The volume of business data doubles every 1.2 years. For large and small businesses alike, this has clear and direct implications for data storage, server management and employee workflow. Many businesses simply do not have the physical space to house their data or the staff time to dedicate to data management. As enterprise data increases, the need for an effective and flexible solution grows direr. Enter cloud block storage, a convenient and scalable means of storing, analyzing and managing business data.
Cloud Block Storage 101
The lowest level of data storage, blocks offer independent, cost-effective and scalable storage. Because blocks lie below the level of file storage, they can accommodate a wide variety of data types. While file-level storage systems only accommodate files (regardless of file type), you can store any data on a block storage system, because you control everything but the actual hardware. Format the block to any file system you need and set up any sort of storage hierarchy for maximum flexibility.
As your storage fills with data, you can acquire more space without having to disturb other data on the server. Neither will changing your storage capacity affect the overall computing power you have access to, as it can with other cloud computing models. You can perform any routine maintenance, data migration or backup without disturbing data. Or you can suspend your cloud sever without losing data, something that may be ideal for seasonal businesses.
Benefits of Switching to Block Storage
Cloud storage offers several benefits for businesses of all sizes. Chief among them, find:
· Cost Efficient Solution to Data Storage and Data Management:
Block storage allows you to customize your computing environment for maximum efficiency while offering competitive per-unit pricing. Because everything is stored in the cloud, you don’t have to invest in expensive in-house hardware or dedicate staff time to maintenance. Additionally, because you only pay for the services that you need at any given time, you aren’t paying for capacity that isn’t directly needed. Devise your own storage schema, format your drives in a meaningful way and choose between hard disk or SSD storage for storing higher performance databases.
· Fast Processing and Speed from the Cloud:
If you select SSD storage, you’ll realize faster performance from the cloud. Run more applications and data without creating a bottleneck, and easily search for and locate files and applications.
· Enhanced Security:
While you may have heard negative comments about cloud security, many cloud vendors offer greater and more regular security than your business. They may perform 24/7 system monitoring, threat detection and prevention. By locking down your cloud storage to private users, authenticating users, performing regular data backups and enforcing the use of strong passwords, you can keep your data secure.
· More Space:
Scalable block storage delivers more space for less, and ensures that employees working on-site or remotely have secure and persistent data access. Compared with the cost of maintaining an in-house server and having to purchase a second server if you max out on space, the cloud delivers greater size and more flexibility for less.
Effective data management and storage is the first step toward leveraging your business data to generate valuable insights and business intelligence. Take advantage of cloud block storage’s many benefits to grow your business.
