A shift is underway in factories around the world. They’re getting smart with the use of edge computing, which has brought new levels of efficiency and productivity to the factory floor. With the ability to process data closer to the source, smart factories are taking advantage of modern industrial internet of things (IIoT), factory of the future and data analytics technologies.

With a relatively small level of investment needed to deploy edge computing tools, the barrier is lower than ever for manufacturers to improve the performance and responsiveness of their factory environments. That’s why almost 30% of manufacturers have already deployed edge computing, and another 60% of decision makers say they plan to roll out edge pilots within the next two years.

The opportunity to overcome data transmission bottlenecks and latency issues, reduce bandwidth demands and eliminate time lags is pushing rapid adoption. But in the rush to take advantage of the benefits of edge computing, companies can overlook some critical factors in the deployment process.

Whether you’re about to embark on an edge computing implementation or considering it for future enhancements, here are four steps for ensuring that your edge computing deployment is a success.

Establish your goals and the metrics to track them. Your adventure with edge computing starts with an outline of your goals. You’ll need to identify which factors, processes or systems will benefit and improve from edge deployment. Gather a detailed and thorough understanding of how your current applications are collecting, processing and using data.

From there, start with a small-scale edge compute experiment to verify its return on investment. This allows you and your team to see the potential value before fully committing the system to the entire organization. Keep this initial test simple, and be sure to establish a specific set of data points that can be measured to define success. This also gives you leverage if you need buy-in from upper management.

Consider your internal resources. Manufacturers that have been relying on legacy systems may find that their tried-and-true solutions aren’t compatible with modern edge computing. So you’ll need to determine which route to take to align your current applications with edge requirements. According to Gartner, there are seven approaches when it comes to modernizing legacy systems: encapsulating, re-hosting, re-platforming, re-factoring, rearchitecting, rebuilding and replacing. Each has its own payoff and varies in cost and degree of difficulty, but selecting the right one will reduce long-term costs and make your operations nimbler.

Once you’ve established ROI and method of connecting your old and new systems, take stock of your internal resources — namely your staff. Do they currently have the skills not only to assist the install, but also to support, monitor and maintain your new investment? If staff shows any hesitation in these areas, it’s best to hire an automation supplier, system integrator or machine builder to install an edge computing platform. Then move forward by contracting with a partner that can focus on upkeep. Both of these routes will add a cost to edge operations, so keep that in mind when budgeting.

Don’t forget about cloud computing. The future of network infrastructure is unlikely to be found solely on the edge. Factories will need to effectively incorporate edge solutions and still leverage cloud resources for some storage and analytics needs. It’s easy to overlook your cloud resources, but you’ll still need to keep a pulse on how much of your cloud storage is being tapped into.

On-premise computing typically allows for strong on-site visibility and control over your data, but your edge solutions will change that. It’s time to set new parameters around data storage given the limited capabilities of edge nodes. I’ve seen data management quickly get out of hand as the amount of data consumed can grow very quickly and drive up the storage cost substantially. Be prepared to pay a premium to your cloud provider to cap your consumption or carve out the time to conduct frequent audits yourself.

Build security into the system. If you wait to think about security until after your edge install is complete, you’ll end up paying for it down the line. Don’t retroactively try to fit security solutions around a new edge system; instead plan its full integration from the beginning.

Data on the edge is more vulnerable, so this might be the time to implement a zero-trust model. Zero trust is a natural security complement for edge computing, as it hardens edge resources from both outside and inside attacks, while also better encrypting data as it moves through your network.

It’s true that edge computing provides manufacturers a myriad of benefits. Its ability to increase visibility into operations, reduce system downtime and provide far greater flexibility are all real conveniences for those willing to make the investment. The advantages haven’t been overhyped.

But implementing an edge platform requires vast resources that range from networking and computing to storage, applications and highly specialized skills. So don’t make the mistake of biting off more than you can chew. Companies commonly try to do too much, too soon when it comes to edge compute. The result is a delayed rollout, snags, botched development and failure to live up to promised dividends. Instead, opt for a phased-in approach using the above steps.

The next industrial revolution, Industry 4.0, is centered on making factories smarter, and edge computing will play a critical role. This makes your edge compute install of vital importance, where you’ll need to ensure the best results and ROI. The above four steps will help you not only achieve a winning outcome, but also set you up for success to modernize your entire factory floor.

Jim Demetrius is a cloud infrastructure architect and tech guru at Tech Guidance’s parent company, TBI,Inc.

