Location Matters for AI: The Benefits of Inferencing at the Edge

When organizations want to leverage artificial intelligence for edge use cases, they’ll first have to decide whether to run AI inferencing in the cloud or on-premises. While cloud environments are sometimes the right option, there are situations where AI-capable servers optimized for the edge are the better route. For instance, healthcare organizations that require fast processing, strong cybersecurity and a smaller form factor can meet those needs with edge-optimized servers, such as those from Lenovo.

When IT teams assess AI-enabled servers, they often ask about affordability and physical size. The cost of AI-enabled servers has dropped considerably, and small form factors offer additional savings because they are more power- and energy-efficient. Lenovo’s miniaturized servers carry a lot of punch in a small package, letting organizations deploy AI inferencing servers or nodes where they’re most needed, all while maintaining a small footprint. These solutions are well suited to areas where bulky hardware isn’t feasible or desirable, such as manufacturing plants and hospital surgical suites.

Let’s look at some additional benefits of AI inferencing at the edge and how organizations can best get started with these solutions. 

Security is a major concern for organizations deploying AI. Edge processing improves data privacy and security because the data never leaves the data center walls. Limiting that exposure is critical in industries such as healthcare, where sensitive patient information is a frequent target of cyberattacks.

AI inferencing at the edge also accelerates results by removing latency from the equation. If organizations can process data where it is generated, that’s extremely powerful in terms of getting answers quickly. Fast AI boosts operational efficiencies, and for certain applications, it’s critical. In healthcare, every millisecond matters, and decision-makers need immediate access to up-to-date data. Similarly, organizations that rely on physical security cameras with AI-enhanced software to keep employees and customers safe also need fast processing.

Inferencing at the edge can also help organizations streamline workflows by leveraging AI onsite. For example, hospitals can use computer vision and edge inferencing to proactively monitor medical supplies to ensure clinicians have the right materials at the right time. Edge-based inferencing adds timeliness to this important function without incurring the costs and delays of processing in the cloud. 

When I speak with customers that have deployed AI inferencing at the edge, they often report that the barrier to entry was lower than they expected, and the ROI is faster. That said, organizations tend to be most successful when they pick the right first use case for AI inferencing: an achievable task that allows for measurable outcomes in a short period of time.

One of the biggest pitfalls I see is leaders who attempt to start their AI journey by tackling the biggest problem. Too often, that sets them up for failure because the problem is too complex, solving it takes too long and it’s harder to achieve results. Instead, start with relatively simple problems and define clear, measurable outcomes. Getting a few wins quickly helps to demonstrate the value of AI, lets the organization build AI competency, and establishes a strong foundation for bigger and better projects.

Another common pain point for organizations tackling AI is that every environment is unique. Leaders often find it helpful to work with experts such as CDW strategists, who can offer their technology expertise and AI experience to help organizations assess a specific challenge and collaboratively develop the right solution, whether that’s AI inferencing at the edge or another approach.

The vast majority of organizations are still maturing their AI practices, and understanding the benefits of various solutions is key. When speed, cost, security and a small form factor are the deciding elements, AI-optimized edge servers are a solution that’s easy, accessible and cost-effective.