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As these schools quickly ramp up, they need technologies like edge computing to help enable this online or digital learning. In my role here at Schneider Electric, I routinely work with partners such as Cisco, which for years has been delivering cutting edge solutions for both K-12 and higher ed schools. Along the way, I’ve seen some of the challenges these schools face, including finding physical space for their growing IT arsenals, providing physical and cybersecurity, and adopting flexible network architectures that meet the needs of each student – including those who may now be learning from home. Let’s look at the challenges and recommended solutions that work.

The “Internet of Things” (IoT) phenomena itself is a big driver for needing edge computing capacity as more and more connected devices are generating and collecting data. With the cost of sensors and network connectivity being so low, the volume of data collected by local devices has exploded. Combine that with advances made in data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence, and this data has become very valuable. The increasing value of device data is driving this IoT world where everything is connected and continuously collecting data. It’s now making more financial sense to process, clean, and store, at least, some of this data locally than it would be to send it all to a distant data center. Regardless of sensitivity to latency and cost, the fundamental driver for having compute at the edge of the network really comes down to the desire to benefit from digitization. Adding compute and network connectivity to every “thing” and to virtually every aspect of our society is dramatically impacting society’s productivity, efficiency, and wellbeing. Compute everywhere is our future.

Within the portfolio announced today, Schneider brings to market the first-of-its-kind EcoStruxure Micro Data Center in a 6U wall mount model, designed to support large edge servers in a low-profile cabinet that maximizes floor space.

“Businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on digital information, transforming data centers from cost centers into drivers of business. Connecting DCIM with IT Service Management (ITSM) provides a complete view of the data center, and forms the basis of the software-defined data center,” says Soeren Brogaard Jensen, vice president, Global Data Center Software and Managed Services, Schneider Electric. “We believe being designated as a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for DCIM supports our ability to help data center managers make informed decisions based on knowledge gained from a broad analytics platform, particularly because the solution is segmented to suit distinct industries.”