You have two options when it comes to data storage: You can store your data offline, usually on a server at your office or use an online data storage provider, a webservice which enables you to store your data at your provider’s place. Both ways have their pros and cons.
The first question you have to ask yourself when it comes to online storage is: “Do I trust the company enough to hand over them all my data?” With modern design tools, it’s easy to create a good looking website and broadcast reliability. Even one person companies can look like huge businesses which can become dangerous when it comes to data storage. Smaller companies simply don’t have the resources to run large and redundant server systems. Therefore when a company runs into bankruptcy all stored data is gone irretrievable.
The other big question you have to ask yourself is, if the online storage provider is doing enough against data fraud. An online data storage provider tries to get as much people on it’s site as possible. The more people know about it, the higher is the risk that a hacker tries to hack the system and steal sensible data. When you’re using a server at your company the risk of get hacked is much smaller, simply because no one knows about your server and the connections to it.
Should you forget about online storage? Well, this is depending on the type of data you want to store. When you have insensitive data (of course everyone needs to evaluate which data is sensitive and which not for himself) and need access to it on the way an online storage can be perfect. Additionally, when you want to share your data with others, this can be the way to go. When you have sensible data, as customer relevant data or billing information you should store everything locally.
Storing data locally at the beginning is much more work, but it’s worth. You and no one else will know about your storage and you’ll be pulling all strings in your hands regarding security and access. You’ll be able to create automatic backups and with an broadband internet flatrate, you’re even able to access your data on the way.
Frank Peters is lead tech developer at soft-evolution, an innovative provider of theteam management software Pimero.
Posted under Data Storage
This post was written by Frank Peters on November 19, 2009

