Business
Cloud Storage: What Are Its Real Benefits?
In continuation with our previous topic on the use of back-up for your important data, here is an additional information for you guys if you decide to avail the services of a cloud storage or to others popularly knows as “cloud computing”.
First, let us discuss what cloud storage means? Cloud storage is a type of back-up alternative wherein data and other vital information are saved and stored in the “cloud” or in an extended server other than the computer itself. In general it is an online back-up where the service is provided by a 3rd party—the Cloud Storage company who facilitates the storing and backing up of data on servers and making sure that data is readily available through the internet. Since, the provider is a 3rd party, your data can be stored anywhere and it doesn’t need to be in one area or site only.
Here are 6 advantages of the use of Cloud storage:
1. Affordable data storage packages
If you will avail the services of a Cloud storage provider, you don’t need to purchase other hardware or equipment in saving your data. This would mean more savings on your part while at the same time giving you more options of back-up plans to choose from the many affordable storage packages being presented to you. Assess your individual storage needs and from there get a subscription plan within your budget. Most of these cloud computing services even offer upgrades in events your data storage needs grow.
2. Hassle-free
Installing the software system being provided by the storage provider is hassle-free, meaning you can easily install it without any difficulty and once you have successfully set it up, no more maintenance or worries on your part. Your data or files are automatically backed-up online.
3. Quick accessibility
Data is stored anywhere, so wherever you go, you can quickly have access for your data back-up as long as there is a reliable internet connection in your particular location, since storing of data is cloud-based.
4. Availability of many cloud computing providers for your selection
In today’s digital age wherein most of us are always on the go, mobility in our work is very vital and the availability of many cloud computing providers for our selection is very helpful in the growing demands of our work. We have wider choices now because a lot of these providers are offering affordable options to their clients.
5. Wide multi-platform assistance
There are users who don’t only use Windows. Some make use of Linux or Apple and with this concern in the minds of the cloud storage services they are now giving full assistance to any of these operating systems while some even offer browser-based interfaces to guarantee that all of these platforms are supported.
6. Security
Although, there are still apprehensions about the percentage of security of these cloud storage providers, some have come up with the idea of giving added information to their clients on how to encrypt their data before they are saved in the cloud, so that clients can be safer in using this type of data back-up.
I do hope this topic helped in finalizing your decisions with regards on how you will secure your data, either with the use of this popular cloud computing service or still apply the traditional method of saving data. Weigh all the possibilities and if the benefits outnumbered the disadvantages, then, I see no point in preventing yourself from trying this latest storage alternative. Create a hassle-free environment in your freelance work or business by giving cloud computing a test drive.
Tagged cloud computing, cloud storage, data storage, Online Business, Security
JoshTheBossJuly 16, 2012 at 9:20 pm
I really like to use DropBox. It’s a great tool for sharing files anywhere you need to access. The free version I believe has a two GB limit, and the first paid one is at 50 GB.
In the cloud I keep my music collection, photos, pictures, and any other documents I think I might need as a backup (school papers, anyone?)
If you haven’t heard of it before, check it out.
JoshTheBossJuly 16, 2012 at 9:27 pm
I really like to use DropBox. It’s a great tool for sharing files anywhere you need to access. The free version I believe has a two GB limit, and the first paid one is at 50 GB.
In the cloud I keep my music collection, photos, pictures, and any other documents I think I might need as a backup (school papers, anyone?)
If you haven’t heard of it before, check it out.
akanbiJuly 26, 2012 at 9:48 am
I totally love this article. It really brings home the point that the cloud or internet offers a perfect storage facility that will keep you from fretting over losing your data due to a network crash. I also use dropbox, because I am an artist who deals with many video files, which can sometimes fill up your hard drive and virtual memory rather quickly. Thank goodness for the cloud!!
Magic PixelJuly 16, 2012 at 10:01 pm
I am using SkyDrive from Microsoft. They offer 7GB for free and so far that proved to be enough for me. I generally store in there current projects and documents so that whenever I go to a new computer I still have those available.
VellaJuly 17, 2012 at 12:14 am
Re: 1. Affordable data storage packages
Do you know how this pertains to phones?
My phone is backed up to iCloud and supposedly I have about 4.8 more GB of storage, but I don’t see this on my phone. And no one has been able to tell me how this works.
LauraJuly 17, 2012 at 1:28 am
Damned!! I always felt a little bit stupid. I heard and read so much about the cloud storage recently and had absolutely NO idea what it could be. Now, I will be able to participate to the discussion
Now I just have to decide if it could be useful for me or not.
BreakfreeJuly 17, 2012 at 5:57 am
I have to admit that your points are very clear and simple and serve their purpose of convincing us about the advantages of cloud computing. Actually I thought storing data online wasn’t for me, but it seems it is a very good option indeed, and now I am convinced about using it.
theaaaJuly 17, 2012 at 8:46 am
Hmm, this sort of appeased my initial doubts about cloud storage. I see a lot of people on the net posting about the possible security risks and loss of data when storing on cloud. I suppose the technology’s been around long enough for people to have improved on it.
