Intelligent CIO North America Issue 08 | Page 54

FEATURE : INTELLIGENT EDGE

THE INNOVATIONS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS HAVE PROVIDED US WITH SOME RELIEF AND SOME NEW WAYS OF COPING .

Specifically , we are seeing customers aiming for flexibility . They are embracing Networking-as-a- Service ( NaaS ), as it provides increased options for both on-premise and cloud-based delivery of IT , including access to the latest hardware and software network components in addition to cognitive AI-based services to get the most out of data .
All of this better facilitates the successful implementations of automation and data analytics initiatives that position IT leaders in proactive and even pre-emptive control of their respective networks , ensuring optimal performance and better outcomes . And at the end of the day , this is how IT really impacts business .
Looking ahead , here are the main areas where I think we ’ ll see major progress :
• Enterprises in a number of industries will begin to deploy new IT platforms comprised of cloudconnected compute , storage and networking , placed right next to a new generation of Intelligent Edge equipment – with the earliest adoption taking place in manufacturing , processing and distribution facilities . This new approach will improve productivity through reduced downtime .
• Data will grow in volume and importance . More enterprises will leverage the power of data to drive innovation that creates improved business outcomes , which will also enrich employee and customer experiences . From our customer
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