It’s not as scary as it sounds, we promise. Edge computing can solve a wide variety of IT problems you have with your modern workloads as mobile applications and IoT devices become the norm in many organizations.
Key drivers to Edge computing are everywhere. We’ve all seen case studies, read whitepapers and heard about the benefits through word-of-mouth. But a few of these Edge drivers may already be present in your organization, and in order to future-proof your organization, it may be time to pay attention to those drivers and begin planning your Edge migration.
Take our quiz to find out if an Edge migration should be something your organization should consider as it modernizes its IT strategy.
1. Have you implemented an IoT network or mobile applications for frequent use among your employees and customers?
a.) Our organization does not have these on a large scale.
b.)We currently use a mobile application for certain customer service functions.
c.) Our organization uses IoT devices to monitor operations.
d.) We have both internal and external mobile applications as well as a bustling IoT.
2. Are you experiencing latency that could make it difficult for your organization’s operations to run according to your needs?
a.) Our network is up and running and we have the bandwidth to meet our needs.
b.) We aren’t experiencing latency issues, but we recognize this may become an issue in the future for our organization.
c.) Every once in a while, our speeds grind to a halt due to high volumes of traffic or data being generated and having to travel.
d.) We have a decentralized network model, so we typically don’t have too many latency issues.
3. Is some of your data utilized near its point of generation?
a.) We only have one location, so all our data stays pretty close as-is.
b.) We are starting to move toward more locally generated and used data at some of our locations.
c.) Our data processing and usage is split. Some of it is used near its source, but some needs to be accessible across our whole organization.
d.) Due to our high volume of IoT devices and wide mobile application adoption, we are seeing higher volumes of data processed and accessed near its generation.
4. Is your organization currently utilizing some version of centralized IT infrastructure, such as an on-premises data center or centralized could environment?
a.) We currently host our data on-premises and are happy with it.
b.) We have a cloud or colocation provider in a single location.
c.) We are practicing the 3-2-1 model for our backups but are looking to diversify with a multi-cloud environment.
d.) We have been long time users of a hybrid environment for our IT.
5. When you think about the future of your organization, are you seeing growth in new markets that necessitates new locations?
a.) Not at the moment. We plan to grow within our current market.
b.) Eventually, yes. We’re looking at expanding to one or two new locations.
c.) We are currently in the process of expanding to our next markets as I take this quiz.
d.) We already have several locations across a wide area and have plans to expand to more in the next few years.
Mostly As: Keep Tabs on Edge Drivers and Developments
At this stage of the game, the Edge might not be the best move for you. That being said, it would be wise to keep an eye on the direction of both the Edge and also your business in the coming years. Just because the Edge may not be a perfect fit for you now, doesn’t mean it won’t be in the future. Here are a few telltale signs that may indicate you’re ready for an Edge migration when the time comes:
- You’re experiencing higher rates of latency due to high traffic volumes.
- Your organization is expanding to new locations in new markets.
- You notice a pattern of small subsets of employees using data close to the source.
- You are looking for a more scalable, cost-effective alternative to a centralized cloud or colocation model.
If these come up, it’s probably time to start looking around for an Edge server via a local data center. At that point, we recommend checking out our other Edge blogs so you’re ready when you start noticing some growing pains.
In the meantime, there are many things you can do to improve your data management and processing experience. Take a look at your network. Could your speeds and connectivity be improved? As we know, latency is the number one killer of applications and that could have a massive impact on your employee and customer user experience. Invest in a speedy, reliable, redundant network to help manage your need for speed.
LightEdge Can Meet You Where You Are
Just because you might not be a good fit for the Edge, doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways for you to modernize your IT strategy. Sometimes something as simple as upgrading your network can have a massive impact on both your uptime and your user experience for employees and customers.
When asked about our differentiators, the first answer is always – our network. LightEdge designs all of our purpose-built facilities and services around connectivity first. That means unparalleled scale, redundancy, speed, and uptime for your business and the clients you serve. Are you ready to reap the benefits of unparalleled always-up, always-on, always-fast network to cut down on latency? Let’s schedule a call today to see if LightEdge would be the right fit for your organization’s needs.
Mostly Bs: Edge Drivers Abound
It might not be happening right now, but you can see a move to the Edge on the horizon. You know it’s time to start selling the rest of the leadership on the move to the Edge. One of the key drivers to the Edge can be cost. Some leadership teams are very cost motivated, so it’s important to come to those initial meetings prepared to make the case for the Edge.
