Safe and affordable data transfer is the biggest tech hurdle many start-ups face as soon as they open shop. A decade ago, businesses still wasted money on paper sharing memos and other official documents between employees. Five years ago, almost all switched to storing and exchanging electronic files on USB devices and burnable CDs. Physical storage of electronic files is more convenient than printing copies. However, even small businesses need high storage capacities. High volume physical storage of electronic data is expensive and sometimes unfeasible. It can be frustrating too, especially if an employee loses a memory stick, the valuable data stored inside goes with it. In 2015, there’s an easy fix for storing and sharing company data. It’s called online file storage.
Personal users are often familiar with using online file storage platforms for sharing photos with friends and family, and other similar social interactions. Until now, storing files online has been limited to minor tasks. However, the Internet keeps evolving, making running businesses more convenient. Start-ups can easily take advantage of cheap facilities like online file storage to cut costs and increase efficiency. It’s a practise that has become rapidly common. Numerous companies, from tech services New York to cloud IT solutions Brisbane, offer packages for online file storage. But first, entrepreneurs must know what exactly storing files online means for running a small business.
It Makes File Sharing Quick and Easy
Online file sharing, or cloud computing, simply means that data is stored on the Internet instead of a hard drive of a computer. That means, the file can be accessed, edited or shared, anytime by anyone from anywhere. This of course makes group work extremely time-efficient. Employees would not need to spend precious time on sharing memory sticks or copying documents onto each other’s computers. This also makes working from home easier. With online file storage, employees do not need to share a physical space to work together. For example, if a person at the office uploads a worksheet on to a cloud network like Google Drive, another can edit it while on a flight to Sydney. This convenience is perhaps the most attractive feature of cloud drives for small businesses.
The Company can Save Money on Internet Bills
Many companies share files via email. Uploading and downloading documents consumes massive amounts of data, driving up Internet bills. Start-ups and small businesses can immensely cut costs in this department by switching to cloud storage. Online file transfer doesn’t require data to be transferred back and forth between the Internet and a computer’s hard drive. That’s a lot of data saved on broadband internet services.
Online File Storage is Secure and Private
Any kind of data transfer between devices poses a security disk. If a company stores files on physical devices like a thumb drive or a DVD, there’s always a possibility that these devices can get stolen or damaged beyond data recovery. These problems can be avoided with online file sharing. Cloud drives are password-protected on secure servers. No one can see a file unless the author intends to share it. File transfers are encrypted to keep them safe from hackers and to avoid any damage to data. Many online file sharing platforms offer private accounts for companies to safeguard confidentiality.
Data is Syncable
With online storage, files are no longer limited to one kind of device. Many employees nowadays are heavily dependent on handheld devices to check emails and keep up with due dates. Online file storage actually allows employees to access a PowerPoint presentation or an Excel worksheet from a variety of mobile devices like smartphones, iPads or Blackberrys. This is another feature that makes group work and managing projects effortless and uncomplicated.
Restrict Access as Desired
With online file storage services, any business can control access to individual files. For example, if an employer doesn’t want the files of the accounts department be accessible to marketing managers, the security settings can be adjusted accordingly. This is harder to accomplish with physical data storage. The biggest advantage is that accessibility can be adjusted quickly with a click or two.
In addition to painless file transfers, cloud platforms allow safe and automatic backup of files.
Start-ups struggle the most to save up on operational costs and be more productive. Online file storage can offer many advantages for such businesses. Therefore, online file storage is an inexpensive, practical and valuable solution for start-ups.