The amount of data consumers and businesses create continues to grow at an exponential rate. In 2018, it was reported that over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data were created each day. It’s safe to assume that number is even larger now.
As a business owner, one of the decisions you’ll have to make is whether to use on-premise or cloud storage. You can store data using either of these methods, but there are several nuances between them. By learning the differences between on-premise and cloud storage, you’ll be able to choose the right storage method for your business’s data.
What Is On-Premise Storage?
On-premise storage refers to the use of local hardware to store data. Purchasing and configuring a new server in your business’s workplace for the purpose of data storage is considered on-premise storage. The server is used locally — as opposed to remotely — so it’s a type of on-premise storage.
With on-premise storage, you’ll be responsible for purchasing, configuring and maintaining the storage servers or other storage devices. Of course, all of these tasks can be both expensive and time-consuming, especially if you’re trying to store a large amount of data.
What Is Cloud Storage?
Cloud storage, on the other hand, refers to the use of remote hardware to store data. It’s offered as a service by cloud storage vendors. Cloud storage vendors essentially sell storage space on their servers. They may offer free storage plans as well, but these plans have a limited amount of storage space. Dropbox, for instance, offers up to 2 GB of storage space for users of its free service. To store more than 2 GB of data, you must upgrade to a premium plan.
With cloud storage, the cloud storage vendor is responsible for purchasing, configuring and maintaining the storage servers or other storage devices. The only cost you’ll incur is the subscription fee associated with your cloud storage plan.
Choosing Between On-Premise and Cloud Storage
On-premise and cloud storage are both viable options to consider for your business’s data storage needs. With that said, many business owners prefer cloud storage because it eliminates the need for purchasing, configuring and maintaining storage servers.
Another benefit of cloud storage is increased accessibility. If you store data on a cloud server, you’ll be able to access it from any internet-connected computer. Whether you’re working in your office or out of a town on a business trip, you can access all your data if it’s stored on a cloud server.
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