Cloud-Storage Setup: DIY vs. Hiring A Cloud-Storage Professional
If you’re convinced that migrating to the cloud is the best move for you and your business, or you are at least starting to lean that way, congratulations! You can be assured that this is a very positive and forward-looking proposition in which your company can benefit from savings in time, money and resources.
But now that you’ve made this call, there is another decision to make: “How do I get to this next destination?”
The answer to this question might depend on several factors. Some of these might include: a.) the degree of in-house technical capabilities; b.) the total amount of data that needs to be migrated, which will help determine; c.) the time and costs associated with the project.
There are generally two choices here: the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach or the leveraged approach of engaging a cloud-storage consultancy. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
DIY Cloud-Storage Setup
Practically, you will arguably reduce costs by keeping this project in-house; but you may be undertaking more tasks than you think.
This might surprise you, but doing it your way begins with ensuring that you even know the exact location of all of your company data. As an example, just because you already have an in-house, centralized storage system does not mean that all users have necessarily followed the protocols of utilizing it. You might be surprised to know how many users are still only storing company data locally – or perhaps worse – and/or on their own personal cloud.
After you have identified all of the company data and moved it to a recommended centralized location, then come the next steps: a.) creating secure user authentication and b.) establishing file and folder level user access permissions.
With regard to the actual data transfer process, there are also key factors to consider.
- Upload speed: For most internet service providers (ISP’s), upload speeds are typically far slower than download speeds. And therefore the process for moving your data to the cloud can take anywhere from hours to days.
- Internet bandwidth: As your data is being moved to the cloud, your business and your business needs do not stop. And therefore you cannot afford to have your network or internet access “crippled” as a result of the data upload monopolizing all of your available bandwidth.
- Monitoring: As the data is being uploaded to the cloud, there needs to be a systematic process in place for monitoring this move and for ensuring data integrity.
- Ensuring latest file versions: Again, as data is being moved to the cloud, work must continue. And this includes on-going editing of existing files as well as new file creation. In the end, there needs to be an assurance that all of these newer and revised files take their rightful place in the cloud.
Engaging a Cloud-based File Storage Professional
If you don’t want the disruption or you feel that you perhaps don’t have the technical experience for this project, it might be wise to consider leveraging the expertise and experience of an outside consultancy who specializes in this area.
These professionals can offer sound advice with regard to “best practices” for overall file cloud migration. They can also manage the actual upload and take care of the specific authentication and file access requirements for your business.
In short, consultants can advise on multiple cloud vendors, applications to access your data, and bring valuable recommendations to lessen the learning curve for end users.
Whether you decide “I think I need help” or “I’ve got this - either way - the results will be similar: easy access to all your information from anywhere and a greater sense of security.
