Our previous edition article amply illustrates cloud storage services. It is a way for people, including businesses, to manage and maintain their data. Most of the cloud storage services are distributed in the form of models depending on the amount of storage that is needed. The flexible plans and pay-as-you-go pricing models make it easier for businesses to pick one plan that is suitable for their budget.
“A cloud storage service allows creating a backup for data, sharing files, storing data, and give-away recovery services for disasters.”
The concept of cloud storage is simply, why invest in servers and hardware when you can rent space in the cloud? With cloud storage services, you get the convenience of 24/7 anytime, anywhere access to the data so that you can focus on the business and keep aside the worries related to managing technology.
Above all, it is very beneficial in terms of cost addition. There is no upfront cost. You can attach or detach the services as the business goes up and down.
Now, when you know when the storage and sharing run online, you must be worried about the security concerns with cloud storage services.
Security issues with cloud storage
When it comes to putting confidential and sensitive information in the hands of the third party, security is always a concern. No matter where your data is housed, be it in a cloud or server next to your office, there is always a prevailing risk of a data breach or data loss. Cloud computing has more number of resources; they can offer a greater level of security, which any small or medium-sized business may not be able to afford.
The cloud services do offer free storage but only to the customers. The free storage services are not for businesses of considerable size; free trials are still available. Other than basic storage, cloud storage services include:
- Mobile apps
- Data backup and archive
- Usage reports
- Encryption
- Dashboards to access the files
- Email/live support
Benefits of cloud storage
Repeatedly said- cloud storage offers a large amount of storage and savings to customers. It also curtails the need for businesses to own and keep hard drives for storage needs. Consequently, it also reduces the time and efforts devoted by the management in the monitoring of hardware storage devices and equipment.
Another big benefit is the affordability due to the tiered pricing structure. It is possible to select the plan that suits individual needs based on how often you store and backup information. Cloud storage services are available based on the kind of needs. There are multiple offerings under every plan to match and fulfill both individual and organizational needs. Select a plan which fulfills the maximum of your requirements. At any moment when you feel that your plan isn’t working, you can cancel and switch to another plan.
Top 10 cloud storage services for business
Here is an overview of the most popular and proven cloud storage services that small, medium, and large-sized enterprises prefer signing up.
1. Carbonite
Carbonite focuses primarily on backup solutions. It has a Pro plan pricing starting at USD 269.99 annually. The storage services have a server plan that offers more customization.
2. Dropbox
The storage platform starts from USD 12.50 per month. There has to be a minimum of three users and 5 TB of storage space.
3. Box
The storage service comprises two plans, a business plan and an enterprise plan. The business plan, with a minimum of five users, costs USD 15 a month. The enterprise plan costs USD 35 a month per user with unlimited storage.
4. Google for Business
The platform is bundled with various applications. Apart from 30 GB of online storage per user, it offers a basic plan of USD 50 per user, per year. Also, there is an unlimited storage plan of USD 120 per user. It is majorly required by business owners and data analysts with extra storage needs.
5. OpenDrive
The business plan of OpenDrive starts from USD 29.95 per year for every user with unlimited storage. Also, it offers a USD 60 discount if you sign up for the USD 299 plan annually.
6. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
This platform offers a list of cloud storage plans, which includes a 12-month free usage tier– Simple Storage Service for new users up to 5GB, and EBS (Elastic Block Storage) for users up to 30 GB. The variety of options by Amazon Web Services is only because it is considered as leading cloud providers.
7. Microsoft OneDrive
The renowned cloud service Microsoft One Drive offers different cloud storage plans to choose from. A business plan costs USD 2.50, providing 25 GB per user.
8. Syncplicity
The business plan of Syncplicity costs USD 15 per user per month. It can include a minimum of three users, with an option to buy unlimited data storage.
9. SpiderOak
Businesses can choose from the three cloud storage plans offered by SpiderOak. The small business plans, which can have two users, offer 1,000 GB storage and cost USD 20 per user, per month. Another plan is an enterprise plan wherein the cost is USD 24 per user, per month for up to 100 users.
10. iCloud
It is a service of Apple that aims to provide cloud storage. Users can make use of the platform for storing documents, music files, photos, and videos. It works with a lot of applications, including calendar, contacts, reminders, safari, etc. It is free to use until 5 GB. There are three plans majorly—50 GB for USD 0.99 per month, 200 GB for USD 2.99 per month, and 2 TB for USD 9.99 per month.
Ultimately, the combination of storage you need will depend on the volume of data and the available budget. A start-up will need fewer data and can be fulfilled with a low budget and a transporter. However, a business with more substantial needs may require deploying two NAS appliances in separate offices. It could be set to sync with each other over the internet or VPN. And the business operating from multiple work locations and offices, and those generating large volumes of data will find it the best to take help from cloud storage services.
