Recently, Narayan Gokhale, Associate Research Director at  Quadrant Knowledge Solutions had the privilege of delving into the depths of the dynamic world of edge computing through the Linux Foundation's State of the Edge Report for the year 2023.

According to him, a year ago, the State of the Edge 2022 report had five insightful chapters, including topics such as Going to the Country, Data Centres in Space, Is It the Cloud or the Edge? (It’s Both), Born in the Cloud, Works at the Edge, and The New Hubs, with a special section on essays, news & project updates followed by the Open Glossary of Edge Computing as the addendum.

Fast forward to 2023, and the authorship has been passed to a new chair, injecting a fresh perspective into the latest trends, advancements, and use cases that have shaped the edge computing landscape over the past year.

As mentioned by Narayan in his LinkedIn post, the two addendums are about the Open Glossary of Edge Computing, Version 2.0, and Linux Foundation Edge Project Introductions. Last year’s special section on essays is now presented in the final chapter through a collection of “Postcards from the Edge”, shared by renowned practitioners and thought leaders in the field of edge computing on their perspectives, experiences, and vision for the future of edge computing.

This year's report consists of four thought-provoking chapters: "Defining the Edge in 2023," "Data and AI on The Edge," "Networking & Edge," and a standout addition, "Industrial Edge." Delving into the latter, it becomes apparent that the convergence of edge computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) is a driving force behind innovation and efficiency in the industrial sector.

The Industrial Edge chapter begins by introducing on-prem hosted traditional systems in industrial environments, unraveling the factors propelling the adoption of industrial edge solutions. An insightful overview of the major stakeholders in the industrial edge ecosystem follows suit, shedding light on the vast network of contributors and vendors. The chapter then gracefully navigates through the benefits of IT/OT convergence, highlighting how this union can catalyze innovation. However, it doesn't shy away from addressing the challenges organizations face in embracing IT/OT convergence, particularly the hurdles posed by skill gaps.

The concluding note to the Industrial Edge chapter predicts the convergence of edge computing and industrial automation, terming it the "industrial edge." This convergence is a tangible force propelling the development of new technologies designed to enhance the efficiency, productivity, and security of industrial processes.

In essence, the State of the Edge 2023 report is a treasure trove of knowledge, providing a comprehensive introduction to the intersection of information technology (IT), operational technology (OT), and edge computing, culminating in the emergence of the Industrial Edge.

The Linux Foundation deserves appreciation for presenting this sixth edition of the State of the Edge reports, a yearly exercise that significantly contributes to the IT, OT, and edge computing community

by delivering invaluable insights in an easily digestible format. Reports like these become indispensable tools, that guide and navigate us toward the forefront of innovation.

Narayan Gokhale, Associate Research Director at  Quadrant Knowledge Solutions has 30 plus years of experience Custom Research, Advisory Services, Business Consulting, Strategic Marketing & Growth Consultancy. With experience across different countries, various companies, diverse cultures and varied industry segments & business functions, Narayan has extensive experience in analysing data and providing actionable insights for custom research and advisory services.

Author: Narayan Gokhale Associate Research Director At  Quadrant Knowledge Solutions