The cloud is for more than storage. Although it remains a mystical unknown land to many small business owners, it’s really quite simple. Cloud storage is data stored on the internet in secure locations. On-site data storage is slowly being fazed out as the more agile and reliable cloud storage takes center stage.
So what else can the cloud do besides store your data?
Four benefits to Cloud Storage
- Share, collaborate, and edit With all your files on the cloud, collaborating with your team becomes easier than ever. You can edit in real time and share the files instantly. No longer will multiple copies exist as new versions of a document are created. Sync folders offer drag and drop for optimal convenience. Another convenient feature included with some cloud platforms is a Microsoft plugin so you can share files directly from Outlook, receive notifications when files are downloaded, and even set expiration dates.
- Data Restoration With files on the cloud, you’ll never lose your data, even in a major event, such as a flood or hurricane. The backup archives the data so if anything is “lost” you can restore to the latest restoration point.
- Admin Dashboard As an administrator, you can track all users from one central, intuitive dashboard. You might want to use this feature to set company or user-specific data usage limits. You can track the data usage, control access, and download data reports.
- Security With the right cloud storage platform, you’ll worry less about your data’s security. Security is key for cloud platforms and should include encryption for on-device and in-transit data. Another security feature to look for is remote wipe of a device in case it’s lost or stolen. Regardless of your storage platform partner, sensitive data, like HIPAA data, is your responsibility.
These benefits are great, but the ultimate benefit is the efficiency created through the cloud. When you can share, collaborate, and edit from anywhere, your team’s productivity will increase. With the admin dashboard, you can also uncover any weaknesses or inefficiencies and take care of them. When you move from on-site backup to cloud backup, you also eliminate maintenance of machines you once relied on. If you haven’t moved to the cloud already, what are you waiting for?
