With the arrival of AI in the mainstream, both companies see edge compute critical for Industry 4.0
EY has joined forces with Dell Technologies to launch the EY Edge Technologies Lab which will demonstrate and test local edge-based computing system applications due to their advantage over central cloud processing for specific Industry 4.0 applications. The companies say the lab comes with the ability to create prototypes within a week and will demonstrate how Generative AI and edge technology can reduce manual effort and improve the efficiency and accuracy of data integration tasks.
The lab’s goal is to change the way organisations experience and envision their business outcomes and data strategy by helping create real-time industry-specific use cases and prototypes for edge-centric solutions, seamlessly integrating the technology into business operations. It will also helps demonstrate the competitive advantages of embedding AI at the edge, in conjunction with EY.ai, the company’s new unifying platform combining its business experience with AI.
The Lab will also help leaders understand how having the right edge and data strategy impacts the convergence of IT and operational technology – a trend that’s helping to drive rapid adoption of edge computing. Initially, the lab will focus on manufacturing, life sciences, healthcare, consumer products and utilities – creating edge-centric use cases, like deploying an IoT solution for a client’s manufacturing process.
EY will use Dell’s NativeEdge, an edge operations software platform, combined with edge computing technologies such as the Dell edge gateway, Dell PowerEdge servers and Dell OptiPlex desktops to provide for various industry use cases. In collaboration with Microsoft, PTC, GE Digital, Snowflake and others, the development work at lab is also supported by EY Technology Strategy & Transformation team members, providing virtual interactions with clients.
EY continues to step up its AI game. Last week it announced EY announced alliance with Reveal to offer legal sector clients AI-powered solutions to advance data discovery and compliance needs.
“With the Lab, we’re putting the power of edge directly into the hands of leaders, offering them the opportunity to explore, experiment, and harness live data insights in unexpected ways that will have a substantial impact on their business growth,” said EY Global TMT industry market leader Greg Cudahy.
“Through our collaboration with the EY organization, businesses will be able to harness the power of edge technology with a transformative platform approach,” added Dell Technologies SVP of edge solutions Gil Shneorson.
Dell continues to make telco waves
Dell’s involvement in the edge lab makes the new EY lab of more interest to telcos looking at how edge networking and compute will play out. The US IT giant realised early on that the telco sector was ripe for disruption given network virtualisation, APIs and the arrival of edge and AI. Last year, Dell signalled its intent by investing €2m to create an Open Telecom Ecosystem Lab in Cork – its first outside the EU. Ireland used to host around 25% of Europe’s data centres and while that figure has changed as more facilities are announced, the nation has proved important for Dell given its presence in that DC sector.
The Cork facility provides an innovation testbed for telecoms and technology leaders across EMEA, connecting leading engineers at Dell with telecom providers. Partners can test and deploy open telecom solutions at the heart of 5G and 6G networks. The telco lab also helps develop applications for smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0, smart mobility solutions and digital cities.