Forrester's The Top 10 Trends in Edge Computing and IoT, 2025 emphasises that edge computing and IoT are no longer optional but essential for operational strategising. Organisations across Asia are embracing these technologies to enhance resilience and operational autonomy, generating a ripple effect in decision-making and efficiencies.
From predictive maintenance in industrial settings to drones equipped with computer vision for rapid disaster response, AI-driven edge intelligence is swiftly becoming the backbone of autonomous operations.
By embedding intelligent algorithms into industrial gateways, companies are not just improving efficiency but also ensuring that crucial decisions can be made in real-time—because when seconds count, every moment matters.
Moreover, the rise of agentic AI and advanced neural processing units (NPUs) allows for on-device analytics that cuts down latency significantly, supporting mission-critical activities in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing. This decentralised approach bolsters resilience and empowers organisations to handle more complex workloads without significant delays.
As enterprises generate vast troves of IoT data, observability has become a key strategic differentiator. Companies are investing heavily in tools that unify inputs from various sources, enhancing system reliability and performance monitoring. In a fragmented IoT landscape, where devices are continuously being deployed and updated, maintaining an overarching view is vital.
Security continues to evolve with IoT, moving beyond mere device discovery to lifecycle management. As organisations classify and manage device risk proactively, they bolster their IoT security posture, guarding against potential vulnerabilities that can disrupt operations.
In retail, mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) devices are revolutionising customer experiences, although this transformation brings its own set of challenges, particularly in contingency planning for network failures.
As companies adapt their environments to seamlessly integrate these technologies, the demand for edge development platforms has surged. These platforms simplify the complexities of distributed environments and enable quick, real-time decisions driven by advanced IoT insights.
“Edge computing and IoT are foundational to enterprise resilience,” emphasises Forrester’s Michele Pelino. Tech leaders in Asia must prioritise observability and interoperability to unlock the full potential of these transformative technologies as they prepare for 2025 and beyond.
