Sponsored Storage is a growth area in IT, as the volume of data generated by users and applications keeps on expanding at an increasing rate, while legislation dictates that organisations must retain some types of data for regulatory purposes and cannot just delete it all to free up capacity.
Traditionally, data would simply have been stored on-site, residing on hard drives inside the organisations own servers and PCs, but the development of cloud services over the past decade means that users now have the option to offload some of that burden to online service providers that have much greater storage capacity available.
For many users, including SME organisations, cloud-based storage is an attractive solution to the storage issues they face. It is always available, you do not have to worry about managing any hardware, and it makes it simple for workers to collaborate by sharing files and data with colleagues.
But this does not mean that cloud-based services should be viewed as a replacement for on-premises storage. There are good reasons why some data is best kept under the direct control of the organisation itself.
In fact, on-premises and cloud-based storage are best regarded as complementary. Each has strengths and weaknesses that make them suitable for particular use cases, and both should therefore be considered as essential parts of the toolkit available to organisations for meeting their storage requirements.
Smaller organisations are likely to turn to network attached storage (NAS) or a low-cost server in order to meet their primary storage requirements. A NAS device is often the simpler option, as this delivers an appliance-like box that is relatively easy to configure through a browser-based console. For companies with 25 users or fewer, Microsofts Windows Server Essentials platform provides a wizard-driven setup for configuring a local server.
Whether the choice is a NAS or a Windows server, the organisation gets the advantages of a pool of storage connected directly to the local network, where users can have folders for their own files as well as shared folders for groups of users to store and access data for collaborative working while in the office.
The chief advantages of such an on-premise solution are performance, because data is stored locally on a high-speed network, and security, because it is more difficult for anyone outside the organisation to access the data. Users also get the reassurance of knowing exactly where their data is located and can physically secure it.
For cloud-based storage, the advantages are convenience and ease of access. The convenience comes because you can simply sign up for a cloud storage service and get instant access to a pool of storage capacity, and the fact that it is located online makes it easy to access for users both in the office premises and off-site, while travelling or at a customer site, for example.
Another advantage of cloud-based storage is the available capacity. Services such as Box, Google Drive and Dropbox now offer unlimited storage in their business-focused plans, although in practice there are often limits such as fair use restrictions when you look at the small print.
The most common use cases for cloud-based storage services such as these tend to be as a platform for file sharing and collaboration, or as an online backup facility.
Backing up data to the cloud is widely used even by large organisations, as it provides a safe off-site repository in the event that your primary storage is destroyed or damaged, rather than just a file getting deleted or corrupted.
Many backup tools now support cloud storage services as a backup target, and this includes those bundled with NAS appliances. In the latter case, endpoint devices can be configured to use the NAS as their backup target, while the NAS can then back itself up using either another NAS as the target, or to a cloud storage service.
Some NAS appliances also support synchronisation with common cloud services such as Dropbox or Google Drive, so that files stored in public folders on-premises can easily be made available to users roaming off-site. Users can specify synchronisation of just the files and folders they want, while a one-way sync feature is often supported to only copy files from the NAS to the cloud, or vice versa.
Another potential application for cloud storage is archiving. This enables the user to migrate to cloud storage any data that is no longer used or seldom accessed, in order to free up capacity in their on-premises storage.
There are dedicated cloud archive services, such as Amazon Glacier, that offer very low costs, provided that users do not expect speedy access to data stored there. Some cloud storage services such as Box offer governance capabilities that implement data retention rules and support discovery of content for data governance and regulatory compliance purposes.
When it comes to the question of security, an administrator can easily set access privileges for on-premises storage such as a NAS by individual users or groups of users, while each user can have their own private folder as well as access to shared folders.
But many of the cloud storage providers are catching up fast, with some business-focused services offering user access controls, plus support for single sign-on, two-factor authentication and usage logs, as well as encryption to protect data stored on their cloud.
The question of whether data is best stored on-premises or in the cloud will depend upon a number of factors, such as whether easy access is required for collaboration, whether the data needs to be kept secure, or the costs of storing it in a particular repository.
However, both on-premises and cloud storage have their place in the storage strategies of organisations, and a smart IT professional will make good use of both in order to meet the demands of applications and users.
