Edge computing systems have two dimensions; the cloud and the cloudlet(s), aka. the fog. Cloudlets are specific for edge computing systems because it is in these local parts where most of the functions are taking place. Compared to so called traditional online cloud systems which do not have cloudlets but instead only operate in the cloud using significantly more resources in terms of time, bandwidth and electrical power for similar type of functions. The processing power and automated workflows of the FlowEdge system are in these cloudlets, which in the case of FlowEdge, are the FlowAnt micro-servers. A FlowEdge can consist of either one or many FlowAnts depending on the needs of the customer. The FlowAnt performs most of the system’s functions; through it the user can ingest the media files, manage the data around it and keep track of every process. It is a small and powerful device located where the user is. The FlowAnt can also convert all formats, video. Ultimately, this powerful micro-server is enabling the FlowEdge system.

All time-consuming media processes, like GPU accelerated transcoding, splitting, AI processing and finally uploading into the cloud will take place fully automated. Before uploading a file to the cloud from for example a camera: - no pre-processing of files - no manual file handling - minimal-sized files are uploaded through the Internet line - no editing computers need to be involved (ie Adobe Premiere, AVID) - no manual uploading to websites or watchfolders

The FlowAnt processes the media files before they are uploaded to the cloud. Due to this there are three critical advantages that online systems do not have which make the remarkable difference in efficiency: 1) when a media file is uploaded, from for example a camera, it is directly uploaded to the FlowAnt which automatically transcodes the file to a minimal format. When this file then further is uploaded to the cloud, it is considerably smaller than with alternative transcoding methods. This means the files used for the upload are converted to much smaller needed online formats and processed before the upload from the customer’s location to the online service. This process takes away the need for manual pre-processing, manual transcoding and manual uploading of massive video files. 2) When the file is stored in the cloud it takes less space. 3) When the file is shared from the file it again takes less resources to share it further.