Edge data economy: Short study “Edge Computing in the Data Economy” now published in English

The use of edge computing technologies offers companies considerable potential for optimizing processes and developing new products and innovative business models. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular still lack knowledge about edge computing and its practical applications for developing and implementing use cases.

The study “Edge Computing in the Data Economy - Opportunities, Challenges and Recommendations for Action”, which is now available as an English-language summary, aims to support companies, especially SMEs, in developing their own edge computing use cases. It provides guidance for decision-makers and development managers by addressing questions on the conceptualization of edge computing and the data economy, the design of use cases and the challenges and potential for early adopters.

The study was conducted as part of the accompanying research for the Edge Data Economy technology program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK). In this program, ten projects are developing innovative digital technologies for the data economy in the edge cloud continuum. The results presented are based on the analysis of edge computing use cases that are being designed and implemented in the funded projects at the time of publication. The project participants are mainly early adopters of edge computing. In order to identify and evaluate the motivations and challenges in developing and implementing novel edge computing use cases, a survey was conducted among the project participants in August and September 2023. Around 40 participants took part.

The study is available as a PDF here.