How do companies store their data?

How organisations store their data varies significantly between different types of entities. It often also depends on the exact nature of the data and the size of the organisation. Some of the most common ways are outlined below.

On-premises storage

Some – usually smaller – companies store their data on their own physical servers/on-site data centres within their premises. Some still even use devices such as external hard drives, network-attached storage (NAS), tape drives, or optical discs (DVD/CD).

All these methods give organisations/data controllers direct control over their data; however, most require significant investment in infrastructure and ongoing maintenance.

Cloud storage

For larger and more modern companies, using cloud-based solutions such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), or Google Cloud is seen as the best way to store data. With these, the data is stored remotely (in the cloud).

Cloud storage offers flexibility and is cost-effective. It is also scalable, ensuring no wasted resources. Another key advantage is that files and information can be shared between users no matter where they are located, enabling enhanced collaboration and boosting productivity.

The main potential downsides of cloud storage are that the client is essentially handing over control over where their data is stored, strong security is required, and an internet connection is always needed to upload/download data files.

Data analysis experts

If you feel your business could benefit from the services of a data analysis company, there are a number of specialists in this sphere. Companies such as shepper.com offer both advice and services.

SaaS platforms

Software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms are often used for specific business functions such as project management and customer relationship management. These platforms store app-specific data in the cloud, providing convenient access and collaboration features.

Data warehouses

Data warehouses are specialist systems that are used for storing data from multiple sources in a central repository. They are designed to provide storage and support data analysis, data mining, and machine learning.

Lots of organisations opt for a hybrid approach to data storage, combining cloud storage with on-premises storage.