New Cloud Data Storage Trends You Can Soon Leverage for Your Business

What is cloud storage, and why is it useful for SMBs? Cloud storage is a method for storing your data, files and applications off-site in a server managed and owned by a cloud provider - guys like Microsoft, Amazon and Google. You can access your data anywhere, anytime - as long as you have an internet connection and the correct login credentials.  For SMBs, cloud storage can be super cost-effective. Rather than spending money on managing and maintaining your own server, you can simply pay for storage as a service. This tends to be cheaper in the long run. Plus, cloud storage providers offer a range of payment and deployment models. They have plans for businesses of all sizes - from multi-national companies to freelancers. No matter your budget, you’ll be able to find the plan for you. Finally, the biggest perk of cloud storage is undoubtedly its flexibility. Without the cloud, remote working during the pandemic would have been impossible. Even as COVID-19 subsides, many of us will continue to work hybrid. The cloud is essential to facilitating this. 

Cloud Storage Trends To Know Cloud storage is definitely the way to go for your business. But you shouldn’t sign up with just any provider! Cloud vendors are constantly evolving their services to keep ahead of the competition and maintain their customers. As a result, they continuously upgrade and update their offerings, adding new capabilities and perks.  Even if you currently have a cloud storage provider, you should regularly check that you’ve got the best deal out there. We can help you with this, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.  With that in mind, here are some of the significant trends we’ll see in the cloud storage space this year. 

Ransomware scanning in the cloud Ransomware is a devious form of malware that encrypts access to your files and data. You’ll only be able to unlock your files once you pay a ransom - which is usually extortionate in price!  As the WannaCry ransomware attack of 2017 shows, this malware can harm businesses of all sizes. If it gets into your cloud storage, this spells big trouble for your business. Potentially, you’ll be unable to access precious company data - which could grind your operations to a halt.  The good news is that cloud providers have realized they need to up their fight against ransomware. Many are now offering in-built ransomware and malware scanning services, which automatically check that files are free from viruses and malware as users upload and download them. If the scanner finds a malicious file, it will automatically quarantine it. 

Vendors tackle cloud bill shock We’ve written already about how to reduce your cloud spending. While the cloud - in theory - is more cost-effective than on-premises, your bill can quickly spiral out of control if you don’t have a strategy in place. At the same time, putting a strategy in place can be difficult and time consuming for small businesses. To help with this, more and more cloud providers are releasing automated tools that enable companies to manage cloud spending.  While these solutions can be really helpful, they’re not free - and you will need to pay extra to access them! For many SMBs, it makes more sense to work with a managed I.T. services provider, like us, that will take charge of your cloud spending strategy for you, based on your requirements and budget. 

Sustainability climbs the agenda Big tech, the cloud and sustainability can sometimes feel at odds. It’s well known that the big tech players are responsible for a huge amount of carbon emissions. If your business is worried about its environmental impact when using cloud services, don’t fret! Things are changing. Recently, many big cloud providers have committed to tackling their carbon emissions. Amazon plans to be carbon negative by 2040, while Google has recently launched a tool that helps organizations learn about their carbon emissions from using Google Cloud. There’s still a long way to go before the cloud is carbon negative, but it’s encouraging to see that steps are being made in the right direction! 

Get the best cloud storage deal for your business! Texas I.T. Pros can work with your Denton or Wise County business to ensure you’re getting the most from the cloud, while optimizing your cloud spend.  Contact us today to learn more! Call 940-239-6500 or reach out online.