Cloud-based data storage has gone from a behind-the-scenes method of data management to a fundamental part of how millions worldwide access the files they depend on every day. From clubs and businesses to high schools and colleges, thumb drives have been mostly phased out by services like Google Cloud, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive that easily and securely provide immediate access to nearly any device through a simple internet connection.
But really… what is cloud storage?
TechTarget defines cloud storage as “a service model in which data is transmitted and stored on remote storage systems, where it is maintained, managed, backed up, and made available to users over a network (typically the internet).”
In other words, your data isn’t aimlessly floating around the internet. It’s stored on remote systems managed, maintained, and protected by industry-leading companies who have specifically designed their infrastructures to provide enhanced security and accessibility features that are far beyond anything a traditional external drive or USB drive could ensure.
How Does Cloud Storage Work? 
By starting a subscription or explicitly paying for dedicated cloud storage, users can drag and drop files in Finder on Mac or File Explorer on Windows PCs into a dedicated folder that is linked directly to a OneDrive, Google Cloud, or Dropbox account. Copies of these files are created, transferred, and stored on these remote servers where they wait until the user pulls them from the cloud via Finder/File Explorer, a web-based landing page, or a dedicated application on a desktop or mobile device.
Constant Cloud-Based Backups
According to BackBlaze, the percentage of people who have backed up their data has risen to 76% of users in 2018 (that’s up 11% compared to 2008). The percentage of those that have ever backed up their data may be on the rise, but how often these backups take place hasn’t shifted. The rate of users that backup their data once a day hasn’t budged since ’08 and still sits at 6%.
With cloud-based technology in place, backups become a regular part of daily operations. Whether you’re performing a clean installation of your operating system or recovering from a critical error, having an up-to-date and easily accessible backup ensures that the data and files that you depend on are ready for recovery when you are.
Cut Your Company’s IT Overhead
For businesses, partnering with managed service providers allows for peace of mind that your data and files are stored and managed without the need for an on-site IT team. For a fraction of the cost of having a dedicated tech team, your company can have access to managed technology and cloud storage that keeps your team connected and its data backed up to ensure that everyone can get back on their feet when disaster strikes.
As an industry-leading MSP, SeedSpark provides services that take businesses to new heights through the perfect blend of products and services shaped around how your team does business.
Start building the future of your business in the cloud.
While cloud-based storage can seem overwhelming at first glance, it is undoubtedly the future of how both people and businesses are able to organize, secure, and access files that they depend on to accomplish their tasks each day. Once you experience the power and ease of cloud storage in your daily operations, it’s clear that this technology forms the foundation for the future of industries around the world.
