Cloud storage: "Space war" triggers a future battle

The rise of cloud computing and the surge in global data have driven the development of cloud storage. At present, a variety of personal cloud storage services have emerged, so that more users can enjoy the documents, pictures, videos and other content in the cloud storage and sharing. At the same time, enterprise cloud storage applications are expanding to help more enterprises improve efficiency and reduce investment. As a fundamental application of cloud computing, cloud storage has a broad market outlook, perhaps not too long, and cloud storage will become an essential part of our lives and offices.

Since July 2013 Baidu Cloud launched 50G free cloud space activities, China's personal cloud storage market has ushered in a multi-party competition "space war." Jinshan fast disk in the first time to launch 100G free space, 360 cloud disk first proposed 360G space for permanent free, and then upgrade the activity to 1TB permanent space, Huawei Network Disk also launched a real-time unlimited cloud space services ... For a time, the personal cloud storage market smoke four, a to occupy the cloud space for the name of the future market to seize the right to speak of the war.

National "T-bit"

If you think 100G of cloud disk space is enough, then it is outdated. In the major mainstream network plate manufacturers of a series of generous promotions, personal cloud storage market has successfully entered the "T-bit era."

August 2013, Baidu Cloud announced into the cloud space T-bit era, start "Baidu Cloud 1TB Permanent space" in exchange for activities, users only need to complete three simple steps can enjoy 1TB free cloud disk space; A week later, Baidu Cloud space gift activities and upgrades, whether it is Baidu cloud old customers or new registered users, Just follow the prompts to install Baidu Cloud PC client on the computer and install mobile Client on the mobile phone, you can receive 36TB of free cloud storage space. This lets netizen loudly exclaim: "Originally thought 1TB free space is the welfare, did not think the surprise is still behind!" ”

Baidu Cloud space upgrade, Tencent quickly follow up. That August, Tencent Micro-cloud launched a network disk expansion activities, users login Micro cloud mobile phone client can receive 1TB free space, and if the successful upload file, space will automatically expand to 10TB. This upload file to give more space to promote the way, no doubt is to use the heat of space war to further increase the user's stickiness.

In September of that year, the old network disk Enterprise 115 network disk can no longer restrain, launched unlimited space automatic growth plan, hit "1TB not enough, that gives you NTB" slogan, claiming that new and existing users will be with the growth of the use of life or Account level upgrade, to achieve unlimited automatic growth of the network disk space. This "no ceiling" of the gift model, the space war to promote the war again.

One months later, China Mobile Cloud launched the "Crazy Cloud" activities, users can only log on the Web cloud to receive 1TB free space, but also to participate in the lottery. With a low threshold, no strings attached and prizes, the event has attracted more than 450,000 users as of November 9.

November, Huawei launched the "Everbright not enough, the speed of light to attack" the network disk speed. As long as users use Huawei mobile phone login network client can directly pick up 2TB cloud space, if the monthly backup photos, but also can automatically increase the cloud space, up to 16TB. At the same time, in order to make the event more attractive, Huawei also prepared to include 100 of Huawei P6 mobile phones, including luxury gift. Different from other manufacturers to give space, Huawei Network disk proposed the "Speed of light" concept, the network disk war from space to the speed and experience.

What triggered this battle of cloud space? In foreign countries, a lot of cloud storage enterprises only provide a small amount of free space, users want to have more space can only own pocket. "The data value of the user is the core of the Internet domain." "Jin Shanyun CEO Wang Yulin's remark gave an explanation. Originally, cloud storage vendors compete for the ultimate goal is to preempt the space is also to seize data. The user's data is there, who has a say in the future!

The giant's "burn Money Game"

Free space to broadcast, this is not only a look at the market competition, but also an expensive "burning money game." Free to provide users with a lot of space for the cloud storage vendors means a large number of costs, whether it is bandwidth resources, IDC space or hardware equipment need to pay for the money, and the more free users, these costs will be higher.

There is a view that the space war of cloud storage enterprises will accelerate the elimination of small enterprises, the market will eventually "winner of the King", once again become a feast for the Giants. This is not an unwarranted guess, anti-virus software, mobile phone applications and other markets have proved that the first to attract a large number of users and then find ways to profit free mode will be eliminated in the market of small and medium-sized enterprises, and eventually become the giants of the game.

As the cloud storage market heats up, more internet giants are eyeing the market. At the end of September 2013, electric giant Alibaba announced the acquisition of cool disk, officially into personal cloud storage area, and announced that future users all the photo storage services will be permanent free, unlimited quantity and traffic. This means that the personal cloud storage market has entered a super player.

However, it is not easy to become the ultimate "leftover" in the cloud storage market. The user's need for cloud storage is not just space. For most users, the need for cloud space is limited, and subsequent users will value experience, services, and security. This is why Huawei put forward the concept of "speed of light" in the space war--in addition to space, but also to provide users with more fast.

Of course, internet companies have seen this trend and are building "Trump" based on their own advantages. The 360 cloud disk has pioneered the file group feature in the industry, which means that users can share resources within the cloud space within a fixed range, allowing cloud storage to have a social experience. At the same time, 360 cloud disk is also focusing on improving its security, stability and convenience.

Although Alibaba has just entered the market by buying cool discs, its market layout is clear. Alibaba announced that future cool disk account system will be connected with Alibaba Group account system, all Alibaba users can easily use this cloud storage services, and cool disk of permanent free photo storage space, will not only open to individual users, but also for Taobao sellers to provide safe and convenient services.

Currently, the space War on personal cloud storage seems to have come to an ending, but the industry is expected to have more fierce competition in the future, which will further promote the development of the cloud storage market. Data show that 2013 domestic personal cloud storage users reached 223 million households, in China, the penetration rate of 36.7%. It seems that the future of cloud life will not be far away.