NTT DATA, a leading IT infrastructure and services company, unveiled its new Edge AI platform to accelerate IT/OT convergence by bringing AI processing to the edge. By processing data whenever and wherever it is generated and unifying diverse IoT devices, systems and data, this single, fully managed solution enables real-time decision making, improved operational efficiency and secure deployment of AI applications across industries to drive advanced Industry 4.0 technologies.
While there has been a focus on generative AI and large language models (LLM), these technologies are impractical for industries that require local, real-time decision-making. NTT DATA’s Edge AI solution addresses this challenge by processing massive data sets on compact computing platforms, using smaller, more efficient machine learning models to provide real-time AI insights.
NTT DATA’s Edge AI is a comprehensive managed services platform that includes all the systems, tools, and capabilities required for AI at the edge. The solution addresses data discovery, collection, integration, computing power, optimal connectivity, and AI model management.
The Edge AI platform, supported by NTT DATA’s data scientists, managed services, and global technical resources, addresses the challenge of virtual IoT and AI infrastructure requirements by automatically discovering, unifying, and processing data from IoT devices and IT assets across the organization, simplifying AI deployment and management.
Solving industry-specific challenges with AI-driven insights
Designed to meet industry-specific requirements, the Edge AI platform leverages more lightweight and cost-effective AI models, allowing it to run in a small compute box. Edge AI will perform specific tasks, such as supporting security or operational efficiency, by collecting data from disparate devices in a network environment, enabling instant and secure data processing and analysis.
Manufacturing operations could benefit from improved predictive maintenance by accessing IT/OT data from sensors, machines, cameras, and applications to plan and resolve faults. In addition, NTT DATA’s Edge AI can monitor and optimize energy consumption in real time, predict energy peaks, and optimize machine utilization, reducing costs and CO2 emissions through renewable energy.
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“Our Edge AI platform represents a significant advancement in driving AI at the edge securely and cost-effectively,” said Shahid Ahmed, Group Executive Vice President, Edge Services, NTT DATA. “By harmonizing data from disparate sensors and devices with lightweight AI models, powering all kinds of automation use cases, NTT DATA’s Edge AI is pioneering the adoption of industrial AI as the first fully managed offering, helping enterprises modernize with customized, industry-specific solutions.”
Seizing a $200 billion market opportunity
According to IDC , worldwide spending on edge computing is expected to reach $232 billion in 2024, a 15% increase from 2023. This growth is driven by the growing number of IoT connected devices worldwide, which is expected to exceed 41 billion by 2025.
NTT DATA is poised to capture significant market share with its dedicated IoT consulting and services business, which brings together 1,000 industry experts, hundreds of use cases across predictive maintenance, fleet management, connected factories, energy monitoring and sustainability, and has already trained over 500 business experts worldwide to accelerate its Edge AI commercialization efforts.
NTT DATA’s Edge AI deployment approach allows customers to benefit from a 30-day free discovery and diagnostic of their IT and OT environment. The software automatically discovers assets with its extensive library of pre-built OT interfaces. After this initial step, the Edge AI software generates a comprehensive diagnostic report listing assets and data flows, including the identification of security risks and vulnerabilities.
“One of the key challenges for enterprises is to reliably capture and securely aggregate operational data across a fragmented landscape of devices, platforms and data sources and transform it into actionable insights,” said Alejandro Cadenas, assistant vice president, telecom mobility and IoT research, IDC Europe. “NTT DATA’s ultra-light Edge AI platform solves these challenges and simplifies the deployment and adoption of a data-driven enterprise strategy, reducing risk and time and optimizing total cost of ownership and business value.”
Driving secure adoption of AI at the edge with the first fully managed service
NTT DATA’s Managed Services for Edge AI provide a unified view and management of devices, sensors, and assets. With expert support and cutting-edge technologies, NTT DATA helps businesses simplify complex processes, save money, improve performance, and accelerate digital transformation.
As the industry’s first fully managed IT/OT convergence platform, Edge AI transforms physical assets into software assets for data-driven insights, regardless of manufacturer. Operating at the edge, managed services integrate OT assets with IT applications, improving operational efficiency. Edge AI also provides a view of the firmware version of all connected devices to promote vulnerability patching and overall device security.
“IT and AI need to happen where they create the most value for the business; for many industrial companies, that’s where the data is generated. By ingesting IT and OT data and leveraging AI models to generate use-case specific outcomes, the NTT DATA solution takes another step toward realizing the Industry 4.0 vision,” said Pablo Tomasi, Principal Analyst, Private Network, Omdia. “In addition, the use of small, task-specific AI models will help drive the democratization of AI by making it easier to introduce AI into businesses where and when it’s needed, without the need for a complete overhaul of their entire infrastructure.”
Source: Businesswire