Choosing the Best Cloud Service for Small Businesses

Posted by Dylan Jackson on May 29th, 2021

Cloud storage has transformed how businesses operate. By keeping documents in the cloud, you and your team can work from anywhere without constantly transferring files to various devices. This is not to mention the benefits of automatic saving and remote storage when it comes to keeping your important data safe. For a small business, the flexibility and efficiency of cloud storage make it a logical choice. But how do you choose the package that's right for you and the best cloud storage? This guide will help you understand what to look for and how to decide when choosing cloud services for small business.

Before jumping into choosing a cloud storage provider, it's essential to work out precisely what your business requirements are.

Storage limits

Checking the storage limits of each cloud storage provider is crucial if you're handling huge data or planning to expand. Storage limits can vary according to the plan you buy from a particular provider, so a company offering different pricing levels can offer you the flexibility to scale your storage needs over time.  Alternatively, you could choose a provider with unlimited storage, so you never need to worry about hitting the limit. It's also worth checking if there's a limit on individual file sizes, especially if you have to transfer large video or multimedia files.

Decide on devices

Make sure you can access your data from multiple devices. Accessing your files from various locations and devices is a significant advantage of purchasing cloud storage. Ensure you check whether the software includes support for mobile and external hard drives if these are important to your business.

Furthermore, if you want your whole team to be able to access your files across multiple devices, check if there are any limits on the number of users and/or devices that can access your data. Some packages have a minimum number of users, too, which may not suit your business at this point in time.

Functionality

Check whether your cloud service for small business also offers cloud syncing. If you're hoping to use your cloud storage service as a collaborative tool via cloud syncing, be sure to explore whether that's an option before committing. Another valuable feature to look out for is sharing with external parties without requiring them to register for the same software. Make sure you consider the word processing, spreadsheet, or conferencing software you're already using. Some cloud storage packages even come with office applications or other add-ons.

Security

Before purchasing a cloud service, consider the security level you're looking for, which may be driven by the nature of your business. Although storing your data in a networked system might make you feel nervous, most major cloud storage providers take security very seriously. Check whether data is encrypted in transit and at rest. This means, even if someone does get hold of your files, they won't be able to read the information. You can also look at how secure the login process is, i.e., whether the service offers two-factor authentication.

3T Pro Inc. provides managed IT services, IT project management, cloud computing, business continuity, 24/7 help desk computer and network support to small and medium sized businesses in Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson, Garland, Plano, Irving, Arlington, Rockwall, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Allen, and DFW Metroplex. To know more, visit https://3tpro.com/about-3t-pro/.