Lexmark, a global technology solutions leader, announced the latest addition to its Optra IoT Solutions portfolio.
Lexmark Optra Edge executes AI applications closer to the point of data generation at the edge without necessitating the transfer of data to the cloud – providing organisations with speedy AI insights to increase efficiency, safety and sustainability.
Optra Edge allows organisations to sense, analyse and act on real-time digital and physical data generated by IoT devices such as cameras. This results in cost savings, increased productivity, and competitive advantage. According to IDC, the launch of Optra Edge comes as spending on edge is forecast to reach nearly $274 billion in 2025.
“While the convergence of 5G and IoT is creating greater demand for computing power at the edge to fuel business transformation, it is also exponentially multiplying the amount of data available,” said Vishal Gupta, Senior Vice President, Connected Technology and CITO of Lexmark. “We’ve designed Optra Edge so our customers can run innovative AI applications on the edge while still enjoying enterprise-grade management, holistic security, open standards, and ability to leverage their existing infrastructure.”
Optra Edge can limit or eliminate latency for data processing and accelerates AI-driven insights from IoT devices. To that point, AI and machine learning (ML) applications deployed on Optra Edge devices analyse sensory data such as sight, sound, vibration and temperature and enable real-time decisions without delay.
The solution keeps data local and takes advantage of containerised applications to protect sensitive information. In addition, it uses secure-by-design techniques that protect millions of Lexmark print devices globally.
Key benefits of Optra Edge include:
- AI/ML Skills: Turn data into action, right at the point of need, with ready-made AI/ML skills built by Lexmark or developed by customers or partners.
- Vertical Integration: Optra Edge is a unified hardware, software and device management solution for industries like manufacturing, retail, healthcare and transportation – which avoids the need for multiple technology vendors.
- Low Code/No Code Simplicity: The solution is easy to set up and intuitive. AI applications are quickly deployed across multiple devices through a user-friendly portal.
- Open Standards: Operating across customers’ existing platforms and connecting to cameras from any provider, Optra Edge reduces the need for costly upgrades and maximises existing technology investments.
- Microsoft Azure Certification: Optra Edge devices are Level 1 Azure certified – the highest level possible. Pre-installed, certified software allows users to immediately connect the device to Azure simply by adding provisioning details.
- Privacy and Security: Optra Edge incorporates Lexmark’s award-winning security with our embedded system development, which is secure-by-design and incorporates elements like a secure boot.
- Data Computation: Powerful local computation ability enables privacy, security and the ability to process data on-premises.
- Protocol Conversion: Optra Edge gives non-smart devices “smart” capabilities as a translator between devices. Optra Edge can directly connect native and non-native devices to the IoT platform without cloud or Internet connectivity.
“Lexmark’s success in identifying real-time insights at the edge through advanced analytics and anomaly detection for our core business served as the catalyst and inspiration for Optra Edge,” said Sudhir Mehta, Global Vice President for Optra Engineering and Product Management at Lexmark. “We can share and relate our own experiences as we aid other organisations with their edge AI strategy.”
Manufacturers, in particular, stand to benefit because they often face human or machine errors – leading to critical parts being misplaced or out-of-spec parts making it through the production line.
“The Optra Edge vision solution vastly enhances quality control on the manufacturing shop-floor,” Mehta said while describing it as a “gamechanger” that will mitigate business challenges and secure financial goals.
