If you’re looking for the best cloud computing or storage system for your company’s needs, consider the pros and cons of these systems and your organization’s goals. While both technologies have great benefits, you should think carefully about whether they are the right option(s) for you. Every company has a unique set of needs and requires a customized business strategy to address them. The same is true when you consider a cloud computing vs. cloud storage system. The system that most benefits one company may not necessarily benefit another, so customization is key. This guide will help you decide which technologies are the best to help reach your goals.

Cloud Computing vs. Cloud Storage

It can be difficult to choose between cloud computing vs. cloud storage because these two methods are so closely related. Most companies use a combination of [LINK TO cloud computing and storage systems WHEN LIVE] to get the best possible results. However, you don’t necessarily have to use both of these services; in fact, in some cases, it’s better to use just one. 

To determine which service is right for your company, consider the key differences between cloud computing vs. cloud storage:

  • Cloud storage is the process of storing your data on a virtual server. You may also have data stored onsite as a backup, however, all of this data also exists on the cloud just in case the onsite data is compromised. 
  • Cloud computing is the process of analyzing or using this stored data in the cloud. You can access your data through a virtual desktop or internet application. There is no hardware required and any device can access the data using a secure login and internet connection.

If you’re deciding between cloud computing vs. cloud storage, you have three options: 

  1. Implementing a storage and computing system at the same time. To use cloud computing, you need to have an effective cloud storage system in place first.
  2. Using a cloud storage system on its own. Cloud storage doesn’t depend on cloud computing–while computing can help you analyze and visualize your data, it isn’t a necessity. 
  3. Having both a cloud storage and an onsite storage system. The cloud storage system is the one you’ll use on a daily basis, while the onsite system is merely a failsafe–an extra layer of security.

But which option is right for your needs? By thinking carefully about some of the pros and cons of each system, you’ll make the best decision for your company.

Cloud Storage Benefits

Because cloud storage is a requirement for effective cloud computing, you should start by determining whether this method will benefit your company. Nearly every company can make use of cloud storage, especially now that there are numerous security protocols in place to protect sensitive data.

Here are some of the pros and cons of this system: 

The Pros

  • Your data is more accessible
  • You won’t have to store or organize paperwork 
  • Data analysis is faster and more accurate 
  • Sharing and collaboration is easier 
  • Data readings can be automated 
  • Employees spend less time managing data by-hand 
  • You’ll spend less money on onsite data storage resources
  • Your data storage system is more flexible and scalable 

The Cons

  • Cloud storage comes with a few unique security risks 
  • There may be a steep learning curve at first 
  • You’ll have to pay additional cloud storage fees 
  • The cloud storage option must meet your industry’s compliance standards.

As you can see, the benefits of cloud storage far outnumber the possible downsides and risks. Moreover, you can usually avoid most, if not all, of the challenges of cloud storage when you work with a trustworthy service provider. 

For example, in the past, healthcare providers weren’t able to store any patient information in the cloud because there were too many potential security risks. Now, however, cloud storage has become much more secure. A recent survey found that 84 percent of healthcare providers already use cloud storage in some form, and 69 percent say that they plan on moving even more data to the cloud. 

As long as the cloud storage service provider that you use is aware of your industry’s compliance standards, you should be able to safely make the transition to the cloud. Likewise, reliable service providers also handle all of the details of the transition for you, reducing the potential learning curve. 

And if your industry still requires onsite data storage, you can make use of both cloud and onsite storage at the same time. This does come with a few additional costs. Still, this option is better than maintaining an onsite storage system alone. You can use the cloud storage system to perform data analysis and maintain the onsite system only for backup purposes. 

An effective cloud storage system is one that is secure, intuitive to use and makes the storage process as simple and straightforward as possible. Unless your industry has strict rules banning the use of cloud storage technology, there is no reason why your company shouldn’t make this transition. It has become the new standard in almost every industry. 

The question, then, is not whether you need cloud storage, but whether you need both cloud storage and cloud computing. To answer this question, you’ll need to look more carefully into the pros and cons of cloud computing vs. cloud storage. 

Cloud Computing Benefits  

Here are a few pros and cons to think about if you’re wondering whether you need a cloud computing system: 

The Pros 

  • More detailed insights and accurate analysis results 
  • Faster analytics 
  • Fewer mistakes due to human error 
  • Cost savings on physical servers and hardware 
  • Predictive analysis leads to better efficiency and loss prevention 
  • The software updates automatically 
  • New technologies are easier to implement 
  • You’ll receive around the clock technical support 
  • There is no training required 

The Cons

  • You’ll have to pay additional cloud computing fees 
  • Your company may not need this level of detailed analytics

Not every company needs cloud computing. While this service can benefit the vast majority of industries, it may not be essential for running your business. The key to deciding between cloud computing vs. cloud storage is to think very carefully about what cloud computing can do for you. 

Most of the time, the added costs of cloud storage are well worth all of the benefits you get from it. Cloud computing may even save you money over time. For example, if you work with a massive amount of data and frequently generate financial reports, quarterly charts, risk analysis studies or demographic surveys, then cloud computing will have a significant impact on your business. Almost every company will save time and money when they hire a cloud computing provider to analyze and visualize data

However, if your company only needs to keep data on-file for future reference or to meet compliance standards, then cloud computing may not be as useful to you. This is rare, however. Most companies perform some form of data analytics, at least on an annual basis to see how they are performing and where they need to make improvements. 

For this reason, it might be a good option to hire a cloud computing firm whenever you need to create a new business strategy, conduct an audit or take a closer look at your data. Some firms offer the option to sign a short-term contract to complete a specific project. So, even if you don’t use data analysis very often, cloud computing can still be useful for running your business. 

Do You Need Both?

Because cloud computing and storage are closely connected, most businesses will benefit from using both of them in tandem. Moreover, cloud service providers usually offer both options as a complete package. The firm will upload all of your data into the cloud, create organization systems and applications to help you manage it, and then provide options to analyze this data and generate reports. This is likely the best option for your business, as all of the details are handled for you by the service provider. 

However, your company doesn’t necessarily need to use both of these systems. You should at the very least have a cloud storage system in place, but cloud computing isn’t as vital, especially if you don’t perform a lot of data analysis. In this case, it’s wise to hire a cloud storage provider to upload your data into the new system and perform routine maintenance and software updates to keep everything organized. Later, if you need to analyze your data more carefully or you’re dealing with a complex project that requires a higher level of data expertise, you can ask the firm for additional cloud computing help. 

How to Transition to Cloud Computing or Cloud Storage

Now that you’ve considered the pros and cons of cloud computing vs. cloud storage, you’ll need to find an IT firm to help you make the transition. No matter which option you choose, it’s important to work with a firm that offers both services. That’s because if your company’s needs suddenly change or you wish to scale up, you can negotiate with the firm and deploy the new system as quickly as possible. 

When you make the transition to cloud storage or cloud computing, you’ll discover the power of your data. Implementing these systems now will allow your company to stay competitive and optimize every facet of your data collection and analytics processes.

If you’re ready to transition to a cloud computing or cloud storage system, contact Tek Leaders today. We offer a wide range of cloud computing and storage services to our clients and will create a custom data management solution based on your unique needs. Or, if you need help choosing between cloud computing vs. cloud storage, you can reach us by email directly.

Author: Shashank Reddy Tummala.

Shashank is the COO of Tek Leaders inc.He helps SMB’s to achieve their goals in their journey of Digital Transformation.