Are Your Customer’s Edge Computing Sites Crashing?

IT service providers across North America are recognizing two seemingly contradictory trends: Our need for data is getting both bigger and smaller at the same time. Large, centralized data centers continue to grow at a steady clip, with the big four IT leaders of Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Amazon all announcing new projects on a regular basis. But alongside these enormous facilities – the term “hyperscale” is now being used to describe today’s largest data warehouses – the idea of distributed and edge computing is also bringing powerful servers to end users like hospitals, colleges, and retailers. These installations are just as likely to be housed in a repurposed storage closet as they are in dedicated cooling rooms.

But without dedicated oversight for such localized data operations, things can go wrong in those isolated closets. And in many of these smaller settings, there’s little or no IT staff to raise a warning when red flags arise, so organizations don’t know what’s happening until their operations crash. Schneider Electric’s NetBotz^TM line of monitoring and security systems can provide valuable protection in these settings. With this range of tools, IT service providers gain new digital eyes and ears to offer their clients to help ensure potential problems are caught before real trouble arises – whether that’s from plumbing leaks, AC failure, or an unlocked door.

Unique needs of edge computing sites

As noted, increasing dependence on cloud-based business operations is certainly driving growth for the largest data centers. In fact, 2021 is already predicted to set new records for this market’s growth. But similar trends toward rapid IT uptake and increased digitization also are bringing edge computing further to, well, the edge.

Globally, according to a recent report from research firm Million Insights, the edge computing market is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 37.4% between 2020 and 2027. This translates into annual sales of $43.4 billion by the end of 2027. A diverse range of applications is driving this growth as processors continue to become both smaller and more powerful:

• Digitized medical records and patient management have brought edge computing into healthcare.
• Increased networking and AV support – along with this past year’s challenging remote-learning needs – have introduced edge approaches to schools and universities.
• Touchless checkout, curbside pickup, and inventory management are newer use cases seen in retail environments.

Server downtime in any of these settings can be far more damaging than repair and replacement costs would indicate. Compromised patient health, canceled classes and disrupted student records, and the potential for significant revenue loss are all possible results.

A monitoring solution for edge computing

As an IT services provider, you’re likely already helping clients in these and other industries manage their computing needs. Now, Schneider Electric’s NetBotz line can help you remotely manage their equipment’s environmental and physical security, as well. NetBotz capabilities:

• Sensors can track temperature, humidity, and fluids and send alerts if any conditions start trending outside targeted parameters.
• Cameras can track IT equipment’s physical security, providing visual identification of who’s been entering and leaving IT facilities.
• Remote operational capabilities can enable opening and closing room doors remotely, remote rack access via swipe card recognition, and even turning connected outlets on and off.

NetBotz sensors and controls are just one aspect of Schneider Electric’s broader EcoStruxure™ IT software monitoring and management platform. It offers vendor-neutral options that help IT professionals – including MSPs – monitor and manage critical IT infrastructure on-premise, in the cloud, and at the edge.

Learn more about the full line of NetBotz solutions, along with other options for boosting security for your clients’ IT operations. For additional resources for your edge computing deployments, visit our edge computing site.