Making a Big Impact with Cloud Storage Management

The cloud is an amazing thing. It is making entirely new levels of productivity and achievement possible as more and more businesses embrace the many services available on it. However, as businesses use more cloud-based apps, the need for a solid management system increases. Cloud storage management helps keep data and infrastructure organized.

Businesses leverage cloud apps such as office suites, G Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, Dropbox, CRM software, and secure file sharing to transform their offices into productivity powerhouses. In fact, it is estimated that at least 77 percent of all businesses are using one or more cloud applications as part of their operational infrastructure. These services often exist in different clouds but must still integrate with one another seamlessly. Fortunately, cloud storage management assists with this, ensuring that businesses retain the accessibility and functionality they need.

What Is Cloud Storage?

According to Techopedia, “Cloud storage is a cloud computing model in which data is stored on remote servers accessed from the internet, or cloud”. At the core, the same principles of client/server and peer-to-peer networks are used. However, it is how these principles are applied that makes the software and services more “cloudlike.”

Cloud storage is the use of a service which maintain, back up, and store data which is then made remotely available to users over a network. Users can access this storage from anywhere – on any device – as long as the correct credentials are entered, and you are connected to the internet.

Benefits of Using the Cloud

The cloud delivers a host of significant benefits. These include:

Lower cost. Users pay for what they need, and the service is delivered over the internet. No more acquiring physical infrastructure, constant utility usage, and staff to manage it all.
Speed. The cloud exists on demand and is accessible as quickly as the internet connection will allow.
Efficiency. Helps organizations become more efficient by allowing users to easily capture and exchange information in one central place.
Productivity. The cloud makes it easier for users to access the tools they need quickly.
Disaster recovery. Backups and data are stored offsite, making recovery easier in the event of a worst-case scenario.
Security. The cloud is secure, keeping data stored out of reach of cyber criminals.

The Cloud Facilitates Business Success

The biggest impact of utilizing cloud technology in today’s workplace is centered on the ease of capturing and exchanging information for the purpose of becoming more efficient. Simplifying the end user experience helps employees stay focused on work. Plus, enabling an employee to become more productive speaks directly to the bottom line.

Likewise, the cloud combines well with other productivity strategies. Process automation utilized in a cloud environment can have a big impact on streamlining business processes.

A good cloud storage management strategy further amplifies the efficiency created by using the cloud. Since data often occurs in and sometimes moves between different cloud platforms, there still exists a risk that data gets lost, accidentally deleted, or duplicated. Cloud data management helps prevent this by keeping the entire cloud environment visible, regardless of whether or not there is more than one cloud.

How to Choose a Provider

As more businesses move toward cloud computing, more service providers are springing up. Choosing between them can be a headache but working with an expert from RJ Young can help cut through the array of choices. The right set of tools and platforms depends on the individual business. However, there are still a few things that all good providers have in common. Look for:

An emphasis on efficiency. The moving of business processes and workflows to the cloud is designed to make the business more efficient. A good cloud provider supports this.
A commitment to regular updates. Regular updates and using the latest software reflect a vested interest in keeping data secure while providing users with the best possible experience.
Cost-effectiveness. Using the cloud helps organizations cut unnecessary costs and a good provider understands that.
Accessibility and speed of access. Data and tools should be available on demand, at a speed which keeps pace with the organization’s workflow.
A focus on data security. Data is the most important element of a business. A good cloud provider takes steps to encrypt its cloud and keep it safe.
The ability to integrate cloud services with other business processes. One sign that a provider is set up to help a company manage its cloud storage or services lies in its ability to integrate disparate systems to achieve total visibility.

The cloud brings the best of both worlds: accessible, powerful capabilities in a secure environment. A good provider likewise makes cloud services easy to use and manage.

Cloud Storage Management with RJ Young

The use of cloud services is becoming a prominent business strategy and making a huge impact on businesses. Therefore, companies need better ways to manage the variety of services and platforms which their employees use. A solid cloud management strategy helps tie these services together into a cohesive workflow.