No matter the size and scale of your business, effective data storage and management is essential. However, regular maintenance and complex analysis can quickly bog you down and take valuable IT resource away from other in-need tasks, so many businesses consider outsourcing.
In this article, we’ve explored all things ‘Storage as a service’, including exploring the different types of cloud storage solutions, the reasons to opt for cloud-based storage, and what to consider when choosing a provider.
An introduction to cloud storage as a service
Storage as a service, often referred to simply as STaaS, is a cloud computing service whereby a third-party provider hosts and maintains your data across a secure, virtual environment. The storage is accessible via the internet, meaning you can retrieve your data remotely from anywhere with a connection.
Types of cloud storage services
It’s not a case of ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to storage services. After all, not every data set is the same, and businesses manage data in different ways. With that in mind, we’ve outlined three of the most common types of STaaS, to give you an idea of the options available:
- Object storage: Store large amounts of unstructured data across a flat structure. While other STaaS models prioritise granular organisation, object storage is built with scalability in mind; able to accommodate growing masses of data.
- Block storage: Start to add structure to your data storage, by collating data into ‘blocks’ that can be quickly retrieved. With low latency as standard, this cloud storage model is common among businesses who prioritise speedy application deployment.
- File storage: Store data within a hierarchical structure, in what’s essentially a virtual filing system. This is a common storage solution for businesses managing structured data (such as a cloud database), with organisation the key advantage.
Why use storage as a service
There are a number of common reasons to take advantage of cloud storage services, including:
- Data backup and recovery: Storing your data within a virtual environment is a secure way of protecting against physical loss or corruption. Even if the data is lost from your in-house server, you’ll be able to access your information remotely.
- File sharing and collaboration: Storing your data in the cloud makes collaboration and file sharing simpler, as you’re able to retrieve information from a shared, virtual resource.
- Handling huge amounts of data: If your business is handling huge amounts of unstructured data, it might be more cost-effective to store it virtually than utilise internal IT resource. Or you might simply decide it’s too much for your internal teams to manage, and a data management service can share the workload.
- Application development: With data stored virtually within a hosted cloud environment, you don’t need to worry about managing and maintaining storage infrastructure – allowing you to instead focus on application development.
What are the benefits of StaaS?
Storage as a service has become a popular cloud-based solution for businesses across many industries, for various reasons – from simple scalability to reliable security. Our top ten reasons to recommend STaaS include:
1. Scalability
Being based in the cloud allows for dynamic storage adjustment; you can easily scale your capacity based on changing resource needs. And with pay-as-you-go services, you’ll only pay for the storage you use.
2. Flexibility
There’s a versatile range of STaaS solutions, with each offering varying benefits to meet your requirements – meaning you’re likely to find a storage service that suits your workload.
3. Cost efficiency
Storage as a service often offers favourable and flexible pricing models, meaning you can choose the solution you need without paying for features you don’t need. What’s more, you’ll typically save money in the long run from not having to spend on maintaining on-premises storage.
4. Data accessibility
With STaaS providers managing your data within a virtual network, you’re able to access your information from just about anywhere in the world with a secure internet connection. Having cloud backups across multiple data centres also significantly reduces downtime.
5. Data security
Reputable cloud providers will offer best-in-class, industry-compliant security across they’re full roster of storage services, meaning you no longer need to worry about keeping your data safe on an in-house system. That said, security is a shared responsibility, so make sure to choose hard-to-guess passwords and introduce features such as two-factor authentication.
6. Speed to market
Rather than spending IT resources managing and maintaining your data storage architecture, your internal team can focus their efforts on developing and deploying applications with rapidity.
7. Cloud integration
Virtual storage can be seamlessly integrated alongside other cloud-based services and applications. This streamlines processes, simplifies cross-environment data management, and improves workflow.
8. Simplicity
By virtue of a third-party provider managing and maintaining your storage infrastructure, you’ll benefit from a simplified view of your data. Instead of having to manage the architecture, you can simply access and retrieve your storage using intuitive tools.
9. Advanced analytics
Managing and analysing large datasets is simplified with STaaS, with integrated machine learning providing key insights. This helps you better-leverage your data to make informed decisions.
10. Future proofing
Adopting a cloud-native IT infrastructure helps to future proof your business, and allows you to quickly adapt and evolve to future industry trends, business growth, and cloud innovation.
What to consider before investing in storage as a service
Of course, as with any IT service, it’s equally important to make a series of informed considerations before committing to a STaaS solution. When choosing a provider, make sure to bear the following in mind:
- Vendor lock-in: This refers to being ‘locked’ into a hard-to-break agreement with a specific cloud storage provider. For instance, it might be tricky to migrate your data elsewhere. Before signing up to a service, review the contract terms and identify how simple it would be to switch providers.
- Cost and pricing: No business decision would be complete without considering the cost implications of the investment. Make sure you’re getting true value out of your STaaS provider.
- Provider reputation: It should go without saying, but make sure to choose a provider you can trust. Compare customer reviews, evaluate their industry reputation, and carefully review the SLA before signing on the dotted line.
- Security and compliance: When it comes to data, security should be a priority, so ensure your chosen provider meets industry compliance requirements and your storage is encrypted at all times.
- Scaling opportunity: It’s important to make sure your chosen STaaS provider can scale alongside your business, whether it be providing increased storage during growth or reducing capacity during slower periods.
Interested in learning more about STaaS?
If storage sounds like a virtual service you’d find useful, reach out to our team of cloud experts, who’ll be able to offer further advice and bespoke guidance based on your requirements and goals.
Alternatively, for more general information about migrating to the cloud, explore our full blog, including our comprehensive guide to managing a data lake.
