Whether you are a home user or running your own small business, how you store your data is important. It does not matter if your computer contains private client information or precious family memories; you need to care for those files properly and make sure you always keep a working backup.
The need for constant backups is one of the many things driving the cloud storage revolution, and more and more people are making the switch from desktop to cloud. If you are planning to get on board, you will need to do some planning to make sure the transition is as smooth and painless as possible.
Perhaps the most critical part of the desktop-to-cloud transition is choosing the right cloud storage partner. Your carefully planned and flawlessly executed backups will do you no good if the cloud storage service you choose suddenly goes out of business and leaves their servers inaccessible.
Likewise, your backups will do you no good if the servers they are stored on are not up to snuff. Cloud storage may be a fun term, but your files are not stored on actual clouds; they are held on hard drives housed in servers, and the backups you create are only as secure as the hardware that houses them.
Once you have chosen the right cloud storage provider, and verified that they are reliable, efficient and affordable, it is time to test your own equipment and make sure you have the bandwidth to send files back and forth. Testing your Internet speed is a vital part of the desktop-to-cloud transition, and the faster your service, the easier it will be to back up your files and make sure they are stored securely.
Your cloud storage partner should provide you with the software you need, or with a secure website, to upload your data and recover any backed up files you may need. It is a good idea to play around with the software and see how it works before you start moving files. Knowing how the software works will make the desktop-to-cloud transition easier and allow you to save time later on.
Depending on the service and software you use, you may have the ability to mark specific files for uploading. This option will be especially important if you have limited storage available, or if you are required to pay for additional storage. If your storage options are unlimited, you can simply choose to upload everything on your computer hard drive, tablet, smartphone and other devices.
No matter which option you choose, it is important to test your backups and verify the integrity of the files on the cloud storage site. Moving your files from the desktop to the cloud is a complicated process, and there are a lot of things that can go wrong along the way. Spot checking your backed up files, and making sure they are usable in their current form, is an essential last step in the transition from desktop computer to cloud storage service.
Storing your data in the cloud provides vital protection for your files, giving you the real-time backups you need to protect yourself, your clients and your customers. Whether you run a small business or just work with your own personal files, having a secure cloud backup service in place will give you extra peace of mind. Choosing the right cloud storage partner, identifying the most critical files to back up and testing your backed up files are all critical parts of the desktop-to-cloud transition, and taking those steps now can provide valuable protection later.
