The Cloud is today’s dominant digital data storage method. If your business hasn’t switched to Cloud computing yet, chances are you will soon. Partnering with a managed IT provider is the best way to identify which Cloud service is best for you.
Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing
For some business owners, switching from on-site data storage to Cloud computing is an easy choice, while others may hesitate. Familiarize yourself with the pros and cons before you make the switch.
Benefits
- Accessibility: With an internet connection and web-enabled device, you can access Cloud-stored data anytime, anywhere.
- Cost-effectiveness: For small-to-midsize businesses, Cloud computing can be 40 times more affordable than traditional in-house servers and data centers.
- Improved disaster recovery: Thanks to network backups, hardware failures don’t lead to permanent data loss.
Drawbacks
- Security concerns: Protection against data breaches is a top concern for many business owners. Choose a Cloud computing provider with a proven track record, and you have no need to fear. In fact, many IT experts believe that trusted Cloud storage offers better security than in-house data centers.
- Limited control: When you move to the Cloud, you have less control over your back-end hosting infrastructure. However, some businesses see this as a benefit because it removes some of your responsibility.
- Possible downtime: Cloud computing relies on the internet, so a disrupted connection could lead to possible downtime. This is another reason to choose a reliable managed IT provider known for having minimal outages.
Data Storing
Storage is one of the most widely used Cloud services. It provides a cost-effective strategy for archiving data and provides a fast path to disaster recovery. Data storage is available in three primary forms:
- Software as a Service (SaaS) is available over the internet via a third-party. Expect application licensing, email, hosted communications, and real-time Cloud storage access.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a combination of hardware and software tools available over the internet.
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a Cloud-based, pay-as-you-go service for data storage, networking, and virtualization.
Data Migration
Moving data is one hurdle that causes hesitation among some small-to-midsize business owners. Several third-party tools are available to help with this, but they invariably require customizations, and some legacy systems are simply not “Cloud ready.” Fortunately, ComTech Systems can help you make the transition quickly and smoothly, saving time and money compared to attempting the data migration yourself. You’ll also enjoy ongoing tech support as you become accustomed to the new Cloud platform.
Ready to migrate your company’s data to the Cloud? We can help you get started.