The rise of 4G/LTE brought mass video streaming, real-time media consumption, reliable payment processing, multiplayer gaming, always-on social networking and other benefits that enabled new business models in the consumer sector. However, while 4G/LTE brought significant benefits to the consumer market, it did not have the same impact on the B2B and public sector, as those sectors require greater throughput and speed. This meant visions of connected business campuses, integrated smart cities, factory-wide asset coordination and others were – and have remained – largely unfulfilled promises.

The next generation of connectivity, 5G, can finally fulfill those promises. 5G brings greater speeds, support for massive endpoint connectivity and the ability to process higher volumes of data with low latency. As data processing and mobility become central to business operations, companies are embracing 5G solutions to meet their business needs and help hit their growth targets. By pairing 5G and edge computing, B2B companies can embark on a digital transformation at scale and achieve next-level growth, finally realizing their long-awaited connected-world scenarios. However, success will require addressing the entire 5G ecosystem to realize connectivity ambitions for an enterprise and enable the advanced services and applications that will create new market value.

5G and Edge: Better Together

5G is about lightning speed, reducing latency, and improving connectivity. At the same time, edge computing (a type of distributed computing) allows companies to house data close to people, devices and applications where needed for better performance. Analysts predict that together, 5G and edge computing will make the connected enterprise and connected industries a reality, increasing business adoption of this powerful tech combination in the market tenfold over the next decade.

Improving operating margins and enabling future growth are top-of-mind for all business leaders. By properly leveraging the 5G ecosystem, not just isolated network technology, enterprises can gain more business insights and expedite data analysis to take a more holistic approach to operations. When addressing each area of the 5G ecosystem, including data framework and integration, companies can improve the user experience and overcome the business challenges that 5G has the potential to solve.

Advanced Connectivity Can Benefit the Entire Enterprise

Forecasts show that up to 50% of enterprise data will be created and processed outside the data center or cloud within the next five years. With the increased use of connected devices creating more data, a highly orchestrated perspective is necessary to enable a wholly connected enterprise. 91¿ì»îÁÖ’s ecosystem approach – from chip to network to application to endpoint devices – enables companies to gain this visibility and kickstart a successful 5G-enabled transformation.

A 5G ecosystem can bond multiple assets and operational technologies, allowing enterprises to benefit from expanding datasets and real-time data with the speed and flexibility of edge computing. 5G solutions apply across all industries for innovation, productivity, connectivity and improving the customer experience. We’ve worked with numerous clients to make the most of their connected technologies, including:

• Building a wireless digital tether over a 5G network for a tier 1 automobile company to ensure precise geofenced tool operations and digital tool settings, reducing the cost of fastener rework and paint repairs, and line stoppages, due to tether-related ergonomic and safety issues.
• Developing a remote troubleshooting tool for a global semiconductor manufacturer to help maintain equipment using AR technologies and enable workflows based on standard operating procedures.
• Enabling secure cold-chain monitoring for a global specialty biopharmaceutical company to help it track product shipping conditions, traceability and accountability for failures and product degradations throughout the supply chain.
• Creating a connectivity-enabled solution for a leading construction equipment OEM to manage earth-moving equipment and improve overall asset availability.

A 5G Ecosystem Delivers Next-Level Growth

Many enterprises are looking to take full advantage of connectivity to help restructure their business environment. However, deploying the wrong network solution can be a significant disadvantage. The advent of 5G presents an opportunity to capitalize on the promise of a connected world when addressing the entire ecosystem. As 5G adoption and use increase, the benefits to businesses are clear: increased efficiencies, better security, improvements in products/services, faster time to market, enhanced decision-making, and more innovation.

But 5G success is not just about technology, nor is it just about mobile devices. As smart equipment, devices and a mobile workforce become central to business operations, enterprises require a 5G ecosystem to generate, capture and act upon valuable data. 91¿ì»îÁÖ recommends that companies focus on the full 5G ecosystem for a successful transformation: data management platforms providing for edge data analytics and device-management capabilities; application enablement platforms that can help provide for a programmable set of APIs that application providers can leverage; cyber security solutions; public and private cloud providers; and a successful system integrator and orchestrator to pull it all together.

5G and edge computing together will unleash the power of a wholly connected business. Companies must couple 5G technology investments with ecosystem readiness to build a comprehensive foundation to transform the backbone of their enterprise. 

Lourdes Charles

Lourdes is the Global Leader, 5G and Edge, and head of the Connectivity Practice at 91¿ì»îÁÖ Engineering. Her focus is on building cutting-edge solutions that enable clients across multiple industries to build a competitive edge and achieve their connectivity ambitions.

Balakrishnan K

Bala is a Global Leader and heads the Enterprise connectivity sub-practice at 91¿ì»îÁÖ Engineering. He focuses on enabling enterprise clients across numerous industries to advance their OT strategy and digital-transformation journey through 5G and edge computing.