A new perspective on edge computing is necessary because the vast majority of AI processing will occur far from the cloud — and Cisco Unified Edge aims to help make that a reality.
The new reality for AI-driven businesses
When companies examine how their AI applications are used day to day, they find that most processing happens on local devices at the network edge — commonly known as edge computing.
By 2027, it is estimated that on average three quarters of all enterprise data will be created and processed in edge environments. This shift results directly from the rapid expansion of AI applications, moving from large centralized models to smaller, specialized and autonomous AI agents.
As the edge becomes the new center of infrastructure, new technical solutions are needed to fully unlock its potential without compromising security, visibility or the pace of innovation.
AI projects stuck before production
More than half of AI pilot projects worldwide never reach production. Although 60 percent of Swedish companies in Cisco’s AI Readiness Index report that their AI investments have met or exceeded expectations, four out of ten organizations still say they haven’t achieved the results they hoped for.
This highlights the need for flexible, secure and scalable infrastructures that can handle AI workloads locally — close to the user.
Cisco Unified Edge — data center power at the network edge
To address these challenges, Cisco has introduced a new platform, Cisco Unified Edge — a modular architecture that brings data center capabilities closer to where events occur.
Built in collaboration with leading technology partners such as NVIDIA and Intel, and developed with input from manufacturing and retail industry representatives, the solution rests on three pillars: performance, simplicity and reliability.
Designed for real-world needs
”We designed Cisco Unified Edge from conversations with customers who approached us with concrete challenges. They weren’t asking for another product — they wanted a breakthrough: a way to run AI securely and efficiently across thousands of locations without an army of specialists or disconnected systems,” writes Jeremy Foster, SVP & General Manager, Cisco Compute.
The architecture is based on a modular chassis that supports CPUs and GPUs side by side, allowing capacity to scale incrementally as needs evolve. Systems arrive essentially ready to plug in and operate.
Cloud-connected management and zero trust security
Although the compute power resides locally, the management platform Cisco Intersight can connect through the cloud. It aligns with the operational model used in data centers, ensuring policies and compliance controls remain intact.
Installation, updates and maintenance can be handled remotely without compromising security. The same SASE and firewall technologies used globally are integrated into the network nodes, and the platform is built on a zero trust foundation featuring:
- verified boot
- encrypted telemetry
- real-time monitoring
- proactive vulnerability management
Available before year-end
Cisco Unified Edge was unveiled for the first time at the Cisco Partner Summit in San Diego on November 3. The architecture is now available for pre-order and is expected to be delivered to customers before the end of the year.
With Cisco Unified Edge, organizations move closer to the next generation of AI-driven infrastructure. Combining data center-class performance with the speed and flexibility required at the network edge unlocks new opportunities for innovation, performance and security across industries.