The idea of cloud storage has been gaining momentum over the last few years and businesses of all sizes are attracted to the low cost, easy maintenance of a process that easily backs up their mission critical data. And, as cloud computing has gained more visibility as a viable option for the small business, cloud storage is presenting a strong value proposition.

A recent CRN piece focused on the cost and flexibility benefits that can be captured in the IT environment as a result of utilizing cloud storage. Robust providers like Cirtas, a 2010 Red Herring Top 100 North America Company, are offering these innovative solutions as a platform that can provide the first step for businesses to easily move into the cloud computing environment.

Cirtas sets out to help companies leverage cloud storage to move all or part of their data from its own IT infrastructure to another infrastructure so that it can be separately managed. Data is stored and accessed over the Internet on a storage infrastructure that is owned either by the company or a third party like Cirtas. That infrastructure is either housed on-site or at a separate location, depending on the need and set-up for that particular company.

Data storage in the cloud is charged out according to the number of gigabytes a company uses to maintain its information. As a result, it can be considered an operating expense instead of a capital expense. The overall storage cost in the cloud can depend upon the capacity; therefore it can rise and fall according to the needs of the business. Cirtas is quick to stress that capacity rarely decreases simply because the needs of the business tend to grow, not shrink.

To help companies to determine the best cloud storage solution to meet their needs, vendors like Cirtas offer several different types of cloud storage platforms. A basic direct-to-user service can upload data files and even directories over the Internet to a shared infrastructure, recover or restore files and even share data. Automated backups tend to be standard in the basic platform and customers could pay a flat monthly or yearly fee or a per-gigabyte fee, or even a combination of the two.

Basic backup services are also available for resellers and service providers. Those reselling the services do so in exchange for a portion of the monthly or yearly fee, or a one-time finder’s fee, depending upon their arrangement with the vendor. Other vendors may offer an appliance or software to build an appliance that allows the solution provider to build their own storage cloud.

Businesses can select from a variety of options to determine the best cloud storage platform for their environment and their budget. Cirtas offers a number of solutions and will work with the company to determine the best fit. To learn more about Cirtas and their cloud storage options, check out the Cirtas blog.

 

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Carrie Schmelkin