With the rapid proliferation of IoT devices, sensors, and industrial automation, edge computing has become an essential technology for modern business. As data grows at unprecedented rates, organizations increasingly recognize the need for real-time analytics closer to the source—which is typically at the edge. To shed light on this growing trend and the solutions shaping its evolution, theCUBE had a thought-provoking conversation with Pierluca Chiodelli, Vice President of Engineering and Technology, Edge Offers, Strategy and Execution at Dell Technologies. The discussion centered around Dell’s innovations in edge computing, particularly its NativeEdge platform, and how it addresses the unique challenges posed by edge environments.
The Growing Imperative of Edge Computing
Edge computing has transitioned into a critical enabler for industries like retail, manufacturing, energy, and many more. As Chiodelli highlighted, Dell Technologies has been empowering edge computing for over two decades, starting with a robust edge hardware portfolio and evolving into a holistic edge solutions provider.
Chiodelli observed that in recent years, the convergence of IT and OT (Operational Technology) has accelerated the demand for edge solutions capable of handling vast streams of data generated by connected devices. He noted, “We’ve seen AI and real-time data streams drive a tremendous need for compute at the edge. This journey started years ago, and today, edge computing is more critical than ever in delivering actionable insights and operational efficiencies.”
Unique Challenges at the Edge
Unlike traditional data centers or campus environments, edge computing environments are inherently more fragmented and resource-constrained. Edge deployments often lack the physical space, technical expertise, and IT support typically available in centralized locations. Chiodelli emphasized that edge environments demand tailored solutions that address their distributed and resource-limited nature.
Even the term “edge” can be ambiguous, with organizations referring to edge or far edge. Dell has it own definition: “When we define the edge at Dell, we see it as everything outside the data center,” explained Chiodelli. “Security, scalability, and ease of management are non-negotiable. You’re not dealing with centralized racks but thousands of distributed devices in remote, diverse locations.”
NativeEdge: Redefining Edge Resilience and Scalability
At the heart of Dell’s edge innovation is the NativeEdge platform—a solution designed to simplify and enhance edge deployments. NativeEdge combines hardware and software to provide resilience, scalability, and flexibility, empowering edge computing in the AI era.
Chiodelli discussed a recent announcement related to high availability and clustering capabilities within NativeEdge. These new capabilities allow businesses to cluster diverse hardware, ranging from compact gateways to full-scale PowerEdge servers, enabling modular and scalable high-availability deployments. NativeEdge also integrates storage solutions to manage growing data gravity at the edge.
The platform’s flexibility and scale are differentiators. Retailers, for example, can start small with an OptiPlex gateway and scale up to robust PowerEdge clusters as their needs grow. Chiodelli emphasized, “You can protect critical assets while maintaining flexibility. It’s not about deploying monolithic clusters but providing the right solutions for specific use cases.”
AI and Modern Applications at the Edge
It’s hard to have a conversation today without talking about AI. The edge environment is an integral part of the AI ecosystem and AI is driving innovation at the edge. With machine learning and AI applications increasingly deployed at the edge, businesses require platforms capable of handling these advanced workloads. NativeEdge facilitates this transformation by supporting AI model training in centralized locations and inference at the edge, streamlining the entire lifecycle of AI deployment.
Chiodelli cited examples from manufacturing, where AI-driven computer vision systems monitor production lines. Traditionally, updating AI models required manual interventions, often leading to delays and inefficiencies. NativeEdge eliminates these hurdles through automated and secure deployment pipelines. “From a central location, you can retrain and deploy AI models securely, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity,” he explained.
Security by Design
As edge environments expand, so does the attack surface, making security a paramount concern. NativeEdge was designed with a zero-trust framework, adhering to the pillars defined by NIST. Its security features include:
- Immutable Operating System: Ensures no unauthorized changes can be made.
- FIDO (Fast Identity Online) Authentication: Secures devices with unique manufacturing-sealed certificates.
- End-to-End Encryption: Protects communication between devices and orchestrators.
- Tamper Detection: Identifies and mitigates physical tampering with edge devices.
Chiodelli emphasized that these measures protect individual devices and ensure security at scale. NativeEdge’s flexibility extends to supporting air-gapped environments, catering to industries like manufacturing and government that prioritize data sovereignty and offline operations.
Empowering Edge Computing Across Industries
NativeEdge’s impact extends across industries, from retail to energy. AI blueprints enable the basic building blocks; however, the solutions can be modified to optimize to meet the needs of industry-specific use cases. In retail, for instance, it enables intelligent store solutions, including loss prevention and inventory management, working through seamless integration with partner ecosystems. Chiodelli shared how retailers can deploy applications for a single store as a proof of concept and use the blueprint to scale to hundreds of locations with minimal effort—a process that previously took months or years.
Leveraging AI and automation to optimize operations and reduce costs will also benefit the manufacturing and energy sectors. By empowering edge computing for AI and federated learning, NativeEdge allows businesses to process data locally, reducing latency and the costs associated with data transfer to central locations.
Future of Edge Innovation
As edge computing evolves, Dell remains committed to driving innovation through platforms like NativeEdge. The company’s vision extends beyond hardware, aiming to democratize edge computing by simplifying deployment and management while optimizing costs.
“We are only at the beginning,” remarked Chiodelli. “The edge is where the data is created, and taking action on that data locally will drive business outcomes. NativeEdge is the connective tissue that brings these possibilities to life.”
Our Perspective
Edge computing is no longer a frontier technology; it’s a business imperative. Deploying compute, storage, networking and AI across highly distributed edge locations is a requirement. However, this can also create a number of challenges, including resource constraints, security and availability. Dell’s NativeEdge platform provides a solution for organizations to navigate past these complexities, unlocking value through scalability, security, and AI-driven insights. Whether enabling intelligent retail stores, enhancing manufacturing efficiency, or ensuring security across highly distributed environments, Dell NativeEdge solution is empowering edge computing environments and along with Dell AI Factories and AI PCs, have the ability to transform industries.
For more coverage from theCUBE Research, please see
Scaling Modern Edge Environments: ZEDEDA CEO Said Ouissal
The Rise of Private 5G: Exploring Use Cases, Challenges, and Future Outlook – theCUBEResearch
For more information on Dell NativeEdge Solutions
