List of the Most Common Cloud Services

Save time and money by outsourcing your company's DATA STORAGE to some of the most reliable CLOUD SERVICES IN ALBANY. Read about which vendor is right for you.

What is cloud computing, and how can you protect your business data with cloud services? Your company could be vulnerable to data loss if you don't have a secure storage location for your digital assets. Cloud services in Albany save you from unnecessary worry.

As a business owner, you understand the importance of securing private information. Power failures, natural disasters, and cyberattacks can create detrimental losses for your company. Choosing reliable cloud services in Albany is an excellent way to prevent problems that could harm your workflow and finances.

Still, which vendors are right for your business? Below, our trusted managed service providers in Troy, NY, list some of the most common cloud providers for small to medium-sized companies. Consider the following information, then book a consultation with a computer expert.

What Is Cloud Computing, and How Can It Help Your Business?

In the early days of digital recordkeeping, most companies relied on physical hardware for storing sensitive data. These tools included CDs, flash drives, physical servers, and personal computers. However, office fires, power outages, and even insider theft were serious threats that could compromise a company's private data at any point.

Authorized individuals could secure information in company hardware using passwords. Although deploying these basic security measures was the right move for most companies, it was still challenging to monitor the movement of critical data 24/7. Additionally, backing up digital information on other systems was a time-consuming task.

The development of cloud technology revolutionized cybersecurity and enabled companies to offload several TB worth of data into secure, remote digital locations.

Today, this solution simplifies the migration and backup of data in encrypted spaces. It also allows employees to view and submit files anytime by utilizing a shared group of servers. Any user can access the cloud using a reliable internet connection and the proper authorization codes.

Companies that invest in cloud services in Albany save time and money by streamlining their operations through easy-to-navigate cloud applications.

What Is the Difference Between Cloud-Managed Services and Web Services?

Do you own a small business of 50 to 200 employees? You may not have the resources or physical space to store and operate your own private cloud server. That is where cloud-managed services come in.

Third-party cloud computing services operate ample storage "data centers" that customers can rent for a small fee.

These services give employees access to stored information 24/7 and support powerful connections across multiple devices. Customers don't even need to worry about upkeep. Maintenance responsibilities fall on the vendors, who will update and repair servers when required.

Cloud services differ from web services by providing remote resources as a service to customers rather than providing data for applications. A company that invests in web services may be able to share data without connecting to systems beyond a company's firewall. However, the business will not have the same level of access to server infrastructure as cloud customers do, should they need them.

Is It Better to Host Your Own Servers or Outsource?

As mentioned earlier, hosting your own cloud servers can be time-consuming and expensive. In some cases, it may be cost-efficient for larger companies to manage an in-house data center. However, small businesses often do not have the resources to maintain these networks adequately.

Still, your company can enjoy some additional perks with an in-house server.

First, this solution centralizes all your critical data in one location on your property. This advantage gives you more control over the backup process, and you don't need to communicate with multiple customer service representatives if something goes wrong. Additionally, you don't need to rely on an internet connection to retrieve files from storage.

Third-party solutions can guarantee much more storage space for your data and — assuming you choose a reputable provider — generally stay on top of upkeep. Companies can enjoy multiple cost-saving benefits, including disaster recovery options, speedy data transfers, and more.

A professional managed service provider can assess your current digital infrastructure to determine which solution is right for your operations.

What Should You Look For When Choosing a Cloud Computing Provider?

When scouting for reliable cloud services in Albany, you should consider a few key factors.

Scalability

Third-party providers allow your company to scale software and hardware capacities to suit your exact operational needs. If your company plans to expand soon, invest in a service that helps you to migrate sensitive data quickly and safely.

Cost

Not all providers charge the same amount for their services. Completing a cost analysis on each company before you commit is a smart way to avoid spending money on resources you won't use. Some services only charge customers for the number of resources they consume, while others offer monthly or annual subscription fees.

Server Speed

In today's globalized economy, speed is essential for most business operations. It's best to partner with a vendor that can significantly reduce loading delays. Investing in a provider that offers intuitive user navigation on applications can also increase workforce agility during the workday.

Latency

Your ideal third-party solution should offer applications you can deploy from different locations around the world in just a few clicks. Many vendors attempt to minimize network latency by caching static content and serving it to customers using a CDN.

Communication

Being able to contact a support representative on short notice is a must-have for all business owners. Ensure that your chosen vendor has the financial backing and resources to quickly maintain servers and resolve issues.

How Much Cloud Storage Do You Need?

When managing a small or medium-sized business, how much cloud storage do you need? The answer to this question depends on your business operations and how much data you expect to consume. Some managed service providers recommend starting with at least 10TB of storage space if you own a company with at least 25 to 100 employees.

What Should You Know About How Much Cloud Storage Costs?

Knowing how much cloud storage costs for different vendors can help narrow your search. In most cases, a provider will charge you according to the amount of space you purchase and which additional vendor tools you use. Companies can charge anywhere from $7 a month to $30.

Additionally, some offer free options with limited capabilities.

