دليل المشترين

Table of Contents

• What is Cloud Storage Software?
• Benefits of Cloud Storage Software
• Typical features of Cloud Storage Software
• Cost of Cloud Storage Software
• Considerations when purchasing Cloud Storage Software

What is Cloud Storage Software?

Cloud Storage Software helps store and manage all types of files, such as text documents, pictures, videos, and presentations, in a data center over the internet. The software provides centralized storage that is accessible from any internet-enabled device and location. This storage system allows the users to organize data by creating folders and access paths.

Cloud storage software also provides on-demand access to data via any device and location, thus facilitating group collaboration, and can be used to store data for long-term purposes.

Benefits of Cloud Storage Software

• Creates a backup of data: Hard drive crashes, viruses, liquid spills, or natural disasters are some common causes that can cause data loss. However, uploading data to cloud object storage platforms ensures that data is safe from any kind of accident. As these platforms allow access and recovery of data from any location, businesses can continue the job even if there has been any kind of physical damage to devices.
• Simplifies file sharing process: The usual method of file sharing is via email attachments. However, it gets difficult to find older attachments, especially when there are thousands of emails. Cloud storage simplifies the file-sharing process as it allows users to share data simply. This option will send the file directly to the user whose email address has been entered or generate a shareable link that will allow access to the files.
• Encrypts the file for safety: Cloud storage software offers an encryption feature to protect files from unauthorized access. During the encryption process, the files are converted into a string of unreadable code, which can only be made readable using an encryption key. Only those with the encryption key can access the files stored on the cloud storage system, thereby keeping the files safe.
• Updates and syncs all the data: When any file on the cloud storage is changed or updated, the tool automatically updates the file for all those people who are accessing it. Some cloud object storage tools also support file versioning, allowing you to create multiple versions of the same file. This removes the manual effort of personally sharing the updated files with other users or teammates while working in collaboration.

Typical features of Cloud Storage Software

• Data storage management: Allows you to store your data in the cloud system and organize it by creating folders and subfolders.
• File transfer: Gives you the ability to share stored data and files with your teammates.
• Access control: Lets you control who can view or edit the files by granting or revoking the access permissions.
• Backup and recovery: Enables you to access your data from any device or location and restore it in case of data loss.
• Encryption: Makes your data unreadable to unauthorized users without the encryption key before saving it on the cloud.

Cost of Cloud Storage Software

Most products in the market are priced on a per-user, per-month basis and can be divided into three pricing tiers based on their starting price.

Price ranges*:

• $1- $4
• $5 - $11
• $12+

*The pricing included is for the entry-level/lowest-priced offerings found on vendor websites as of September 13, 2022. These ranges correspond to the 25th, 75th, and 100th percentiles of pricing information gathered from vendor websites of sample products.

The above list includes pricing for the base plans of most products. An enterprise or premium product that is priced higher may include additional features such as real-time synchronization, remote access, and version control.

Considerations when purchasing Cloud Storage Software

• Check the tool's security measures: A cloud storage tool's security features include data encryption and permission and access control. While data encryption makes the files unreadable without the encryption key, permissions and access control allow the administrator to grant or revoke access rights to the files. All these options help prevent unauthorized access to the files. Therefore, look for these security and data protection options in a cloud storage service.
• Look for file versioning: The file versioning feature of a cloud storage software solution creates a history of your files. Whenever a file is changed or updated, the tool marks it as a new or updated version while also storing its previous version. This feature also allows you to go back and track all the changes made to a file. Some cloud storage tools automatically delete the older versions of the files after a certain period of time. Therefore, assess the cloud storage tool’s file versioning options and conditions.
• Analyze the tool's scalability: The cloud object storage toolyou choose for your business should be scalable. These tools offer different file storage capacities in their different plans and may also offer unlimited storage in the highest-priced plans. In case you run out of storage space, you should have the option to upgrade the plan or add extra space to your current plan. Therefore, ask the cloud storage provider about the costs involved if you need extra file storage.