Storage space on the Internet – this is offered by cloud services such as Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Apple iCloud, and many others. The stored images or documents can be accessed from any computer, smartphone or tablet via Internet access, so copying from one device to another is not necessary. Hopefully, every company should be familiar with the cloud. But those who are inexperienced with the cloud ask themselves questions such as “What are the specific advantages and disadvantages of the cloud? Is it worth it for my company at all? We take a closer look at the various aspects of the cloud.
The Advantages
Storing your data on the Internet can be very useful. The following aspects speak in favor of using clouds.
Maximum Flexibility
Thanks to the cloud, the data and documents on the servers can not only be called up at any time and on the go via tablet or smartphone but can also be edited by several employees at the same time.
With the cloud, you can start work on the PC and finish it on the smartphone while you’re on the go. No more annoying copying back and forth!
Flexible Storage Space
If the storage space is full, this is no problem at all for users of the cloud. Because then companies can easily book additional capacities such as storage volume and user access with the storage provider.
Save Costs
In many cases, time and hardware savings result in reduced costs. In this way, companies only pay for the required storage space and do not have to invest any further costs in the necessary technology. The cloud operator also operates and maintains the server technology.
No Data Loss
Thanks to redundant storage of the files, i.e., storage on several servers at the same time, the data can still be accessed even if the server is defective. If your own hardware breaks down, the data can simply be downloaded again from the cloud storage. Backups can thus be stored worry-free.
Nowadays, there is hardly any way around the cloud. But in addition to many advantages, there are also a few disadvantages.
The Disadvantages
Unfortunately, there are also some critical aspects that need to be considered when using the cloud. One should be aware of the following facts.
Internet Connection Required
As nice and convenient as it is to be able to access data on the go, a good internet connection is essential. A stable Internet connection is a prerequisite for using cloud services. If the connection to cloud storage is slow or even breaks off, it can be very nerve-wracking. In addition, data in the cloud cannot be updated.
Data Theft Risk
Since the data is no longer stored internally but on external servers, unauthorized persons can also access documents and access data in case of doubt. Therefore, only documents without important or sensitive content should be stored in the cloud.