Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced the launch of Nokia Edge Automation, a new solution that removes the complexity of managing multiple cloud-based data centers by automating the process from a single platform. Nokia’s fully automated edge cloud solution drives operational efficiencies by enabling Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to simultaneously control infrastructure across numerous geographic locations. This includes remote site deployment, software updates, and maintenance. Automation is expected to save on CSP operating costs by approximately 30 percent.

As operators move to cloud-based solutions they face operational issues such as having to manage hundreds of independent cloud solutions deployed across multiple sites. Nokia Edge Automation tool simplifies the management of this process by enabling edge data planning integration, automated deployment, and mass software upgrades for any edge cloud infrastructure. It also manages the life cycle of edge site infrastructures and supports on-premises deployments for enterprise customers. The solution supports site deployments by remotely detecting, configuring and updating site hardware, switches and servers, based on the site plan. It can also upload, install and configure on-site cloud stacks, verify site deployments and configurations, as well as trigger application deployments.

Together with the Nokia AirFrame Data Center Manager, a management system for optimizing and automating data center operations and resource utilization, the Nokia Edge Automation tool manages the life cycle of edge site infrastructures. Automation tools can be applied to multiple hardware and cloud stacks and provide open APIs for integration with existing operational tools.

Nokia edge automation offers CSPs a complete cloud computing edge infrastructure, making it possible to utilize Cloud RAN (vRAN), Open RAN, Multi-access edge computing, and RAN Intelligent Controller, as well as other virtualized software installations. As an automation solution, it also enables CSPs to provide application platforms for on-premises deployments for enterprise customers. Nokia is already engaging with major global CSPs with Nokia Edge Automation proof-of-concepts and trials to enable automation capabilities on the edge of the network.

Stéphane Teral, Chief Analyst at LightCounting Market Research, said: “With 5G, operators are increasingly having to deploy thousands of edge cloud sites to process the high volumes of data required to support the millions of 5G enabled devices and systems running over the network. This can create significant network complexity that can be challenging for operators to manage. Nokia’s edge automation solution eliminates this complexity and provides simultaneous, controlled life-cycle management across the hardware and cloud stack, helping operators to ultimately manage and lower network OPEX.”

Pasi Toivanen, Head of Edge Cloud at Nokia, commented: “As CSPs move into cloud-based operations the management of a large portfolio of cloud data centers becomes critical but without a strong solution in place it can quickly become unmanageable. That’s why we have launched Nokia Edge Automation which takes the complexity out of managing this infrastructure and simplifies the process.”