Evolving Edge
The complexity of industrial operations, coupled with the tremendous volume of data generated each day in industry, means that some level of computing capacity is required close to the data source. For many decades, this has typically been the role of local control systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and programmable automation controllers (PACs).
However, the ‘industrial edge’ — systems designed to compute and handle data on the factory floor and closer to the point of data generation — is continually evolving. This evolution brings with it new opportunities for more efficient data processing and improved plant-level operations with minimal operating costs and data bottlenecks.
The benefits of the industrial edge
Although industrial edge computing generally exists in some form in industrial businesses, there are a number of benefits of investing in advanced edge systems:
- Faster response times: Greater analytical capabilities in edge systems allows data to be acted on quicker, in closer to real-time, and the decision-making process for local operations is streamlined.
- Reduced data bottlenecks: With greater pre-processing closer to the data source, smaller data packets can be communicated across a network, less frequently. This reduces the bandwidth requirements and makes data easier to communicate with connected data storage and analysis systems, whether locally or cloud-based.
- Lower data storage costs: Greater pre-processing at the edge allows for some basic compression on data sets, which reduces file sizes. This helps businesses to make more economical use of data storage systems.
Read more about the benefits of the evolving edge here.