Industry 4.0: edge computing vs cloud computing?

Edge computing and the cloud are becoming increasingly important architectures in Industry 4.0 and can help improve current workflows. You still need to know when to use one or the other.

Cloud computing vs edge computing?

Today, around 10% of enterprise-generated data is created and processed outside of a traditional centralized data center or cloud. Gartner predicts that by 2022, this figure will reach 75%. On the other hand, the consulting firm announces that 75% of databases will be in the cloud.

Although at first glance you might think these claims are incompatible, the reality is different. The growing use of edge architectures is explained by the exponential share represented by the data produced by the IoT (Internet of Things, Internet of Things). But we are also seeing a desire on the part of businesses to abandon “on-premises” data centers to migrate to the cloud. The question is whether, as many claim, these architectures are really opposed?

The Industry 4.0 sector and its IIOTs (Industrial Internet of Things) are no exception to the debate: cloud and edge computing are often approached as competing architectures. However, using one should not mean rejecting the other. The real question is where and how to use each one. Presentation of the case of computer-aided maintenance management (CMMS) tools in industry 4.0.

To go further: read our article on the role of CMMS within the company!

Edge computing for IoT in Industry 4.0

The term Industry 4.0 is intrinsically linked to the rise of connected objects (IoT). These generate a large amount of data that is then analyzed to optimize decision-making at various levels. The problem therefore lies in the means to facilitate the processing of this data.

That's where edge computing comes in. The term refers to local, decentralized computing, where data processing takes place near the emission source.

The law principle of data gravity

This architecture is based in part on the principle of the law of gravity of data, addressed by Dave McCrory in 2010. This theory suggests that just like a planet, your data has mass. The greater this mass becomes, the stronger its gravitational attraction will be and the more likely it is to see applications attracted to it.

This is because the more the mass of your data grows, the more complicated its movements will be. If the bandwidth or the latency capacity is low then the attraction will increase even more. Because the closer the application is to the source of data emission, the more quickly it can process them while reducing transport time.

Take the example of an autonomous car: even if some of the data can go back to a centralized server for processing, others will have to be processed instantly (to the nearest thousandths of a second) and must therefore be processed by a server embedded at the edge of the traditional network.

Edge computing thus meets the need for instantaneous processing of certain data emitted by IoT sensors.

The case of computer-aided maintenance management solutions (cloud CMMS)

However, deploying an edge architecture is not automatic. A good example remains that of computer-aided maintenance management tools (CMMS). An edge architecture would mean incurring significant set-up and maintenance costs, while reducing data accessibility and ensuring data processing security and compliance yourself. It is not impossible, but except in a few specific cases the return on investment would be marginal. For most manufacturers, cloud CMMS offers several significant advantages:

Security and compliance

Industry 4.0 is primarily about connecting machines so that your manufacturing processes can respond faster and smarter to changing conditions. Connecting these tools will help you achieve greater levels of agility and automation. The cloud is still a safe way to keep your data safe. Providers use highly efficient access rights management, authentication, and encryption technologies.

Accessibility and mobility

In the cloud, the application is not linked to a single machine and therefore allows access wherever you are. Whether on a desktop computer or a mobile terminal, cloud solutions allow access to the same information simultaneously.

Mobility remains one of the big advantages in the world of maintenance management! Technicians need easy and accurate access to information. For example, it is not uncommon for a factory to have several machines of the same type. With software embedded on a mobile phone, the technician only has to scan the machine's QR code or NFC chip to avoid confusion.

Cost and deployment

Cloud applications allow you to make real savings on the purchase and maintenance of equipment. You don't need to invest in hardware, network infrastructure, or even building a data center. Your IT team also does not need to increase in size as you benefit from the expertise of your supplier. They make it possible to achieve a high level of service quality for a much lower investment. They also allow for simpler deployment and eliminate almost all maintenance and development costs by leaving this part to the supplier.

The Mobility Work bonus: the community

The community is one of the central elements of our maintenance management solution. Our vision is to allow technicians who work on the same machines to exchange expertise, spare parts and best practices with members of the community and to be in an even better position to identify a problem. Despite the flow of data that passes through, humans remain an essential element in maintenance management.

To conclude, even if some oppose cloud and edge architectures, on the contrary, they are relatively complementary. Centralized cloud remains one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to store a large amount of data or to process information that is not instantaneous. For operations that require low-latency or near real-time data processing, edge computing will provide an appropriate solution. However, when used together, these architectures can create much more efficient workflows!

For CMMS, where accessibility takes precedence over instantaneity, cloud tools remain an appropriate choice to reduce the costs associated with your maintenance activities.