Why You Need To Think About Cloud Storage
Published on 13 March 13
Kate
0
Devices that allow us to store information in an electronic format have evolved at an amazing rate. A few of us might have dim memories of the times when programs and general computer information were stored on cassettes, or rather datasettes, as they were technically known. Incredibly slow, yet incredibly reliable, they were far less prone to damage than their later CD ROM counterparts. Technology invariably whizzed along and datasettes were superseded by floppy disks, the CD ROM, flash drives and memory cards. While there is still a need for a certain amount of internal storage in all aspects of computing, the concept of external storage has changed dramatically over the years. Many pieces of information are stored not on the actual computer, but on centralized networks or intranets in the corporate world. These systems might also become obsolete in the very near future, since the future of electronic storage seems to be in the clouds. So what exactly is the “cloudâ€, and how can it benefit your company?
What Is Cloud Computing?
There are a variety of definitions, but essentially Cloud Computing (which is also often referred to as Cloud Storage) is any instance when information and applications are stored remotely, on a variety of virtual servers. The information is accessible from anywhere, anytime- all accessed on demand. A lot of music and video databases are stored using the cloud system; with a number of the not technically legal websites that host copyrighted material one of the most prevalent examples.
What Are The Benefits Of Cloud Computing?
Cloud Computing is still in its infancy, but with Google and Apple now offering Cloud Storage, it has definitely entered the mainstream. The type of Cloud interface needed depends on your business needs. The most popular types of Cloud Computing are the basic storage facility, but there’s also Infrastructure, where your cloud provider manages storage, software and network applications, and bills you according to your usage. There’s also Software, where your cloud provider manages software licensing and updates your systems as needed. In some fields, companies are required to contract cloud services providers with a HIPAA disaster recovery plan or other special services - you’ll find a number of providers out there offering these services.
With a cloud system, you can greatly reduce costs by not worrying about continual updates or licensing fees, and you don’t need to have so much local hardware, as your information is securely stored on remote servers. With the ease of access, less people can do more work, since the process is greatly streamlined.
How Much Will It Cost?
Many of the cloud systems on offer provide a fairly basic storage system, and a number of them are free. For a slightly more sophisticated system, you’ll need to pay a membership fee (which varies greatly, depending on the provider), but all your information can be accessed from anywhere in the world (an internet connection is all that’s needed). The prices are quite reasonable, with Google Cloud Storage available from $0.085 per month for up to one terabyte of data.
The cloud is here to stay, and it’s becoming evident that this is the future of data management and information storage. There are many different types available, some of which specialize in small business, and thankfully, many of them offer free trials, which allow you to see how this wonderful system can help you.
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