The Differences Between Cloud and Edge Computing | 7wData

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The concept of data transmission efficiency is growing in importance now that big data has become a big issue, thanks to the spread of IoT devices. Many companies are deciding between Edge computing and Cloud computing as a path to future sustainability. Here’s a look at the differences between these two popular types of data management.

IT industry analysts project that 75 percent of enterprise data will involve Edge computing by 2025. Cloud computing, in which data is computed at a private or third-party data center, is the older method, while edge computing is newer and involves computing at network edges. The key difference is physical distance between the data source and its endpoint device.

Bandwidth challenges are at the forefront of the emerging business technology landscape. In many ways, 5G will be the solution for larger organizations to transmit vast endless data from point A to point B. But a large percentage of businesses will try to delay 5G adoption to cut costs while monitoring its development.

Even with 5G, there’s still a need to make data transmission as efficient as possible. Edge computing contributes to greater bandwidth efficiency by reducing the distance data must travel to be processed. In this sense, the ideal location for computing is within the device itself, but that requires more processing power. By narrowing the gap in which data must travel from storage to devices, there will likely be fewer latency problems.

The strength of cloud computing is that it allows users to access data from any location in the world on any device. The computing is conducted at a centralized place either on a local or remote machine rather than the source that feeds the data to the server. As data began to blossom wildly in the cloud, the concept of edge computing emerged as an alternative.

Both cloud and edge computing serve valuable purposes. Online payment processing was made possible by the cloud’s centralized data storage. Cloud services also redefined the roles of tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. Additionally, many cloud software companies began offering their applications through cloud subscriptions to replace hardcopy media such as CDs and DVDs. With so many different applications, cloud services are now at the heart of many online businesses.

Deciding between cloud and edge computing comes down to your business operations and goals. If your office space is limited to the point of restricting the number of nodes for doing business, the cloud can offer an efficient solution. Cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, for instance, have made it easier for companies to allow remote work opportunities for their employees without requiring a software license for every computer.

Because the cloud has also led to cost-savings on multi-user software licensing, it was designed to serve many users at once at an affordable cost. A business can now exist completely in the cloud, meaning you don’t have to store data on your own computers. Through various cloud services, you can cut upfront hardware and software costs, which is the massive appeal of cloud computing.

Moreover, through the cloud, you can access endless Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms, which would otherwise take up massive space on hard drives. This solution makes robust industry software scalable and affordable. The cloud also reduces the need for an in-house IT team since security and network management are handled by offsite data centers, with exception for local private clouds.