Is it really worth paying for cloud storage, or you can leverage a free service from cloud storage providers? Let us look at some of the pointers that can shed some light on this.
Moving files from your desktop or PC to a cloud platform is the smartest thing you can do to store, access, and keep your data safe.
With most of the files stored online, users do not have to panic about investing in external physical drives or storage hardware. In the event of a physical hardware failure or theft, users have complete access to their data, be it documents, photos, videos, or any other media format.
But, with all the cloud storage options or plans out there, it becomes difficult for users to pick the right plan. Thus, following the right advice can help you choose the right plan for the right purpose. Below, we shall cover key benefits of using cloud storage in United Kingdom.
So, what is the definition of cloud storage?
The simple definition of cloud storage can be written as data stored on remote servers accessible from a cloud or the internet.
Difference between paid vs free storage services or plans
The choice of selecting a cloud storage depends on the amount of storage that is required. Most of the cloud service providers do provide free cloud storage in Australia, or other parts of the world. These free plans usually begin at 10GB free space for some providers which is quite enough for beginners or starters. Free storage can be used by users to store basic documents, images, videos, and more.
But, if its cloud storage required for small or medium sized businesses, then users need to upgrade to paid plans. These paid plans are quite affordable as well, and are backed with features like User Management, Activity Tracking, Mobile Access, Digital Signature, Large file size bandwidth, and much more.
Here’s a list of key features that users can leverage
Multi-platform or device access
Using a smartphone or tablet can be one of the most important aspects of cloud storage, but multi-device compatibility is key for users to upload their data from a PC or laptop as well.
File edit
Some of the cloud storage providers do provide features like online file editing wherein a user has the ability to edit their files, store, access, and share it on the go. This gives users greater flexibility to sync their files with various devices.
File Collaboration
Most cloud storage services provide one of the most significant features like file sharing or collaboration. This can be sharing with friends, family, or colleagues. Sharing files gives users the ability to collaborate instantly, be it sharing documents, photos, etc.
Real-time file sync
Real-time editing is another important feature wherein users can sync their work automatically with the cloud. The cloud interface provides ease-of-use to synchronize files based on changes made in files or folders on a desktop or laptop, these changes are reflected instantly, or can be set to a certain time based on user requirements.
Version Roll-back
For users who wish to keep various versions or copies of their files, version history is an important feature wherein users can store multiple file versions so that they can restore them when required. It proves to be a useful feature if something had to go wrong with the files or data.
Media Playback
Many users use cloud services specifically for music and videos. Thus, cloud storage providers do provide features to play music or video through online buffering.
Digital Signature
For businessmen who need to access and sign documents on the go, this serves as a significant feature to digitally sign documents and share them with various people.
Is cloud storage secure?
Cloud storage is evolving, and it shows secure technology for your data. Cloud storage providers use state-of-the-art firewalls, authentication systems, and encryption to keep your data safe and secure from malicious entities or code. Yet, it is important to secure data from the users end as well. It is a good practice to change passwords at regular intervals, and keep file sharing secure through granular permissions, etc.
In Summary
There are various features wherein cloud storage gains a greater advantage over external physical drives. But, there are conditions wherein users may need a lot of storage space, preferably in Terabytes, and even keep it offline for secure access. This is where external hard drives are a better proposition. But on an overall note, cloud storage is a good option for new users who wish to store files online, and existing users who need upgrades for their business requirements.
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