Introduction / Executive Summary
Data has been traditionally processed and analyzed using servers in data centers or by onsite IT staff with tools such as spreadsheets. The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), where devices are embedded with electronic sensors that communicate and are remotely monitored or controlled, is drastically changing how data is received, processed and analyzed. IoT sensors are multiplying the sheer amount of data (including numerical, audio and video) requiring better and faster methods of processing and analyzing data. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning running on high performance computing (HPC) systems has further revolutionized data analysis and problem solving. What used to be only possible for governments and the largest universities is now available to enterprises of all sizes.
The future fifth-generation wireless (5G) cellular technology will enable a massive increase in the amount of data transmitted over wireless systems due to more available bandwidth and advanced transmission technology. With 5G, the pipe for data is much wider, meaning lower latency and extremely rapid delivery. IoT and sensors act as a collection system, 5G as a delivery system and an AI platform as an analyzer that can then feed back to IoT sensors. This forms a closed loop and ushers in an era where using AI will be able to solve problems much faster than if humans did the analysis themselves. The combination of AI, IoT and 5G will impact nearly everyone on the planet, enhancing their lives in scenarios such as improving traffic flow, overseeing their appliances and monitoring their health.
IoT and AI Provide New Opportunities
During the next eight years, the amount of digital data produced will exceed 40 zettabytes, a number equal to more than 55 times all the grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth. In addition, the global industrial IoT market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 24%, expected to reach approximately $751.3 billion by 2023.
AI, IoT and connected products and services are used in government, manufacturing businesses to monitor equipment, consumer applications, scientific research and across a wide range of industries. Here are some real-life examples:
- Smart appliances: With IoT, a connected refrigerator has the potential to send data regarding fridge contents, usage patterns, component health, and allows further insight once a certain product has been purchased. With 5G, data from an appliance can be sent in near real-time to be analyzed via HPC systems and fed back to advertisers. Advertisers can take this information and craft and distribute customized messages back to consumers’ connected devices.
- Using AI and robotics in wind farms: The University of Manchester is investigating the role robotics and AI could have on reducing the costs of operating and maintaining offshore wind farms.
- Improving farm practices: Researchers at North Carolina State University are doing research using the Lenovo Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Center to study using AI with geospatial data from sensors to revolutionize farming practices.
How Lenovo Meets Growing HPC, AI and IoT Needs
Breakthroughs in computing systems have made it possible to tackle immense obstacles in processing AI learning and IoT data. Lenovo, the leading worldwide provider of TOP500 Supercomputer systems, is driving innovation across HPC, IoT and AI, providing the building blocks for systems large and small. Lenovo has extensive IoT and AI expertise, and provides customer assistance in getting started with its Lenovo AI Innovation Centers located around the world.
Lenovo Hardware Products Support AI and IoT Needs
Lenovo provides a wide range of servers, storage and edge devices to handle general, HPC, AI and IoT processing needs including:
- ThinkSystem SR670 server: The Lenovo ThinkSystem SR670 delivers optimal performance for AI and HPC workloads. The ThinkSystem SR670 allows up to either four large or eight small GPUs per 2U node, and is suited for computationally intensive workload requirements for Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL) or Inference.
- Edge processing and data collection: Lenovo has various sized edge compute nodes for data capture and AI inferencing – from clusters of edge servers sitting in micro data centers, to the innovative ThinkSystem SE350 edge server, and down to the ThinkCenter Nano IoT, a hand-held device. The ThinkSystem SE350 edge server captures data working from the edge to the core, including virtual and augmented reality tools such as Think Reality. The SE350 has an extremely small footprint and power efficiency for reliable server-class performance at edge and manufacturing locations—it can handle vibrations, high dust and temperatures from 0° to 55°C.
- Storage: Lenovo has multiple storage platforms and solutions that can scale with data storage needs. Lenovo offers traditional NAS, SAN and DAS storage solutions, as well as solutions based on offerings from partners such as Nutanix, IBM, NetApp and others.
Lenovo LiCO Software Accelerates AI training
Lenovo’s Intelligent Computing Orchestration (LiCO) software accelerates AI training and traditional HPC activities. “To extract value out of all this data, clients need solutions that delivers performance and scalability with the flexibility to match optimized processing to particular workloads. As the #1 TOP500 vendor, Lenovo has a long history of providing optimized solutions that deliver the performance needed to process this data quickly, whether running simulations or developing actionable AI models. With Lenovo Intelligent Computing Orchestration (LiCO), HPC/AI software users can easily target the best infrastructure within the system for their workload, driving higher productivity while optimizing utilization of resources.”- J.J. Falkanger, Lenovo’s Sr. Product Marketing Manager, PC&AI Software and Solutions.
Lenovo AI Innovation Centers: Helping customers on AI journey
Lenovo has worldwide AI Innovation Centers to help enterprises understand and implement the elements of AI for their particular situations. Customers have an opportunity to collaborate in these centers to understand the value for their particular use case through Proof of Concepts, choose the right solution development platforms that are ready-to-use and optimized for AI and deploy solutions to improve time to value.
Conclusion
The application of AI through IoT is dramatically reshaping our world, and how we interact both with, and within it. The advent of 5G, the pipe for data becomes much wider, meaning lower latency and extremely rapid delivery. The traditional methods can no longer keep up with analyzing the data being created. The shorter list is fast becoming devices that are not connected, rather than those that are.
“When you think about the connected status of all edge devices creating data, there is too much data for humans to analyze it. You have to use AI to make sense of the data to drive business value. Lenovo has a wide range of solutions to aid in processing and storing IoT data and analyzing the data using AI tools,” states Todd DeSaix, IoT and Edge Computing Leader, Lenovo Data Center Group.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$45 billion Fortune Global 500 company and a global technology leader in driving Intelligent Transformation through smart devices and infrastructure that create the best user experience. Lenovo manufactures one of the world’s widest portfolios of connected products, including smartphones (Motorola), tablets, PCs (ThinkPad, Yoga, Lenovo Legion) and workstations as well as AR/VR devices and smart home/office solutions. Lenovo’s data center solutions (ThinkSystem, ThinkAgile) are creating the capacity and computing power for the connections that are changing business and society. Lenovo works to inspire the difference in everyone and build a smarter future where everyone thrives. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Weibo, read about the latest news via our Storyhub, or visit our website at http://www.lenovo.com/.
Copyright 2019