Edge Computing: Where Real-Time Decisions Can't Wait

Here's a number that should grab your attention: 55 billion.

That's how many connected devices we'll have by 2025. Together, they'll generate 80 zettabytes of data. And just to put that in perspective – if you started downloading a single zettabyte today on your home internet, you'd still be downloading it 300 years from now.

This isn't just a fun fact to throw around at your next tech meetup. It's a wake-up call about how we process data in the real world.

In this episode of WWT Presents Research, I sat down with two experts from World Wide Technology who are helping organizations tackle this challenge head-on: Jennifer Adefala, Strategy Consultant, and Curt Stalhood, Distinguished Solutions Architect.

The Reality Check

Let's be clear about something: when milliseconds matter, sending data to distant cloud centers just doesn't cut it anymore. Think about autonomous vehicles. As Jennifer points out, they need responses in "5 to 10 milliseconds – essentially as fast or faster than the human eye."

You wouldn't want your self-driving car to buffer while deciding whether to brake, would you?

What Edge Computing Really Means for Business

Strip away the tech jargon, and edge computing is simple: it's about processing data where it makes the most sense. Sometimes that's right where the data is created.

Here's what this looks like in practice:

• Manufacturing: Catching defective products before they're boxed and shipped
• Retail: Recognizing customers and making real-time recommendations
• Mining: Detecting rock jams instantly to keep operations flowing
• Restaurants: Ensuring popular dishes stay stocked on the buffet line

As Curt explains it: "If we take a look at specifically like vision AI... we can actually use AI technology to reduce the amount of faulty products that are being spit out of a factory line floor." This isn't future tech – it's happening now.

The Big Shift (That's Already Happening)

Here's something that stopped me in my tracks during our conversation. Jennifer shared that "By 2025, Gartner estimates more than 50 percent of enterprise data will be processed outside of traditional data centers or the cloud."

This isn't just a trend – it's a fundamental reshaping of how we handle data.

What This Means for You

If you're wrestling with data processing decisions, here's what you need to know:

1. Location Matters: The closer you can process data to where it's created, the faster you can act on it.
2. Think Hybrid: As Jennifer puts it, cloud and edge need to work "like a team." Use edge for speed, cloud for heavy lifting.
3. Start Small: You don't need to transform everything overnight. Begin with use cases where speed really matters.

The Path Forward

Curt's perspective on this evolution is telling.

The key is understanding that edge computing isn't about choosing between cloud or edge – it's about putting the right compute in the right place.

Take Action Now

1. Download WWT's "IT Infrastructure and Operations Landscape Report in the AI Era"
2. Identify processes in your organization where milliseconds matter
3. Start conversations about where edge computing could give you a competitive advantage

Remember: The future isn't about having the most data – it's about processing it in the right place at the right time.

Robb Boyd hosts WWT Presents Research, breaking down complex tech trends through conversations with industry experts. Watch the full episode for a deeper dive into edge computing and its real-world applications.