How to Shop for Cloud Storage Provider

When you want to shop for cloud storage services then you must go for the best. There are many online backup providers hence you should take your time to make comparisons before making the choice. Remember that the automatic backup provider will be handling your valuable information thus you should not compromise at all. But even before you start comparing the various business backup providers, you must know what you need. This will make the shopping process easier because you will be looking for a provider who will satisfy your needs in the best way possible. Therefore the shopping process is not a one-minute thing but it is a process which has to be undertaken cautiously.

First, know your needs and what you are looking for. This will narrow down your shopping procedure and assist you to go for what you need. Remember that the search for a cloud storage provider may take you very long period of time due to the many providers available in the market. But this can be reduced if you fully understand what you are looking for, based on your storage needs. Some of the things you should know are: the type of data you have, the app features you need, and the size of storage space you want.

Second, scrutinize the security features of the file backup provider. The provider should have security measures that will eliminate any possible threat of information hacking. For example, the data owner must open an account by setting a username and password; the data owner has to submit identity of people authorized to access the data; and data encryption has to be done. Such measures will assure safety and security of your data and maintain the highest level of confidentiality. More so, private information has to remain private and be accessed only by authorized individuals

Third, check the ease of use of the recovery services. The whole system has to be effective and easy to use so that you can access, work on and share your files at any time. The cloud storage provider should be flexible be able to allow changes on your data storage needs. For example, if your storage needs are likely to increase in the near future then the cloud storage provider should be in a position to accommodate the changes, e.g. by adding more users to your account or increase your storage database

Fourth, look at the kind of customer care that the provider offers. Sometimes you will require making enquiries from the provider about its servicers and if the customer support is poor then your efforts will be useless. The cloud storage provider should be offering 24/7 customer support and the resolution time has to be very short.

Lastly, it is the pricing structure of the cloud backup service providers. The pricing structure varies largely from one service provider to another thus you should take time to make comparisons before choosing. Select a cloud storage provider that charges for the space you use only and which offers very competitive charges.

Benefits of Cloud Backup

There are numerous benefits of cloud backup. Some of these include the following:

• Data protection: backup online ensures that your data is fully protected and recoverable. The cloud backup company sets up an encryption key which allows only the owner of the data to access it. This means that nobody else will access your files hence it is completely protected. It is even very difficult for internet hackers to access the data because the encryption keys are developed using complex algorithms.

• Instant backup: backup software ensures that you get your files immediately when you request them. Once you request your files to be backed up, the process will be completed by a click of buttons. This means that you will not be derailed at all and your work will continue as normal. The backup process is instant and does not take any time like the traditional methods of backing up lost data.

• Ease of use: automatic data backup is very easy to use and it allows you to access your data with a click of buttons. Once you have a device such as mobile phone or laptop with internet connection, you will be able to access your data. What you have to do is to enter your encryption key and select the data that you need to be backed up. The files will then be automatically sent to your device.

• Affordable: cloud backup does not involve large expenditures. There is an annual subscription fee that caters for all computer backup services. Imagine a subscription of $4.99 per year for all your cloud backup services; this is very affordable for anybody who wants to protect his/her individual or business documents.

• Quality services: online backup providers use high-tech systems to protect the information of their clients. The databases, models and mechanisms used in data protection and backup are well designed and very accurate. The establishment of many cloud backup companies has also forced them to provide high quality services for them to compete effectively in the industry.

• Efficiency and reliability: not every person or business is able to create disaster recovery systems to protect their valuable information. These systems may be quite expensive and complex for individual businesses and that is why it is better to make use of online backup services. Your only requirement is to pay the subscription fee; the maintenance and operation functions will be performed by the service provider.

Cloud backup is one of the latest and most reliable ways to store and recover data whenever you need it. Provided you have an internet-enabled device, you can store, share, retrieve or backup your data.

Pros and Cons of Cloud Backup

Cloud backup is a system that stores data online and makes it available to the owner whenever wherever. The first thing before you can use data backup is to select an online backup company and sign up. Smile2Cloud is one of the reseller of offsite backup companies whose main goal is to provide reliable, flexible, affordable, timely and efficient data recovery services. Remote backup has several cons and cons, some of which are as follows:

Pros 

1. It is very easy to use free online storage services. Once you sign up and be given an encryption key, you can access the data at any time. The sign up process is also very simple as it involves creating a username and password only. You do not have to be stressed on where the storage space will come from, how your data will be stored and how the storage system will be maintained.

 2. It is very cost effective especially when compared with traditional data storage. The only thing you have to pay for is the annual subscription. It does not involve buying storage devices or paying for maintenance fee. It is the cloud storage company that caters for the repair and maintenance of the whole system. Additionally, the subscription fee will depend on the storage space that your data occupies.

3. It reduces the recovery time as data lost is directly transmitted to the owner in case of data loss. It does not involve recalling the tape, loading it, locating the data and recovering it like in the traditional file recovery. Data recovery is very fast and wired to the owner immediately he/she needs backing up. The backup process is also cheaper because nothing new is purchased or transported.

