Over 80% Enterprises Benefit From Edge Computing, Reveals Report

A study revealed that over 80 per cent of organisations have seen their edge investment expectations met or exceeded.

However, despite the positive outcomes, concerns about the capabilities of current infrastructure to support edge computing have risen by nearly 40 per cent of organisations planning edge deployments.

The NTT report highlighted that organisations perceive the fragmented management of compute, connectivity, and IoT devices as a major hindrance in harnessing the full potential of edge technology. In contrast, those organisations adopting a combined approach of private 5G and edge technologies reported the highest benefits, surpassing those with a legacy segregated approach or no adoption at all.

Another key finding was that while most organisations believed their network infrastructure could handle their current edge requirements, approximately 40 per cent of enterprises planning edge deployments acknowledged the need to upgrade their network to accommodate the anticipated surge in connected devices and applications. In fact, nearly two-thirds of enterprises that had already deployed edge solutions had undertaken a wide area network refresh.

To navigate the complexities of edge adoption, organisations are increasingly seeking partnerships. The report revealed that 88 per cent of organisations expect their dependence on third-party edge services to grow in the next 24 months. Moreover, 90 per cent expressed a preference for a single partner offering a central point of accountability, and 94 per cent considered having more managed service options as a top factor in facilitating edge consumption.

The study also highlighted the motivations behind edge adoption in different industries. Manufacturing firms ranked operational efficiency and data security as the top drivers, while healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing organisations reported meeting or exceeding expectations in terms of improving supply chain efficiency and employee safety.

The findings of the report emphasize the growing importance of edge computing in achieving business outcomes and driving digital transformation. As organisations continue to invest in edge technologies, the need for robust network infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and holistic management becomes crucial to fully harness the benefits of edge computing.