Edge computing has become an integral piece of enterprise cloud migrations and the hybrid architectures, according to IBM Consulting CTO Shawn D'Souza.

Enterprises typically find themselves operating in complex hybrid-cloud environments – even if they begin with a single cloud – because additional platforms for certain workloads may be necessary as a result of regulatory, cost, or other requirements, D'Souza explained in a recent blog.

Edge computing picks up where a cloud or centralized data center leaves off, in particular as endpoints, data, and applications grow increasingly distributed. In this way, edge computing carries "the key to digital transformation" by shifting compute to the edge of the network, like mobile devices, equipment, or routers that collect data.

And since edge moves the cloud closer to where things are happening, it allows companies in all industries to make data-driven decisions at a lower latency than standard cloud computing. Edge is "one of the formidable tools that will help businesses drive innovation and uncover new revenue streams," D'Souza wrote.

He described major benefits of edge computing as improved reliability, speed, and privacy by allowing enterprises to keep data on location while being utilizing modern cloud-based software capabilities and adhering to data sovereignty rules.

D'Souza also highlighted edge computing's tendency to mitigate issues around resilience. "You can still act even when there is no network connectivity," he said. In addition, edge computing successfully addresses latency with processing in real-time and network congestion "because you only send the most relevant insights to the cloud," he explained.

Although use cases and location can significantly impact the effectiveness of edge computing – "smaller resource constrained devices have different needs than a traditional server," D'Souza said – edge computing is attractive to enterprises because they see it driving transformational outcomes and providing a technological advantage over competitors.

To that point, D'Souza cited the edge platform IBM is building for India's major telecom Bharti Airtel, which will bring low-latency edge computing to Airtel customers who need to comply with regulatory requirements while improving business performance and customer experience.

The platform is based on IBM Cloud Satellite, which D'Souza said runs workloads securely on IBM Cloud services in any environment, including the edge. It's being piloted with Indian automaker Maruti Suzuki to improve the accuracy and efficiency of quality inspections in factories.

"The manufacturer will be able to deploy processes at the edge enabled through a private 5G network to boost quality control and ensure data remains protected at the edge, which is critical for meeting production demands ensuring the safety of its vehicles," D'Souza said.