The Advantages of Implementing a Cloud Edge Platform in Your Business 

Posted on 12th July 2023

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The tech world is changing faster than ever. Every decade brings new technology and creates a gap. There is always a need for an efficient and cost-effective solution for businesses to fill that gap. Cloud Edge Platform is a solution that allows businesses to stay ahead of their competitors. It is a combination of cloud computing and edge computing.

Cloud edge platform allows businesses to store and process data in real-time close to the edge of the network. It allows businesses to leverage interconnected edge devices for their benefit. Edge Computing Platform provides businesses with reduced latency, fast delivery, and reduced cost. It can also help businesses stay competitive in their fields by taking advantage of new technologies like AI (Artificial Intelligence), ML(Machine Learning), and IoT(Internet of Things).

In this article, we will discuss the advantages of implementing a cloud-edge platform in your business. We will explore the competitive advantage, cost, scalability, security, and improved performance. We’ll also cover Nife Labs, a cloud computing platform that helps businesses and developers build, scale, and deploy applications securely. Read the full article for some actionable insights.

Cost-Effective Solutions 

Continuously evolving technologies force businesses to look for more efficient and cost-effective ways to compete. A big advantage of cloud-edge platforms is cost-effectiveness. These platforms reduce the cost of operations significantly. Both small and medium size businesses can leverage cloud-edge platforms to substantially reduce their hardware, software, and IT costs.

Reduction of Hardware Cost 

Businesses have large volumes of data for storage and processing. Usually, all of this is done on some physical IT infrastructure. These infrastructures are costly and require continuous maintenance, electricity, cooling, and physical security. 

Cloud Edge computing platforms allow businesses to store their data online without the need for any physical infrastructure. It reduces the cost of IT infrastructure. It also provides the organization with ultra-fast speed because this data is stored and processed close to where it is generated.

Introducing Intel® Xeon Scalable processors, such as the Intel Xeon Scalable processors (e.g., SKU: Platinum 8280, Generation: 2nd Gen). These processors, belonging to the 2nd Generation of the Intel® Xeon Scalable family, offer unparalleled computational capabilities for demanding workloads. By leveraging Intel’s innovative technology, your business can experience improved performance without breaking the bank on hardware costs.

Reduction of Software Cost 

Another big advantage of a cloud-edge platform is reduced software cost. Businesses today rely on different software for their daily operations. These software are costly and require a subscription. However, Intel comes to the rescue with its suite of software development tools and libraries.

Take, for instance, the Intel® Parallel Studio XE, a comprehensive set of tools that enable developers to efficiently build, optimise, and deploy software applications. Virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) further reduces software costs by virtualizing network functions and running them on general-purpose servers. This eliminates the need for dedicated hardware, lowers capital expenditures, and enables businesses to leverage commercial off-the-shelf servers, resulting in substantial cost savings.

By adopting networking technologies like Open RAN and vRAN, businesses can achieve cost reductions in software through several avenues.

Reduction of IT Support/ Maintenance Cost 

Traditionally businesses hire Maintenance and Support teams for their physical infrastructure to ensure smooth workflow. A big part of their budget is dedicated to these teams. But the cloud allows these businesses to cut this cost. Cloud edge platforms have dedicated teams to ensure maintenance and support around the clock.

Improved Performance 

Another advantage of implementing a cloud-edge platform in your business is improved performance. Businesses require real-time data processing and low latency to improve their performance. A Cloud edge platform can fulfil these requirements through its interconnect computing network through fast data processing, low latency, and improved reliability. Also, By harnessing Intel technology, businesses can enhance the performance of their cloud-edge platforms.

Fast Data Processing 

Cloud edge computing leverage interconnected edge devices close to the source for processing. This allows businesses to process data in real-time and faster than any traditional method. In the case of cloud-edge platforms multiple devices closer to the data generator are used. Also, businesses can leverage Intel Xeon Scalable processors, renowned for their outstanding performance, which is designed to handle intensive workloads with lightning-fast speed. These processors leverage multiple cores, high clock speeds, and advanced architecture to power through complex calculations, data analytics, and real-time processing.

Low Latency 

Latency means how fast the server processes the request. It is the measure of the time between the processing. It usually depends on the distance between the server and the request source. High latency means very low processing speed and low latency means fast processing speed. In the case of cloud edge computing data is processed locally closer to the system. So latency is very low in that case.

Introducing Intel® Smart Edge, empowering businesses to deploy edge computing capabilities. Smart Edge allows businesses to process data at the edge of the network. By processing data at the edge of the network latency is minimized, ensuring rapid response.

