Why 5G and edge computing are key to retail success on Microsoft Cloud

The
retail
industry
is
transforming
rapidly.
Modern
retailers
rely
heavily
on
automation
for
managing
inventory,
shelf
design,
customer
service,
and
logistics.
Video
cameras
and
sensors
that
allow
for
unique
store
design
help
to
enhance
the
customer
experience.
Technology
is
truly
powering
retail
transformation,
setting
modern
stores
apart
from
traditional
brick-and-mortar
ones.

It
is
no
easy
feat
sending
all
these
video
streams
and
sensor
data
to
the
cloud
for
real-time
analysis.
High
bandwidth
is
required
to
move
heavy
data
streams.
So
is
low
latency
for
quick
data
processing
and
decision
making,
especially
when
robotics
is
involved. 

This
is
where
edge
computing
and
edge-native
applications
become
relevant
for
retail
stores.
They
allow
computing
to
occur
closer
to
the
source
of
data–right
inside
the
store.
Coupled
with
a
private
5G
communication
network,
retailers
can
deploy
cost-effective
and
high
performing
‘edge-native’
applications.

At
the
same
time,
companies
must
maintain
secure
environments
and
prevent
fraud.
According
to
a

recent
Microsoft
blog,
organizations
can
use
security
and
compliance
solutions
in
Microsoft
365
E5
to
have
visibility
into
their
threat
landscape
and
leverage
built-in
AI
and
machine
learning
in
Microsoft
Sentinel
and
Microsoft
Defender
for
Cloud
to
proactively
manage
threats
and
reduce
alert
fatigue.

Read
the
full
blog
post

to
learn
more.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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