Web-based storage such as Mozy, DropBox, Carbonite and Amazon S3 have become increasingly popular with companies and individuals as a flexible and simple way of storing data . However, before signing up with any online storage solution , you need to consider the following factors.
1. Uptime
It can be very frustrating not being able to access your data which has been backed up. Therefore, uptime is very vital for companies as well as individuals. Find online storage providers who will offer you a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
2. Security
Security is a vital requirement for online storage . A good online storage service should also be able to provide the following security measures.
- A requirement for usernames and passwords to access data
- The use of a TLS (Transport Layer Security) encrypted connection when moving data between your computers
- Securing data using top-grade encryption
- Protecting your data from being accessed directly by the employees of the service
3. Interfacing with the service
It is usually easy to transfer data from a computer to online storage . Most online storage services allow you to log in to a site to download, upload as well as manage files. However, many web interfaces are limited in terms of features.
Find an online storage service with software integrating with your operating system or your desktop. This software allows you to drag and drop files and folders from your computer directly to your online storage space. For companies that would like to store huge amounts of data, such a service offers a quick and convenient way of downloading and uploading files in bulk.
4. Customer support
At one time or another, you will have problems with your online storage service . Having such problems fixed fast is very crucial, especially for businesses. This is why good customer support is important.
Find out what kind of support is offered by the online storage services you are considering. Do they offer support through articles, email or forums? Or does the service offer a toll-free telephone number or live instant messaging support? For urgent problems, you should be able to respond within one or two hours. This means that you have to talk to a real person on the phone. For problems which are less urgent, you could send an email or post on a forum.
5. Cost
There are a number of online storage services which allow users to backup up to 2GB of data for free. Usually, this is enough for small business or home users. For any additional space, a fee is charged. Before signing up for any service, make sure the cost of online storage is significantly lower than the cost of offline storage.
Charles Mburugu is a technology enthusiast who is presently writing for a coupon blog which offers norton 360 renewal coupon code and carbonite promotion code . He also writes about coupon offers at blogs which offer carbonite coupons and norton discounts.
I have used Dropbox 2 years from now and I’m happy with their free service. Secure, Fast, and Reliable. Perhaps next month I might sign up with iCloud.