More and more data should be processed locally, as close as possible to their emission source thanks to Edge Computing in the coming years.
This technology will gradually impose itself due to the volume of data generated by connected objects that will increase in the coming years, most often exceeding network bandwidth. Indeed, Statista predicts that by 2025, more than 75 billion IoT devices will be installed worldwide. This requires a change in how data should be collected and analyzed. Today, companies need to analyze the most important data as quickly as possible and Cloud Computing doesn't always meet these needs.
Let's examine the differences between cloud and edge computing and determine if one replaces the other or if ultimately, these two technologies are complementary.
What are the differences between Edge Computing and Cloud Computing?
Edge computing involves analyzing and storing data locally, as close as possible to equipment and users. With Cloud Computing, data is processed in externalized datacenters, with shared and centralized resources. Used in IoT, Edge computing collects data at the network periphery and processes it in real-time, reducing traffic to the Cloud and decreasing latency.
In building management, traditional BMS systems process all data directly at controller level, which has very limited computing power. It's rare for data to be processed in the cloud. By exploiting building data in the Cloud, we break this computational limit and exploit 100% of this data's potential.
But we become dependent on internet connection, sometimes unreliable in buildings. This is where Edge computing makes perfect sense, it ensures data resilience locally, while being able to benefit from Cloud power when associated together.
What are the advantages and limits of Edge Computing?
Edge Computing has several advantages:
- Reliability: With Cloud, controllers are open on the network while Edge allows closing the network. Indeed, it's the Edge that connects with the Cloud and not the controller. Edge is ultimately a piece of infrastructure capable of doing everything in closed loop.
- Bandwidth and associated cost reduction: Cloud providers charge for bandwidth and all round trips between controllers and Cloud pose ecological problems. The bandwidth cost necessary for data transmission decreases when data is processed locally. Indeed, Cloud sends a request to all controllers regularly while Edge, placed next to the controller, sends data to Cloud when there's a change in data.
- Security: Edge provides better security for sensitive data and resilience to connection problems. Not all data has to circulate via Internet so in case of failure, data can continue to circulate making the user less dependent on their internet connection.
But Edge also has disadvantages:
- Maintenance: Edge Computing requires installing hardware in the building, which requires additional maintenance. Edge is also a more complex program to implement than Cloud.
- Price: Edge Computing often costs more than Cloud Computing since implementing an edge architecture requires proper support.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Cloud Computing?
Cloud Computing has advantages like:
- Reduced costs: Cloud Computing enables savings. There's no need for equipment investment, network infrastructure or hardware maintenance.
- Scalability: Cloud Computing shows great flexibility with the advantage of easily adapting to sudden infrastructure growth or storage needs.
- Great accessibility: The main Cloud characteristic is data and document access from anywhere, anytime, as long as internet access is available.
But Cloud has its disadvantages:
- Internet dependency: If you lose your network connection due to fire or outage, you risk being temporarily paralyzed in your activity.
Are Edge Computing and Cloud Computing compatible?
Edge is ultimately complementary rather than competitive with Cloud. Indeed, Edge enables initial data processing for reactive response before transferring them to Cloud.
A hybrid solution like Sensinov can combine both technologies so the company can benefit from greater flexibility. By synchronizing Edge with Cloud, all Cloud functionalities will continue to work in the building even if connection is lost. In other words, Edge becomes an essential building component, finally allowing it to exploit Cloud's full potential while ensuring service continuity.
