When planning a video analytics infrastructure, one of the most critical choices is whether to process data at the edge or in the cloud. However the best solution often depends on several factors, including technical and financial considerations. Both edge and cloud processing have strengths that set them apart. Edge processing excels in speed, privacy and bandwidth savings, while cloud processing offers power, scale and central oversight. A hybrid model combines the best of both solutions.
In order to help with this challenge, BCD Video has put together the key elements to keep in mind when deciding between edge versus cloud computing in analytics.
1. Bandwidth availability and cost – Video data is bandwidth-intensive. If the location has limited internet connectivity or expensive data plans, edge processing can significantly reduce costs by analysing data locally and only transmitting what’s necessary.
Conversely, cloud processing requires high and consistent bandwidth, especially if you’re streaming high-definition video in real time.
2. Application requirements and response time – If the use case involves real-time decision-making, like traffic control, edge computing would be the best option to ensure first processing. The closer the data is processed to the source, the faster a system can respond. Cloud computing offers more flexibility for less time-sensitive analysis.
3. Privacy regulations and data compliance – Data privacy laws vary by industry and region. If the system is operating in a highly regulated environment, such as healthcare, finance or government, processing sensitive video data on-premises via edge computing can help meet compliance standards more easily. Data-compliant video processors can bring the added confidence of meeting strict regulatory standards across edge and cloud environments.
4. Budget considerations – Edge solutions typically involve higher upfront capital expenditures for hardware deployment. Cloud-based analytics shift the cost model toward operational expenditures with monthly or annual subscriptions. Your decision may come down to how you prefer to allocate and manage your budget.
5. Deployment scale and growth – If your operation is rapidly growing or geographically dispersed, cloud computing offers the scalability and centralised control you need. Edge computing suits localised environments with consistent analytics needs, such as a single facility with no branches.
In many situations, choosing between edge and cloud processing isn’t straightforward. A hybrid approach, where video data is partially processed at the edge and partially in the cloud, offers a solution that balances performance, cost and functionality.
With a hybrid approach, the first steps of video analysis happen right where the cameras are on local edge devices. These devices quickly sort through footage, tag essential moments and spot what matters most. This keeps things running fast and cuts down on the amount of internet bandwidth you need.
When you need more in-depth analysis, key video clips or data are sent to cloud systems. That’s where deeper learning happens, like spotting patterns over time. It’s also where everything comes together in one place for easy reporting and insights.
While numerous industries can benefit from hybrid setups, BCD Video suggests some best-case scenarios:
● Traffic monitoring: In smart cities, license plate recognition and traffic light control can be handled at the edge, while long-term traffic flow analysis is performed in the cloud.
● Retail: Queue management and theft alerts can be processed locally, while customer behaviour trends and sales analytics are analysed in the cloud.
● Healthcare: Patient monitoring alerts can trigger instantly at the edge, while historical video data is archived securely in the cloud for compliance and research.
Choosing between edge, cloud or hybrid processing requires smart planning. Hardware choices directly affect performance. Edge devices must be fast, efficient and durable, while cloud systems must support high data loads and advanced AI tasks.
Integration can be complex, but BCD solutions, for example, are designed for compatibility and ease of deployment, minimizing delays and technical issues. To stay ahead, the setup should include future-proofing with scalable solutions and access to the latest tech. In these instances, original equipment manufacturer partnerships like those of BCD, help to ensure a system is always equipped for uninterrupted operations.
Both edge and cloud processing have strengths that set them apart. Edge processing excels in speed, privacy and bandwidth savings, while cloud processing offers power, scale and central oversight. A hybrid model combines the best of both solutions.
BCD recommends businesses should choose specialised hardware for edge computing engineered to run AI-powered video analytics efficiently and reliably. The company’s edge appliances are proven in real-world conditions, and at the same time, its enterprise-grade analytics servers are designed to meet the high demands of cloud video analytics environments. These systems are cyber-hardened to protect sensitive video data from threats.
