What is Cloud based storage?
Using cloud software, either through desktop or mobile devices, is a fast and effortless way to share files and other digital information with your team and your clients.
The data stored in these repositories can be selectively shared as needed. Most of these services allow users to “lock” files and specify which users have access.
Commonly used cloud services include Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive and iCloud. Most of these services provide a certain amount of storage for free and then charge different rates for different storage options.
Which service you pick depends on your organization’s needs. The size of the organization, number of users and access requirements will have bearing on your choice. Needless to say this decision can take your business to the next level of operational efficiency.
So why store data in the Cloud?
- Utility: All cloud storage services reviewed in this topic have desktop folders for Mac’s and PC’s. This allows users to drag and drop files between the cloud storage and their local storage.
- Bandwidth: You can avoid emailing files to individuals and instead send a web link to recipients through your email.
- Accessibility: Stored files can be accessed from anywhere via Internet connection.
- Disaster Recovery: It is highly recommended that businesses have an emergency backup plan ready in case of an emergency. Cloud storage can be used as a back‐up plan for businesses by providing a secondary copy of important files. These files can then be stored at a remote location and can be accessed through an internet connection.
- Cost Savings: Businesses and organizations can often reduce annual operating costs by using cloud storage; not only the storage cost, but cost savings around space, servers and productivity of staff.
There are certainly ways that your entire business can access data from the cloud but it requires good planning and will change the way you interact with the data. Although it is a change, what that will do is give your business a little bit more agility around not having to rely on a single point of access. It will mean that regardless of what’s happening in your area the data will be accessible via any internet connection. Your team can be working from home, working from their client’s sites and not relying on your internal systems.
