Nowadays, more and more businesses are going digital- or paperless- in order to be more eco-friendly, cut down on printing costs and comply with all relevant GDPR laws. However, small business servers only have the capacity to store so much data and as the amount of data increases, businesses may find themselves struggling to store it all.
That’s where ‘the cloud’ comes in. The cloud refers to large servers all over the world that can be accessed via the internet. Individuals or businesses can pay to store their data and programs over the internet instead of on their computer’s hard drive or keeping physical copies of documents.
There are four options of cloud storage to choose from…
Public Cloud
A Public Cloud is usually delivered by large trusted global brands like Microsoft, Google and Amazon. It gives your business access to predefined IT cloud solutions such as ram, processors and storage. Thanks to the reliability of Public Cloud services, it is perfect for a short-term business or resource, however, it isn’t as suitable for those looking for assistance with the long-term running of your IT systems.
Private Cloud
A Private Cloud provides businesses with the benefit of 24/7 access to all the resources they need without the cost of committing to IT hardware. The provider tends to be smaller and more agile than those that provide Public Clouds which means you’re given a higher level of control over your product and the services you choose.
It also means you can pick up the phone and speak to someone when you need to, without being put on hold for hours or speaking to a robot. Thanks to the bespoke design to your company’s specific needs, this solution is ideal for companies which require a long-term solution.
Hybrid Cloud
The Hybrid Cloud provides businesses with the same personal reassurance of a Private Cloud whilst also retaining the flexibility of a Public Cloud. With all of your day-to-day IT needs taken care of privately, you’re also able to obtain Public Cloud services over a short period of time.
This would come in useful when businesses have a specific requirement that requires the Public Cloud e.g. high intensity processing or a high-volume website where an increase in processing is needed. The Public Cloud is also a great staging position for complex migration and consolidation works.
Cloud Colocation
If you’re looking at moving your existing IT infrastructure offsite, whatever the reason, coalition could be the solution for you. With the speed and reliability benefits of the Cloud, you can take a trial approach to the full Public or Private Cloud transition without immediate commitment.
How Does Cloud Storage Work?
The servers are managed and owned by different hosting companies which provide you with a unique log-in to access your data from anywhere at any time so long as you have an internet connection.
Due to the sheer size of these servers, an individual or business can have virtually an unlimited amount of storage space with the cloud, meaning running out of storage space will never be an issue so long as you continue to pay for it.
When you sign up to use cloud storage, you can choose the amount of space you need. If you aren’t sure how much space you need, there’s no need to worry. Once you get close to running out of space, you can upgrade your plan and purchase more space. Once you have paid for your storage plan, you should be able to start saving to the cloud immediately.
What Can Be Stored on the Cloud?
You can store anything digital on the cloud such as all of your files, photos, videos etc.
How Can Using the Cloud Benefit My Business?
By using the cloud to store your business data, you can benefit from:
The ability to work remotely
Better network infrastructure
Reduced electricity use
Reduced climate impact
Unlimited storage
Safe data- can’t be lost or damaged through events such as fires or floods in the way physical copies and computer hard drive copies can.
How Can DMS Help?
At DMS, we can help you to choose the right cloud storage plan for your business so you can rest easy knowing all of your data is stored in a safe and secure place. Additionally, with DMS One, we can help you manage all of your IT contracts in one bundle, eliminating the administrative burden for you.
For more information, please get in touch with our team by calling us on 03330 15 1900 or check out our other handy guides for more advice.
