Introduction
Storage can be a tricky thing. There are so many options, and choosing the right one for your business can be overwhelming. Luckily, we have some tips on what kind of storage medium is helpful for your business! Dig in more with our blog on how Digital Media Storage Boosts Your Productivity!
Types of backup storage
For a business to succeed, it's vital to have an effective backup plan. This means keeping a hard copy of all the information that your company needs to continue operating. In addition to creating backups of your data and files, you should consider using different storage media.
There are several different types of backup storage available today:
- Network-attached storage (NAS): NAS systems are designed to store large amounts of data in one place and share them across multiple users. They're like personal computers but with more storage space, faster processors, and improved security features. They're usually found in small offices because they provide easier access than servers without taking too much room away from other equipment, such as printers or fax machines. The downside is that they don't offer much flexibility compared with personal computers. Staff members who need extra resources will need help finding them through their workstations' shared folders -- although this could change soon if companies start providing employees with portable devices like tablets instead.
Cloud-Based Storage
Cloud-based storage is by far the most common type of backup storage. It's convenient because you can access your data from any device, and secure. After all, it's in a remote location. It's also less expensive than other types of backup, like an offline hard drive or physical server.
Tape-Based Storage
Tape-based storage is the oldest form of data storage and can be used for short- or long-term storage. Tapes are often used for long-term backup and archival, but they're also available in different sizes, speeds, and capacities, making them ideal for storing more active data. In addition, tape media is easy to store and transport—you can put several tapes into a box or drawer without worrying about losing anything.
Hard Disk Drive-Based Storage
Hard disk drive-based storage is the most common storage medium in the world. It is cheap, reliable, and provides a large amount of space. However, HDDs are slow compared to SSDs and have limited read/write speeds.
The amount of data stored on an HDD is also limited by its spinning platter design: The more you write to it, the more likely your drive will fail over time. So if you need to store lots of data in one place (like drone footage), you should choose another option, like NVMe drives or object storage.
Optical Media Storage
Optical media storage is a solid choice for backing up your business data. This includes CDs and DVDs, but it can also include other forms of optical media like Blu-ray discs or even that old 5.25" floppy disk you couldn't bring yourself to throw out. Optical media offers a great way to store large quantities of data and information that is only accessed occasionally. The main advantage is its relative cost-effectiveness, making it an attractive option for businesses that don't want to pay to store their data in the cloud (think Dropbox or Google Drive).
How do you know what storage medium is best for your business?
Consider these points:
- What are your business needs? A local, on-premises storage solution might work well if you want to control access to data and don't need to share it too much. For example, a small law firm may use an on-premises solution because it's easy to manage and offers high levels of security. In contrast, a large multinational corporation might use cloud storage because it allows employees from different parts of the world to access critical files from anywhere at any time.
- How much are you willing to spend? Cloud computing services like Dropbox or Box generally have lower upfront costs than traditional units like hard drives or tape libraries. However, monthly subscription fees are often higher than buying individual hard drives or tapes for long-term archival purposes (which would typically be purchased only once). In addition, some cloud service providers charge higher fees for extra data storage space used over one year—a practice known as "data tiering."
Conclusion
This article has helped you decide which backup storage is best for your business. Whether you're looking for cost savings, convenience or security, everyone has options.
