Data storage (storage) has become a necessity for modern businesses, ranging from small and medium enterprises to large and multinational companies. However, managing this data storage infrastructure can consume resources, be it space, hardware, or IT staff. Especially if you want to use the Storage as a Service service.
Whereas the latest applications and business processes can produce large amounts of data every day, which will indirectly require companies to invest in hardware to increase storage capacity, or add new rooms.
Many companies, especially small and medium-sized businesses, do not have sufficient IT personnel and capital to spend on necessary infrastructure such as storage devices. For companies like this, Storage as a Service (STaaS) can be an attractive solution. Currently, large companies are also quite a lot of using these technology services.
Storage as a Service is a type of Cloud Computing service, which makes service providers offer data storage capacity services (storage) to their customers.
Like other Cloud services, customers use data storage over an Internet connection. Customers only need to pay according to usage (Pay as You Go), and there is no need for initial capital expenditures that can demand large funds. Budget management can be easier because capital expenditure (Capital Expense/Capex) is converted into operational expenditure (Operational Expense/Opex).
By utilizing STaaS, the burden of managing data storage devices in the corporate office (on-premise) can be lighter. The space used for storage can be reduced and used for other purposes. That way, companies can still store on-premise data, especially data that is considered very sensitive.
Storage as a Service use case example
STaaS can be used for all applications and purposes that require data storage. For example, a company might use a magnetic tape device to store important, but rarely accessed, data (cold data). This magnetic tape library is then stored in the office or sent to another location deemed secure. By utilizing STaaS services, the data can be transferred and stored securely without the hassles of managing magnetic tape devices. Data can be accessed at any time when needed.
Another use of Storage as a Service is for data backup for disaster recovery purposes. In this case, data from a system is periodically backed up. In the event of an event that causes data loss in the main system, for example due to a disaster (fire, flood, earthquake) or due to a cyber attack, data can be restored from a backup. The system can quickly work as before, with minimum downtime.
Enterprises can also use STaaS for business application development and testing. Application development sometimes requires the use of large capacity data storage, but it is only used temporarily. With STaaS, application developers can access large-capacity data storage devices easily and quickly.
Some aspects of Storage as a Service
STaaS services have many advantages that can be compared with other types of Cloud services, especially the IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) type.
- Costs: Generally, expenses can be regulated so that they are more efficient, and costs can be reduced. The company only pays data storage fees according to the capacity used and the amount of data transferred. For cold data, paying for the amount of data stored may be cheaper. However, if the data is expected to be accessed frequently, you should take a close look at the available service contracts.
- Flexibility: Companies can add storage capacity immediately, without having to go through a lengthy and expensive procurement process. Data can also be accessed from anywhere via an Internet connection.
- Security: Some customers may be reluctant to share sensitive data with third parties. It is therefore very important to choose a proven STaaS provider with experience in securing Cloud services. An alternative that is also starting to attract attention is the on-premise STaaS model, where data storage is still carried out at the company installation, but is managed by the STaaS service provider.
Cloudeka provides Storage as a Service service to assist data storage needs. With Cloud and Data Center services available in 3 different locations in Indonesia, data storage will be easier to do in a modern way or not to use disks. With more than three decades of experience, Cloudeka always ready to help business people by providing reliable and up-to-date technology.
For further information about Storage as a Service and other Cloud Services from Cloudeka, please contact us.