JoshTheBossJuly 17, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Skydrive is fine but I really prefer Dropbox. The range of features, including having it on all of your gadgets at any time, is really immense.
For example, not only can you have all of your files on your phone and laptop, but also spread onto your mobile (smart)phone and your tablet.
This will become really handy in the future as these ideas are improved upon.
karlajjJuly 18, 2012 at 10:27 am
Thank you so much for taking the time to do an article on the pros of using Cloud storage. I really like that you explained exactly what it was before discussing why we should use it. I had questions about it and you helped sway me towards using it.
Dr23July 18, 2012 at 11:58 am
Solid article. I’ve been debating moving some of my information to a cloud server but I’m still feeling a bit reluctant. I understand the benefits, or the pros, yet I still feel like there is an element of uncertainty that falls right into the cons section.
Security is my main concern. I suppose that’s one of the top concerns most people would have as well. Thanks for at least addressing it but I might hold off until I can do a bit more exploring on the topic of security.
TashWordJuly 18, 2012 at 4:41 pm
I don’t see security as an advantage of using the cloud, but it is certainly something that must be considered before moving into the cloud.
I use dropbox for sharing images with my designers – saves a lot of time and effort, and the security risk is low because nothing sensitive is included.
TashWord recently posted..Outsourcing gives control, rather than takes it
LinxJuly 19, 2012 at 3:33 am
Excellent article, thank you! It simplified the topic and made it more ‘accessible’ somehow.
Yes, I agree about Drop box being really awesome. I also store documents on Google documents…does that count?
Drop box is great for music or other bigger files.
LiquidatorBruntJuly 19, 2012 at 4:04 am
Although I know logically cloud drives are probably a great option, safe and secure, I still can’t bring myself to jump on the band wagon. I like having encrypted copies of my data on hand on backup drives, jump drives, and SD cards. I feel more in control that way.
forkkillerJuly 19, 2012 at 3:45 pm
I agree completely. I find it hard to believe that by giving someone else my data it is secure. This is especially so, when much of the time you agree to give access to the provider simply by uploading. That’s not to say that it isn’t a great method to protect data from loss or keep backups. But I don’t think I would ever use it for sensitive data, even if security is a touted feature.
BloomaticJuly 22, 2012 at 2:08 am
Not yet got used to using the services of the Cloud. My upload speed is not good enough and it is for this reason that I upload data to the Internet is a little slow and heavy. However, according to comments from friends, is a very practical service and solves several issues that confront us daily with data traffic. Also, having a backup of the information is always important. I find it very interesting that the reasons given in this article. Perhaps I have convinced a little more.
As I said earlier, I have to improve the speed of my server and then maybe I can upload different files better. The only service I use is Dropbox, surely the most popular.
FlipKupJuly 22, 2012 at 11:24 am
I am astonished, I have been around and about – and have neglected to give cloud sharing a try. Thanks to this article, I am much better informed on the topic! The convenience of having a backup of everything I own, is definitely appealing, but what is more incredible – is the inter-sharing capabilities.
I have three devices which can communicate using this technology, and I plan to give them all cloud sharing capabilities before this night ends!
ashmonnJuly 24, 2012 at 10:54 am
I think that we have only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cloud storage companies. As muti-media and it’s various platforms grow,the data that they generate will also continue to grow, and this will become increasingly more difficult for your average person to manage and organize on the ever growing list of available devices. Therefore, I see the cloud services industry being not only a beneficial service in the not too distant future, but rather a necessity.
layzorJuly 25, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Yet another great article. I work in IT and I have notice clients have been making real good use of Dropbox. Especially for startup/small business who doesn’t want to fork out too much for a dedicated server just yet. On top of that, they are able to concentrate more on the business and worry less about daily/weekly/monthly backups.
FlipKupJuly 26, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Dropbox is becoming increasingly popular for all companies and web users. It is extremely useful and offers a lot of free space on top of its premium user gigabytes. There is no better way to cloudshare in my opinion, with its integration into more iOS devices as well!
FlipKupJuly 26, 2012 at 2:07 pm
^ These past few days trying it out has been great, and I have been convinced by the service that cloud sharing is the way to go. I am no longer ignorant about the subject at all!
Joe WellsAugust 10, 2012 at 11:51 pm
I currently use an external hard drive for my backups. But I have been toying with the idea of going to a cloud based backup scheme as well. There are a lot of advantages to using that type of backup. One of the main ones is that it is an offsite solution. If something were to happen at your home or work that damaged your computer and your backups, you would be out of luck. But if you had backed up your data to the cloud, you could still restore your data.
Joe Wells recently posted..Starting a Home Based Business.
toughtrasherAugust 23, 2012 at 3:23 am
Cloud storage was a beautiful idea when it was introduce and still very much is, more innovative than ever. Some gripes I have from using it, however, is that it can be very expensive with the per month payments.
Very accessible and useful, though.
KennyKSeptember 6, 2012 at 12:20 am
I’m a bit hesitant to share big pieces of data with a 3rd party company. I’d rather save my data in the traditional way and use cloud storage for other, less important data. Security is an issue for me, I don’t like to take risks for that matter.