Businesses can leverage the Nife cloud computing platform for lightning-fast transmissions and processing. The platform’s advanced features, such as network routing with latency in mind and quick application instantiation, ensure that applications perform optimally with minimal delay. With Nife’s global reach and the ability to deploy applications in multiple locations within seconds, businesses can effectively serve their customers across different regions while maintaining low latency.

Improved Reliability 

A Cloud edge platform provides more reliability to businesses than traditional business practices. Networking technologies like Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN), virtualized radio access networks (vRAN), and Smart Edge also contribute significantly in increasing reliability.

Open RAN and vRAN provide fault tolerant features, ensuring continuous operations even in case of any network and hardware failures. Similarly Intel® Smart Edge also increases reliability by processing data closer to the network. This reduces dependence on centeralized network.

Scalability 

Scalability is another advantage of using a cloud-edge platform in your business. Many businesses have scalability issues. Cloud edge computing can address these issues effectively through Vertical Scaling, Horizontal Scaling, and Capacity Scaling.

Vertical Scaling 

A large number of businesses encounter problems when they see a sudden increase in demand. They face huge problems scaling up their physical IT infrastructure. But cloud edge platforms allow you to scale up any time using virtualization. It does not require your business to purchase space, servers, cooling systems, etc. The best part is you only pay for what you use.

Horizontal Scaling 

Horizontal scaling refers to adding servers and nodes to your network infrastructure. Cloud edge platforms allow businesses to scale out effectively using containerization, orchestration, and automation tools. These tools allow organizations to scale automatically without any compatibility issues.

Capacity Planning 

Cloud edge platforms give businesses the advantage to utilize different analytics tools and predict demand. In this way, organizations can allocate more resources before a sudden increase in demand. For example, during Christmas when demand is expected to increase businesses can allocate extra resources beforehand through proper planning.

Businesses can leverage Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT) for efficiency and flexibility of cloud edge platforms by enabling the creation of virtual machines (VMs) and containers. These virtualization technologies allow businesses to dynamically allocate and manage resources across multiple servers.

Security 

Security is one of the biggest concerns of businesses of all sizes especially when data is stored in the cloud. Cloud edge platform uses Data Encryption, Access Control, and Threat Detection to address security issues. All these security measures prevent threats like phishing, data breach, and downtime.

Data Encryption 

A Cloud edge platform allows businesses to use data encryption to protect their data. Data encryption is the use of mathematical algorithms to encrypt data. This data can then only be accessed using a decryption key. Usually, the decryption key is kept away from the cloud. In case of any data breach data is useless without a decryption key. 

Access Control 

Access control is another security layer provided by cloud edge computing platforms to safeguard the data of businesses. It allows businesses to set authentication permissions and levels for their employees. Each employee has access control that allows him/her access to parts of the cloud that are part of his/her job.  

In case of data leaks access control allows businesses to track down the complete information including employee credentials, date, and time to trace back leaks.

Threat detection and prevention  

Threat detection is another important security feature of Cloud Edge Platforms. These platforms use Machine Learning (ML) and Data Analytics to analyze cyber threats. These technologies analyze patterns and identify these threats. This allows businesses to take fast action and neutralize the threat before it causes any harm.

Intel Security Solutions for Cloud Edge Platforms

Introducing Intel® Software Guard Extensions(Intel® SGX) as a security solution for cloud edge platforms. It provides a hardware-based security technology that enables applications to create secure enclaves, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access or tampering. By utilising Intel® SGX, cloud edge platforms can encrypt critical data, ensuring its confidentiality even in shared or compromised environments. This gives businesses and their customers peace of mind, knowing their valuable information remains protected.

To combat evolving cyber threats, Intel has developed a comprehensive suite of security libraries that fortify cloud-edge platforms against unauthorized access and potential attacks. These libraries provide robust access control mechanisms, allowing businesses to define and enforce strict permissions and authentication protocols.

Introduction to Nife: Simplifying Application Deployment and Management

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, staying ahead requires adopting innovative solutions that enable rapid application deployment, effective scaling, and streamlined management. That’s where Nife, a global cloud computing platform, comes into play. With Nife, businesses can unlock a competitive edge by simplifying the complexities of cloud, 5G, and edge computing, allowing for faster deployment, effortless scalability, and cost-effective management. Let’s explore how Nife empowers businesses to achieve remarkable advantages in application development and delivery.

