Blog
What is edge computing? From wind turbines to delivery vans
Picture this scenario: a delivery company with 4,000 vans, each equipped with GPS, cameras, and sensors monitoring driver behavior, vehicle health, and delivery efficiency. Streaming all that data live would crash mobile networks. The solution? Edge computing.
The name edge computing says it all. Edge computing literally means bringing computing power to the edge of your network. Instead of sending all data to a central server, you process information locally where it's generated.
In this scenario, each delivery van would have a small computer onboard that analyzes sensor data in real-time, monitoring fuel efficiency, route optimization, and vehicle maintenance needs. The result: only actionable insights, such as "Vehicle 247 needs maintenance" or "Route adjustment recommended," go to the central server. No more terabytes of raw sensor data flooding the network.
Why is it becoming so important now?
Edge computing isn't new, but three developments are making it increasingly relevant:
More data, higher resolution. These days, everything has a camera, and resolution keeps getting higher. The load on data networks is growing explosively.
Better processors, lower costs. The electronics you require are getting cheaper and more powerful. What used to only work in data centers now fits in a small box.
Locations without internet connectivity. There are places with no stable connection. Think of a remote farm where the irrigation system still needs to make smart decisions. Or offshore wind farms: turbines that monitor their own performance, analyze wind patterns, and plan maintenance without depending on a slow satellite connection to the mainland.
Different from the Internet of Things
IoT sensors are often 'dumb': they only measure and send signals. Like a sensor in a plant pot that indicates the plant needs water. Edge computing goes further: there's real computing power behind it that can make complex decisions. Learn more about Kubernetes at the Edge.
Not for everyone
Edge computing only makes sense at a certain scale. Three delivery vans? The costs aren't worth it. A company with 30, 300, or even 3,000 delivery vans? Then it becomes much more interesting.
This way of working is not a goal in itself but a means to an end. When you want to achieve something at a specific location, edge computing is the solution, especially when you're not near a stable internet connection but need to draw quick conclusions.
Ready to explore edge computing for your organization? Whether you're managing hundreds of vehicles, remote facilities, or distributed operations, the right implementation can transform your business efficiency. We're here to help.
