Many SMBs are built on new technologies to help increase productivity, workplace flexibility and the speed of delivery to their clients or customers.
While business owners might take for granted the benefits that technology brings, what they may not be aware of is the data and storage headaches that this can also cause.
For that reason, it’s important that SMB owners understand the key concerns that they’ll face when it comes to data storage and what they can do to master this technical domain for the benefit of their business.
Whether it’s emails, customer information, company documents, video or other data, it’s important to invest in the best data storage solution for your SMB. There’s plenty of jargon and tech speak out there that can be hard to decipher.
NAS devices are preferred for most SMBs as they are easy to connect to and work with, provide quick access to your data and are robust enough to withstand heavy ongoing usage.
Here are four tips to consider when you’re looking to choose a storage device for your SMB.
1) Look for an advanced operating system
Keeping a watchful eye on your SMB’s data can be puzzling at times and if you’re not an IT expert, it’s not always a straightforward task. Luckily, there are solutions available that take the confusion out of storage.
When choosing a storage solution, be sure to choose one that incorporates a user-friendly interface to obtain the full capabilities the solution has to offer. An ideal storage solution allows users to have easy access to data, where and when they need it. It will also ensure that everything from the set-up to the management and protection of data is simplified, allowing you more time to focus on servicing the needs of your customers.
2) Consider cloud managed storage
One of the great advantages that smart storage can give your SMB is the ability to access your company data anywhere around the world. Whether it’s at home, in another local city or half way around the world, Cloud managed storage can be a massive benefit.
Through Cloud managed storage, SMBs can take advantage of benefits such as a reduction in capex infrastructure costs and increased mobility. With Cloud-based management, businesses can still achieve all the benefits of the Cloud experience, whilst preserving the security and accessibility of local storage.
Something else to consider is backing up your data to the cloud with a certified service provider. Cloud backup providers are able to provide a place for a duplicate copy of all your information on the off chance that a disaster occurs and data is lost. Replicating your data is a great way to safeguard valuable files as well as your business’ reputation.
3) Remember the importance of flexibility
As an SMB, your technology needs are constantly changing and your selected storage device should be able to respond to these changes… In order to increase flexibility and efficiency, a virtualized storage environment can be an attractive option. Virtualization is a way to reduce capital costs by dramatically increasing utilisation and ROI on the hardware you already own. If you have computers running different operating systems, a virtualization-ready platform is critical for effective and easy-to-use storage.
4) Don’t pass on redundancy
Data storage is of little use to your business if you lose all the data you have saved. With certain storage solutions, something as simple as a power outage, a flooded building or someone tripping on a cord can result in the loss of data. With that in mind, perhaps the most important consideration for any business owner is choosing storage that includes the following:
- RAID redundancy and auto expansion. This ensures full data redundancy with protection against hardware failure. If one drive fails, the data can still be rebuilt with the remaining drives.
- Unlimited snapshots. This feature provides you with continued data protection and allows you to restore your data from any point in time if a disaster or error was to occur.
Multiple layers of redundancy are a must-have when it comes to keeping your business data safe and sound.
Storage may not seem like a big deal to your company with all the other issues you have to worry about. However, when you think about the importance of your data to day-to-day operations, it quickly becomes obvious that the right sort of storage can make a massive difference to your peace of mind as a business owner.
