Choosing a Cloud Storage Provider
Data Volume
The files you store dictate how much capacity you’ll need. For example, Dropbox allows people to store up to 2GB of data. This is ideal for personal use, but businesses will have more requirements. If you have a lot of employees, then you’ll need a provider that offers high levels of storage.
The best thing to do is to sit down and calculate how much data you’ll need. This ensures you’ll get the best provider and won’t have to pay extra to upgrade. There are loads of providers that have business and personal plans, so shop around and think about your future capacity needs.
How Reliable Is the Provider?
Like most internet-based applications, cloud storage is susceptible to failures, but some are better than others. If you’re using a cloud storage provider for personal files and college work, then small failures from time to time won’t be an issue. However, businesses should get a reliable provider to ensure failures don’t affect their operations.
Reputable providers will have statistics to show how common failures are and how quickly they’re fixed. They should also tell you which contingency plans they have in place during failures. Taking all these factors into account ensures you find the best providers, that won’t upset the efficiency of your business.
How Are the Speeds?
If you’re a regular broadband user, then you know how important the speed is. Low-speed internet is responsible for slow-loading websites or interfering with your connection when you’re binge-watching Netflix. It also affects your cloud storage provider, but they have their own download speeds.
The biggest thing to consider when thinking about the speeds your provider offers is how quickly you can access important data. Businesses often communicate with statistics, and customer information. Poor download speeds mean you won’t be able to access the data quickly and it can affect how your business runs. If you’re a college student this can also be a problem, so look at how each provider’s speeds measure against each other.
Is There Security?
Cloud storage is ideal for backing up your data, especially when files stored on hard drives can be compromised easily. However, just because your files are in cloud storage doesn’t mean they’re completely safe. There are many things that can go wrong, but if a provider has strong security, then these issues can be avoided.
You should look at the encryption the providers use and how strong their physical server is. Some companies will utilize the minimum security requirements, but others will go the extra mile to ensure your data is protected. Don’t be afraid to ask providers about their security and how they’ll protect your data.
Is the Price Right?
Pricing is difficult to estimate, and providers offer different plans. Usually, a company charges per gigabyte of data and for extras. Most providers allow users to store a small amount of data for free, which is great for personal usage. However, companies often find that the more data they use, the less they’ll be charged over a long-term period.
There are also higher charges if you access your data regularly. Providers call this “hot†data but charge less if you use a “cold†data option. The main problem with cold data packages is they aren’t useful for businesses because they’re restricted on how often they access their files.
If you want to find the best deals, then do your research and don’t be afraid to ask companies about their security and pricing options.
