DATA CENTRE PREDICTIONS
weight, temperature and other metrics to
an application that determines estimated
delivery times, fuel stops or cargo tracking.
by 2035. However, AI has been slow
to develop because many people start
with the idea of a machine thinking like
a human. Another reason AI has been
slow to develop is that it has historically
required massive computers to support it.
However, this is now changing.
To other emerging industrial IoT
applications where production processes
are controlled in real-time, the network
infrastructure needs to have very low
predictable latency and very high
reliability. In 2019, data centre operators
will use augmenting intelligence in
autonomous systems to make use of
expanded peer to peer communications at
the edge, which is new to 5G networks.
Fibre optic infrastructure will provide
reliable low-cost transmission capacity
for edge data centres while placing edge
data centres close to the IoT sensors and
actuators will reduce transmission latency
and transmission costs.
VR/AR
Augmented reality (AR) is the use of
a device like a cell phone to display
relevant data while the user is watching/
doing something live. This year has seen
an increase in AR as technicians hold
phones while repairing a product to see a
schematic of the product with instructions
about how to make the repair.
On the other hand, virtual reality (VR) is
a complete immersion in a virtual world
through the use of an audiovisual headset.
For example, remote training classes are
using VR headsets to learn production
procedures before ever setting foot in a
manufacturing facility.
While AR can be supported with today’s
networks because the data is often
downloaded to a handheld device, VR will
require real-time video over an Internet
communications link. If the connection is
unreliable, bandwidth is too low, or latency
is too high, the experience is degraded and
may become useless.
Enterprise communications are
commonly video based. Video content
is now originating from mobile devices.
This new year will see higher-speed
5G networks designed to support peer
to peer traffic with a greatly enhanced
capability to support data generated at
the end user device.
20
Issue 02
The cost of computing has greatly
decreased; AI algorithms have improved;
edge computing has enabled AI to be
deployed in new ways. This will continue
and be more dramatic in 2019.
Blockchain
Blockchain is a decentralised database that
is encoded, unchangeable, consensual,
verifiable and permanent. When people
hear ‘Blockchain’ they think of Bitcoin, but
there are myriad potential uses for the
technology. It can and is being used for
anything that requires a permanent, secure
and verifiable record that can be accessed
in a decentralised fashion.
For logistics, Blockchain is being used
to establish trusted information such
as where a product was made, when it
was made, when it shipped, where it is
located and arrived, and how it was used.
It’s a shared public encryption system in
which distributed users participate in the
operation of the Blockchain. Everyone
holds the Blockchain data with a reduced
vulnerability to attack.
Developing the models to run AI is done
on the large central cloud resources. This
model is then downloaded to the edge layer
where the execution of AI provides benefits
in local time sensitive environments.
The edge AI analyses and controls the
local process (for e.g.) and then feeds
back information to the cloud helping
to improve the higher layer model.
Companies like Google and Facebook
are using AI to refine facility operations,
increasing availability, reducing operating
complexity and cost.
To prepare for a continued AI push in 2019,
corporations will adopt high-speed, low-
latency networks coupled with high-end
performance edge compute. Layering AI
between local and centralised resources
will combine the power of central cloud
with the agility and performance of edge-
based AI.
It’s about the infrastructure
Anything that requires or can leverage
a distributed ledger can benefit from
Blockchain. It can be applied whenever
an exchange of information needs to
be recorded and verified, so it has the
potential to disrupt many organisational
functions, from finance and procurement
to manufacturing, IT and sales. Because
of the benefits, this technology will be
increasingly adopted in 2019, which will
impact the data centres housing the
distributed ledgers.
AI
In the UAE, Artificial Intelligence (AI)
is expected to boost economic growth
by 1.6%, adding US$182 billion (Dh
667,94 tn) to the national economy
All of the technologies discussed have
been around but are in the process of
maturing and showing benefits that
will bring about more adoption in 2019
and will force a Digital Transformation
in the data centre. To prepare for Digital
Transformation, data centre managers
will implement advanced network
infrastructures to make their networks
faster, more ubiquitous, more reliable and
more secure.
By migrating to higher-speed networks,
expanding the reach of fibre and wireless
links, and adopting edge computing
strategies, companies can lay a firm
foundation for Digital Transformation
in 2019. ◊
www.intelligentdatacentres.com