According to Statista, monthly mobile traffic from smartphones in Latin America and the Caribbean will increase significantly in the coming years. By 2028, it is estimated to reach approximately 41 gigabytes per month, representing an increase of roughly 37 gigabytes compared to 2019.
This increase triggers a greater need for more data centers, where edge computing plays a leading role in this sector. Studies from the consulting firm IDC, as reflected in Inversor Latam, report that Latin America is among the regions experiencing the fastest growth in Edge investments, surpassing USD 5 billion. It is estimated to have an average growth rate of 16% by 2026.
According to STL Partners' survey on key edge computing statistics, the addressable market for edge computing is projected to reach US$445 billion by 2030. Throughout this forecast period, all segments of the value chain—including devices, connectivity, applications, integration and support, and edge infrastructure—are expected to grow, with edge infrastructure exhibiting the most rapid growth.
This growing movement to the Edge continues to drive innovation for Vertiv’s Edge portfolio of power, thermal management, IT management and integrated cabinet solutions. In order to leverage the trend and portfolio, we recommend that channel partners consider these critical points to boost their sales:
1) Identify customer needs based on their vertical
Installation speed, data latency, distributed control, or cost savings are often the most determining needs for companies regarding edge solutions. Knowing which of these is a priority for the customer, based on their business focus and industry, will be vital in offering a more personalized service and being able to communicate with the user in the same language.
2) Evaluate the required infrastructure
Identifying critical infrastructure aspects where Edge solutions provide the most added value is crucial. This involves considering factors such as power consumption, storage capacity, connection (or lack thereof) to any communication network, etc.
3) Devise how to link that infrastructure with other edge elements
Edge technology is characterized by bringing data processing and applications to the Edge of the network, minimizing latency, and improving response speed. Therefore, the linkage between all involved components must be highly efficient. At this point, considerations include whether the system is linked to a core data center or in the cloud.
4) Take into account the customer’s growth plans
In a constantly evolving scenario, it is essential to project for the future and assess whether adding other devices to expand coverage will be necessary. Providing scalable and flexible solutions that adapt to customers' growing requirements is crucial.
5) Consider value as a strategy
Investing in Edge as a value strategy will result in improved service availability, the ability to handle large volumes of data, especially for AI workflows, and more excellent long-term durability. The infrastructure deployed to support this compute should add to the flexibility and value.
To support channels in their Edge sales strategy, Vertiv provides three-way support:
- Documentation on various edge network archetypes is a consultative tool to segment Edge applications according to typical customer needs (latency, distribution, or application sensitivity, among others).
- Technical training associated with Edge Solutions is offered to introduce best practices for installing UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and thermal management solutions, understanding that these two elements are critical for proper functioning of the equipment that supports network applications.
- Vertiv™ IT management solutions allow for secure and reliable monitoring, control and reporting of Edge infrastructure (whether proprietary or third-party), for a streamlined approach to remote management.
If you want to learn more about Vertiv's offerings, click here.
