Nowadays, when people talk about data storage, they are usually talking about cloud storage. The ease of use and power of the new storage paradigm has convinced many computer users to take the plunge and change their data storage over to online services. If your business has been waiting to see if the cloud thing takes off, it’s about time to make the switch yourself. Here are some major reasons why.
Data Accessibility
The biggest advantage of the cloud revolution is the ability to access your data from almost anywhere in the world. If your files live in the cloud, you can use them whether you are in the office, at home, or in a foreign country. All you need is internet access and a device capable of working with the software. In the modern business environment, the flexibility to work in multiple locations is vital to staying on top of a fast-evolving marketplace. If you migrate vital data to the cloud, you and your employees can work in whatever environment works best for the moment.
Cross-Platform Utility
Of course, the device you work on at home might not match the operating system and hardware configuration of your office. If that is the case, it can be difficult finding physical data storage solutions that allow you to move files across platforms. That’s not even accounting for mobile smart devices like phones and tablets, which might not be connectable to older storage devices like external hard drives at all. A cloud solution lets you effortlessly move files between many platforms, so you’ll always have the data you need.
It Is More Secure Than Ever
Cloud storage had a hard first few years; at one point, it seemed like there was a new online data intrusion in the news every day. Those times, thankfully, are far behind us now. The fact is, cloud was simply a new playing field, and it took a little while for security measures to evolve for it. But now, smart technologies like cloud access security brokers and other, similar devices and protocols are making secure cloud storage more attainable by the minute. While data security remains a pressing concern and will probably never be resolved 100 percent, modern clouds have made the strides necessary for you to sleep easy.
Lower Infrastructure Cost
Cloud companies charge for access to larger data storage and for more advanced information management tools, which can seem daunting. No one likes increasing monthly overhead. But even if you can’t get by with a free cloud system, it can still be worth it to pay the monthly fee. After all, other storage media also cost money. The costs scale upwards quickly, too, since you need to not only make the initial purchase, but also pay enough IT personnel to maintain the devices and replace failing parts. Factor in the electricity and suddenly that monthly or yearly subscription doesn’t look so bad.
Cloud computing is the future of many sectors of society, including business. Embracing it now will help you develop the skills you will need to lead your company’s technology efforts in the future.