Cloud computing is a hot topic in the world of IT these days. More businesses are using cloud-based services for their everyday needs. In fact, research has shown that the cloud computing industry is worth over $175 billion!
There’s no denying that cloud computing is a useful infrastructure that helps firms grow. One of the biggest sectors in the industry is data storage. Scores of cloud data storage facilities are available to businesses. Is your company storing any data in the cloud? If it isn’t it needs to start doing so! Here are ten reasons why it makes sense to move your data to the cloud:
- Cloud data storage is accessible
Let’s assume that you store all your data in-house. You may have one or more file servers where your data gets stored. Those servers provide fast access to your LAN (Local Area Network) users. What happens if you need to access that data off-site?
One option is to have remote access to your servers. There are some challenges with that approach. First of all, you need a fast connection to the Internet. That means spending thousands each month on dedicated leased lines. Next, you’ll need to increase each server’s processing power to handle the extra connections.
You will then have to make sure that the servers get configured for remote access. This can be a challenge in itself!
Cloud data storage offers a far easier solution. The infrastructure is already in place for high-speed data access. What’s more, the cloud can span several continents with data mirroring. Your users can, in effect, access data from any part of the world without speed compromises.
- You can store your data in public or private clouds
Most people think of “the cloud” as a bunch of servers hooked up to the Internet and working in tandem. What some of those folks don’t realize is that one has the option of setting up a public or private cloud. So, what’s the difference between the two?
A public cloud is one where your data gets stored on servers shared with other users. The concept is the same as hosting your website on a shared server or VPS.
A private cloud is different in that the only data stored on each server is yours. This option is beneficial for companies that have strict privacy requirements. For instance, government intelligence departments will use private cloud servers.
Not sure which option is best for your needs? ATB Technologies cloud computing solutions can provide both formats. I recommend talking to them as they are experts in the field. (Image courtesy of pixabay.)
- You’ll save a heap of cash
The thing about storing data at your premises is that it costs a lot of money. It just doesn’t make sense to waste so much money in today’s economy to needlessly spend money. Companies should be doing all they can to cut costs and remain competitive!
The beauty of cloud computing is that it offers enormous cost savings. Cloud data storage providers often charge cents not hundreds of dollars per unit of data! That means you could store a few gigabytes of data for the price of a coffee!
Of course, if you need a customized solution you’ll have to pay a bit more money. In either case, the costs compared with conventional storage are fractional. Moving your data to the cloud will give you the freedom to invest more money in your business.
- You can cut down on your IT staff costs
One area in particular where you will save money is with your IT staff costs. It’s likely that you have a team of experts whose role is to manage your network infrastructure. This will including managing the data servers at your premises.
As you can imagine, it can be quite a time-consuming process to manage several data servers. Cloud data storage is cheaper to administer. In fact, you can outsource support for your storage infrastructure, and you’ll still save!
Once you move your data to the cloud, you will then have the freedom to deploy your IT staff to other projects. (Image courtesy of Flickr.)
- Cloud data storage is scalable
One obvious downside to storing data in-house is capacity. Let’s say that you’re running an Intel Xeon server with several terabytes of capacity. What happens if you use your server for database storage, and you run out of space?
You’ll have to deploy new servers or extra drives in your existing ones. Such an approach takes time to configure and costs a lot of money. In-house data storage is scalable to an extent. For scalability without the cost or time overheads, cloud storage is the way forward.
- You can integrate cloud storage infrastructure with your systems
Some people use cloud data storage servers as a place to keep their data backups. Others use it to run a live database for internal use. In fact, the brilliant thing about cloud data storage is you can use it for any purpose.
The major selling point of storing your data in the cloud is integration. Or rather, the ease of it! You have a central point where internal or external systems can connect with your data. You don’t need to worry about compatibility issues between systems. That’s because you can design bespoke solutions that integrate with your existing systems.
- Your data gets kept off-site
There are more advantages to keeping your data off-site than at your premises. Consider the following scenario, if you will. A fire breaks out at your premises and quickly engulfs everything in its path. Despite your best efforts, your servers become nothing more than molten metal and plastic.
Let’s assume that you have the forethought to backup your data the day before. First of all, you can’t restore that data because you don’t have any servers. So you’ll need to invest in new equipment. You’ll also need to spend a lot of time restoring the data once you do have replacement servers.
With cloud data servers, the first major selling point is that it gets kept off-site. Cloud servers are always kept in secure environments and have a range of safety systems in place. That means things like fires can get put out fast.
Second, your data gets replicated across an array of physical machines. So, if one goes down for whatever reason, the others can take over without any disruption to you.
Versioning is often included in cloud storage as standard. That works out better than a traditional backup. Why? Because one can revert to a previous version of a file or database. In fact, you could say that your data gets backed up all the time. Not just once a day, for instance!
- Cloud data servers are more reliable than your in-house ones
Few people can claim their in-house servers offer near 100% reliability and uptime! A computer cloud is, in effect, a cluster of servers. They all work in tandem, ready to spread the load and take over when one fails.
It’s likely your in-house infrastructure won’t consist of such an array of servers. Your IT technicians will spend a lot of time fixing those servers instead of doing other work. Wouldn’t it make more sense for them to have better use of their time? That’s where cloud data storage can help!
When you store your data in a public or private cloud, you don’t need to worry about downtime. Your IT staff can carry on with other areas of their work. And you don’t need to deal with any IT meltdowns – by computers or staff!
- Cloud data storage is a secure option for your business
By now, you’ll have read the many benefits of storing your data in the cloud. But, the one thing that will no doubt be on your mind is security. After all; how secure IS your data?
The good news is that cloud storage providers take security seriously. They ensure that all data gets encrypted, and offer you secure connections to access it.
What’s more, they also use a variety of physical security techniques too. For example, the server locations have access control systems in place. They make sure that no-one has unauthorized access to data on any of the servers.
For added security, one could also opt for a private cloud data storage solution. This means no-one else’s data gets stored on the same physical machines along with yours.
- Cloud data storage is a programmer’s dream
You might assume that the only way to access data in the cloud is through a third-party application. Some providers offer browsing tools, along with Web browser interfaces.
But, what you may not know is that you can also access your data using various APIs. These programming interfaces make it possible to read and write data through your software.
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