Rethinking cloud storage: Waiting for dreams to come true

About a year ago, I wrote articles about cloud storage in a very sympathetic tone. At that time, even if not a high enthusiasm, but also very interested. But six months later, I'm less keen on the actual viability of the cloud storage for the enterprise. Now I'm convinced that if cloud storage really plays an important role in big businesses, it won't happen soon.

Please don't get me wrong, although the cloud storage has stumbled a few years ago, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Today's services are significantly better than they used to be, safer, simpler to use, and cheaper. What's not to be desired?

How can companies provide enough space to store data in the face of massive data growth? For enterprises with limited resources, cloud storage looks like a good solution. These companies are also likely to face backup challenges (if they do make a backup), so online backup services are also a competitive candidate.

For these companies, especially small and medium-sized companies, there are visible risks to using the cloud storage service, such as data security, availability, accessibility, and so on. But instead of doing anything, or using a poorly maintained, inapplicable system, you might as well use a cloud storage service.

However, large enterprises have other options. If the enterprise already has the underlying IT infrastructure and is aware of the potential value of massive amounts of data, it will find ways to solve these problems. Any large organization should not just stay on the data store, but should think more and farther. Compliance is another obvious cause. Most companies have to comply with regulatory rules, and some even need to make sure they comply with dozens of regulations.

Keeping data offsite makes it harder to comply with difficult regulations. David Sengupta of Ferris Research recently pointed out in an electronic news message: "The system of compliance makes certain customers have to have a clear management of data, whether for data preservation, law enforcement investigations, search, or other reasons." "Businesses cannot afford to have these capabilities or, in some ways, limit them, especially when faced with lawsuits or dangers that are incompatible with compliance."

Some cloud storage vendors say that using their services is like using a public utility, and you pay as much as you can. Indeed, these services are usually charged at the rate of usage: less is paid less, and more is paid. However, if we compare these services with those of household facilities, such as buying electricity and buying water, you will find that there is a big difference.

The services provided by these public facilities have been in existence for a long time and can reasonably guarantee predictable levels of service. And, like utilities, customers need not take any risks. However, if you can't access or manage the data stored in the cloud correctly, the consequences will be disastrous, much less than a sudden blackout that misses your favorite TV show.

Sass in the storage domain refers to the "storage as a service (storage as services)". However, in other it areas, the first S is the abbreviation for "Software (software)". There is a big difference. Cloud software vendors provide applications that you can use and process your own data, and usually do not need to move your data out of your room. Other "software as a service" is to provide management-oriented services, their applications run on the remote system, you can use these applications to maintain and manage your own system.

These types of cloud services can be effective, especially if you think the risk to customers is significantly lower. In addition, such a large number of applications may take months to deploy, cloud software services will be more attractive, it is a cost-effective choice. However, storage is a different story. In our two-year procurement survey, respondents were not very interested in the performance of a backup-oriented cloud storage service. Only 12% to 15% per cent of respondents use cloud storage services and are often used in special situations, such as backing up remote offices or backing up laptop/desktop data.

Cloud software and cloud-based servers are likely to enter the mainstream market as cloud storage vendors continue to work to further expand their services with the progress already made in small and medium-sized enterprises. In the current economic gloom, companies are cutting spending, and cloud storage vendors may find some hope. However, only realizing the cost of investment (CAPEX) does not make the cloud storage service accessible to the enterprise's purchase list. Cloud storage vendors must first build a good reputation. More importantly, there are powerful cases to convince businesses that data is more secure in the cloud than in its own room.