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Cloud pros
- Off-site management
- Online storage that a third-party provider physically maintains elsewhere
- Protected against physical threats such as fire or unpredictable weather
- Doesn’t require IT staff training for IT infrastructure maintenance
- Connectivity
- Ability to freely share and access data anytime, anywhere, from any device
- Allows teams to work across time zones and geographic locations
- Speed
- Instant access to data whether working on the factory floor or at a desk
- Rapid deployment
- Bypasses legacy tasks of evaluating storage demands, investing in an on-premises data center, maintaining systems
- Scalability
- Virtually unlimited capacity
- Only pay for what you use or need
- Can add storage as your business grows or scale back during the off season
- Cost savings
- OpEx for monthly charges to provider
- Reduced investment in maintenance and upkeep
- Reduced annual operating costs
- Doesn’t depend on internal power source
- Security and recovery
- Backup solutions keep copies of files at a remote location
- Longevity
- Data is uninterrupted even if your company moves
- Providers will continually upgrade to keep up with the latest technology
- Environmental sustainability
- No physical server means lower energy consumption
- Reduced carbon footprint
Cloud cons
- Lifetime costs
- Monthly expenses that add up — could end up costing more than an on-premises solution
- Security breaches
- As nobody is 100% immune
- Risk of breach via malware
- Willingly giving sensitive data to a third-party provider
- Limited speed
- Bandwidth capabilities vary
- Reliant on internet connectivity
- Risk of unexpected downtime
- Costly outages halt production and impact deliverables
- Compliance
- Complex requirements and regulations
- Not customizable
- Provider to handle all firmware updates — limiting your control
- Vendor lock-in may mean an inability to switch between services freely
Sources
Robb, D. (2018, Oct. 10). Cloud Storage Pros and Cons. Enterprise Storage Forum.
