10 Benefits of Cloud Storage and How to Determine Your Storage Needs

Cybercrime costs businesses about $5.2 trillion globally. Businesses process a significant amount of data, which can be susceptible to theft or compromise. With the growing age of big data, organizations are keen on the security of their information.

Until recently, companies have been using in-house servers to store online files and growing data. Organizations are increasingly appreciating cloud storage services to safeguard their data. Other than the security aspect, cloud services offer unlimited services, ease of accessibility, and affordability.

Keep reading to know more about cloud services and the benefits of cloud storage.

How Does Cloud Storage Work?
Cloud storage refers to a remote platform, which uses multitenant and highly virtualized infrastructure to offer organizations scalable storage resources. Traditionally, enterprises have been using physical storage devices. With the exponential growth of data, managing this amount of data has proven implausible.

Cloud storage services use a web-based interface. The attributes making cloud storage attractive for firms include availability, flexibility, fault tolerance, and consistency.

There are different systems of cloud storage. Your choice of cloud services depends on your specific needs. While some store either digital pictures or email messages, others store any kind of digital data.

A cloud storage system requires one to connect one data server to the internet. A user can send files to the server, either in automated form or manually. The data server then distributes the information to multiple servers.

The involvement of a variety of servers aims at ensuring data availability if a server fails. Despite having the data replicated in several locations, the primary server needs to be near the company. The proximity makes it easier and cheaper to process data.

The web-based interface in cloud storage makes it possible for clients to retrieve information from anywhere. The client can manipulate the files as necessary. Storage of this data on a variety of data servers ensures redundancy.

Types of Cloud Storage
If you want to enjoy the various benefits of cloud storage, you can embrace any of the four types of cloud storage. They include public, private, personal, and hybrid cloud storage.

Public cloud storage refers to the services offered by a third party. Some of the popular public cloud storage providers include Google Cloud Storage, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon AWS.

Private cloud storage utilizes a company’s on-premise servers, which they own and control. This option gives the firm the advantage of cloud storage scalability and flexibility.

Personal cloud storage uses a networked device that enables users to store personal data. People using Apple devices can get more iCloud storage. The iCloud storage plans allow users to meet their diverse storage needs.

Hybrid cloud storage combines the private cloud, public cloud, and data center as per an organization’s preference. Enterprises seek to combine cloud storage to maximize the benefits.

Examples of cloud storage include the different social networking sites, website hosting firms, Google Docs, web email providers, and sites such as Flickr. While some service providers charge a special rate, you can find a variety of free services.

Benefits of Cloud Storage
If you haven’t embraced cloud storage for your business, you’re missing significant benefits of this storage advancement. Here are some of the ten benefits of cloud storage that might prompt you to look for a cloud storage provider.

1. Improved Automation
Management of IT activities, such as updating software, can overwhelm your team. With cloud technology, you can automate updates. Such a solution allows you to leverage the capability to give your team adequate time to work on tasks that grow the business.

Automation makes scheduling and data backups easy. Manual data backup can hamper the daily operations in a company. But with cloud technology, you only give instructions and leave the cloud environment to work on the process.
 
2. More Space at a Lower Cost
Cloud offers unlimited space for a lower price. You can’t compare the amount you’d spend on buying and storing hard drives to the cloud storage services. With the increasing number of cloud storage providers, affordable offers give you a variety of options.

Cloud services such as Dropbox gives users 2GB of free storage, which can be adequate for text documents. If you need more space, you can buy it for as low as $9.99 per month. Providers have different plans, and some even offer unlimited storage space.

NOW READ  How To Maximize Your Home's Value Before Selling

3. Security
In 2018, hackers managed to steal about 447 million records containing sensitive consumer information. The US has been at the forefront in the fight against cybercrime, but data breaches have remained a nuisance. Data theft compromises a company and can lead to its collapse.

Fortunately, cloud services offer a sense of security, which is one of the sought-after benefits of cloud storage. The data in cloud storage is usually in an encrypted form, which deters intruders. Other security features include intrusion detection systems and the internal firewall.

Cloud storage providers also embrace strong physical security. A data center has a secure wall, camera surveillance, and security patrol. With these measures in place, data theft is unlikely.

4. Easy Backup and Data Recovery
When your computer breaks down, losing data is imminent. Using cloud services gives you the advantage of data backup and timely recovery. The storage is adequate to enhance backup for all your data.

The off-site location ensures that any eventualities in your business do not affect stored data. Besides, credible data centers have disaster management options to promote seamless data storage and distribution. The availability of equipment, such as power generators, gives you confidence in your cloud storage provider.

5. Accessibility and Usability
With a secure network connection, your workers can access crucial files remotely. These features increase productivity in the workplace as employees can engage clients and work on a report even when they’re away from the office.

Better still, you don’t require technical knowledge to access and use the information. Most of these cloud storage apps are user-friendly. Besides, they have explicit instructions to guide you on how to download, edit, or make any changes to a document.

6. Optimize Cooperation
Cloud supports instant data exchange. Allowing multiple users to access and work on data makes it plausible for workers in an organization to cooperate. Whether someone works as a freelancer or within the office, transferring information through the cloud makes it more effective than most other options.

Workers don’t have to go through heaps of documents to get the required file. Cloud services allow you to synchronize a file so that it’s accessible to only selected parties. As a result, work in the office can continue as usual, even in the absence of an employee.

7. Integration With Other Services
When sourcing for cloud storage, its integration capabilities should be a priority. Most cloud services are compatible with other services in a typical organization. The features save you time and money that you’d otherwise spend integrating programs.

If you’re using CRM software, its integration with cloud services makes interaction with your customers more efficient. You can send relevant information and receive timely feedback from clients. The data exchange will enhance customer satisfaction, which is a plus for any business.

8. Convenience
On average, full-time employees work for 8.5 hours during the weekdays and 5.4 hours on weekends. Cloud storage services have several features that make working remotely possible. The resulting convenience is worth pursuing.

Cloud storage services only require an internet connection and a computer. Most of the hardware in your office won’t be necessary. Consequently, you’ll save significant space and maintenance needs.

Cloud storage providers support and manage the solution. As such, you won’t have to keep checking your systems. Your employees will also cover other tasks other than running storage servers.

9. Scalability
If you’re using traditional storage services, you might have to increase the number of storage facilities in your business. Within a few hours, keeping track of your external hard drives might prove untenable. Yet, cloud storage services can accommodate your growing business needs.

More importantly, you’ll only pay for the services you use on cloud storage. You don’t have to pay more in anticipation of future growth. When your business needs change, you can always adjust the cloud storage services and pay as required.

10. Wireless Network Management
Cloud storage offers wireless services. That means you manage your overall network from one point. You can troubleshoot, monitor, and configure the entire system from the comfort of your office.

The wireless network makes it easy to manage tasks. You can monitor events within your organizations through a single pane. Besides saving resources, you’ll experience an increased level of efficiency.

The Benefits of Cloud Storage Go Beyond Offering Unlimited Space
Whether you are running a small business or multinational, safe data storage is a prerequisite. When you’re aware of the benefits of cloud storage, it is easier to embrace the technology. Cloud storage will increase the effectiveness of data handling in your company.

Explore our site further for more tech topics.