View Application and Deploy: Nife offers a seamless deployment process, allowing businesses to launch their applications quickly across any region without worrying about specific infrastructure requirements.

Monitor Applications: With Nife, businesses gain comprehensive visibility into their applications, enabling real-time monitoring, report generation, and customized alerts based on their preferences.

Manage and Extend Applications: Nife simplifies the management and expansion of applications to different regions, considering factors like network routing and latency, ensuring optimal performance and rapid application instantiation.

DevOps Efficiency: Nife simplifies the integration of disparate systems, enabling DevOps teams to deploy code within minutes of committing changes to their source repository. This streamlined efficiency eliminates bottlenecks and accelerates the deployment process, giving businesses a competitive advantage in delivering updates and new features swiftly.

Visit Nife Labs to discover how Nife’s automatic, fast, and simplified application deployment can propel your business forward.

Competitive Advantages of Cloud Edge Platform

The business world is highly competitive right now. Every category of business is flooded with products. Every organization is trying to take an edge over its competitors. Cloud edge platform allows businesses to stay ahead of their customer through improved customer experience, Better Resource Utilization, and Improved Decision Making.

Improved Customer Experience 

Today customers have thousands of different options in a single business category. The only way to stay ahead in the game is to provide an exceptional customer experience. Cloud edge platform allows businesses to provide enhanced customer experience by providing fast response time and real-time insights.

For Example, an eCommerce store can utilize cloud tools to provide a personalized experience to their customers. 

Better Resource Utilization 

Another advantage of the cloud edge platform is resource utilization. Organizations can use cloud edge to control the amount of data they want to be shared on the cloud. Thus reducing bandwidth and improving the efficiency of the system. 

Improved Decision Making 

Businesses are required to make decisions all the time. Cloud edge platform allows businesses to make informed decisions. It provides businesses with Machine learning and analytic tools. These tools allow them to gather facts and data to make critical decisions. 

For example, a hospital can analyze all the analytics about their patients to make an informed decision. Banks can also utilize it for loans and other services to calculate the default probability of a loan based on customer data.

Use Cases 

Due to the infrastructure and adaptability of cloud edge platforms, they are suitable for a wide range of use cases. This includes the Internet of Things (IoT), Real Time Analytics, Video Surveillance, and more. We will discuss some of these use cases here. Let’s dive in!

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things refers to a network of different interconnected devices. These devices share large volumes of data over the network 24/7. Cloud edge platform allows businesses to collect, analyze, and take action based on real-time data. Networking technologies, including Open RAN and Smart Edge, are instrumental in supporting IoT use cases.

Open RAN offers scalable solutions for businesses. It allows businesses to integrate a variety of IoT devices, gateways, and sensors, providing a seamless communication exchange. Whereas Intel® Smart Edge technology provides processing capabilities at the edge of the network. This allows for low latency, real-time insights, and faster response time.

Real-Time Analytics 

Real-time analytics is another use case of cloud-edge platforms for businesses. It involves analyzing real-time data and providing insights. This helps organizations make fast and well-informed decisions. Intel’s networking technologies, including Open RAN and Smart Edge, offer valuable capabilities to support real-time analytics within the Cloud Edge Platform.

Open RAN enables businesses to optimize data transmission and processing for real-time analytics.Open RAN facilitates the seamless transfer of data from distributed sources to analytical systems. By leveraging the computing power of Smart Edge, businesses can perform real-time data analysis, extract valuable insights, and take immediate actions.

Video Surveillance 

Another use case of cloud edge computing is video surveillance. Surveillance equipment creates an overwhelming amount of data. Open RAN and Smart Edge, offer significant benefits for video surveillance deployments within the Cloud Edge Platform.

Open RAN enables seamless connectivity between surveillance cameras, video management systems, and control centers, ensuring the reliable and efficient transmission of video feeds. While Smart Edge brings edge computing capabilities. It reduces latency and optimizes bandwidth by processing data at the edge of the network. This enables real-time video analytics, such as object detection, facial recognition, and behavioural analysis, directly at the surveillance endpoints.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, implementing a Cloud Edge Platform, powered by Intel’s network-related solutions and facilitated by Nife Company’s cloud computing platform, offers a game-changing advantage to businesses. Cloud edge computing platforms provide businesses with many advantages that give them an edge over their competitors. These advantages include cost-effective solutions, Improved Performance, Scalability, security, and competitive advantages. With Intel’s innovative technologies, such as Open RAN, vRAN, and Smart Edge, businesses can enhance their operations, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and make informed decisions.