The post-pandemic world is soaking up unprecedented levels of compute power, but is also decades behind the carbon-neutrality targets. What next?
Driven by digital innovations and smart city initiatives, the adoption of edge computing is expected to continue to surge in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
Edge computing is also becoming prevalent in traditional retail banking, for improving customer service and reducing costs, as well as in high-frequency trading.
Finally, as data centers become even more powerful, the protection of IT systems, as well as the sustainable and carbon footprint management of data centers, also become key considerations.
To find out more about the benefits and challenges, DigiconAsia.net checked with Nathan Blom, Chief Commercial Officer, Iceotope for his cooling insights.
DigiconAsia: How has edge computing risen in prominence in the last few years?
Nathan Blom (BM): Edge computing, with its decentralized approach, offers significant advantages for financial institutions and other enterprises. It enables real-time data analysis and decision-making at the data source, reducing latency and empowering organizations with rapid analytics for high-frequency trading and fraud detection, enhancing overall performance and customer trust.
Moreover, edge computing allows financial institutions to specifically deliver personalized experiences by processing data near end-user devices, leading to increased customer satisfaction and engagement. Additionally, edge computing addresses security concerns by processing sensitive data locally, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and safeguarding customer information.
Now often an indispensable solution, edge computing optimizes financial operations, provides exceptional customer experiences, and strengthens security measures. With real-time data insights, reduced latency, and regulatory compliance, financial organizations can navigate the complexities of today’s dynamic digital landscape with confidence.
DigiconAsia: How do financial companies utilize edge computing and cloud-based technology to best effect?
NB: Financial firms are leveraging the combined power of edge computing and cloud-based technology to enhance customer service and maintain competitiveness in the digital landscape. While technologies like AI, ML, and natural language processing utilize the cloud for processing large datasets efficiently, edge computing enables real-time data processing closer to the end-users. This proximity enables personalized services and prompt insights, improving customer interactions.
When coupled with the scalability of cloud technology, financial institutions can handle increasing data volumes, advanced analytics, risk assessment, and fraud detection at scale. Cloud-based infrastructure ensures consistent access to services, supporting secure and efficient real-time interactions.
Embracing these technologies also fosters innovation, delivering superior services, and meeting evolving client needs in the competitive financial market.
DigiconAsia: In terms of sustainability, how can data centers achieve net-zero emissions by 2050?
NB: Advanced liquid cooling solutions, such as Precision Liquid Cooling, play a crucial role in helping edge computing systems to meet net zero goals. Such solutions can achieve an energy efficiency of 1.05 PUE or lower, significantly reducing energy costs and emissions associated with server cooling. They capture over 95% of server heat, minimizing water consumption as mechanical chilling is seldom required. This enables a 40% savings on energy consumption, representing a significant cost savings as data center cooling typically represents about 40% of the total energy costs.
In addition to their efficiency gains, these cooling solutions actively contribute to sustainability efforts by maximizing energy consumption while reducing reliance on additional sources. The process of capturing and recycling waste heat repurposes it for heating buildings or powering industrial processes, thus curbing the demand for conventional energy sources and minimizing carbon emissions.
For edge computing, such solutions provide the same environmentally controlled conditions as data centers, making it ideal for locations not specifically designed for IT equipment. As technology advances and edge computing gains momentum in the financial services industry, embracing these sustainable solutions becomes essential for meeting net-zero targets and seizing new opportunities.
By integrating advanced liquid cooling solutions into their infrastructure, financial institutions can effectively contribute to the global commitment of achieving net zero emissions while staying at the forefront of the digital transformation.
DigiconAsia: As computers become even more powerful and more complex what challenges do you see for firms specialized in cooling edge computing systems?
NB: Firms specialized in edge computing and at the forefront in addressing net zero challenges will continue to find ways to efficiently manage higher heat loads while maintaining system efficiency and reliability in future computer systems.
The demand for effective cooling solutions intensifies as new generations of CPUs, GPUs, memory, and drives expel more heat and steps must be taken to prevent overheating and performance issues. Adapting cooling technologies to meet the evolving demands of advanced computer systems is a significant challenge for the IT industry as a whole.
Another obstacle is designing compact cooling systems for edge data centers or IoT devices with limited space. Space optimization becomes crucial in smaller and distributed computing environments. IT firms must develop innovative solutions that efficiently cool high-performance systems within constrained spaces while ensuring reliability and easy integration.
To remain at the forefront of edge computing, firms in the liquid cooling industry must address the challenges of managing higher heat loads and designing compact cooling systems.
DigiconAsia thanks Nathan for sharing his insights with readers.
