By 2025, forecasts say there will be more than 75 billion Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices in use, which would be a nearly threefold increase from the IoT installed base in 2019. In addition, data volume created by IoT connections is projected to reach a massive total of 79.4 zettabytes.
Much of the data generated by IoT devices – from smartphones and smartwatches to tiny computers embedded in machines and infrastructure – is processed in the cloud, with relevant information then sent back to the device, telling the device how to react.
IoT devices use sensors and processors to collect and analyze data acquired from their environments. The data collected from the sensors is shared by being sent to a gateway or to other IoT devices. It can then be either sent to the cloud or stored and analyzed locally on the edge of the network.
As smart sensors and devices in edge locations like factories, offices, homes, stores, vehicles, warehouses and cities have become smaller, less expensive and more interconnected, the Internet of Things has created a significant boost of data created and shared. Organizations in every sector – including business, manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare, financial services, retail, transportation, government, energy and education – are trying to determine the best way to analyze and capitalize on this data.
What is Edge computing?
I
n recent years, there has been strong consensus that Edge computing, where the processing and storage of data from IoT devices is located as close as possible to where it’s used, is the next big idea in information technology. Digital transformation, contactless commerce and data-driven decisions are driving the shift to more distributed, hybrid networks that Edge computing can deliver.
Edge computing is a distributed computing framework that brings enterprise applications closer to data sources such as IoT devices or local edge servers. This proximity to data at its source can deliver strong business benefits, including faster insights, improved response times and better bandwidth availability.
The chief aim of Edge computing is to move data computation away from data centers toward the edge of the network, manipulating smart objects, mobile phones, or network gateways to perform tasks and provide services on behalf of the cloud. By moving services to the edge, it is possible to provide content caching, service delivery, storage, and IoT management, which results in better response times and transfer rates.
The three main factors driving Edge computing are network latency, bandwidth costs and application availability. Let’s take a look at each one:
- Network latency causes poor performance or total failure for time-sensitive or interactive applications that require near-immediate response times. Edge computing shortens distances and requires fewer network jumps to minimize latency and guarantee application viability.
- Bandwidth costs can increase significantly when continuously transferring large volumes of data from edge to core/cloud and back again. Edge computing reduces bandwidth requirements and congestion, while communicating required information to the core/cloud data center significantly more efficiently.
- When an edge location relies completely on a core/cloud data center to process data, productivity is solely dependent on the network connection. If that connection goes down, business stops. Edge computing preserves application availability, even during a network failure, by eliminating the need for constant communication with a core/cloud data center.
How the Edge works
When information is stored in the cloud instead of on the edge of a network, there can be a delay in communicating critical information to the machine. A big advantage of edge computing is that the software can talk to PLCs, CNC machines, robots and large equipment operations network connected to manufacturing equipment. That means that not only is the information accessed much faster but it can quickly be communicated to a machine’s controls and automation network when immediate action may be needed.
For example, if a machine’s sensor measures that the pressure inside a hydraulic line is too great, it can send that information to the edge software where it can be analyzed and communicated to the controls network, which can then tell the valves to adjust the pressure or shut the machine down to avoid an accident or damage.
Essentially, the edge provides important connectivity and functionality that can’t be attained when information is stored solely in the cloud. Edge computing provides a more efficient and effective way to communicate with machinery because it allows read and write capabilities (analysis), rather than just data storage. Edge technology can monitor many variables that affect production and take actions based on equipment performance.
Parker’s Voice of the Machine Edge solution
Parker understands the impact and potential of Edge computing and how it makes businesses smarter, more connected and efficient. Our SensoNODE™ Gold sensors and Voice of the Machine™ Edge software platforms are IoT-empowered solutions that create new, advanced condition monitoring possibilities to reduce downtime and decrease maintenance costs, helping businesses maintain production and improve efficiency.
The technology provides a customized solution that allows data to be pumped and analyzed to wherever the customer needs it. It can be inserted into existing production processes to increase efficiency and affect immediate change when needed. A programmer is recommended to help ensure that the technology is properly customized for customers’ specific applications.
Our Voice of the Machine Edge Software is designed to work seamlessly with a web browser-based user interface. Data is ingested from virtually any industrial asset. Edge allows businesses to run various applications utilizing data at the Edge or send it securely to the Cloud for seamless enterprise integration.
The system’s key benefits include:
- App & industrial driver marketplace: Get started with free drivers such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus RTU, TCP, RS232, RS485 and more.
- Security monitoring: Instantly find anomalies in access, external hacking, and non-permitted data transmission.
- Remote device management: Gateways are capable of being provisioned to
- Voice of the Machine Cloud or other system.
- 3rd party cloud integration: Send processed and filtered data to Voice of the Machine Cloud or other third-party Cloud connectors to enable end-to-end solution creation.
- Private marketplace: Voice of the Machine Edge provides OEMs and System Integrators with the ability to host a private marketplace applications for their customers.
- Easy to use graphical programming interface: An extensive UI and flow-based configurations make solution building simple and easy.
Edge provides several key functionalities necessary for IoT deployment. Using a management UI, Edge enables the distribution of drivers at the gateway level to collect data from almost all legacy industrial protocols. Run applications locally (at the Edge) for quick and effective processing, so you don’t bombard your Cloud infrastructure with unnecessary data.
Features include:
- Industrial device connectivity: Using a simple drag and drop interface, collect data from many different types of legacy or modern systems with Flows. Many downloadable drivers are available.
- Application deployment: Includes an application marketplace where businesses can effortlessly deploy and run docker container applications at the Edge. Applications include data filtering, analytics, data enrichment, rules and alerts engine, and more.
- Secure access: Login/password protected access to gateway with the ability to setup multiple levels of permissions.
Don’t get left behind
Edge computing is quickly gaining traction and changing the landscape of the Internet of Things and how data is utilized, analyzed and communicated all over the world. Now is the time for businesses to consider how converting to Edge computing technology can keep them from getting left behind and can help them strive to be at the forefront of the industry when it comes to data collection, storage and application.
Read more about Parker’s IoT-based condition monitoring solutions including Voice of the Machine™ Edge Software.
Article contributed by Marc Williams, IoT project lead, Parker Hannifin Corporation.
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