Understanding human behavior is a complex process of dealing with attitude patterns or habits that creates a type of norm in the society. These days, where people are ever busy with multi-tasking and aiming productivity, whether in homes, in school, or workplaces, they mindlessly accumulate “clutter” resulting in disorganization, both physically and mentally. This is particularly exhausting and stressful as life and work builds up, and we seem to be lost.
In business, the analogy of clutter and disorganization is within the accumulation of various types and kinds of data in any form you can imagine: paperworks, historical reports, business plans, employee and customer profiles, etc. While companies adopt archiving measures by having someone in charge of bookkeeping and maintaining the business warehouse, more efficient solutions still lack to address everything.
Problems in business data incur certain limitations on access, as well have risks involved from accidents and natural disasters that could destroy the hard copied documents, or computer bugs and viruses that could corrupt business files in the computer. Getting additional data storages are getting stiffer and adds up to business costs. As the company grows, so as the number of users and the need for collaborative, streamlined work requires mutual and easy access to all business data.
Today, businesses, and even consumers alike, are constantly demanding for precise, immediate, efficient, flexible, scalable and innovative solutions in many areas of their lives. The pressing concerns about data storage, archiving and synching are being addressed by the use of technology based tools and solutions. Such is where cloud storages enter the scene. But before elaborating on the seemingly weather related concept, let us understand first the importance of data in a business.
Importance of a Data in Businesses
Data in business is an essential element in order to make sure that departmental and overall goals are met. In general terms, data is the basis for decisions, evaluations and operations. The implications of data on the different functions of each part of the business organization are dependent on the perspective and the relationship it has with the specific task at hand.
For example, in marketing, client profiles, customer service based information and market studies are kinds of data that are important for them because it will help to get the pulse of the buyers’ needs, so that campaigns will be aligned to it to get maximum results on lead generation;
In sales, figures, revenues, profits, and ROI reports are crucial business data to support conclusive reports on business sustainability, stability and profit making;
In the operations, business data such as logistics, business tools, and performance evaluations are retrieved from different sets of data across the organization. Making sound and strategic solutions and decisions can be achieved by the application of big data analytics, which turns raw data into actionable reports and opportunities for improved operations and faster growth. Data mining is one aspect of data analytics that is useful in unearthing useful patterns and data relationship across all business data.
Overall, data is important in supporting the business organization, and in making it sustainable and competitive. In data analytics, every bit; whether raw or structured, of data is a piece of a bigger puzzle that connotes effective execution of strategic plans. Thus, there is a strong need for a durable and reliable data storage and management within the business organization.
Local Data Storage Versus Cloud Storage
The traditional way of storing data within a small business is through the use of computer hard drives, that is also a part of the same computer that employees are using. As the business scale grows, data storage and archiving are slowly becoming challenging in aspects of organizing and filtering, because more often at this stage, a business has already accumulated massive amounts of it.
Bigger businesses require data synching, especially when teams are doing collaborative work and need to work on the same data and inform everybody if something has been altered or modified.
Data tracking is also important in business levels that make crucial decisions, which finds it important to always see updated, or even real time data, to make everyday operations smooth sailing.
Local data storage, or on-premise way of storing data ensures that data is easily accessible by people authorized to use them. In a medium business setting, this is usually done by allocating a server, where all company computers are connected into, and centralized file storing and archiving is done. It is usually managed by the company’s own IT department, to make sure that glitches, viruses, file corruption, data backup and network related problems a properly taken cared about.
Local data storages require hardware and software components, and physical and internal network connection, and just needs power to access and operate.
On the other hand, a cloud storage, is a storage model built as an alternative and more dynamic way of storing and managing data across the business organization. Its access rests on the “cloud”, or the term used for “internet”, so that data can be retrieved anywhere that has internet access. The idea of cloud storages is to keep your digital assets within your reach and have an increased ease that it won’t be lost or corrupted. It also gives your computers and devices a breather from carrying large amounts of file that slows down its processors.
Cloud storages eliminate the use of added hardware and software elements, thus reducing capital costs. Cloud based storage providers charge clients with per bandwidth usage, or monthly subscriptions. The bulk of the infrastructure investments and data maintenance goes down to the cloud file storage service providers.
Both local data storage and cloud storage are effective solutions to pressing concerns about data storage and management. Both are also being utilized in businesses, and sometimes used together to ensure data accessibility under all conditions.
