Why You Should Migrate From File Servers

Why You Should Migrate From File Servers

Small business owners rely on file servers to access central file repositories. File servers are centralized resources that provide an easy-to-manage way of handling file storage and sharing.

However, file servers may slow down your business for many reasons. For one, the server hardware is expensive to purchase and maintain. Companies can spend up to $700 on electricity to run these servers. These servers also limit collaboration efforts, especially in the current remote working options. File servers use a folder hierarchy that may challenge employees trying to find specific files. Employees are also expecting freedom to work from any location, which is limited when working with file servers.

In previous years, businesses settled for inefficient servers as there were no suitable alternatives. The introduction of cloud solutions offers viable and efficient alternatives that businesses can leverage to improve their processes. Indeed, having file servers on-site can be frustrating considering the dramatic investments witnessed in file storage technology.

Here’s why your organization can move away from file servers.

Why File Servers Are No Longer Effective

Traditionally, companies used on-premises file servers to store their corporate data. After introducing servers, they appeared like a giant leap for businesses as employees could save files on a shared drive. Then, over time, companies identified gaps in this solution as content got duplicated and employees mistook old versions for the latest files.

File servers became a hindrance to collaboration while causing mix-ups in communication. These servers damage your operation’s efficiency, ultimately hampering your bottom line. Additional downsides to this solution include:

1. High Costs

File servers require costly maintenance and upgrades that may eat up your technology budgets. Businesses also spend on the real estate that houses the servers and the administrating IT staff. When your business grows, you may need to spend more capital on building more server space or implementing server upgrades. Ultimately, file servers will cost more and derail your expansion efforts.

2. Limited Access to Data

In today’s remote working conditions, employees require 24/7 access to data regardless of their location or device. Fire servers only provide mobile data access for laptops with a VPN connection or configured mobile device connection. In some instances, such devices may not work, denying your staff access to business-critical data.

3. Costly Downtime

File servers are prone to disruptions that may affect your service delivery. Running on-premises file servers offers inconsistent availability, especially in case of power outages.

4. Impaired Collaboration

Business partners often need to collaborate on business-related files in real-time. File servers hardly provide collaborative capabilities. You may have to invest in additional software and hardware to achieve effective collaboration. File servers also deny you control over versioning, preventing two people from working on a file concurrently.

Multiple copies of similar data take up more space as users need to upload and download files repeatedly. You may end up losing data in the process and frustrate your hardworking workforce.

5. Inflexibility

Whether you have a dedicated/co-located server or host the server on-premise, your business may have difficulty scaling up and down depending as demand rises or falls. Traditional servers are often rigid and may prevent you from scaling in real-time. You may pay for servers that you hardly use or run out of bandwidth or storage space during busy periods in such cases.

Why Should You Make the Shift From File Servers to Advanced Technology

Moving your business to a cloud-based system provides sync and sharing capabilities that boost your collaborative efforts. Further, advanced file sync and share tools provide minimal detractions, letting you offload hardware and software maintenance. Your business also gets to leverage anywhere-access and advanced collaboration that can boost productivity.

Leverage multiple benefits from cloud-based solutions, including:

1. Smooth Business Operations

Utilizing public cloud servers for file sharing and storage provides real-time access to business-critical file and data. With public cloud storage, you won’t have to worry about maintaining security or providing consistent file space. Your provider will manage cloud security while deciding where and how users can access the server.

2. Enhanced Flexibility

Cloud storage services let you scale up and down efficiently, ensuring that you keep up with real-time demand. Cloud solutions also provide team sites in place of top-down directories that ease file navigation and organization. Then, these site’s structures empower teams that are interested in boosting collaboration.

3. No Data Loss

Cloud storage solutions minimize the risk of data loss or leakage. Your business can leverage unlimited file versioning, allowing you to refer to previous file versions while monitoring progress on different projects. Your team can also make the most of backups that help you retrieve files if you accidentally lose files.

4. Advanced Security and Privacy

Leverage the latest security technology, including end-to-end encryption and antivirus protection, to secure your files. Then, employees can collaborate on files without worrying about unauthorized access to critical files.

5. Simplicity

Cloud servers are easy to set up and use. After initial set up, your servers will also require minimal maintenance. Employees can access files within a network drive from any connected device. Cloud solutions come with easy-to-understand interfaces, mobile access, and robust admin centers that simplify adoption for end-users. Further, the advanced technology does away with inefficient sharing protocols that can derail a team’s productivity.

6. Complete File Access

Migrating your files to cloud storage solutions makes it easier for your teams to access business-related information. Whether you’re at the office, at home, or on the go, you can access files from anywhere, with any connected device. There is no risk of losing or duplicating files due to regular file shares. The search power for finding file ensures that your team can pull up relevant results in nanoseconds.

Learn More About Migrating From File Servers

Technology evolution has become relentless, with solutions that were once cutting-edge becoming obsolete. Cloud storage solutions are the best bet for organizations looking to boost their collaboration efforts. CTECH Consulting Group delivers advanced technology solutions, allowing you to make the most of your tech investments. In fact, we provide and reliable support resources to help you switch to advanced technologies.

Do you want to learn more? Then, explore our tech solutions or schedule a free consultation today.

Written by Carl Fransen

posted on April 21, 2021

Carl Fransen

My passion is to make my mark on the world in a positive and lasting way. I want to set an example for my son that his father can compete with integrity in today’s world, be very successful, and leave the world a better place for him.

Combining my technical/business-based education with a long career steadily progressing up the corporate ladder, I decided to build a company that held true to my values. So, I founded and designed the next generation of IT support firm: CTECH Consulting Group Inc. We are a completely automated, cloud-based IT company designed to compete against any other IT firm without the overhead. We promote a lifestyle to all our staff where they can work anywhere, at any time, access any information on any device that is relevant to their job, and collaborate with anyone they want to.