Dell Technologies Transforms the Edge with Project Frontier Software Platform

Dell Technologies Transforms the Edge with Project Frontier Software Platform

Dell expands end-to-end edge portfolio, empowering customers with simpler, secure edge deployments and global support

News summary
Dell’s Project Frontier will deliver an edge operations software platform to securely scale edge applications and infrastructure while supporting choice of software, IoT, operational and multicloud technologies
Dell expands ISV partner ecosystem to simplify the deployment of software and applications at the manufacturing edge
Dell PowerEdge XR4000, Dell’s shortest depth rugged server, withstands harsh edge conditions and fits in tight spaces
Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet offers enhanced performance and powerful connectivity for manufacturers, first responders and retailers at the edge

DELL TECHNOLOGIES SUMMIT, Egypt, Cairo – Oct. 17, 2022

Full story
Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) introduces Project Frontier, which will deliver an edge operations software platform, integrated with Dell’s edge portfolio, for customers to securely manage and orchestrate edge applications and infrastructure for deployments at global scale.
The complexities of edge operations—in locations from manufacturing floors and retail stores to remote wind turbines—are growing as more organizations want to manage and secure data at the source but have limited IT support to do it. According to a 2022 IDC survey, nearly 50% of businesses say the most challenging aspect of edge deployments is putting together an entire edge solution1. With 800% growth in applications running at the edge by 20242, organizations need a simple and effective way to manage and secure the diverse ecosystem of edge technologies.

“We’re seeing exponential growth in applications running at the edge, making edge the next frontier of business transformation—where devices, infrastructure and data come together to deliver real-time insights at scale,” said Gil Shneorson, senior vice president of edge solutions, Dell Technologies. “With this growth, comes complexity. It’s not feasible to have IT staff deployed at every edge location. Our decades of edge experience combined with our new solutions help customers simplify their edge and streamline their data to gain insights ranging from factory safety and the speed and precision of patient care in hospitals, while providing more choice in how they realize their edge and multicloud technologies.”
Dell’s Project Frontier to securely scale edge operations for any use case

With the Project Frontier edge operations software platform, customers can expect:
Their choice of software applications, IoT frameworks, operational technologies (OT), multicloud environments and future technologies supported by an open design that will consolidate existing and new edge use cases.
Zero Trust security protection across edge applications, data and infrastructure, from design to deployment, backed by an end-to-end secure supply chain.
Greater efficiency and reliability of end-to-end edge operations with centralized management, zero-touch deployment and secure device onboarding.
Minimal need for IT expertise in the field with automation to streamline edge deployments and operations across potentially thousands of edge locations.
Integration of edge compute and storage hardware with workloads for ease of serviceability and increased security.
Global planning and support services across 170 countries to help design edge deployments and create a roadmap for scaling customers’ edge infrastructure to meet new demand.
As an example, Dell—one of the world’s largest manufacturers, with $75 billion in annual procurement, and one of the world’s largest supply chains—is planning to deploy the edge platform to deliver greater efficiency in its production lines by simplifying OT operations, securely connecting critical data from the production floor to IT infrastructure and enabling real-time reporting of automation data. Additionally, with the Dell Edge Design Program, Dell is partnering with customers to help design and shape the development of Project Frontier to meet their specific needs.

“Our strategic collaboration with Dell accelerates how we use edge technologies and the insights they provide to deliver better, more personalized experiences to customers,” said Jennifer Cook, Director of Peripheral Strategy Research at International Data Corporation, FedEx. “New edge solutions, like Project Frontier, could help us remove the complexity of managing and securing our massively distributed edge while providing new opportunities for IT to work faster and smarter for our business.”
Innovations across Dell infrastructure and end user portfolio simplify edge deployments

As Project Frontier comes to life, Dell is expanding its current edge portfolio to help businesses scale and manage their edge deployments.

Edge analytics and operations: Manufacturers can remove complexities and streamline how they deploy edge applications with an enhanced Dell Validated Design for Manufacturing Edge. The solution now includes new Dell-validated partner applications to support advanced edge use cases and improve factory processes and efficiencies, while reducing waste and raw materials usage for more sustainable operations. For example, Claroty provides factory threat detection and consistent OT device health assessment. By using computer vision technology to detect product anomalies, Cognex improves production quality and material efficiency. Telit helps remove data siloes between sensors and automation devices at the edge. XMPro creates composable digital twins of factory operations to help manufacturers save time and materials during the factory operating process. Manufacturers can respond quickly to changes in demand and enable reconfigurable production lines with Dell’s private 5G capability.

Edge compute and analytics: The Dell PowerEdge XR4000 is the shortest depth server in the Dell PowerEdge family at about the size of a shoebox. The XR4000 is 60% shorter than traditional data center servers, and its multiple mounting options allow it to be installed in a rack, on walls or ceilings, saving valuable floor space. The multi-node, 2U chassis server can survive unpredictable conditions like heat waves or falls. While small, the XR4000 is a high-performance server capable of supporting a wide range of edge workloads and is designed with Intel® Xeon® D processors with multi-operating system as well as optional GPU support. The XR4000 is available with the Dell Validated Design for Manufacturing Edge and powers new Dell VxRail rugged modular nodes, delivering high performance and scalability in high latency, low bandwidth locations.

Edge data collection: Built to withstand the most demanding edge locations, the Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet is the industry’s lightest3, most powerful4, 12” fully-rugged tablet. Designed to operate in extreme cold and hot environments (-20 F to 145 F), this tablet is rated for maximum protection against dust, dirt and water—ideal for first responders and outdoor environments. New WiFi 6E capability with dual-band support provides reliable connectivity, 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processors deliver powerful performance, and integrated features, such as scanners, GPS modules and smartcard readers, increase productivity in the field. The tablet is made to be viewed in the brightest, harshest lighting with the largest screen-area for a 12” fully-rugged, military-grade tablet5.

Availability
Project Frontier’s edge software platform will be available in 2023.
Dell Validated Design for Manufacturing Edge enhancements will be available globally in early 2023.
Dell PowerEdge XR4000, also available with OEM customizable options, will be available globally in December 2022.
Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablets will be available globally by end of 2022.