Optimising Performance with Cloud and Edge Solutions

Following the rapid developments in cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT) is now set to be marked by advances in edge computing. Happening nearer the physical network of interconnected devices (or users) rather than the cloud, edge computing is expected to enable further ground-breaking innovations. It has already proven useful in simplifying the production and automatization of equipment, as well as improving the accuracy and safety of IoT devices. This new reality encompassing the Cloud, Edge and IoT as interacting elements is commonly referred to as the CEI continuum.

The European Cloud Edge IoT initiative

The European Union has identified the CEI continuum as a major strategic asset with applications in a range of industries and sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, energy and utilities, healthcare, transportation, and logistics.

Figure 1. Strategic applications of CEI technologies

To this end, the European Cloud Edge IoT initiative and six self-standing Task Forces were developed to “link tech developers with markets” and support EU strategy in distinct aspects of CEI, which are summed in Figure 1.

Figure 2. Areas addressed by the European Cloud Edge IoT initiative

The work executed by the Task Forces has significantly contributed to the identification of gaps in research and industry, and developed advanced use cases and demonstrators that bring novel CEI solutions closer to maturity. BluSpecs has been directly involved and coordinated the efforts of this initiative through the UNLOCK-CEI CSA. A key output of this project is a detailed Technology Scoping Paper deep diving into the State of the Art in CEI.

What is the current stage of CEI implementation in Europe?

In the context of the Cloud Edge IoT initiative a thorough mapping of the CEI continuum in the European ecosystem was performed, shedding light into its strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. The results demonstrated that despite the European businesses and wider industry’s foreseen capacity to deploy CEI technologies, further developments are essential to enable their proper integration and management. More specifically, UNLOCK-CEI identified the need for concentrating resources in the following areas:

• Defining the Cloud Edge IoT Continuum from a technology position.
• Establishing a taxonomy of technologies that scopes the constituent technologies of the CEI Continuum.
• Crafting and developing use cases to be applied within larger EU-funded MetaOS projects.
• Defining a framework for assessing the market feasibility of CEI technologies and systems.
• Tailoring the go-to-market and commercialisation strategies and approaches for technology developers.
• Proactively defining future technology gaps against expected demand.

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How can the EU earn Leader Status in CEI?

Accomplishing the progress required for Europe to become the leading force in the CEI continuum and achieve large-scale commercialisation of relevant technologies is not a small task. It necessitates tackling of looming challenges on technological, social and policy levels. Concretely, the identified European priorities according to the UNLOCK-CEI report include:

• Addressing the increased processing needs and unused capacities at the edge.
• Removing barriers to exiting current computing solutions and dependency on gatekeeper providers.
• Improving the compatibility and interoperability of varied systems and protocols.
• Stimulating cooperation between companies, researchers, and institutions to minimise the information gap that support further developments.
• Tackling the shortage of specialised labour and training a highly skilled workforce.

Do you want to learn more about this initiative? Read the full paper here