From Edge to Outcomes: New Paradigms in Decision Making

“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat.” –Steve Jobs

"Change is the only constant” is an ancient observation about perpetual flux in the natural world. This persistent truth is amplified and accelerated in the digital domain. Yet there is a digital constant. Through every advance of digital technology – from the ENIAC computer in 1945 to GenAI today -- the common denominator has always been data.

Furthermore, data has remained the most important ingredient in driving valuable business insights. As the saying goes, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” Until recently, however, simply gaining access to exponentially expanding volumes of data required extraordinary efforts, if it was accessible at all.

The digital edge

That all changed with technology-driven innovations ranging from cloud computing to IoT- connected devices and sensors that sit at the digital “edge” to collect data from virtually any “thing.” Equally important, advances in connectivity – from Wi-Fi and LTE to 5G and Private 5G (P5G) -- provide secure conduits to these “edge” devices. These developments are especially relevant for large, distributed areas such as manufacturing plants, stadiums and even cities as well as remote locations. We also have integrated access through standard APIs that support seamless and interoperable data flows and workloads.

Furthermore, advancements in data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have created a “perfect storm.” Organizations can now shift from broad, single-vendor technology-led solutions to more purposeful, outcome-led approaches that solve specific business needs. Signs of this shift are evident across industry segments and are being adopted with increased frequency. Altogether, this evolved ecosystem is driving immediate impacts for business operations and shaping strategic objectives.

Start with the intended outcome

The cumulative advances in technology, connectivity and data access have enabled a new class of purpose-built “Smart” analytic solutions. The essential first step is to begin by defining the desired outcome or use case. Then the task is to identify the required data to create the intended use-case outcome.

In this urban metro example, breakthroughs in edge connectivity can provide direct access to sensors and scanners that digitally capture rider ingress and egress. This answers transit agency questions about ridership levels and develops journey maps in real-time. Correlating this information with other data such as weather forecasts and local events -- and applying AI and advanced analytics over time -- can create journey predictions, support proactive scheduling, and ultimately deliver a digital twin of the transit system. This empowers valuable interactive scenario management and decision-making.

The path to net-zero

Another use case involves an organization’s energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the path to net-zero. These are C-level initiatives that every business should be addressing today. One of the largest energy consumers are data centers, and optimizing their energy usage and reducing their overall GHG footprint has become a major priority. The increasing computing demands of GenAI have only increased the urgency for a solution.

As a starting point for reporting CO2e, organizations can take advantage of IoT sensors and digital systems to collect data on all aspects of data center operations including energy purchased and energy produced. The real value emerges when advanced data modeling and AI begin to highlight anomalies and trends down to each individual asset (server, switch, rack, HVAC unit, diesel generator, etc.) and delivering a digital twin to test “what-if” scenarios for optimization on the path toward net-zero emissions.

Advances in connectivity

In manufacturing, lost production time due to machine failures can be very costly and extremely disruptive to the entire supply chain. Predictive and optimized maintenance plans would make a huge difference. Such planning is achievable by applying advanced analytics and AI to real-time data from telemetry sensors throughout the production line (heat, vibration, RPM, electrical current, etc.). This data can be correlated with historical service records and manufacturer specifications to create proactive plans that reduce downtime. For many companies, such improvements have been hard to achieve because the essential data was often locked in silos. Further complicating matters, Wi-Fi connectivity on the shop floor was often spotty and unreliable.

Now, advancements in P5G connectivity provide a secure and reliable compliment to Wi-Fi for mission critical use cases. P5G creates fast, secure and reliable conduit for data flowing directly from IoT-enabled production machines into analytic models for analysis. The result is real-time, high-value insights and predictive planning solutions to the operations team.

Each of these examples highlights the power of data-driven insights focused on delivering a specific outcome. The value comes by leveraging the combined power of today’s technology ecosystem: advanced IoT connected devices, ubiquitous access to data generated at the IoT Edge, private wireless networks that are faster and more reliable than alternatives, and advanced analytics, AI and digital twins. These elements combine to empower vital outcomes.

NTT DATA was built for this

As a top five global IT services provider, NTT DATA is uniquely positioned to offer innovative data-driven solutions that traverse the entire “Edge to Outcome” continuum. NTT DATA has a long history of driving innovation for clients. From consulting and leading-edge technology integration to data analytics and AI, we help clients uncover the insights that drive businesses and markets forward. Specific recent examples include:

Armed with the capabilities and experience to offer end-to-end IT solutions, NTT DATA is a trusted global innovator that transforms organizations for success, disrupts industries for good and shapes a better future for all.