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structure configurations compared to traditional distributed IT sites. To help partners navigate this diverse landscape, Vertiv has defined four archetypes for edge computing use cases – Data Intensive, Human-Latency Sensitive, Machine-to-Machine Latency Sensitive and Life Critical – that solution providers can use as a first step in evaluating their customers’ edge computing requirements. The next step is determining the edge computing models that are required to support the use case. In our report, Archetypes 2.0: Deployment-Ready Edge Infrastructure Models, Vertiv defines four models that comprise the network edge. The device edge is self-explanatory and generally won’t represent an opportunity for solution providers. The micro edge, on the other hand, represents a significant opportunity. It encompasses IT deployments of up to four equipment racks in a range of environments that include remote offices, network closets, factories, retail stores, bank branches, schools and healthcare facilities. Thousands of these sites are expected to be deployed in the coming years. Integrated micro data center solutions will be an essential tool in enabling this expansion. Available in single-rack or multi-rack configurations, micro data center solutions include all the critical infrastructure required to ensure safe and reliable operation of IT equipment in the intended environment. This typically includes a UPS system, rPDUs, cooling and heat removal, and monitoring technologies – all packaged in a compact, physically secure rack or enclosure. Distributed edge sites will play a role in enabling edge use cases such as natural language processing and augmented reality to scale. Row-based micro data centers, which can support up to 10 racks, and modular data centers, which can support up to 20 racks, are ideal solutions for this edge computing model. The regional edge model can serve as a large edge site or as an intermediary between other edge models and the cloud. Integrated solutions for this model include data center modules, power and cooling skids – which provide fully integrated and factory-tested system-level power and cooling solutions – and prefabricated modular data centers. In a prefabricated solution, the complete data center is engineered as a system, prefabricated in modules at the factory and assembled onsite to create a highly efficient and reliable free-standing data center. Pre-engineering and fabrication can reduce the development timeline for a new data center by up to 30 percent. Managing the Growing Edge Deployment isn’t the only challenge enterprises will face as edge computing continues to expand. Many edge sites, particularly those at the micro edge, will lack the dedicated IT resources available at central data centers. With many organizations supporting dozens or even hundreds of edge sites, the ability to centrally monitor and manage edge sites becomes essential and creates an additional revenue opportunity for solution providers. Integrated data center solutions can be configured to enable remote monitoring of key performance indicators, such as UPS and battery status, power consumption by device, environmental conditions within the rack and whether the rack has been accessed by unauthorized personnel. Remote management also can be extended to IT systems by equipping edge sites with serial consoles that enable remote software updates and troubleshooting. While some customers may have the resources to manage edge sites in-house, many will prefer to outsource this function. Infrastructure vendors such as Vertiv give their partners the flexibility to provide remote management services directly to customers or to resell Vertiv monitoring solutions. When remote monitoring is supported by an on-site service package, solution providers can deliver a comprehensive edge management solution that ensures high availability for their customers’ edge sites while generating recurring revenue for the business. Whether you’re dealing with a single rack or a full data center, integrated solutions can minimize the complexity associated with network expansion, enhance edge site performance and create recurring revenue opportunities for your business. The key is working with an infrastructure partner capable of absorbing the complexity of edge computing. This is where Vertiv comes in, with decades of deep data center expertise, a broad portfolio of data center solutions, and a fully developed service organization. o Song Lu is director of channel marketing, Americas, for Vertiv. 43 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2022 | CHANNELV ISION

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