All About Cloud Storage – Pros And Cons For Businesses

For businesses of all types, protecting confidential data and information is of the utmost importance. As a business owner, you want to make sure that you have an efficient backup system in place to ensure the security of your operations. In addition, you’ll want a system that allows you to access your company data whenever and wherever you wish. Fortunately, the days when a server crash would automatically mean the demise of the entire company are long gone.

Today, cloud storage can easily address all of your security concerns. However, like any new technology, cloud storage has a few drawbacks. If you are currently in the market for a cloud storage service for your personal business, you might want to keep the following pros and cons in mind.

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Pros

Initially created for personal use, cloud storage services have been customized to suit professional use as well after its full potential was unlocked. Here are some of the main advantages of cloud storage.

Saves a Lot of Money

Profit-seeking businesses are always looking for ways to cut down costs and save money. When you replace your in-house storage and backup system with cloud storage services, you will be saving a ton of money. Mainly because cloud storage service providers divide the cost of your consumption with the rest of their clients. Furthermore, you won’t need to waste money on an expensive high-maintenance server nor the resources to keep it running. If you are on a limited budget, you should consider looking into cloud storage options.

Facilitates Accessibility And Flexibility

This is a huge benefit, especially nowadays where most people are working from home. Avoiding the disruption of your business operations at such critical times can be the lifeline you need for your business to survive. Cloud computing service professionals at BackBlaze.com explain that web-download features and mobile apps can enhance your documents’ accessibility even further. In addition to the enhanced accessibility, cloud storage will allow your employees to focus on their tasks instead of worrying whether they have the right paper documents or not.

Reduces Your Company’s Carbon Emission

According to recent studies, migrating your data storage to the cloud can reduce your carbon emissions by 50%. With the growing public concern for sustainability, it’s important to do your part and invest in more eco-friendly solutions. This one change can bring in more business from clients who value socially-responsible companies.

Provides More Security

As mentioned earlier, protecting your company data is a huge deal. Having your company’s valuable documents and files saved on an in-house server leaves you subject to the risk of tampering and system hacking. However, with cloud storage, your data is securely stored and backed up on many servers in different locations.

This will keep the chances of hacking at a minimum. Furthermore, cloud storage is a smart solution if you live in an area prone to natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. While you might lose some of your physical assets, your more valuable assets will be safe and sound.

Cons

Unfortunately, cloud storage is not all good. Despite all of the incredible benefits it can offer your business, there are some disadvantages that you should bear in mind.

Lack Of Control

When you choose to use a cloud storage service, you automatically give up your sole control over your company data. Especially when it comes to sensitive financial information and high-profile clients’ data deciding whether to use cloud storage or not can be a real struggle. Before you can make up your mind, you should look into the credibility of the service providers you are considering and make sure that they are fit for this critical mission.

Slower Backups

Due to the internet bandwidth limitations, cloud backing ups can take much longer than local backups. This can be a big burden if your daily operations involve heavy usage of specialized applications like Microsoft SQL and Exchange. In order to avoid this problem, you can use data compression and backup your specialized applications locally during youth maintenance time then schedule the cloud backup during slower downtimes.

Higher Long-Term Costs

Even though cloud storage is initially more affordable than investing in an in-house storage solution, its costs tend to add up over time. When you exceed your bandwidth allowance, extra charges that you incur can be quite expensive. Furthermore, the prices of cloud storage are expected to skyrocket over the upcoming years. So, if you want to maintain the same level of service you should know that it won’t come cheap.

Cloud storage is a brilliant solution for business owners who are looking for ways to streamline their operations and increase their productivity. However, you have to find the right service provider that you can trust. Once you find the right company to manage your cloud storage needs, evaluate their performance regularly to make sure it’s always up to par.

If you are interested in even more business-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.

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