Introduction to Edge Intelligence

Edge Intelligence (EI) is an edge-to-multi-cloud data orchestration software designed for connected assets. This software is deployed on Cisco industrial routers and compute gateways for simple out-of-the box deployment. EI gives organizations full control over data, from its extraction to its transformation to its governance to its delivery. At each stage of data collection, EI streamlines the process so that it can be delivered easily at scale. For example, EI significantly speeds the labor-intensive process of developing and deploying applications that process data at the edge. It offers a plugin for Microsoft Visual Studio Code. Organizations everywhere can easily create code and push applications out wherever they need to go without having to leave Microsoft Visual Studio. EI provides the flexibility to integrate with multiple applications in multiple clouds. EI offers native integrations that simplify the entire process for Microsoft Azure IoT Hub and other MQTT applications.

Watch this short video for an introduction to IoT Edge Intelligence:

Edge to multi-cloud Data Flow

EI helps you take control of your data throughout key aspects of its lifecycle, helping you simplify from start to finish. The following image summarizes this edge-to-multi-cloud lifecycle.

EI Overview

  • Extract: You can automatically ingest data from any edge sensor using Cisco EI hosted on Cisco network equipment. EI has built-in industry-standard connectors such as OPC Unified Architecture (OPC-UA), Modbus (TCP & Serial), and MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) that allow data to be extracted from disparate sources. The data is then converted to industry-standard formats to enable its full use.

  • Transform: Once the data is extracted, EI enables real-time processing to filter, compress, or analyze data in a uniquely simple way. Via a plugin, EI is fully integrated with one of the most popular tools, Microsoft Visual Studio Code. Developers can create, test, and deploy code without ever leaving the tool.

  • Govern: EI provides a central point for the creation and deployment of polices that govern how edge data is processed and delivered.

  • Deliver: Organizations have the data they need from multiple aggregated sources to gain actionable insights for the best decision making. You can then choose which data is sent to which destination and send it to multiple destinations/applications.