“Plan it before you program it,” a saying that echoes loud and clear in IT circles, is essentially the ethos of any successful IoT project. Internet Of Things (IoT) is a booming concept with an ever-increasing acceptance rate.
Amidst the fascinating trends that emerge in this domain now and then, Edge Computing certainly tops the list. The idea of processing data remotely without sending it to the Cloud is an appealing concept.
However, the only roadblock is the lack of proper planning to execute Edge computing. Without arranging for edge management before edge processing, you’re simply setting yourself up for a major disappointment.
So, here is some compelling explanation for why an Edge Device Manager is what your project needs right now!!
What Is Edge Device Management?
Creating a central network where all small and large edge devices are interconnected and where you can track the performance of each of these devices is the essence of Edge Device Management. This management also covers the functional tasks of diagnosing failures, overseeing security, and pushing updates. A good Edge Device Management strategy covers all of the following aspects:- Seamless Connectivity The collection of IoT devices should remain connected at all times with industrial communication protocols to reap maximum benefits. Working in diverse network conditions is not possible without having a way to bridge the functions of all the devices somehow.
- Robust Security Instances of security lapses and breaches via the edge are prevalent. Therefore, having end-to-end security through special web-controlled applications is essential for good edge device management.
- Easy Upgrades Only an advanced firmware management process enables the scheduling and handling of updates periodically. This becomes essential to empower the Edge network to make local decisions more efficiently.
- Future-proofing Keeping the network future-ready so that any emerging technology and protocol is incorporated when the need arises is a hallmark of edge device management.
- Ready To Install and Use The software that empowers an organization to manage its devices should be convenient. Therefore, Edge Device managers should come as certified products delivered ready to install rather than individual tools for different functions. All data migration services require device managers of similar kinds.
Why Are Edge Devices Essential for IIoT?
The features and definition of Edge devices represent their utility for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). In a nutshell, edge devices help transmit data between a local network and the Cloud. However, to send this data without a glitch, there needs to be an intelligent gateway that segregates, translates, and securely transfers data from the source to the Cloud. Edge devices play this crucial role. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) needs optimization to improve productivity significantly. Industrial settings require real-time analysis and adaptations to changing demands, so they must be performed consistently without delays or downtimes. Since Edge computing provides a low-latency alternative through its fast local processing, Edge devices are the most viable option for IIoT applications. Edge devices for IIoT offer critical benefits, such as the condition-based monitoring service. They can analyze data to detect and report possible failures, which improves equipment uptime. The fast processing speeds also enable technicians to plan for potential repairs, which allows them to stay equipped with the necessary data to plan accordingly. A different perspective on why industries need Edge computing over Cloud computing is that the Cloud usually depends on third-party gateways to boost security. Confidential industrial data is somewhat at risk in such arrangements. On the other hand, the security-conscious approach of edge devices offers a solution to this problem, especially in extreme security environments where third-party security is not allowed.Various Roles and Applications of Edge Device Manager in the World of IIoT
Edge device managers play the following pivotal roles in an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) setting :- Manage a Huge Influx Of Data With data being received and transmitted in abundance, the impeccable management capabilities of edge device managers come off as a blessing. These applications make rapid decisions regarding which data to keep and which to discard, thereby cutting the clutter completely and promoting proper utilization of information.
- Event Processing Once the computationally heavy work of developing and recognizing patterns is completed, edge device managers, with their ability to guide the execution of plans locally, complete the necessary actions without requiring any intervention.
- All-round Monitoring The edge device manager commands it all, from detecting latency changes to monitoring bandwidth usage. Also, the power monitoring function of edge device managers is crucial in industrial environments where devices are placed at inaccessible locations.