On October 31, 2024, I participated in an online webinar titled “Xpert Insights: Foggy, Cloudy, or Edge-y: Which Computing Fits?” hosted via Zoom by Xinyx Design’s Tech and led by Mr. Juan Luis Ng, Operations Manager at Xinyx Design. The session explored the distinctions, applications, and real-world implications of Fog Computing, Cloud Computing, and Edge Computing in today’s digital landscape, aiming to help participants understand which computing model best suits various scenarios in terms of performance, scalability, and responsiveness. The webinar deepened my understanding of distributed computing systems by clarifying that cloud computing is ideal for centralized data storage and processing, edge computing is essential for minimizing latency in real-time applications, and fog computing serves as a middle layer to balance speed and efficiency. The session also addressed common misconceptions and emphasized the relevance of hybrid approaches in industries such as IoT, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The insights I gained can be practically applied in designing system architectures, especially in academic or capstone projects that require speed and reliability. Understanding when to use edge or fog computing in robotics or IoT applications, for example, can significantly improve performance and responsiveness. Real-world examples like smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and remote monitoring demonstrated how critical the right computing model is to project success. The webinar itself was well-organized, with a clear and logical structure, informative visuals, and an engaging presentation style from Mr. Ng. He made complex technical concepts accessible and took time to respond to audience questions, enhancing the overall interactivity of the session. The organizers ensured a smooth experience through the Zoom platform, with relevant and concise materials that supported the topic well.
For future improvements, the inclusion of live demonstrations or case study walkthroughs would be beneficial in visually illustrating the discussed concepts. Providing downloadable handouts or summary slides could help reinforce learning, while adding a panel discussion or an industry guest speaker could offer more practical insights and implementation stories from the field.