When we talk about data storage, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you need it for personal or business use, finding a storage solution is a complex matter, especially for non-techie individuals. There’s also plenty of factors to consider aside from just simply storing things. These factors include performance, risk and redundancy calculations, access methods, backup, and disaster recovery.
Before deciding how and where you will store your data, you need to understand the type and amount of data you will store as well as the motivation to get a storage system. For example, if your storage device has limited space for photos, you can opt for online photo storage for a personal digital backup of your photos. Basically, having a comprehensive background on data storage will help you identify the right path to take, whether you want to build a physical storage solution, move to the cloud, or blend the two together.
When picking the best storage solution for your data, you need to formulate a storage management strategy. Knowing these things will not only meet your demands for the best storage solution, but ensure the retrievability and protection of your data. With this in mind, here are some factors to consider when picking a storage solution.
Functionality
This is likely the most important yet the most overlooked and misunderstood factor when picking a storage solution. Although this is a basic concern, most users forget the importance of functionality in data storage management. When deciding about a storage solution, you need to ask yourself why you need a storage system.
The need for storing data comes with several reasons depending on the user. Some popular reasons include availing low storage costs, centralizing data management, and upgrading system performance. Once you know the function you’re looking for in a data storage, this will become a fundamental factor when picking a storage solution. Otherwise, if you cannot identify the function of your storage system, then it is likely that you don’t need a shared storage at all.
Speed and capacity
Once you identify the function of your shared storage, it will be easier to determine your desired speed and capacity. Storage capacity refers to the amount of data a storage device can provide. It also measures the data capacity of a computer system. On the other hand, the speed of a data storage refers to the performance of a storage device and its ability to support data growth and run data-hungry and large-scale applications.
If you love taking videos and photos or your profession revolves around taking photos, you need a storage device that allows easy access and saves images to avoid delays and waste of time. Choosing a high-speed storage solution will allow you to edit and move high-quality content anywhere and anytime you like.
While it is not easy to identify the required and expected performance for data storage, it is advisable to conduct research to determine the measurable and achievable performance for your data storage needs.
Reliability
Like functionality, this factor is often a stumbling point when users are moving to a shared storage. If multiple users are sharing a single storage device, you need to ensure that it can handle multiple users. The reliability of a data storage system should also ensure effectiveness and data integrity. Without it, you are at risk of losing or damaging your data.
The reliability of a storage solution comes with different factors, such as instability, human error, memory and power failure. That is why the reliability of a storage system lies in the operating system, storage technology, and hardware.
Security
This factor often applies to users who want to embrace the cloud. When storing data in a cloud storage system, security becomes a primary concern. The reason for this is when picking a cloud storage service, you’re providing valuable data and information to a third-party provider along with the expectation that they will keep your data safe.
Unfortunately, news stories about security breaches concern companies when giving their data to a different entity. To address this issue, cloud storage websites are exerting efforts to improve security and add stricter measures to protect clients’ data. So if you decide to use a cloud storage solution, you need to ensure that they observe proper security measures, such as data encryption, anti-virus program, firewalls, and regular security audits.
Taking your time to understand, research, and assess your storage needs is very critical for your data management strategy. Don’t get stress out if you find yourself confused about which storage device or service works for you. Follow the suggestions above and start planning for your future storage needs to avoid wasting money and time.
