04.19.22 -- Don't Fear The Edge: The Time To Adopt Edge Computing Is Now

For the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses failing to adapt to an agile digital marketplace took a brutal economic hit. Yet during this time, those that thrived in the e-commerce environment proved their success and continue to grow. In 2021, retail e-commerce sales increased by nearly 14% and reached more than $900 billion just that year.

There's no question that information technology (IT) plays a significant role in a retailer's success. More retailers are looking to be customer-centric and innovative, especially in the post-pandemic era.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced both consumers and businesses to rethink their activities and priorities. As restrictions that temporarily halted eat-in restaurant and in-store sales start to ease, many consumers are weighing the benefits against the risks of resuming their patronage of these businesses.

Let’s not mince words. Being reticent regarding the promise of edge computing is no longer an option for the 21st-century retailer. Modern cybersecurity concerns, the use of in-store smart devices, and the customers’ need for a consistent omni-channel experience are pushing computing from a centralized data center to the outpost: the retail store itself. Retailers today must have the IT infrastructure required to provide real-time, location-specific digital services to enable elevated customer experiences.