Is your business getting the most out of your current data storage capabilities? Data storage may not appear to be the most dynamic or exciting aspect of a business, but if you consider how much most businesses rely on data storage solutions – from running applications and systems to market research projects, and much more – incorporating a fully optimized data storage solution is an extremely important need.
The way you store data can be a powerful tool to improve the way your enterprise runs. Making the most out of your storage means getting rid of your slow, rickety system and trading up to tools that are more efficient and cost effective in the long term. Think in terms of capacity, reliability and accessibility when searching for your data storage solution needs.
Here are 5 different ways you can optimize your data storage without breaking the bank:
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- Flash storage – these types of data storage solutions are particularly appealing if you own a business that frequently takes you on the road. These memory thumb drives are relatively cost-efficient, and are small enough to fit on a keychain or in your pocket. Whether you choose flash drives or USB keys, flash memory is generally reliable. They have no moving parts and are virtually physically robust; there’s an extremely low chance of your flash drives failing if they’re accidentally dropped, and most of these thumb drives have encryption capabilities to protect you in case the drive is lost or stolen. From 2GB to 512GB capacity drives, the choice of this type of data storage solution depends on how often your business needs how much data on the go.
- External hard drives – another way of adding more storage capacity is through an external hard disk that you can attach to any computer. If you frequently travel, external hard drives are a must-have as a data storage solution. However, as with flash storage, you will need to back up the data stored within for your security.
- Data deduplication – the more data you have, the more difficulty you may have in finding storage solutions. Deduplication makes it possible for you to squeeze an increasing volume of data into smaller data storage space. This means less cash out on new hardware, and less time spent doing data restores and backups.
- Network-Attached Storage (NAS) – if your business needs a fast, simple and reliable way to access your data, particularly in an IP networking environment, NAS is suitable for businesses that need large amounts of cost-efficient storage that a number of people can share over a single network. This is especially advantageous if your business doesn’t have its own IT department. Your NAS can be as uncomplicated as one single hard drive powered by an Ethernet port, plus Wi-Fi connectivity. Some NAS solutions come complete with extra USB and FireWire ports to enable you to append external hard drives and increase your overall storage capacity. Utilizing NAS as a data storage solution is easy to set up, consolidate and manage centrally.
- Cloud storage providers – if yours is the type of business that wants to minimize, or even completely eliminate the time and cost of managing your own server-hosted storage system, turning to cloud storage is a viable option. You can actually cut costs on maintenance and storage as you only pay cloud providers on a per-use basis. This means you only shell out money for the space you actually use.
Remember that data storage will always be an important consideration and a powerful tool for your business. Consider your storage needs and plan ahead. Getting the most out of your data storage solutions means cutting costs and replacing your slower, clunker systems with a more efficient and effective means to store your business information safely.
Photo courtesy of newfilm.dk.
