It is just amazing how rapidly technology has evolved and developed in recent years. Just 15 short years ago cloud computing would not have been viable due to various under-developed technologies then.
For instance bandwidth was hardly affordable and also capacity optimization technologies were yet to achieve what we see today.
Today cloud backup and storage has exploded and is even an alternative to widely used portable backup media and it continues to grow at breakneck speed.
Let’s start by first understanding that when somebody talks about cloud data backup they are really referring to either of the two most popular approaches; cloud computing services and SaaS (Software-as-a-Service).
SaaS are actually applications that are fully formed end-user applications while cloud computing is really infrastructure and services that you are able to rent.
Here’s the simplest way to quickly understand the difference between the two. SaaS are actually applications that are fully formed end-user applications while cloud computing is really infrastructure and services that you are able to rent. Businesses will usually go for SaaS because cloud computing tends to make more sense for software developers.
Advantages of Cloud Backup Technologies
Obviously the main reason why this technology is so popular has to be because of the many advantages that it offers. Related read: Carbonite for business is now more affordable
Firstly, there is no doubt that cloud services are efficient and reliable. Cloud service providers use the latest state-of-the-art technology and yet you do not even need to worry about being left high and dry when certain technologies become obsolete, as is the norm in the industry. This is because all these are taken cared of by the service provider.
The other attraction is of course the pay-as-you-go model adopted by the industry. It means no large upfront capital expenditure and predictability in future operational costs as the needs of the organization inevitably grow.
Thirdly recovery is much more convenient and faster than older conventional backup options. No physical location is required from an offsite location and all you need to do is locate and recover the needed file which is then streamed over the WAN connection.
The other attraction is of course the pay-as-you-go model adopted by the industry. It means no large upfront capital expenditure and predictability in future operational costs as the needs of the organization inevitably grow.
Also not many folks can afford disaster recovery infrastructure, as critical as it is. Cloud backup is not only the perfect solution but a much more reliable and secure alternative. Related read: Use this Carbonite offer code
Disadvantages of Cloud Backup Technologies
Cloud backup also has its shortfalls. For instance, if it is a large amount of data we are talking about the first full backup as well as any full recovery later will usually be very time consuming.
Then there are also size limitations when it comes to daily data transfer. A client will usually have to decide the maximum amount of data to be transferred to backup daily and in most cases this decision will hinge heavily on the kind of bandwidth available.
Thirdly discontinuation of the service can never be seamless. Early termination fees, cancellation notification and the actual data extraction are all key variables that the client will have to take into account.
The list of benefits continues to grow rapidly with continuing technological advances and also as service providers compete with each other to give even better services all the time.
What’s Your Move?
Still, when all is said and done cloud backup offers countless advantages and benefits. The list of benefits continues to grow rapidly with continuing technological advances and also as service providers compete with each other to give even better services all the time.
It is very easy to move into cloud backup for virtually anybody. All you need to do is sign up and actually try out reliable cloud backup services like Carbonite for free to start with.
Is your business already using cloud backup technology?
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While cloud backup technology might have its limitations, I think Carbonite has worked around them by offering various plans. Yes, I am partial to Carbonite because I’ve been using it for years. I have seen how it has evolved. More important than that, I have experienced how it has saved me from a lot of troubles.
There was some resistance when we signed up for Carbonite 2 years ago. Mostly, it was coming from the senior executives who didn’t want to deal with another software in their computer. When the time came to install Carbonite, I had them watch the whole process. It was a pretty short process and they couldn’t believe how easy it was. Now, they’re actually grateful that we installed in the office because they rely on it a lot.
It’s also important to point out that Carbonite is not a storage option. I think some folks interchange storage and backup. Carbonite only backs up all the files on your computer. It has nothing to do with storage. It won’t give you more storage nor will it take up a lot. I think it only takes up 2 GB of space. Bottom line is that Carbonite is a storage. It’s a backup. If you delete a file on your computer, the backup version goes as well.
It’s easy to search for a file on Carbonite. It’s like going through your computer. You’ll find the file in no time. Just make sure to find it within the 30-day period, starting from the day you had deleted it. But I guarantee you that you won’t have a hard time.
I was pretty lucky to have signed up for Carbonite when it was still a new player in the market. At that time, they only had a few plans and they were more focused on individuals users. Nonetheless, they did have a business plan but not as varied as what they have now. I have been on my individual plan for about 9 years now and the thought of cancelling has never crossed my mind. Once you try it, you’re never going to cancel. You’re going to realize how much you need it.