By Anushka Chakrabarti, Docup Blogger

Screen Shot 2016-06-24 at 3.48.04 PMWith the increasing access to the information, storage requirement for that information has also increased. Online Cloud Storage helps to store data online that can be accessed from anywhere, without carrying data servers.

There are various types of cloud storage available such as Personal Cloud Storage, Public Cloud Storage, Private Cloud Storage and Hybrid Cloud Storage. Online Cloud Storage services also provide Cloud Data backup, which is an easy solution for keeping the data safe and another backup off-site.

Cloud Storage has several advantages over the traditional storage service. For instance, Traditional data storage has limited capacity, while cloud storage has unlimited online storage capacity.

Cloud service can be very valuable and can become important part of an organization, if right kind of software, infrastructure and platform is deployed.

Here is why Online Cloud Storage service is better for the organization:

Cost Saving

Cloud data storage is affordable and also helps in backing up the data, as no additional data centers are needed, data can be automatically be replicated from public to private cloud. The cost of hardware and maintenance, cost associated with Disaster Recovery (DR) is also eliminated.

Data Security

Cloud secures the confidential and sensitive information for business. Data is protected at both the time, during transmission and when it is stable. The cloud data is backed up to multiple servers, so if any one of the server crashes, then the data is safe in other servers.

Scalability

In the Online Cloud Storage service there is no need to predict how much storage space will be needed, this can be adjusted with the resource available through cloud storage service provider and business only has to pay on its current needs.

Cloud storage also has the ability to add more capacity, improve performance and achieve objective whenever new node is added to the cloud.

 Accessibility

With the increasing number of devices used today, Cloud storage service is accessible from tablets, smartphones, netbooks and desktop. The user can access account from any internet connection such as mobile browser or the desktop system at the workplace.

Syncing

This ensures that the data and files saved are updated automatically across all the devices. So, the latest version of file saved on the desktop is available on the smartphone.

Disaster Recovery

Cloud storage also facilitates Disaster Recovery. Cloud storage always have an emergency backup plan ready for business as it provides second copy of important files. These files are saved and stored at the remote location and are accessible anywhere and anytime with help of an internet connection.

Collaboration

Online Cloud Storage service allow multiple people to edit and work on the single file and document. Due to this facility, there is no need to track the latest version or see who has made what changes.

Multi-tenancy

Cloud storage also provides Multi-tenancy in which the single instance of software application serves multiple customers or clients. These customers can make changes in some part of the software application such as the colour of the User Interface (UI). But they cannot customize or make any changes in the codes.

Multi-tenancy applies to all the three layers of cloud: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

Automation

Online Cloud Storage Service makes the process of backing up data easy through automation. The user needs to just select what and when he/she needs the back-up and the service does the rest of the work.

Deciding on which cloud service is best for the organization, there are few things to look for while choosing the best cloud storage service, such as, Storage Capacity, Pricing Structure, Backup frequency, see to it if the service provider meet all the regulatory requirements, Performance of the service provider, Disaster recovery service, Terms of service and additional support system.

Choosing the best cloud storage service for business

There are numerous storage plans and prices provided by cloud storage service providers. Free cloud storage service providers offer free taster of their services, the free storage space also varies from one cloud storage provider to another. In Paid for cloud storage service, business needs to spend money to get more space. They have annual or monthly plans for online cloud data storage.

There are various cloud storage service providers such as Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, SugarSync, Livedrive, Mozy, Norton, Apple iCloud, IDrive, Verdict etc.

While testing the cloud storage service there are common questions that business can ask such as:

  • How easy is it to sync files?
  • How easily can files be shared?
  • Can those files be edited online?
  • When the account is deleted, where does all those files go?
  • Is the service fulfilling all the business needs and is it worth the money being charged?

Finally, Online Cloud Storage Service makes it lot simpler for the organization to store and share information or files. The value of cloud storage service comes from the fact that how well it works for the business, as performance of these services also depends on the operating system and the business plan.

Author’s Bio:

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Anushka Chakrabarti is an avid blogger of Docup,  a company that does document management for individuals, tax professionals, and businesses of all sizes. She loves technology, especially cloud technology. She writes on cloud based apps and works in the online cloud file storage company.