Cloud Storage Features
Cloud storages works within the dynamic network of the internet, to be able to return your data across multiple platforms and channels. In reality, cloud storages are being hosted by a cloud file storage service provider, which invested in big and expansive data storage hardware infrastructures to be able to contain all data from its clients. It is only in distribution and access that the internet plays the role. For efficient use of bandwidth, cloud storages only let the updates be stored within the internet, and not the multiple versions of the files you modify. Cloud storages are typically working as data backup, and the collaboration and syncing features are both extended services only, but is usually included in the package.
In collaborative work, cloud storages are important in creating a centralized database of all raw and processed data while keeping the most updated ones for other members to view and use. This system also increases team members’ productivity by enabling them to do collaborative work and core tasks simultaneously without physically reporting to the team head. This also makes the manager gain better performance and task management because all work activities can be monitored virtually.
Pros of using Cloud Storage
Using cloud file storage services in business offers a wide range of advantages and benefits, which makes use of the internet as the gateway of data access between the cloud file storage server to its clients. The technologies behind cloud storage services are utilized effectively to create the solution to the current dilemma over securing crucial business data.
Accessibility is the number one benefit that a business can get from a cloud storage. Because of internet, a user can access his data across different devices and platforms, as long as there is sufficient internet access. files can also be downloaded for offline use. This aspect is both important in consumer and business use, moreso, the business benefits more because of the multiple users that can utilize and process the data. There is an ease in carrying another storage device that might get lost or at destroyed. The right cloud storage system can even let you manage authority in accessing data, and choose only who to view and modify.
Cloud storages pose almost unlimited data bandwidth, or storage capacity, without the bulk of additional hardware and software installations and devices. This goes beyond the ideas of mobility and portability without a physical device present. You are virtually carrying all your data with you all time, all you need is internet connectivity and a capable device, and voila! That is data on the go.
Crisis recovery is also an important benefit of having a hosted data storage system deployed within your company. It eases the IT department in dealing with disastrous matters concerning data management. All the guarantee is held by the cloud file storage services provider which is responsible in maintaining the availability and integrity of your business data.
Cloud storages are scalable to fit any kind of storage or bandwidth support. Cloud storage providers ensure that capacity is always available for you whenever and wherever you need it.
Cloud file storage service usage costs are sometimes dependent on per-use basis, per-bandwidth allotted, or per-month unlimited subscription fees. Fees are actually flexible, and there is no need for additional capital cost of equipments to be able to use a cloud storage.
The high level of accessibility that a cloud file storage service implements enable work collaboration possible within its premise. It is not just files that can synced, but applications as well. Examples are Google Drive and the recent optimization in Dropbox. Both allow editing of files using office suites that are already integrated within the application. This encourages collaborative work among authorized users, and updates are made instantly within a single spreadsheet, for file sync and streamlined workflows.
Hosted data storages, such as a cloud storage usually has a 24/7 dedicated customer care service to its clients, so no need to worry if you will encounter untoward problems arising from access and retrieval of data.
The use of cloud storages promote green businesses because of the elimination of electronic equipments that use high amounts of power. Although, this should be addressed by the cloud file storage provider deploying the intricate network of equipments.
Cons of Using Cloud Storage
The main issues that cloud storages face is on security and privacy risks. Since data are located on-premise in the host’s office or warehouse, or even though a client chose an on-premise option, there are still issues over unauthorized access related to bugs, or even criminal activity. Authorized access is being addressed by a strong encryption to frustrate away hackers.
There are also concerns about cloud file storage provider stability, because there is a tendency that a service can go bankrupt when new innovations will be created. So it is wise to choose a service provider that doesn’t just focus on cloud storages, but with other technology based services as well.
Computer bugs and viruses are the number one enemies of softwares, so a good cloud file storage provider should be able to implement a strong virus protection, since they are dealing with massive amounts of crucial business data.
Do You Need One?
In 2012, Gartner mentioned that consumers spend around $2 trillion on technology based devices, services and even content. What we can conclude, is that, there will be increased demand in cloud storages to contain all of these. Today, we see that Gartner’s observation is indeed in the works, with more businesses seeing the importance of having an internet-based storage service to be rendered within their organization, and even consumers see its significance in their productivity. Data plays a big role in the success of a business, and even us, we are now in the age of information and content demand. Utilizing cloud storages will help in preserving important business data, that might benefit future analysis of market demands and innovations.
Consumers’ needs continue to evolve at a faster pace. These transitions should be supported well with innovative products and services, to sustain their interest in your business. The increase in on-demand content amongst consumers and businesses accelerated the growth of cloud storage demands. Technologies nowadays dictate the market, and it is best to grab the board and start surfing the waves. Check out this reviews of cloud file storages to gain a better overview about cloud storages application in the business and even personal use.
Jeev Trika
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