Here are some other factors to consider when narrowing down your choices for a cloud storage or online backup solution.
Ease of Use
When considering any SaaS service, gauge whether the interface will be easy for employees without much technical knowledge to learn and use. It shouldn’t be complicated for someone with basic computer skills to set up a continuous backup schedule and recover data.
In our research, we found many services with user-friendly dashboards that let you organize data, schedule backups, manage group privileges, collaborate with team members, control security settings and more. Take advantage of demos and free trials – you’ll see firsthand whether an interface is a good match for your needs and team.
Backup and Storage Capabilities
Many online backup services double as cloud storage services, allowing you to store and share more files. Online backup services don’t normally let you store additional files beyond what is on the hard drive or server you’re backing up so you can make clean recoveries in case of an emergency.
Security
If your files contain sensitive data, encryption is a must. Many services offer 256-bit AES encryption, which meets the U.S. government’s requirements for handling sensitive data. Choose a company that takes security seriously; ask representatives about encryption and other measures they take to protect your data.
Performance
Some storage services offer different performance tiers. For example, in the event that you suffer a data loss and need your information back as soon as possible, you’ll want a service that allows you to perform fast recoveries. Also ask about any potential conflicts with bandwidth and throttling. You don’t want your internet speeds diminished because the system is backing up data, halting your everyday operations.
Collaboration Features
If you are strictly looking for online backup, collaboration may not be a concern for you. However, if you share documents frequently, look for convenient features that help you collaborate with team members or clients while maintaining tight security over your data. These features include password-protected links to share files, delivery notifications on accessed documents, link expiration dates, user and group management, feedback and approval options, and live chat.
Platform Capabilities
Each cloud service lets you upload, download and access files via internet browser. So, really, all you need is an internet connection to get to your data. However, some backup services only work on specific platforms, like Windows, Mac or Linux. Ensure that your service can accommodate the various platforms your business uses. If you have a highly mobile team, it may also be preferable to choose a service that offers an app for both iOS and Android devices.
Recovery Time
Cloud backup and recovery times can be impacted by network latency, which can extend your recovery time objective (RTO). Your RTO is the amount of time an application can be down without significant damage to a business and the time it takes for the system to go from loss to recovery. A service that focuses on recovery time can help your business avoid severe damage and data loss during various disasters, such as power outages, theft, corrupted servers and hard drives, cyberattacks, and exposure to ransomware.
Scalability
Besides analyzing your current cloud needs, project the potential growth of your business. Choose a cloud service that can scale up as your business grows.