 4. It fully protects data and eliminates threats of data hacking and access by unauthorized persons. The cloud backup companies encode the data using complex algorithms and develop encryption key which will be used to decode the data. It is only the owner of the data that is given the encryption key meaning that no one else can access the data.

5. Additionally, you must create a username and password which remains known to you alone, and also, provide identification of people you want allowed to access your data and to what extent. All these are done to ensure security of data.

Cons 

1. Automatic data backup cannot be completed without internet connection. This means that you must be connected to the internet for you to access your files. At times when internet connection is poor or unstable then accessing your data will be a problem as you will have to wait for longer periods of time.

 2. Sometimes size may be limited as every organization or individual may be restricted to store data within a particular bandwidth. This means that when you have too much data to store then you may have to store it at more than one cloud storage companies.

3. Downloading large files may take longer compared to transferring them on external storage devices. Thus if your data is too large then you will have to wait for some time before it gets fully downloaded.

Why Choose Cloud Backup

Cloud backup is one of the latest advancements that technology has offered. With online backup services, you can store files and access them from wherever you are, at any time. This means that you no longer have to be stressed on where you are going to purchase storage devices to store you files or documents.

Cloud Storage

There are so many reasons as to why online backup services are being talked about by many individuals and organizations. All these reasons are associated with the efficiency that has been brought about by the online backup. Some of the reasons as to why people have opted to choose cloud storage include:

• It allows you to store all types of data, whether files, documents, videos, audios, photos, among others. The cloud storage systems are so versatile that they take care of all storage needs by both individuals and businesses. Therefore, you no longer have to think about how you are going to store you data because online backup service providers will store it for you
• Online storage restricts access of data by unauthorized people. For example, here at smile2cloud.com we encode the data using complex. The data cannot be decoded hence you will be in full control on who accesses the data. Therefore, backup online keeps your data safe and protects it from illegal access
• It makes work easier because it allows you to access your data at any time. The only thing required for you to access the data is an internet enabled device. This means that you can save your work and continue working on it from wherever you are. In addition, online file storage allows you to share files with the people you want instantly. You can do so by either sending the files to these people or giving them links that will enable them access the files directly from the database. Therefore, you no longer have to travel to the office for you to assign work to your staff but you can do it from any place.
• File backup is also very reliable as it recovers lost data within the shortest time possible. This is one of the greatest advantages of online backup when compared with traditional backup methods because you no longer have to wait for long hours for you to recover your lost data. Sometimes you never know when your computer will be affected by a virus or when your storage device will crash. Nevertheless, you no longer have to be worried because online data backup will recover your lost files within seconds.
• Most importantly is the low cost of online backup services. The only cost you will pay is the annual subscription. You do not pay maintenance or repair costs; all these are catered for by the file storage company. Additionally, you only pay for the space your data occupies. Hence there is no payment for the space you do not use.

The Best Cloud Storage Providers

Cloud storage has become very popular and preferred for storing data by individuals and organizations. As a result of the increased demand for cloud storage services, many providers have come up with systems to offer online storage services. Nevertheless, you should be very careful when selecting a cloud storage provider. These providers have flooded the market making it challenging when looking for a file storage provider. However, the best cloud storage providers will always stand from the rest. This is because the best online storage providers offer services beyond just storing data. These providers go a mile further in ensuring easier availability, security, affordability and quality of online storage services to their clients.

The following are some of the cloud storage providers that have proven to be among the best in this industry:

1. Dropbox: this is one of the oldest providers that came in place immediately cloud storage was introduced in the market. Its popularity has continued to grow ever since then and many people have liked the services offered by Dropbox. It supports operating systems of both desktop computers and mobiles, making it more versatile. Its features have continued to be improved and it allows use of different apps. Dropbox is also among the cloud storage providers with the largest storage space.

2. Google Drive: this is one of the latest introductions in the market that are promising and competitive to the older versions. Although it has been in this industry for barely a year, many people have preferred it. Google Drive uses tools that were formerly known as Google Docs including Docs, Presentations, Drawings and Spreadsheets. Therefore, if you day to day work involves using the mentioned tools then Google Drive will be the best provider to use for storing your data. It is also important to note that Google Drive is versatile because it is available in Android, Windows, OS X and iOS. Google Drive is also compatible with many plugins and that is why many of its users prefer it. Its pricing is also very competitive.

3. SugarSync: it is one of the cloud storage providers with many features and the best file backing capability. Some of its desktop apps are for Windows and OS X; while the mobile apps are for Android, Windows Phone and iOS. The pricing is also very lucrative

4. Microsoft SkyDrive: this is a cloud storage provider that has managed to overcome the several obstacles it had at the time when it was being introduced in the market. Currently, SkyDrive is integrated with Windows, including Windows 8 and can also be used by those with Microsoft Office 2013. SkyDrive is supported by both desktops and tablets thus you can use it in your office or when on the move. In addition, SkyDrive also contains mobile apps for iOS, Windows and Android. Therefore, you can access your files on SkyDrive from wherever you are, provided you are connected to the internet

5. Bitcasa Infinite: it offers free 10GB storage space and infinite storage space for $99 per year. If you have the largest data to store then this is the provider to go for.