FEATURE

“ Central to every organisation ’ s focus is the customers they serve . While traditionally , everything was centralised in a data centre , this setup doesn ’ t align with the fact that customers are spread across the country and interact with services far from these centralised locations ,” said Nathi Dube , Director of PBT Innovation at PBT Group . “ The essence of Edge Computing is reaching out to where customers are , understanding and swiftly responding to their needs and harnessing deeper insights into their interactions with your products .”

A significant advantage of Edge Computing is its ability to help address

data sovereignty and localisation requirements . “ This particularly impacts multinationals more as they are often confronted with varied regional regulatory requirements in terms of where certain data , for example , personal data , is processed and stored . Edge Computing is ideal for this case because it allows data to be processed and stored locally .”

Factors driving the Edge boom

Dube highlighted several factors that have seen an increased interest in Edge Computing .

• Innovation and customer-centricity : “ Businesses have an innate need to innovate . This drive is chiefly about being closer to their customers , making them feel that the company is right where they are .”

• Technological advancements : “ Edge ’ s potential was previously limited due to connectivity issues . However , with innovations like 5G and the proliferation of IoT , connectivity is now seamless . The data generated by these connected devices enhances analytics , with AI further enhancing customer experiences .”

• The role of the public cloud : “ The public cloud has been instrumental in actualising Edge Computing , offering unparalleled computing and storage power . While the cloud plays a pivotal role in training AI models , the real growth happens at the Edge , allowing AI to be finely tuned to benefit businesses .”

Key considerations

While new technologies bring along a wave of excitement , businesses must cut through the hype . “ It ’ s imperative to identify your specific use cases for Edge Computing . Understand your infrastructure needs , especially in relation to cloud-connected AI devices ,” added Dube . “ Equally crucial is gauging how legacy systems will mesh with Edge models and whether your organisation possesses the requisite skills to leverage Edge technology optimally .”

Highlighting Africa ’ s unique challenges for traditional data centres , Dube said : “ Given the prevalent connectivity and power issues in Africa , Edge data centres are becoming increasingly important . These centres , being modular and scalable , can be easily maintained . Their design negates the constant need for redesigning , a characteristic of traditional data centres . Given their compact size , akin to a shipping container , they can be effortlessly shipped to even the remotest areas .”

Of course , Edge Computing is not just another passing trend . Dube believes that it is an enabler , a tool that , when harnessed right , can propel any industry into the future , with customer-centricity at its core . As businesses continue to evolve , placing customers at the forefront will

Nathi Dube , Director of PBT Innovation at PBT Group

remain critical and Edge Computing will be instrumental in achieving this objective .

We spoke with Dube to gain further insight . . .

What are some of the overall benefits of Edge Computing and how does this drive Digital Transformation initiatives ?

Edge Computing plays a pivotal role in Digital Transformation by enabling realtime data processing and analytics at the source , thereby enhancing decisionmaking and operational efficacy . Using the intelligent Edge not only saves bandwidth costs but also ensures timely data analysis which is critical in various scenarios such as medical alerts or logistical updates . Furthermore , as data processing takes place close to the point of capture , the quality of data is greatly improved . Edge Computing is integral in underpinning strong , digitally enabled ecosystems in regions like South Africa , thereby driving local innovation and providing a foundation for a technologically advanced future .

How are some factors driving the Edge boom more than others and why do you think this is ?

The Edge boom is driven by a coming together of several factors including technological advancements , increased IoT device proliferation and the need for real-time data processing . Edge Computing underpins various application environments like IoT , 5G and AI due to its ability to offer reduced latency and autonomous operations . Meanwhile , the www . intelligentdatacentres . com

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