At first glance, the cloud vertical may seem crowded and confusing, with multiple providers offering similar services. The cost appeal of a self-service solution is undeniable; basic cloud storage seems an affordable foundation and a step towards resilience.
In fact, there’s much more than the initial costs for a business to consider. All cloud storage services are not created equal. There are vast differences in support levels, especially for disaster recovery, which affect length the of business interruption and related financial loss.
When selecting a cloud partner, it’s important to consider not only backup capabilities but also the services available to recover quickly after a data event. The level of support directly impacts your downtime and the disruption a business suffers while systems and operations are restored. The severity of financial consequences from an outage is irreversible.
Balancing Cost and Protection
When selecting an appropriate cloud solution, remember that the primary goal of cloud backup for any business is recovery in case of data disruption or disaster. The ultimate measure of success is the minimization of downtime. It’s therefore essential to consider cloud providers who have the experience and support required for rapid and resilient recovery. Certain providers offer a variety of Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) Solutions and multiple recovery options, including emergency hosting.
Selecting the appropriate solution involves a two-step process. First, ensuring the security and viability of the cloud backup infrastructure is crucial. Backups are a safeguard against potential losses from disasters such as fires, floods, malware, and cyberattacks. Second, every business must regularly test its backups to ensure effective recovery, which should be integrated into its disaster recovery plan.
However, many big-box cloud providers that appear to be low-cost have hidden or additional charges. Among these are fees such as ingress or egress charges that are applied when your data leaves the cloud provider’s network and goes to an external location or sometimes even when data is moved between cloud instances from the same provider.
If time is money, the low-cost data storage options offered by many clouds could cost your organization far more than originally thought if critical backup data is archived. In many cases requires the process called “rehydrating,” which essentially means making files available and functional again after they’ve been archived in the cloud — and the more data you move, the greater the length of time. These unexpected time delay are typically not budgeted for and can amount to significant downtime costs.
When a data disaster does occur, there is often insufficient internal support to manage the situation effectively. An emergency of that magnitude is hardly ideal for DIY problem-solving. In such crisis conditions, having skilled external support to leverage smooths the recovery process. A partner with experts who are well-acquainted with recovery can prove invaluable.
The Allure of Low-Cost Bulk Storage
Not every cloud infrastructure option is the same. A sea of storage providers may host backup copies of data and system servers on their web-based server – but recovering data quickly when it’s needed can be a Herculean challenge. From on-demand software provisioning to automated infrastructure scaling, self-service capabilities streamline workflows and offer companies a backup solution without a significant investment in hardware.
Self-service cloud providers may appear affordable, yet the lack of adequate support can be disruptive and expensive. A business may have the illusion they are protected, but in fact, be on its own with no helpful direction or support for restoring servers and getting users back up and running when its IT systems are down.
Bulk file storage is essentially the digital equivalent of an unlit, unmanned warehouse. The space may be packed with a vast number of files – but without systematic organization, a clear recovery plan, and experienced support accessing critical systems – returning to normal business operations may take weeks depending on the disaster. Having knowledgeable support coupled with recovery options like emergency hosting available when needed is a business’s most important type of insurance.
Consider Downtime Implications
Consider the speed with which your business could recover. What does it cost your company when your IT systems are down? Try RenovoData’s downtime calculator to explore various scenarios and the potential outcomes.
Some big-box cloud providers are a far cry from a total DRaaS and Business Continuity solution. So before committing to a bulk storage option, check for egress fees that may be charged during the restoration process. These hidden expenses, which are revealed only at the time of restoration, add substantial cost – and will be assessed just as a business may be experiencing major disruptions in cash flow due to operational interruptions.
A Supported Cloud Solution is Functional Insurance for Digital Operations
Cloud companies that provide a holistic approach with documented testing available, proven recovery timelines, and runbooks proactively put your business in a better position when disaster strikes. In times of crisis, assistance in restoring servers and getting users connected to a temporary emergency hosting environment is invaluable. It enables operations to resume with less disruption and financial impact.
The key to harnessing the full potential of cloud technology lies in striking a delicate balance between self-service and traditional support. While self-service promotes autonomy it must be accompanied by robust infrastructure frameworks to ensure seamless experiences and mitigate risks. Moreover, effective service delivery goes beyond mere troubleshooting.
Striking a Balance
Effective support for Cloud DRaaS minimizes your downtime and risk exposure. An impactful solution extends beyond troubleshooting; it encompasses proactive guidance and support from an experienced cloud provider who is proficient in recovery. Integrating robust support frameworks creates a seamless experience to mitigate risks effectively.
Unless a self-service cloud solution is complemented by responsive support, it may even compound an already difficult situation. A data disaster is precisely the time for guidance, troubleshooting, and personalized assistance. Indeed, in their absence, users may find themselves adrift in a sea of complexity, grappling with unforeseen challenges and obstacles to productivity.
In an increasingly data-driven business climate, a company’s digital assets are invaluable. RenovoData offers a range of DRaaS solutions designed to safeguard your critical systems and files based on your recovery objectives and goals. In addition, we help businesses understand and prepare to minimize operational losses in the event of a disaster. Our support team can help IT managers and other company stakeholders identify the appropriate recovery support options depending on the scenario and can define the plan of action after a data disaster.
Consider white-glove service coupled with self-service
When choosing a cloud DRaaS solution and provider, consider additional services available such as experienced support, documented recovery testing, recovery planning, and assistance through the recovery process. RenovoData experts can work hand-in-hand with IT departments to design the right solution for your organization to survive data loss and more easily resume full operations.
Experience the difference that RenovoData can make for your organization with cloud backup, full support services, and DRaaS Solutions to minimize downtime. Schedule a call to discuss how we mitigate risks and downtime. Call 1.877.834.3684, or email us at info@renovodata.com.
RenovoData is a leading regulatory-compliant, cloud data protection IT services company. Our solutions range from File and Database Backup, Server Recovery, Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS), Custom Cloud Hosting and Consulting solutions for on-premises and hosted environments.