Storage Clouds by Anthony Ricigliano

Feb. 13, 2012 - PRLog -- Anthony Ricigliano business news and advice:In today’s economic climate, companies are presented with two seemingly contradictory goals: to expand their infrastructure to accommodate data growth and to spend as little as possible to satisfy budgetary goals. Businesses are also under pressure to create flexible systems and procedures that can respond quickly to customer requirements and competitive needs. To meet these objectives, progressive IT shops are implementing cloud models in addition to traditional data storage solutions. If you aren't sure if this choice is right for your shop, review the benefits of private storage clouds before making a decision:

Private Clouds are Controlled

Private storage clouds provide distinct advantages over the more typical public clouds. They can be created on- or off-site and can be managed by either the individual organization or a third-party provider. Regardless of the specific configuration, a private storage cloud is used exclusively by a single entity providing an exceptional level of control.

Fast Deployment Times

Compared to using traditional storage methods, deployment to both core applications and desktops can be decreased by as much as 240 percent. Instead of wasting time procuring new physical storage or moving an existing resource, you can scale your storage needs up or down in an on-demand mode.

Decreased Cost

The typical shop reports a 17-percent decrease in overall expenses after implementing a private-cloud solution. This savings can be attributed to the use of cheaper thin clients, easier desktop management and reduced maintenance needs.

Ease of Use

Private storage clouds utilize a complex network of servers, but the underlying structure is hidden from the users and the majority of the IT staff making it easy to use this diverse storage system. With built-in redundancy, data migration, system backups and disaster recovery also become much easier. Private clouds also provide a simple method for secure access to the network from remote locations using a variety of devices.

Additional Advantages

Public clouds have a number of disadvantages that prevent this storage option from becoming a viable solution for critical corporate systems. In comparison, private clouds have the following advantages:

• Guaranteed Up-Time – A private storage cloud provides the same up-time, performance and reliability as traditional disk space.

• Network Independence – Unlike public clouds that rely on the Internet for connectivity, a private cloud uses an internal network to prevent outages and uncontrolled bottlenecks.

• Compliance – Private storage clouds can be configured to comply with any number of requirements including HIPAA, PCI Data Security Standards, privacy policies and both internal and external audit concerns.

• Security – With a private cloud, you control the security methods including encryption methods, access standards, malware protection and audit trail reporting.

• Longevity and Supplier Independence – When using a private cloud, you don’t operate at the mercy of your supplier. This method allows you to bring this technology in-house or switch providers for any reason.

With a private storage cloud, you can expand your data capacity, decrease your costs and create a more flexible system that’s easier to manage and better fits the needs of your customers and your employees

By Anthony Ricigliano

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Anthony Ricigliano -Follow business news and advice by Anthony J Ricigliano. Today’s businesses are grappling to stay ahead of the daily changes brought on by the evolution of technology. It’s a challenging environment but one where Anthony Ricigliano