Communication Service Providers (CSPs) are frantically upgrading networks to deliver massive amounts of bandwidth quickly and reliably. As 5G rolls out in the access network, massive data centers are being built to enable virtual networking capabilities that can be quickly combined with physical infrastructure to deliver and manage connections and capacity in real time. Requirements for sovereign network and cloud capabilities, edge computing and intelligence for IoT as well as emerging requirements for AI and machine learning create an opportunity for CSPs to deliver sovereign AI network infrastructure to business customers that they have neither the desire nor the resources to build themselves.
CSPs are in the unique position of being able to offer enterprise customers a secure, private network that is customized to each business and the industry in which they operate. Security and reliability are primary concerns, and most businesses are able to devote only a fraction of the time and resources that CSPs spend on security, data center technologies, support and operations.
Complex connections
Enterprises need to connect users and customers worldwide. They also need to collect data from hundreds or even thousands of devices to effectively train complex systems and AI applications. CSPs are uniquely qualified to help enterprises overcome network and AI infrastructure complexity by offering value-added services that create and manage the infrastructure required to make machine learning (ML) and AI happen.
CSPs currently offer connectivity, capacity and throughput. Speeds and feeds are fine for consumers connecting to the internet; however, businesses want put-together services that can be quickly configured and activated. Aligning numerous, diverse data connections while ensuring security, reliability and performance represents an opportunity for CSPs to expand business services offerings and monetize data centers.
CSPs are rapidly expanding data centers to support virtual networking, IoT, AI, edge access and computing, and 5G services. The result is an opportunity to further harness those data centers to deliver sovereign network and AI infrastructure to enterprises that is private, secure, reliable and industry specific. Businesses continue to struggle with digital transformation and integration of AI, smart IoT devices and edge intelligence. Most have neither the ability nor the desire to build and integrate complex cloud and network elements. CSPs are already doing that, which puts them in the unique position to deliver industry-specific, integrated cloud AI and network infrastructure as a service.
Augmenting existing business services with offerings that exploit the perfect intersection of sovereign cloud, AI, IoT and private network services presents revenue opportunities and solves one of the major challenges enterprises face when trying to take advantage of AI. CSPs already maintain high levels of security, reliability and trust and they can deliver industry-specific AI infrastructure as a service. And they don’t have to do it alone.
Vultr fills the gap
Enterprises will build out the required network and AI infrastructure pieces if they must, but would much prefer to buy that infrastructure as a service from a trusted provider. And none are more trusted than CSPs. An industry-specific cloud network AI service requires:
- Bundled infrastructure services that include sovereign network and cloud services to support global IoT and AI applications
- Individual management of industry-specific private networks and services
- Integration with CSP OSS/BSS
- Service quality, reliability and security
Each industry is confronted with its own dynamics of supply chain, customer engagement, sales, logistics and fulfillment. Partnering with Vultr, CSPs can host an industry-specific independent configuration, residing in a sovereign data center that can be spun up to support each business customer. Each configuration is monitored by an intelligent client, also in the data center, with alarms, actions and metrics reported to CSP OSS/BSS.
Vultr is strategically located in 32 datacenters around the globe and has made it a priority to offer standardized, highly reliable, secure high-performance cloud computing. The integration of Vultr’s cloud infrastructure with the broad portfolio of the latest NVIDIA GPUs and AI capabilities offers CSPs the computational power needed for advanced analytics, AI-driven services and network optimization in a cost-efficient service model.
Once implemented, the Vultr/NVIDIA infrastructure enables industry-specific IaaS offerings as well as operational advantages. In addition to delivering AI infrastructure, CSPs can use the on-board Gen AI to make better use of network data, optimize design and improve customer engagement, security and planning efforts.
Putting the pieces together for manufacturers
The manufacturing industry is integrating cloud computing and AI, optimizing processes – including predictive maintenance, quality control and supply chain management – within smart factories by leveraging AI, 5G, IoT and cloud computing. However, IoT networks are notoriously vulnerable to cyber intrusions and attacks. A private network that does not rely on public internet is the most effective way to secure IoT devices and access. However, most manufacturers have neither the capability nor desire to design and build a private network.
The Vultr Cloud Alliance program engages partners including Console Connect and others to deliver a seamless, secure private network to manufacturers whenever and wherever it is needed. Once connected, manufacturers can take full advantage of GPUs powered by NVIDIA, dedicated bare metal and edge computing to seamlessly integrate machine learning and AI-driven analytics, IoT solutions and robotics into their processes. The Vultr manufacturing stack delivers global reach across six continents and enables specialized services including identity and access management, managed Kubernetes, managed databases, cloud storage, networking and comprehensive compliance offerings.
A manufacturing stack including AI infrastructure from Vultr hosted in a CSP data center fills the gaps between networking and cloud services enabling manufacturers and businesses of all types to do what they do best. CSPs partnering with Vultr can deliver value-added business services and more readily monetize investments in 5G, AI and data center infrastructure.