Back in the day we used computer drives, CDs, floppy disks to store our data. Nowadays we have the Cloud. Yay! Cloud computing or Cloud hosting are the buzzwords of the decade.

What is the Cloud exactly and where does all of our stuff go? Try to picture it as your virtual locker where you can store all of your data. When you upload a file to a cloud service (Google drive, Dropbox, Icloud, Microsoft OneDrive, Mega, pCloud, etc.) the file gets copied over the Internet to a data server (a physical place where companies store the data on multiple computer hard drives, referred to as the server farm).

Nowadays clients are happy to see lower prices for the cloud service since there is a competition between the providers. More and more companies are affording to move to the cloud.

Cloud Storage Pros

Cost efficiency. Home users and businesses can opt for of cloud hosting their data. Storing important data on the cloud allows them to enjoy minimal expenditure, reducing considerably their annual operations costs. The relative absence of the infrastructure translates into savings for the business.

What is actually changing when you decide to use the Cloud computing service? You will realize the following:

No need to purchase equipment or costly systems

Abolishment of extra costs (increasing memory, hard drive space, processing manpower)

Less investments in software or upgrades

There is a shift from the capital expenses to the operational expenses, which means that you only pay when you use them. On your income balance sheet you have more operational expenses than capital expenses.

Did you know that the average costs to store IT data on a Cloud platform represent close to 15% of the cost per Gigabyte to store the same data in an in-house server?

Ease of Use: Most cloud storage systems are user-friendly, and any employee with proficiency in the use of common software can help in the backup process.

Up to date: Cloud computing allows you work with the newest hardware and Operating Systems. Some cloud providers manage the VMs, applying patches, and maintenance. It provides access to the newer technology without paying for the upgrade.

Device and location independence: The Cloud service offers a seamless way to access your files. You don’t even need to know where they are stored, as long as you have access to them.

Scalability and elasticity: Provides scale so that you can easily provision additional servers to meet computing needs. You can scale your business and operation as much as you want. You are able to increase or decrease the storage as you need.

Performance monitoring: Another fantastic key feature is that you can adjust to new things coming your way and make the required additional changes. By doing a quick performance monitoring you can have a clear idea of what is happening within your network. If the demand is increasing, you can request more capacity. You can automate this process, by using scripts to do this for you.

Ease of Use: Most cloud storage systems are user-friendly, and any employee with proficiency in the use of common software can help in the backup process.

Up to date: It allows you work with the newest hardware and Operating Systems. Some cloud providers manage the VMs, applying patches, and maintenance. It provides access to the newer technology without paying for the upgrade.

Device and location independence: Accessing the environment of the Cloud can be done anywhere, on any smart device, 24/7. All you need is an Internet connection and a good modem/router. And these days what isn’t connected to the Internet? Tablets, IPads, netbooks, mobile phones, you name it! This feature increases the efficiency and enhances the services provided to the clients.

Multitenancy: (server runs the software and clients can use it instead of owning it). It helps centralization, utilization and efficiency. You purchase one app and you use it on multiple devices.

Backup and recovery: Cloud computing provides a way to protect a business’s valuable files and information in case of a hard drive crash or in the event of a disaster. By having the data stored remotely , it allows data recovery and enables automatic data backup on the cloud.

Redundancy prevents your data getting lost in case of a problem or calamity taking place at the server farm.

Security improved with centralized data: Another key benefit of cloud services is the centralized data. The information for multiple projects and different branch offices are stored in one location that can be accessed from remote places.

Application of programming interface (API) accessibility: With cloud computing you have the capability to use engines like the Google App engine to develop new applications in a very easy way.

Cloud Security: Cloud service vendor chooses only the highest secure data centers for your information. Moreover, for sensitive information in the cloud there are proper auditing, passwords, and encryptions.

Free Cloud Storage: Cloud is the best platform to store all your valuable information. The storage is free, limitless and forever secure, unlike your system.

Cloud Storage Cons

Net Connection: In order to use a Cloud storage service you must have an Internet connection.

Security: We all fear that our Cloud data might be vulnerable to hackers and threats. To alleviate any concerns regarding its security and privacy, you should choose a partner that offers an encryption service your data.

Affected Quality: Keep in mind that the quality of the Cloud computing connection can vary when there are more users utilizing it at the same time, disregarding the type of activity performed (streaming, upload, download or listening to audios).

Control: In terms of control, you will have to trust your provider. Choose him carefully because he will have access to your information, your company files, all of your data, including the sensitive data. Trust is a must! Having our data stored on the Cloud means also that you have limited control over it.

Minimal flexibility: The application and services run on a remote server. Due to this, enterprises using cloud computing have minimal control over the functions of the software as well as hardware. The applications can never be run locally due to the remote software.

Compatibility: Ensure that every single piece of equipment, software or tool is compatible with your Cloud service Incompatibility: Sometimes, there are problems of software incompatibility. As some applications, tools, and software connect particularly to a personal computer.

File Protection and Sharing: Protection of files is a necessary component of storage and backup and so is the accessibility to these files. In cloud storage, it is difficult to assign access to single file components, thus making the sharing and barring of access to files a serious issue. Maintaining data integrity is, therefore, a challenge and the steps required to set up a stringent process is often complicated.

Data Management: Managing the online data could be quite challenging. Cloud storage systems have their own structures, and the existing storage management system of an organization may not always integrate well with the cloud vendor’s system. This lack of uniformity results in operational inefficiency.

Bandwidth limitations / issues: Many cloud storage options are available with a specified bandwidth allowance. Should the business exceed this allowance, significant charges may apply.

Non-negotiable Agreements: Some cloud computing providers have non-negotiable contracts for the companies. It can be disadvantageous for a lot of businesses.

Lack of full support: Cloud-based services may not offer the proper support expected by the customers. Most of the times the clients have to rely only on the FAQ info provided and on the online community for support.