure their edge is ultra-secure and can respond to threat incidents emerging from different devices or locations. Another problem can arise if your IT team does not have the correct knowledge and training. Without it, they could quickly become overwhelmed by having to manage the multitude of devices, locations, and applications that make up the edge. The upfront cost also can be a barrier to adopting edge networking. It can be expensive because it requires the purchase and deployment of suitable devices and systems that achieve the desired aims without sacrificing security.
Automation Drives Success
The automated edge has emerged as a critical advancement in edge networking. In simplified terms, the automated edge is intelligence that is embedded into edge devices which takes care of networking tasks like configuration, responsiveness, provisioning, and even monitoring all by itself.
It adapts to changes in daily operations, automatically optimizing network performance by directing traffic through different pathways to reduce lag time and interruptions, as well as providing greater reliability and security.
Most beneficial is that it can coordinate with generative AI models, improving connectivity and real-time decision-making from different devices, locations, and applications. This coordination enhances data analysis close to the source, while also accelerating customer interactions and offering additional opportunities for growth and innovation. Additionally, if your business relies heavily on low latency – which most businesses do – then your IT team will no longer have to constantly manage any blockages in your network and then figure out the best solution. The automated edge does it for you.
Edge Automation Made Simple
For all its promises, the automated edge also brings with a level of complexity many companies cannot, or are unwilling to, manage on their own. Instead, they are establishing partnerships with Network-as-a-Service providers to give them a fast, flexible, and competitive advantage. Network-as-a-Service, or NaaS, provides companies with an efficient end-to-end solution in the operational management and performance of their networks on a subscription basis.
NaaS providers assist companies with building their own private network on their own terms. This network can be scaled and configured to meet their needs. This relationship eliminates the complexity of implementing edge automation. It also takes care of security issues and protects your network from attacks through constant monitoring and early detection.
An optimal NaaS platform has been integrated with leading automated edge capabilities, allowing it to engage with all types of edge devices and applications. As a result, businesses can deploy new technology tools safely and efficiently while enabling their IT team to concentrate on other mission-critical tasks.
Visibility into network infrastructure via a user-friendly dashboard helps inform decisions about scalability and agility on demand, providing seamless network management, all while network maintenance concerns are taken care of 24/7 by an expert team of engineers.
Unleashing the power of IoT, generative AI and other cutting-edge technologies will mean giving a good look at edge networking. And by establishing the backbone today of what advancements will come in the future, businesses can capitalize on tomorrow’s developments in network edge innovation.
