The edge of the network continues to be the epicentre of innovation in the data center space as the calendar turns to 2019, with activity focusing on increased intelligence designed to simplify operations, enable remote management and service, and bridge a widening skills gap. This increasing sophistication of the edge is among the data center trends to watch in 2019 as identified by Vertiv experts from around the globe.
“Today’s edge plays a critical role in data center and network operation and in the delivery of important consumer services,” said Vertiv CEO Rob Johnson. “This is a dramatic and fundamental change to the way we think about computing and data management. It should come as no surprise that activity in the data center space in 2019 will be focused squarely on innovation at the edge.”
For many businesses, the edge has become the most mission critical part of their digital ecosystem. Intelligent infrastructure systems with machine learning capabilities working in tandem with cloud-based analytics are fundamentally changing the way we think about edge computing and edge services. The result will be a more robust, efficient edge of the network with enhanced visibility and self-healing capabilities requiring limited active management.
Sharing views on the edge trend, Sunil Khanna, president and managing director at Vertiv, India, said, “Most industries in India are recognizing the limitations of supporting users and emerging technologies through centralized IT infrastructures and are pushing storage and computing closer to users and devices. That shift is becoming necessary because of the increased connectivity of devices and people and the huge volumes of data they generate and consume. We believe this will require profound changes in the compute and storage infrastructure to support the smart and connected future, particularly at the local level."