A shift is underway in factories around the world. They’re getting smart with the use of edge computing, which has brought new levels of efficiency and productivity to the factory floor. With the ability to process data closer to the source, smart factories are taking advantage of modern industrial internet of things (IIoT), factory of the future and data analytics technologies.

With a relatively small level of investment needed to deploy edge computing tools, the barrier is lower than ever for manufacturers to improve the performance and responsiveness of their factory environments. That’s why almost 30% of manufacturers have already deployed edge computing, and another 60% of decision makers say they plan to roll out edge pilots within the next two years.

The opportunity to overcome data transmission bottlenecks and latency issues, reduce bandwidth demands and eliminate time lags is pushing rapid adoption. But in the rush to take advantage of the benefits of edge computing, companies can overlook some critical factors in the deployment process.

Whether you’re about to embark on an edge computing implementation or considering it for future enhancements, here are four steps for ensuring that your edge computing deployment is a success.

Establish your goals and the metrics to track them. Your adventure with edge computing starts with an outline of your goals. You’ll need to identify which factors, processes or systems will benefit and improve from edge deployment. Gather a detailed and thorough understanding of how your current applications are collecting, processing and using data.

From there, start with a small-scale edge compute experiment to verify its return on investment. This allows you and your team to see the potential value before fully committing the system to the entire organization. Keep this initial test simple, and be sure to establish a specific set of data points that can be measured to define success. This also gives you leverage if you need buy-in from upper management.

Consider your internal resources. Manufacturers that have been relying on legacy systems may find that their tried-and-true solutions aren’t compatible with modern edge computing. So you’ll need to determine which route to take to align your current applications with edge requirements. According to Gartner, there are seven approaches when it comes to modernizing legacy systems: encapsulating, re-hosting, re-platforming, re-factoring, rearchitecting, rebuilding and replacing. Each has its own payoff and varies in cost and degree of difficulty, but selecting the right one will reduce long-term costs and make your operations nimbler.

Once you’ve established ROI and method of connecting your old and new systems, take stock of your internal resources — namely your staff. Do they currently have the skills not only to assist the install, but also to support, monitor and maintain your new investment? If staff shows any hesitation in these areas, it’s best to hire an automation supplier, system integrator or machine builder to install an edge computing platform. Then move forward by contracting with a partner that can focus on upkeep. Both of these routes will add a cost to edge operations, so keep that in mind when budgeting.

Don’t forget about cloud computing. The future of network infrastructure is unlikely to be found solely on the edge. Factories will need to effectively incorporate edge solutions and still leverage cloud resources for some storage and analytics needs. It’s easy to overlook your cloud resources, but you’ll still need to keep a pulse on how much of your cloud storage is being tapped into.

On-premise computing typically allows for strong on-site visibility and control over your data, but your edge solutions will change that. It’s time to set new parameters around data storage given the limited capabilities of edge nodes. I’ve seen data management quickly get out of hand as the amount of data consumed can grow very quickly and drive up the storage cost substantially. Be prepared to pay a premium to your cloud provider to cap your consumption or carve out the time to conduct frequent audits yourself.

Build security into the system. If you wait to think about security until after your edge install is complete, you’ll end up paying for it down the line. Don’t retroactively try to fit security solutions around a new edge system; instead plan its full integration from the beginning.

Data on the edge is more vulnerable, so this might be the time to implement a zero-trust model. Zero trust is a natural security complement for edge computing, as it hardens edge resources from both outside and inside attacks, while also better encrypting data as it moves through your network.

It’s true that edge computing provides manufacturers a myriad of benefits. Its ability to increase visibility into operations, reduce system downtime and provide far greater flexibility are all real conveniences for those willing to make the investment. The advantages haven’t been overhyped.

But implementing an edge platform requires vast resources that range from networking and computing to storage, applications and highly specialized skills. So don’t make the mistake of biting off more than you can chew. Companies commonly try to do too much, too soon when it comes to edge compute. The result is a delayed rollout, snags, botched development and failure to live up to promised dividends. Instead, opt for a phased-in approach using the above steps.

The next industrial revolution, Industry 4.0, is centered on making factories smarter, and edge computing will play a critical role. This makes your edge compute install of vital importance, where you’ll need to ensure the best results and ROI. The above four steps will help you not only achieve a winning outcome, but also set you up for success to modernize your entire factory floor.

Jim Demetrius is a cloud infrastructure architect and tech guru at Tech Guidance’s parent company, TBI,Inc.