Benefits Beyond Stability
Since the introduction of computing systems, the challenge of where and how to store data has been constant. Large spaces and teams that could be utilized for productivity have instead been devoted to housing and maintaining servers. Failure in the infrastructure means total system outages and hours of lost productivity – who can forget the Datagram outage caused by Hurricane Sandy? Sites hosted by Datagram were down for nearly five days while lower Manhattan experienced flooding and power outages. The experience caused many to question the decision to continue to provide necessary data services using rapidly outdated storage solutions. Seeking to avoid future occurrences, Hurricane Sandy spurred many companies to initiate cloud migration.
Security and Disaster Recovery
A common misconception in cloud computing is that due to the decentralization of storage, information is more susceptible to infiltration and corruption. In fact, the opposite is true: because data is stored in a redundant, decentralized structure, the loss of a single node, or even multiple nodes, does not result in the loss of your data. A hurricane on the East Coast and an earthquake on the West Coast could be happening simultaneously, and you could still be happily working away in your headquarters.
Additionally, there are safeguards to each decentralized storage space. More safeguards mean more protection. Cloud storage is actually more safe than traditional servers.
A Streamlined Workflow
As knowledge work moves increasingly toward non-centralized business structures, global teams are able to meet and work together effectively. With near-instant elasticity, cloud-based environments eliminate the stress and time-waste involved with emailing document versions, and the risk of version control issues. The increase in productivity by way of process improvement and reduced wait time for work means collaboration that is instant and easy. Rather than a Facilities Manager having to wait for the Vendor Manager to finish their work on a contract draft via email, they can complete their section of the contract at the same time as the Vendor Manager, and on the same document version.
Cost Savings
There is some debate as to whether cloud storage costs more or less than on-site data storage. Typically, when looking strictly at the fees and budget line items, cloud storage can cost more. However, that is only part of the picture. Cloud storage eliminates the need for on-site specialists, which can save a pretty penny in the first year alone. It also eliminates capital investment, upgrades and servicing costs to on-site infrastructure. Space dedicated to housing racks could be freed up for workers. In addition, the reduced cost involved with powering and cooling on-site servers is not to be overlooked.
In addition, many companies experience peak hours of use, during office hours and while scripts that run only once or twice a day complete. And yet, server costs are stagnant, companies are paying for them all day and all night, whether they’re being used or not. If, for example, a batch process runs once per day, requiring high-level processing for fifteen minutes, then it’s done for 24 hours. Cloud storage means that only that spike would be considered. The rest of the time, it would not add cost. Cloud is ideal for that.
Scalability and Flexibility
The structure of the cloud also means that storage limits are easily expandable and effectively infinite. Gone are the days when organizations find they’ve outgrown a system, configure a team to figure out what is needed, order parts and wait while they ship, and get installed. Growing businesses on the cloud benefit from the near-instant elasticity, where a few clicks result in upgraded plans and instant access to more storage as needed. Often times, companies will choose a hybrid solution, with both on-site servers and cloud storage. For many, this makes the most sense.
Let’s Do This
RSDC is prepared to support the business success of your organization, corporation, agency or startup. Our skilled team will lead the process to design, plan, scale, and support your ideal solution, on time and within your budget. Whether you’re dipping a toe in the water, or ready to dive on in, contact us today to explore your options.