Your complete guide to enterprise cloud data storage

The average enterprise stores over 23 billion files, amounting to 10 petabytes of data. To store all of that data on-site, you’d have to purchase hundreds of servers, amounting to thousands of dollars spent on data storage. And that’s before factoring in the maintenance and space costs for all those servers.

Enterprises have increasingly turned to cloud data storage to reduce storage costs, maintenance efforts, and space needed to house data on-premise. With cloud storage, cloud providers handle server maintenance, data center upkeep and monitoring, and many of the other logistics associated with protecting and maintaining large amounts of data.

In this guide, we’ll explain what enterprise cloud data storage is and how it can help large businesses optimize and scale their data storage capabilities.

What is enterprise cloud data storage?

Enterprise cloud data storage refers to the practice of storing digital data on remote servers accessed via the internet. These servers are hosted and maintained by third-party service providers, offering businesses scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.

Ultimately, cloud storage allows businesses to store their data remotely rather than rely on local storage options like external hard drives or in-house servers. With cloud storage, organizations have a scalable, secure platform for storing and accessing data from anywhere, at any time.

To suit the needs of different businesses, there are a handful of cloud storage configurations you can choose from.

Different types of enterprise cloud storage

The several types of cloud storage serve different purposes and offer different advantages:

• Public: Allows businesses to store data in a shared infrastructure managed by a cloud service provider. Suitable for businesses of all sizes.
• Private: Used by a single organization and provides greater control, security, and scalability. Ideal for businesses with specific compliance requirements.
• Hybrid: Combines the advantages of public and private clouds, providing increased flexibility. Most suitable for enterprises needing security for sensitive data and scalability for variable workloads.
• Mobile: Allows businesses to store and manage files from their mobile devices. Best ​​for organizations needing secure backup and access across devices.

No matter which type of cloud storage you choose, it offers multiple advantages over on-premise storage.

Why enterprises should consider cloud storage

Cloud storage offers several advantages to businesses:

Optimized resource utilization

Cloud storage eliminates the need for additional servers and manual backups. Since most organizations aren’t in the business of data storage, moving to the cloud allows them to focus on their core competencies instead.

Cost-effectiveness

Maintaining and upgrading physical storage hardware is expensive. It’s estimated that it costs over $3,000 per year to store just one terabyte of data. If you’re storing the average 10 PB of most enterprises, that’s an annual cost of $30 million to maintain your data.

With cloud storage, businesses only pay for the storage they actually use. Since your data is housed in a center with other organizations using a cloud service provider’s server space, those maintenance costs are divided between all of a provider’s customers and included in your storage pricing.

Robust disaster recovery

Cloud storage provides geographic redundancy, ensuring data is safe even if one location is compromised. It's scalable, cost-effective, and allows for rapid disaster recovery operations, outperforming on-premise storage in flexibility and reliability.

Enhanced accessibility and collaboration

Accessibility from everywhere isn’t always feasible with on-premise storage due to its localized nature and infrastructure limitations. Cloud storage offers seamless access and collaboration from any location or device, enabling real-time sharing and editing of files.

Increased security

Cloud storage providers implement powerful security measures to protect the data stored in their infrastructure. These measures include advanced cybersecurity teams and effective data redundancy. Deploying these security measures for on-premise solutions would require hiring a full team of cybersecurity experts, which can be difficult and expensive.

With the benefits of reduced costs, better security, and higher team accessibility, cloud storage is an attractive option for many businesses. However, to experience these benefits in full, you should follow a few best practices.

Best practices for implementing cloud storage in enterprises

Successfully integrating cloud storage into enterprise operations involves following best practices that ensure a smooth transition and optimal use of the technology.

Create data migration strategies

The foundation of successful cloud storage implementation is a well-thought-out data migration plan. This plan should include:

• A detailed assessment of the data to be moved.
• Categorizing the data based on its importance to the business.
• How frequently the data is accessed.

Employing data migration tools and services can help streamline this process, making it less time-consuming and reducing the risk of data loss or corruption. It's critical that enterprises meticulously plan the migration process to avoid any operational disruptions.

Ensure data security and compliance

Security is often a primary concern when adopting cloud storage solutions. To safeguard sensitive information, enterprises should employ robust encryption protocols for data both in transit to the cloud and while at rest within it.

It's also essential to conduct regular reviews and updates of access controls and permissions to ensure that only authorized personnel can access certain data. Staying informed about the latest compliance standards and regulations within your industry is also crucial to avoid potential legal issues and maintain trust with your customers.

Maximize cost-efficiency

​​One of the main advantages of cloud storage is its potential for cost savings. However, enterprises must regularly audit their cloud storage usage to identify and eliminate any wasteful expenditures to truly benefit from this aspect.

Implementing data lifecycle policies is an effective way to manage costs by automating the archiving and deletion of data that’s no longer needed. By doing so, businesses can optimize their cloud storage investment, ensuring they're only paying for the storage they actually use.

Adhering to these best practices can significantly enhance an enterprise's ability to effectively integrate cloud storage into its IT infrastructure. The focus on careful planning, security, and cost management facilitates a smoother transition to the cloud and ensures ongoing operational efficiency and compliance with relevant regulations.

Choosing the right enterprise cloud storage solution

Selecting the best cloud storage solution requires a careful assessment of several factors to ensure your chosen service aligns with your specific needs and goals.

Assess your storage needs

You should start by understanding your organization's current and future storage needs. You should consider:

• The volume of data you need to store
• The types of data you need to store (files, databases, backups, etc.).
• How often this data will be accessed
• Compliance or regulatory requirements you need to meet.

This step is foundational in ensuring the cloud storage solution you choose can accommodate your data storage requirements both now and as they evolve.

Compare service providers

​​Once you have a clear understanding of your needs, you can start evaluating cloud storage providers.

Security should be a top priority, with a focus on the measures each provider takes to protect your data, including encryption protocols and compliance with industry standards. You should also review each provider's service level agreements (SLAs) to understand their uptime guarantees and data recovery protocols. Additionally, consider how well each provider's solution integrates with your existing business systems and applications, as seamless integration can greatly enhance productivity and efficiency.

Ultimately, you should look for providers that offer robust security features, high reliability and uptime, scalability to meet your growing needs, and integrations that support your existing workflows.

Choose Telnyx cloud storage for your enterprise

Enterprise cloud data storage can give businesses improved flexibility, efficiency, and scalability. By understanding the key considerations and best practices outlined in this guide, you enterprises can make informed decisions that align with your enterprise’s strategic goals and technological needs.

Telnyx cloud storage presents a compelling option for those seeking a reliable, customizable, and secure data storage solution. Our focus on security, scalability, and seamless integration at competitive prices positions us as a leading choice for businesses looking to future-proof their data management strategies. With Telnyx Cloud Storage, you'll get unlimited storage capacity and a solution that grows with your business—ensuring your data infrastructure is always one step ahead.

Choosing Telnyx also means opting for a partner that understands the intricacies of modern data demands. Our cloud storage solution is designed to make your data AI-ready so you can stay ahead of tech trends and empower data-driven insights in your organization.