Edge computing provides valuable insights into the business world and plays a role in real-time control of critical business processes and operations.
In the context of Industry 4.0, which involves the digital transformation of manufacturing and industrial processes with smart technologies, edge computing offers many benefits such as low latency, bandwidth efficiency, reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the benefits of edge computing in the context of Industry 4.0. Plus, we will examine how smart factories improve data processing with edge technology.
What is Edge Computing?
In today’s business world, there are differences in managing computing with large-scale data processing. These differences become somewhat mandatory as they provide both cost and efficiency benefits.
Handling large-scale data poses several problems, including bandwidth limitations, latency issues, and risky network outages. The technology that responds to all these problems is edge computing.
Edge computing performs data processing where data storage is needed, rather than in a centralized cloud system. Since the data is processed close to its source, it offers many advantages in terms of speed, efficiency, reliability, and performance.
In short, edge technology reduces the distance that data has to travel. This makes it possible to improve response times and save bandwidth.
In traditional business computing, data is generated at a client endpoint. This data can generally be received and transferred as desired over the Internet.
The main problem here is that as the number of devices connected to the organization increases, the internet network width becomes insufficient.
Many advantages can be gained in data processing by bringing computing resources closer to the source of the data.
For a better understanding, let’s check the advantages gained by edge computing, which places storage and servers where the data is located.
Advantages of Edge Computing
Less latency, high scalability, strong data security, real-time analytics, and more. Here are the advantages gained with edge computing:
Minimum Latency
The most important advantage of edge computing is that it minimizes latency. The main concept here is to process and store data where it is created, not in a remote data center.
Take IoT devices in factories as an example. Since IoT devices need real-time decisions, edge computing speeds up the data processing process.
Data Security
Business data can be stored securely with edge computing. In this system, data is processed on the devices used, not in centralized locations.
It should be noted that businesses that process sensitive or personal information see this technology as the safest way. With edge computing, it is possible to create encryption and firewalls and protect against unauthorized access.
Real-Time Analysis
One of the biggest benefits of edge computing is real-time analytics. By exploring data instantly instead of exchanging it across a centralized cloud, organizations can have a variety of insights into business processes.
According to research, 83% of companies believe that edge computing will be important to remain competitive in the future. Real-time analytics can be very useful for improving efficiency and gaining insights into potential risks.
Increased Scalability
Edge computing enables data from devices to be processed in less time, avoiding network congestion and latency.
With improved scalability, large amounts of data from smart homes and factory equipment can be processed more efficiently.
Benefits of Edge Computing for Industry 4.0
Edge technology can be applied to industry facilities such as manufacturing plants, making cloud-based data processing much easier. So, what exactly is the role of edge computing in Industry 4.0?
Edge computing connects devices used in industrial processes. Its ability to predict digital transformation risks and increase efficiency are just some of the benefits that have proven its popularity.
With the ability to collect data by connecting to industrial systems, edge computing offers the advantages of analyzing, distributing, managing, and updating data.
The benefits of edge computing examined within the scope of Industry 4.0 are as follows:
Increases Efficiency in Business Processes
With edge computing, it becomes possible to make real-time decisions and analyze complex data much faster and easier.
It enables the management of assets in a factory and the accurate execution of factory operations with updated data.
Provides High Bandwidth
Industry 4.0 provides ultra-low latency for interconnected assets to function properly and anticipate potential failures.
In addition to all these, its high bandwidth sum makes it easier to manage information in storage processes.
Reliable Information Storage
Edge computing protects confidential and sensitive corporate information against cyber attacks. Data leakage risks are eliminated thanks to the proximity of IT to the data source.
Plus, it protects the reliability of business processes by strengthening the connection between IT and operational processes.
5 Uses Cases of Edge Computing in Industry
Edge computing is a very useful application in many areas such as manufacturing processes and automation. To better understand all these benefits, let’s take a look at the areas where edge computing is applied within Industry 4.0.
1. Asset Maintenance Processes
Edge computing stands out by facilitating predictive maintenance. Here, IoT sensors installed on factory machinery send real-time data to monitor the performance of critical equipment.
With real-time asset tracking, it becomes possible to anticipate various failures and prevent them before they occur.
With edge computing playing a role in asset maintenance processes, the uptime of machines is extended, resources are saved, and the overall efficiency of the entire plant is increased.
2. Quality Control
Edge computing can improve process control by providing real-time feedback. Thanks to the application that can perform instant analysis on products, manufacturers can fine-tune their production processes and increase efficiency.
It is highly effective in minimizing the risk of producing substandard products and maintaining overall performance.
3. Supply Chain Optimization
The success of a factory’s supply chain is directly related to the success of the overall processes. Edge computing can provide real-time data on inventory levels, shipment status, and environmental conditions during shipment.
For example, the food industry has to ensure that products are stored and delivered under the right humidity and temperature conditions. Preserving the consumer life of products is instrumental for healthy shipment processes and operational efficiency.
4. Saving Energy
Savings can be achieved with edge computing that optimizes energy use by monitoring the energy consumption of factories. Preventing unnecessary energy consumption of equipment in a factory is beneficial in terms of both environmental impacts and cost.
Edge computing aims to achieve environmental sustainability as well as operational efficiency.
As a result, edge computing is one of the newest technologies applied within the scope of digital transformation and increases the process efficiency of businesses.
Edge computing, which provides many of the benefits a business needs, from real-time data analysis to preventing potential risks, is a technology that businesses apply more and more every day.
Now, let’s look at how to increase the efficiency of a business within the scope of digital transformation.
Increasing Efficiency Through Digital Transformation
It is possible to increase efficiency in business processes with edge computing. However, there are other things you can implement to increase efficiency within the scope of digital transformation.
Here are some tips we have put together for you:
Set Clear Goals in Digital Transformation Strategy
You may want to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs in business processes, or master customer relationships through digital transformation.
Before embarking on a digital transformation journey, it is useful to create a strategy with detailed and clear objectives.
Make Data-Driven Decisions
One of the biggest benefits of edge computing is allowing you to make decisions based on real-time data. This may be the most important strategy you should adopt in your digital transformation journey: making data-based decisions.
All technologies that provide information about IoT devices, customer management software, and operational processes in your organization enable you to make data-based decisions.
Automate Repetitive Tasks
In other words; Take advantage of automation. Choosing the right automation software is very important to eliminate repetitive tasks and increase efficiency.
With automation, you can streamline workflows, and free up time for critical tasks.
Adopt IoT Technologies
We can bring up the IoT technologies we use within the scope of edge computing again. Because IoT technologies are one of the most important applications for collecting real-time data from equipment, products, or environments.
You can use IoT data to optimize resource allocation based on real-time insights.
Use Digital Collaboration Tools
While edge computing allows you to process data faster and easier, if the connection between your team is not strong, this data will be wasted.
You can implement collaboration platforms and communication tools that facilitate real-time interaction and seamless information sharing between teams.
This is where we recommend an effective collaboration tool: OctaMeet
OctaMeet is one of the latest technologies developed to strengthen and facilitate communication between teams.
With OctaMeet, which stands out with its high-resolution audio and video quality, it is possible to create meeting rooms, utilize interactive communication tools such as whiteboards, and use advanced integration features.
Moreover, a 30-day trial version is available for those who want to experience OctaMeet.
Try For Free!
You can contact us to get detailed information about OctaMeet. If you want to experience OctaMeet to strengthen collaboration and increase efficiency within the scope of digital transformation, you can simply book a demo meeting with our experienced team!
