Information is crucial for every company, representing one of their most valuable assets. Whether it’s intellectual property or customer details, data provides insights into various aspects of a company. For businesses to thrive and achieve profitability and growth, data-driven decisions are essential. However, the question remains: what data storage approach is the most suitable for your company?
Most industries must comply with stringent data privacy regulations. Employing appropriate data storage methods will keep your business safe from hackers and demonstrate to your clients that their privacy is a top priority, ensuring their best interests are safeguarded.
Furthermore, efficient data storage can simplify accessibility, enhance team collaboration, and optimize productivity and workflows. It also enables the long-term preservation of extensive data volumes.
Therefore, having the right data storage solution is paramount for your business’s growth and prosperity.
However, with the abundance of data storage options available today, selecting the most effective one for your company can be challenging. To help you choose the approach that best suits your needs, we will delve into some storage methods designed to store and protect your business data effectively.
Private Data Storage
Private data storage, also referred to as on-premises storage, involves companies storing their business data internally. This method requires managing all other crucial aspects of data storage that ensure the protection of your technology, such as server maintenance, physical security, and temperature control.
Essentially, private data storage can be categorized into three types: direct-attached storage, network-attached storage, and storage area networks.
Furthermore, private data storage allows you to leverage infrastructure exclusive to your organization, providing greater control over your data management.
DAS
Direct-attached storage (DAS) involves storage hardware, like an external hard drive, directly connected to a device. It presents one of the most budget-friendly options for data storage. Unlike other methods of storing business data, DAS lacks ease of sharing.
However, DAS offers several advantages. For instance, it provides excellent accessibility for your teams, seamless data backups, and easy setup. It’s also a scalable data storage solution, allowing you to upgrade to a device with larger capacity as your business expands while maintaining the same level of functionality.
NAS
Network-attached storage, or NAS, is a type of storage that backs up your data in two locations: a physical location and the cloud. Backing up your data to a cloud storage service allows for quick retrieval and recovery if needed, providing double security.
For example, suppose you own a photography business and need to secure your photos. To back up your NAS to the cloud, you’ll need to explore the best best cloud storage for photos available in the market.
Using NAS for your data has advantages. It’s relatively more affordable than other storage solutions and features fault-tolerant multiple drives, making data resilient and readily available. This means that even if one drive fails, the rest of the system continues to operate efficiently.
SAN
A storage area network (SAN) is a network of storage devices accessible by multiple servers or devices, creating a shared pool of storage space. Connecting multiple drives through a SAN makes them significantly more resilient to issues that plague single-device storage solutions.
A SAN can enhance the efficiency of your data storage by consolidating your storage resources into a single network. It can also provide faster speeds and good scalability due to the wide range of device options available.
However, keep in mind that SANs are significantly more expensive and complex than other private data storage methods.
Public Data Storage
For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the costs associated with private data storage often outweigh the benefits. As a result, many SMBs are exploring alternative data storage approaches that offer better efficiency and scalability, such as cloud-based storage.
If you have ever accessed data in the cloud, you’ve already used public data storage. It is a cost-effective and efficient storage method that transfers all your data to a remote data center, making it accessible whenever you have an internet connection.
Public Cloud Storage
Public cloud storage involves purchasing storage space from a third-party provider to store your data. These service providers offer their users a user-friendly and intuitive platform that allows businesses to easily share files and collaborate in the cloud from anywhere in the world.
You can either access the cloud storage through your storage provider’s website or install an app on your your computer or mobile device to access and edit any file.
Due to the advantages of public cloud storage, numerous companies offer it for various businesses. Its ease of integration with other tools makes it a valuable asset.
For instance, if you operate a business that utilizes 3D assets, such as those in the architectural industry, you can seamlessly integrate it with 3D asset management software. This allows you to store 3D models and their associated information at any stage of the design process.
Colocation Services
The interest in and demand for colocation services have surged as companies become increasingly reliant on their IT operations, which must be secure and always available. Many businesses prefer not to deal with the continuous maintenance and monitoring of their equipment, while others lack the infrastructure or expertise to handle it themselves. Data colocation involves housing your data storage hardware in a colocation data center or third-party center, which is a secure, shared space.
Utilizing a colocation data center can be very cost-effective. When companies manage data internally, they bear the burden of all major investments and expenses, which can be time-consuming and costly for day-to-day operations. Colocation allows companies to focus on their core business and optimize resource allocation.
Data Storage Approach: Final Thoughts
Numerous business owners face challenges in scaling data storage and are uncertain about the right approach for their needs. This guide aims to help you select the most appropriate solution for your business—one that will protect your data while maximizing accessibility and speed.