Edge computing offers transformative benefits, such as ultra-fast response times, reduced bandwidth usage, and improved data privacy. For managed service providers (MSPs), this technology presents a significant opportunity to redefine IT services. By leveraging edge computing, MSPs can deliver solutions that address critical challenges across various industries, including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
Today’s clients expect customized IT solutions aligning with their business needs. Edge computing enables MSPs to provide scalable, secure, and cost-effective services by processing data closer to its source. This approach reduces latency, increases reliability, and facilitates real-time decision-making—advantages that resonate with modern business demands. As organizations embrace digital transformation, MSPs with expertise in edge computing can position themselves as essential partners in driving innovation.
This article will explore the fundamentals of edge computing and its use cases, and emphasize how MSPs can leverage their potential to transform IT services. By aligning edge computing capabilities with business outcomes, MSPs can deliver impactful solutions that enhance client satisfaction and drive long-term success.
What is edge computing?
Edge computing is a distributed computing framework that enables IT devices to instantly process and act on data at the network’s edge, either through a local server or the device itself. In edge computing, only the most important data transfers if the data needs to be processed in the central data center.
While people often confuse edge computing with cloud computing due to their similarities, some important differences reflect their uniqueness. The main difference between edge computing and cloud computing is that the cloud provider runs the workloads on edge devices or servers located closer to the user or data source. In contrast, cloud computing relies on the internet and processes the workloads within the cloud environment. It would be safe to call decentralized computing a faster, cost-efficient, and smarter version of cloud computing.
Top use cases for edge computing
According to Statista, the global decentralized computing market is projected to reach 350 billion U.S. dollars by 2027. Thus, there are multiple edge computing use cases available, with the following being the leading ones:
Security Cameras
Although security cameras aren’t a new invention, AI-driven security cameras capable of identifying suspicious activities and sending only the relevant video clips to the main data center for processing are a product of edge computing.
Autonomous Vehicles
Self-driving cars are known for their smart and efficient operation. They use decentralized computing to accurately and quickly respond to road conditions, traffic signals, pedestrians, obstacles, and other vehicles. While this application doesn’t directly impact MSP business opportunities, it’s still a growing tech trend to be aware of.
Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems
Have you ever wondered how a retail store thousands of miles away from its main data center processes payments in no time? The retailers use incredibly fast POS systems that leverage edge computing to reduce latency.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Decentralized computing takes remote patient monitoring to the next level. It collects patient data in real-time and promptly communicates it with the doctor and healthcare network. This enables quicker medical treatments and improves patient health.
Disadvantages & problems in edge computing adoption
Although edge computing has immense benefits, its adoption doesn’t come free of any disadvantages and problems. There are a few key concerns to keep in mind:
- Configuring, deploying, and maintaining the edge computing architecture can be expensive.
- A common concern with edge devices is that they often work in environments that lack the same level of physical security as data centers, making them susceptible to theft and tampering.
- The enlarged attack surface can lead to non-compliance with security regulations, resulting in heavy fines and penalties.
- Securing large amounts of data from data breaches at the edge demands effective network bandwidth management and balancing.
MSPs can extend existing services to include edge computing
MSPs can enable customers to understand their pain points and requirements, offering them tailored and scalable IT solutions and expert IT consultation, guidance, and support. Moreover, MSPs can empower clients by maintaining their security posture, including data recovery and compliance needs.
Furthermore, simplifying business operations through automation, IT infrastructure management, and network management while letting the clients focus on their core business tasks is one of the excellent ways for MSPs to enable their customers.
What MSPs need to know to sell edge computing to clients
MSPs need to know the business value and benefits of edge computing, its use cases, and client concerns and goals to sell decentralized computing to clients. For example, a client belongs to the media and gaming industry, the MSP must gather the following details:
- The benefits of edge computing for the media and gaming industry include low latency, fast performance, improved interactivity, etc.
- Relevant use cases include high-quality, low-latency content delivery, live video streaming, etc.
- Client concerns mostly revolve around doubts about the cost-efficiency, scalability, and integration of decentralized computing.
- Client goals include offering an immersive gaming experience, enabling smooth live video streaming, etc.
After collecting the stated information, the managed IT services provider must align the client’s goals with the benefits of edge computing while positioning themselves as experts in decentralized computing for faster conversions.
Bottom line: edge computing can add value to business operations
Being fully aware of the benefits of edge computing and technology, you can easily consider it to achieve business value and success for your clients. Of course, there are many technological priorities and expectations clients and their providers must balance when determining budgets and the overall approach to computing. Working on the edge might not be a need for all, but it can be a huge advantage for many.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are the key benefits of edge computing?
The key benefits of edge computing are reduced latency, real-time analytics, improved data security and privacy, cost-effectiveness, enhanced reliability and scalability, and network efficiency. Without decentralized computing, the networks would have been overwhelmed with large amounts of data, negatively affecting various aspects, including performance, costs, security, and customer experience.
What role does edge computing play in enhancing data security for MSP clients?
Edge computing plays a significant role in enhancing data security for MSP clients. It reduces the distance the data needs to travel, has fewer intermediary devices, minimizes data redundancy, isolates compromised components, monitors data in real time, and offers quick response times.
What challenges do MSPs face when implementing edge computing?
MSPs face several challenges when implementing edge computing. These include deploying and managing decentralized edge nodes, ensuring data protection at edge devices, and integrating edge computing with existing cloud services, IT systems, and IoT devices. Moreover, balancing cost and performance while scaling edge deployments becomes quite difficult.