Cloud Services: Are they the future for businesses?

The technological revolution has changed the face of everything from buying food to international travel and almost every industry has now been computerised to some extent. One of the main things that digitisation has revolutionised is data storage, whether that’s a business’s customer mailing list or a bank’s record of all the transactions taking place on their customers’ accounts.

This means that the need for data storage has become increasingly pressing over recent years, particularly among businesses that hold a lot of information on their customers. An online supermarket, for example, hold thousands of pieces of information, such as product information, customer details, payment and transaction details, and marketing information.

Not only do businesses need the capacity to store this wealth of data, but they also need to ensure that each file is stored appropriately to preserve their customers’ privacy and security. This has given rise to an entire industry dedicated to data storage and security as businesses and individuals increasingly need data storage solutions that are practical and safe.

What is cloud storage?

The days when a floppy disk could contain everything you needed to run your business may be gone, but what has replaced the physical storage solutions that were once the only way to store information. Cloud storage allows businesses to keep their data, everything from customer addresses to apps and programmes, on servers that are kept elsewhere.

There are many advantages to cloud storage, from both the business and the customers’ perspective, including:

Access

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Cloud storage is accessed via the internet, so users only need to go online to be able to see any information they need. This allows representatives of the organisation to access relevant data from wherever they are, allowing representatives that work in the field to see the latest versions of databases, analytic reports and anything else while they are on the road.

It also means that organisations can continue to operate if they are unable to access their regular premises, due to extreme weather conditions or natural disasters, for example, and staff can work from home easily. Using cloud storage can also allow businesses to maximise their office space by negating the need for on-site storage solutions.

Security

Some businesses use cloud storage as a form of back-up to protect their data should anything happen to their primary storage option. If an organisation suffers from a fire or flood that affects their server room, a break-in or any other catastrophic event, it can restore their data from a cloud storage back-up.

Cloud storage can also be encrypted to whatever degree the business needs in order to protect it from online attacks such as hackers or data miners. It is in the best interests of any business to use the services of a company who specializes in online security, they can combine it with other services and make the most of the cloud service’s expertise such as cloud based web filtering for business and data encryption.

Cost-saving

External cloud storage is often a cheaper and more cost-effective way to manage data as providers bearing the costs of installing the infrastructure can use it to serve multiple businesses. Maintenance and servicing costs are included in the contract and many providers offer other security and software solutions as well.

Cloud storage can also reduce staffing and operating costs for businesses as staff can update and modify files instantaneously rather than needing to upload them over a physical connection. It also enables staff to work remotely and collaborate effectively, including allowing people to work on the latest version of all their files even if they log on from different devices.

Because it allows for continuity of service, even in cases of power outages or data loss in one location, cloud storage can reduce the costs associated with potential downtime for businesses.

Scalability

A common problem experienced by businesses is the need for more and more data storage as their business grows. Rapid growth, changes in the way data is collected or handled, or expansion into a new market can all have an impact on a company’s data storage needs.

Using a cloud storage service means that a business can increase their available storage relatively easily without the need for costly hardware upgrades or additional infrastructure. This is an important factor for companies that don’t want to have to miss out on potential business with system downtime.

The future of cloud storage

With more and more businesses needing more and more digital storage space, the demand for cloud storage is on the increase. Many organisations prefer to focus on their core business through outsourcing where possible, and cloud solutions make this easier than ever.

As remote working becomes a more popular choice among employers and employees, cloud storage offers the flexibility that both need. As long as they can access the internet, individuals from all over the world can collaborate and work together whether they are all able to physically be together or not.

The security aspect of cloud storage is also a hugely appealing one, especially for smaller businesses that might not be able to justify the cost of hiring someone to manage their data. Cloud storage is an elegant and effective solution to the problem of where to store increasing amounts of data as your operations expand.

Businesses that want to stay current and avail themselves of the latest technology can benefit from cloud storage. With so much to offer, from cost savings to enhanced security, it’s an option that can make a huge difference to the smooth running of any organisation.

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