CLOUD STORAGE FOR SMBS
CONTINUED
one basket’,” she says.. “Cloud bursting is another option SMBs are considering. It’s a cloud computing technology that allows users to expand and reduce cloud resources as needed and is predominantly used by businesses using a private cloud and an on-site data centre. It is great for businesses that go through periods of high demand where internal computing capacity can quickly reach its limit. Cloud bursting allows internal resources to be expanded using external cloud capacity from third parties for a limited time, and when needed, without having to invest in costly on-site IT systems.” Ben adds that Microsoft 365 is a prevalent service among SMBs that comes with some cloud storage. “However, as businesses exceed these storage limits, they often purchase additional cloud storage,” he says. “In such scenarios, businesses are exploring various types of cloud storage for archiving older, less frequently accessed data to reduce costs. On-premise storage is still necessary for businesses with existing infrastructure, and its capacity is also increasing to accommodate the growing data volumes.” Reseller conversations Resellers play a crucial role in helping SMBs navigate the cloud storage landscape. Chris says that resellers should emphasise the benefits of scalability, cost savings and improved security. “They should also highlight the flexibility of hybrid solutions and the importance of choosing a solution that aligns with the customer's specific needs and regulatory requirements,” he says. Ian adds that the security implications of cloud storage should be discussed, especially given the rising threat of cyberattacks. “Cloud storage typically offers robust security features such as encryption, access controls and regular backups, while cloud providers often have comprehensive disaster recovery plans in place to ensure data protection,” he says. “This is something we find clients often have not considered. “Clients should also be aware of potential challenges such as bandwidth limitations and performance issues, particularly if they rely on large data transfers or have high-performance demands. Resellers should discuss how to optimise cloud storage to meet these needs, including strategies for reducing latency and improving accessibility. “While cloud storage is often cost-effective, clients need to be informed of potential
hidden costs, such as data egress fees, ongoing maintenance and the need for advanced security tools. Resellers can help clients understand the full cost picture and make informed decisions based on their specific requirements. “Another potential challenge clients may face is vendor lock-in, where it can become difficult or costly to switch providers once data is stored in the cloud. Resellers should highlight the importance of planning for flexibility and portability, ensuring clients can adapt to changing needs without excessive costs.” With security, Kobi adds that resellers should be aware of the shared responsibility model. “Considering that the CSP are responsible for the availability of the service,
Chanel Patrick functional lead – UK Sales
ionos.co.uk
“
Cloud security also involves responsible data handling and making
all attempts at accessing the cloud or cloud service as secure as possible.
but it’s down to the customer to ensure it kept secure and configured correctly. This is where resellers can also provide support and security consultancy." Chanel agrees that resellers should make sure SMB customers are aware of the potential security risks including cloud hardware failure, user errors and third-party attacks, as well as how to best prevent these. “To achieve a high level of security and convenience, it is not enough to only have robust protection mechanisms in place for the software and hardware being used,” she says. “Cloud security also involves responsible data handling and making all attempts at accessing the cloud or cloud service as secure as possible. Preventive measures for potential failures and data recovery features also belong to an effective cloud security package.” John says that resellers should also emphasise the ease of integration with existing on-premise or other cloud-based
”
Ben Voce cloud presales lead
exertis.co.uk
38
Powered by FlippingBook