


Some also provide the ability to back up or collaborate on business documents. Many providers of free online storage have their roots in the consumer market where the typical user may be using the service to store and share photos, videos and music files. However, channel partners who work with SMBs looking toward the cloud to protect their data often run up against competition from a growing host of companies that provide cloud-based storage, backup, and disaster recovery services at no charge. IDC also expects combined worldwide spending for public and private cloud storage to hit $22.6 billion by 2015.Īs a result, traditional solution providers and managed service providers have found a wide range of technologies from a variety of developers that make it easy to add cloud storage to their line cards with a minimum of investment. That's the word from providers of cloud-based storage and backups that every day deal with clients who are attracted by the lure of free storage but who may not understand the potential ramifications of trusting their precious business data to technology more targeted at consumers looking to back up photos and audio files.Ĭloud-based storage, whether used for backing up data, adding disaster recovery, or even storing primary data, is becoming a major part of the IT business.Īnalyst firm IDC in October estimated that spending by public cloud service providers on storage hardware, software and professional services will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 23.6 percent from 2010 to 2015. While free online storage or free online backups may sound sweet to small businesses looking to make the best use of their limited budgets, the reality is that the cost of a properly managed, fully compliant backup is worth far more than its cost.