Popular Cloud Computing Services

Choosing the right cloud services in Albany shouldn't be confusing. Explore the following list of seven popular solutions that may enhance your workflow:

1. AWS

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the largest cloud provider in the world. It maintains a network of data centers across 26 regions, including the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Asia. Users can enjoy over 200 storage services and security features to streamline their corporate operations.

Companies that invest in AWS are confident in the service's longevity. Amazon — its parent company — collected an astonishing $502.2 billion in revenue in 2022. With the resources to maintain its massive digital infrastructure, small and large companies can benefit from outsourcing their data storage and compliance to AWS.

AWS Elastic Compute Cloud suits several industries, including marketing, media, entertainment, finance, manufacturing, retail, and more. This tool allows customers to scale for high-performance applications within minutes. Moreover, it enables users to train and deploy machine learning systems to enhance digital operations.

2. Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is currently the world's second-largest cloud provider. Azure's artificial intelligence capabilities that monitor compliance and cybersecurity are one of its most recognizable features. Dell technology backs this service with modern hyper-converged infrastructure requiring up to 82% fewer steps during hardware updates than competitors.  

Microsoft Azure operates in 120 availability zones across the globe. Each data center comes equipped with high-power hardware and cooling systems.

Many companies using Microsoft Office 365 also utilize Azure's Resource Manager and Application Performance Management service. This tool lets customers view insights and track digital activity across various applications.

3. GCP

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a modular solution that offers licensing-as-a-service and platform-as-a-service options. Its robust infrastructure allows companies to protect built, stored, and coded data in numerous locations.

Like Microsoft, Google also deploys numerous applications to improve user experience. Customers can enjoy App Engine for programming, multiple command line tools, and Big Query for data analytics. If you worry about costs, Google outcompetes many services with its flexible pricing, including a free option.

GCP impresses customers with its security-focused cloud computing services. In an era where cyberattacks are becoming more common, purchasing an airtight data storage warehouse is essential for every business owner.

4. Hostwinds

Hostwinds includes various tools to manage virtual private servers, cloud storage, and dedicated servers. If you are new to cloud services, this vendor offers an intuitive interface to start exploring. The company provides excellent online customer support to help you jumpstart the process.

You can also enjoy automatic nightly backups of all your data, so you don't need to worry about sudden losses. Hostwinds also makes it easy to establish new accounts with unlimited emails and subdomains.

5. IBM Cloud

IBM Cloud enables businesses to establish hybrid cloud management and migration solutions without the hassle. As one of the most popular cloud services in Albany, many people praise IBM's platform for covering physical and virtual servers with centralized tools.

Users can access IBM Cloud using a web portal, API, or smartphone and tablet applications. Small businesses also appreciate the full control they have over customization. This advantage allows them to pick the resources they want on their servers without paying more for features they never touch.

IBM provides one of the fastest routes toward a greater return on investment. Hybrid cloud consulting services help customers improve their decision-making when managing data.

6. Alibaba Cloud

Alibaba is Asia's most trusted cloud provider and is currently the most popular data storage vendor in the Chinese market. It offers services like elastic computing, machine learning, security, and more. This vendor also covers 27 regions, including the United States.

Unlike other options on this list, Alibaba primarily benefits enterprise organizations. The company enables users to auto-scale and adjust their computing capacity according to changes in network traffic. Additionally, customers can migrate their websites to public cloud spaces whenever they choose.

7. Oracle Cloud

Oracle Cloud provides one of the best disaster recovery resources on the market. Its FastConnect tool helps you build and manage multiple cloud environments with an easy-to-navigate interface. Oracle provides high-quality security options and fast querying to avoid data extraction delays.

Oracle can support different workloads, including microservices, online transaction processing, and more. Like many modern cloud providers, Oracle also utilizes artificial intelligence for data monitoring and learning.

Still, this solution primarily serves enterprises by driving big data metrics for business insights. To keep up with demands, the vendor focuses on building and improving tools that benefit SMBs' day-to-day operations.

Which Solution Is Right for Your Digital Operations?

Depending on your workforce limitations, the data you record, and your existing digital framework, your storage solution may differ significantly from your competitors. Many managed service providers praise Amazon Web Services for its impressive range of cloud computing options and high-quality customer service.

However, Microsoft Azure is a close second choice. It provides one of the quickest, most user-friendly interfaces of all the above options. If you need to designate access privileges to multiple employees, this solution may provide the most seamless experience.

A professional managed service provider can answer questions if you are still unsure which solution is right for you.

Start Protecting Your Data With a Reliable Cloud Services

Are you ready to outsource your cloud services backup needs to a trustworthy company? You don't need to make your decision alone. At YourMSP, we ensure that our customers have all the knowledge they need to make the correct decision for their IT infrastructure.

Our computer experts specialize in consulting, managing, and monitoring SMB cloud services in Albany, NY. You can enjoy world-class communication and results when partnering with our team.

Do you have questions about how to enhance your network capabilities? Our company can optimize your digital solution to improve cybersecurity, automated processing, and much more.