In today’s world, data management is an integral part of a business’s technology strategy. With the boom of e-commerce and companies trying to adapt during a global pandemic, data storage solutions are essential. 

The demand placed on storage solutions has increased dramatically and many solutions aren’t able to handle the current demands. Organizations all over the globe are currently facing an uphill climb of ensuring their data storage solutions can move forward and evolve as the business does.

There are a lot of options out there for enterprise data storage, but it is crucial to find the one that is right for your business to ensure a stable foundation for your IT environment. When considering adding or adjusting your data storage solution, you have to analyze your current environment and your needs for the short and long-term. This will help you navigate through your numerous options and help you find the one that is right for you

What is your budget? Is there any flexibility with it?

Unfortunately, nothing is free. When determining your budget for data storage, take it into account the type of data you have and the importance of it. Certainly, social security numbers are a higher priority than the eye color of your customers, but none the less, all data is important to protect.  

How do you need to use your data?

Do you have teams that regularly access some of the data or is it just something that gets stored?  Consider how the business has to handle and use the data. This would be a question that should go to each department or division of your business as you will likely discover a wide variety of answers. Your accounting department could require access to certain financials once a quarter while perhaps your marketing department distributes corporate communications every three weeks.  

What systems or applications need to align with this data storage solution?

IT environments are complex and must integrate cohesively to maintain an efficient and effective system.  Taking the time to understand how a solution would align with the systems you have in place will save you a headache down the road. Avoiding costly downtime or potential disruptions to your critical business functions will allow for a smooth transition to this new solution.

What requirements are there for data storage?

In recent years, numerous laws have been set in place for how businesses can maintain customer data.  A business must follow these regulations (state and federally) to prevent costly damages later on.  Each industry needs to be mindful of any requirements for their particular vertical. With each organization having a unique collection of data, seeking compliance is the key to success.

Once the basic parameters of your needs have been established, it’s time to get specific about what storage solution is right for your business. Here are some questions you should ask of the solution to determine the right one:

Where do you want your data stored?

For enterprise storage solutions, you will need to consider where you want the data stored. Are you considering introducing cloud technology to your environment or do you just need additional components at your data center?  With a wide range of options, you really can find the one that fits your current and future needs.

What sort of capacity do you need?

This is a question that you need to think long-term about. Perhaps your business needs more data storage immediately and it is certainly something you need to fix urgently, but it’s also an opportunity to consider why that happened and how you can work today to prevent storage emergencies in the future. Data storage solutions have a wide range of capacity offerings so consider what you need on an annual basis and where your needs will be in the future.

How do you want the data accessed?

Review with the various divisions of your organization how the different types of data should securely be accessed. This will require some time and an understanding of how everyone intends to use specific components. The data storage solution you select must allow you to customize perimeters based on your needs while ensuring high-levels of security.

How do you want the data backed up?

When considering data storage solutions, thinking about a back up to that data is just as important.  When handling an emergency, you need to know that your data is still safe and protected. Whether it is a natural disaster or a power failure, being able to trust your data storage solution enables you to focus on getting through the crisis.  

Integrating a new solution as large and complex as one for data storage sometimes requires third party support. So, why ask an MSP for help?

• They have already assessed and vetted out the best solutions which save you time and money.
• They can implement the project for you with minimal downtown, etc. during off-hours.
• It allows for a reliable local resource should something go wrong.
• They can update (or manage) the enterprise solution for your business as needed.
• They can easily integrate additional services such as disaster recovery or fiber connectivity.

Advanticom is available to support improving efficiency and enhancing the capabilities of your data storage solution. For more information on how we can help, check out our website at https://advanticom.com/data-storage/.