When looking to modernize IT infrastructure, horns can often get locked between public cloud and the Edge. While each might work for different needs, it’s important to crunch the numbers based on your organization’s requirements for current performance and future scalability.
In short, running all your data through the public cloud can get expensive, despite an initially low sticker price. Public cloud is not meant for a large-scale operation, given the fact that many providers will upcharge for firewalls, data migration, local backup, site recovery, and even for basic support. Edge models can remedy the situation by keeping data close to its point of creation. Costs associated with data transfer are shrunken or even eliminated, allowing your organization to realize lower bandwidth costs. When we see this breakdown of cost savings, it’s no wonder enterprises now prefer an Edge model over the public cloud.
LightEdge Can Take You to the Edge
Ready to take the first steps to the Edge? With our data centers in several markets, we could be the perfect fit for the services you need. Our interconnected facilities can help you keep speeds high and costs low. If you’re feeling pushed to the Edge, our industry experts will work with you to see if our redundant, compliant data centers would be a good fit for your organization. Schedule a chat with one of our Edge experts so you can start reaping the benefits of the Edge as soon as possible.
Mostly Cs: Edge Computing is Around the Corner
You’re fairly certain you’re going to adopt an Edge computing model in the coming months, so it’s important to start preparing now for a smooth Edge migration. As you’re meeting with your prospective providers, working through the way you’d like your migration to look and vetting which provider will best meet your needs, it’s important to consider the following questions:
1. Which Edge are we talking about?
This question is critical to ask early on in your conversations with prospective Edge providers, since the Edge can mean different things to different providers. It could be anything from a remote endpoint to a local data center to the base of a cell tower. All of these are technically correct, but make sure that you and your team are on the same page about what you need before you move forward with any given provider.
2. Does your Edge model match my organization’s requirements?
Since you’re likely storing critical data that needs to be constantly accessible, and absolutely secure, make sure the Edge provider you choose is compatible with your industry’s compliance requirements as well as your own organization’s standards of care. This ensures a seamless experience for both customers and employees who will rely on this Edge server.
3. Is the bandwidth we need available locally?
A major Edge driver is the need for speed. Make sure your Edge servers are able to keep up with the amount of traffic your team anticipates while leaving a room to scale up or down according to need. An Edge server without the necessary connection speed and bandwidth will not help you reach the goals that sent you there in the first place.
Before you meet with prospective providers, make sure you have a clear priority list from all leadership team members involved to make sure that everyone’s needs are being met. Edge migrations only work when everyone is on the same page.
Get Ready for Your Move to Edge Computing with LightEdge’s Colocation Services
In the future, your network will be processing more data than ever before. It’s critical to consider a migration to the Edge now to secure the future of your organization. As a top-tier compliant colocation service provider, we pride ourselves on providing a high level of availability and reliability through secure, certified data centers and expert onsite staff. Our customized and scalable services keep you in the driver’s seat, and your needs met. Our Edge experts are eagerly awaiting your call to talk about how we can help you make the migration.
Mostly Ds: Are You Sure You’re Not Already at the Edge?
Your organization is a perfect fit for an Edge computing model—if you don’t already have one. You either have a robust IoT network or significant mobile app usage.
With more and more industries making moves to the Edge, it’s critical that as you expand your Edge presence you continue to vet all the partners you work with to ensure they meet your industry’s requirements for compliance and security. Maybe you’re moving to a new market. Maybe you’re looking at a little more space in your current market. Either way, adding another server might be a great option for your organization’s long-term IT strategy.
When you add another data center to your Edge lineup, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the expansion as smooth as possible:
1. Does this data center play well with my other data centers?
If it does not, it may be time to look at another provider. Interconnectivity is key in the event your employees need access to multiple data centers or need to migrate data.
2. What does scalability look like at this data center?
If you’re looking for a long-term solution, in either your existing market or a new market, think with the future in mind. You don’t want to choose a facility you will quickly outgrow and have to start the process over again.
3. How can I utilize your staff to keep mine from being overloaded?
Your Edge provider should have remote-hands assistance in order to help you maximize the value of your Edge. Keeping the burden off your own IT team gives you the ability to refocus on what really matters: revenue-generating activities.
Ready to Add Another Edge Server? LightEdge Has You Covered
Since you may already have an Edge server or two, it may be time to bring up adding another Edge server to your IT lineup. Our redundant, interconnected facilities across multiple major US markets can help diversify your Edge strategy while keeping your costs manageable and latency low. We understand your industry’s unique requirements for uptime and compliance with our always up, always on data centers. Ready to expand your Edge and get a leg up against the competition? Let’s have a chat.
