Cloud computing and edge computing to improve information flow

- Most of what happens inside of a computer can be described as either storage or processing. Computers store data so that it can be access when needed. And they process data, which involves receiving, retrieving, classifying, transforming, and transmitting it. Computers are limited by their internal storage and processing capacity. But when we connect them into networks, that gives us a lot of different options for storing and processing data. So let's take a look at some of the different network designs that we can choose from and the pros and cons for each of them. A client is a device like a phone, tablet, or laptop that a user interacts with directly. Client devices are designed to be cheap and portable. So they usually have just enough storage and processing to handle relatively simple tasks. A server is a more robust computer that we use to store large amounts of data and to do serious processing. And On Prem server is one that's physically located on our premises, meaning it's located inside of an office building, distribution center, or factory. On Prem servers are part of our local area network or land. Cloud servers are located in a remote facility and are accessed over the internet. The companies that operate these remote data centers are called cloud hosts. Anytime we rely on a server for storage and processing we end up with a centralized network. Centralized architectures are often more efficient and easier to manage, but they can create a single point of failure for a network. The opposite of a centralized approach is a decentralized or distributed architecture, where we spread the storage and processing power out across the client devices. As client devices have become more powerful, it's gotten easier to build distributed networks. Distributed networks are more resilient than centralized networks because you don't have a single point of failure. But it's harder to manage all of the devices and keep them secure. Some networks use a hybrid approach called edge computing. With edge computing, you do some of the storage and processing using a server that's close to the clients and that edge server acts as a gateway to the central servers. For example, trucks and airplanes might connect to edge gateway servers that are scattered around the world. And edge servers could communicate back to the central servers. Choosing the best ways to store and process data depends on a lot of factors, including the amount of data you have, the capabilities of your client devices, and the locations of your users. Understanding the strengths and limitations of centralized, distributed, and edge network architectures can help you choose the right network architecture for all of your supply chain processes.