Sponsored: The Joy and Pain of Buying IT - Have Your Say
More here:
How offsite solutions can complement NAS setups - The Register
- CTERA Networks Partners with SYNNEX Corporation to Drive Market Demand for Hybrid Cloud Storage, Collaboration and ... [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Cloud storage exempt from Ninefold's uptime boost [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Virsto Named Finalist of 2012 Storage Virtualization & Cloud Awards [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Innovative Hybrid Cloud Storage Solutions Now Available From PROMISE Technology [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Box Talks Integration with BlackBerry 10 and Cloud Storage for Business - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- AG112's Weekly Technology Tutorials Ep.7 Cloud Storage - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Cloud Storage - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Google Cloud Storage Office Hours - 9/5/2012 - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- IBM Cloud Storage -- Future Directions - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Working with best FREE Cloud storage solution - MediaFire - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Best Cloud Storage | How Nate Made $450 His First Hour... - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Cloud Storage Services: Comparison - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Top 10 Free Cloud Storage Services of 2012 - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Cloud Storage Wars - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Secure and Comprehensive Cloud Storage for Health IT - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Free Cloud Storage! - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Microsoft SkyDrive Cloud Storage - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Top 16 Android Cloud Storage Apps Quick Breakdown - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Up to 48GB of FREE Cloud Storage, 14GB Guaranteed - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Nasuni's CEO To Speak At Interop On The Secure Use Of Cloud Storage [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2012]
- Oracle vs Amazon Cloud Storage: OpenWorld 2012 - Video [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2012]
- Apple extends iCloud storage for another year [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2012]
- Interush Introduces Convenient Cloud-Based Storage Service with Release of PHYTTER DOCK Application [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2012]
- Get a free 15GB cloud-storage account from 4Sync [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2012]
- Cloud Solutions Increase Customer Engagement and Retention [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2012]
- Pogoplug offering 100GB of cloud storage to UK users for just £19.99 a year [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- New vFoglight Storage 2.0 Provides Integrated Application to Disk Performance Monitoring [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Lunacloud Deploys Cloudian® To Grow Business, Offer S3 Compatible Cloud Storage [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- New Cloud Storage Company, ZapDrive, Launches Today Offering 100 GB for $19.99/year. [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- Otixo Adds Ubuntu One to Aggregated Cloud Storage Lineup [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- Cloud Storage Reviews Announcement Video - Video [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- Cloud storage outage strikes Macquarie Telecom [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- Online-Storage.com is Now SIO.CO [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- C2C Maximizes eMail Archiving Flexibility and Control With Support for the Hybrid Cloud [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- OwnCloud: Build your own or manage your public cloud storage services [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Ubuntu's cloud storage service hits Mac in beta, with 5GB free [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Akitio Cloud Hybrid Review: Convenient NAS and USB Storage in One [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2012]
- Symform Hires Senior Sales Executive to Build Global Partnerships as Distributed Cloud Storage Network Surpasses 5.5 ... [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Get an extra 25GB of storage in the Dropbox Great Space Race [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- Microsoft Acquires StorSimple To Increase Cloud Storage Capabilities [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2012]
- Inktank-Metacloud Partnership Enhances Fully Managed Private Cloud Solution With Enterprise-Class Storage [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2012]
- Citrix and NetApp Collaborate to Simplify Cloud Storage [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2012]
- Microsoft Acquires Leader In Cloud-integrated Storage [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2012]
- Microsoft Buys StorSimple for Enterprise Cloud Storage [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2012]
- FreedomPACS, Radiology PACS and Cloud Image Storage Provider, Releases Results of County Hospital Case Study ... [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Nirvanix Selects Brocade as Networking Backbone for Global Cloud Expansion [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Pogoplug offers unlimited cloud storage for $5 a month [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- NTT Communications Chooses Cloudian® S3 compatible Object Storage Platform for Multi Petabyte Cloud Storage as a Service [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- TwinStrata and Google to Host "Beyond Disaster Recovery: Integrating Cloud Storage into Your IT Strategy" Seminar [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Cloud Storage Reviews Outlines "How SugarSync Works" In Latest Guide [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Symform Challenges Users to Think Beyond Centralized Data Centers With Its 'Byte Me' Promotion [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Avere to tart up FTX with cloud storage gateway, mutterings foretell [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Deals WD My Book Live Personal Cloud Storage 2 TB Network Attached Best Price 2012 - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Create and Manage Your Own Cloud Storage Free - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Free Cloud Space 100GB - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- DuraCloud Brown Bag Series: How DuraCloud is Different From Amazon - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- PocketCloud Explore - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Free 1TB Cloud storage - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Store your files on WEB for free - Unlimited and better than dropbox - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- CloudBackupNow - Retention Policy (with audio) - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- CloudBackupNow - Retention Policy - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- CloudBackupNow - Primer II - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- ERP Data Capture animation - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Cash rains DOWN on the Cloud - Nasuni trousers $20m [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- My PC Backup Review The Cloud Storage Service For You - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- Samsung ATIV S Review - Phones 4u - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- Trust Me mv - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- Product Webinar: Collaborating and Exchanging Large Data at Distance with Faspex 3.0 - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- DT Daily: Facebook takes aim at Craigslist, Halo 4 reviews a - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- 2 MCSE Private Cloud Storage Basics - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- Gladinet Cloud Enterprise Quick Start Guide - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- Installing OfficeDrop Mac File Sync - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- OfficeDrop Mac File Sync - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- Secure Cloud Storage - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- Windows Phone 8: Lenese integrates apps in the camera app - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- Graphic Video on Wuala Secure Cloud Storage from Paula Hansen and Chart Magic - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- Hurricane Sandy Cheat Meal Run to Tastee Diner - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- Cloud Zow Review - Cloudzow Review | Marketing Secret Revealed - Video [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2012]
- What is Cloud Storage? - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]
- Perfume - Chocolate Disco [ hide@BSB Battle In Feb. Remix ] - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2012]