Cloud storage, or storage that occurs online so users can access data remotely, is now very common. Already, it’s the preferred method of storing digital data, especially for small to medium sized organizations. Storing remotely versus locally offers huge advantages to both consumers and businesses.
Accessibility and Synchronization
With local file storage, you only receive access to your data from a certain location. With cloud storage, on the other hand, the devices we now use every day, all day, become access points. This includes tablets, smartphones, desktops, laptops and more. With these devices, you’re able to access your data in any location with Internet access. This removes the stress of transferring files back and forth between devices, which is both annoying and sometimes complicated.
Additionally, files remain the same across all devices, as they are automatically updated when you make changes. You will always have the latest version of a file, no matter how you’re retrieving it.
Collaboration Tools
Just as it’s annoying to transfer files back and forth between devices, it’s a pain to send dozens of emails just to share files. With cloud storage, there’s a better solution. Whether you want to share a single file, or a folder full of documents, cloud storage makes it pretty simple, eliminating time wasted.
Additionally, many storage services are more than just places to put your data. They also allow you to collaborate with peers, making editing capabilities available to authorized users. And again, the changes made are saved automatically and shared with all collaborators.
Cost Efficiency
Cloud storage eliminates the costs of using external hard drives or backup tapes, and the cost of time it takes to complete routing backups manually. Organizations don’t need to spend extra money on additional servers that are expensive to maintain or hire extra IT staff to do the work. Online storage solutions offer plenty of space for your data in the cloud, often for pretty low, affordable prices.
Space Efficiency
And the efficiency doesn’t end with costs. When you move your data into the cloud, it suddenly doesn’t have a physical presence on your devices and hardware. It will no longer take up valuable space at home or in your office because the provider is the one offering the space to store it virtually.
Security and Recovery
Of course it can be frightening to store sensitive information in a new place, but the cloud has proven to be more secure than local business storage in most cases. With good storage solutions, data is encrypted in flight and at rest, unauthorized users are unable to access the files, and the cloud provider offers enterprise-grade security measures that businesses would otherwise not have.
Additionally, if disaster strikes, you won’t face catastrophic data loss. Instead, you’ll be able to retrieve backups of your original files and restore them with minimal downtime.
There are dozens of cloud storage services out there, but they are not all equal. RapidScale offers cloud storage with many of our cloud services, and we can provide enterprise-grade support and security for our customers. Contact us today to learn more about our storage options in the cloud.
