How Network Attached Storage Benefits Your Small Business

By | Ali Hassan | June 9, 2022

For any small business, the technology infrastructure consists of a wireless connection, personal desktops, along with printers. With the passage of time, the company acquires more and more assets in the form of data and files, financial spreadsheets, and marketing collateral. The more time passes the more data get accumulated, which is then dispersed throughout multiple hard drives. Thus, making everything more difficult to find.

If you work at or own a business, you would be aware of how much time is spent looking for files each week. A few minutes every day of this can really add up to be a lot. Many studies show that employees at organizations spend approximately 19.8% of their time each week looking for information that seems to be lost. That is actually a lot.

You must be wondering what can be done to overcome this loss and align information that prevents any such loss or misplacement. One of the ways in which companies can consolidate their spreadsheets and data across multiple devices, making it easier for everyone to find and access data. Every organization needs good server storage solutions. This can be done by using network-attached storage. What is NAS? Let’s find out!

What is Network Attached Storage (NAS)?

A network attached storage device is a separate hard drive that is kept locally onsite. All of the devices in the office or those that you have outside can connect to it through a wired or a wireless network connection. For example, if you have employees situated all across the country, you would want all of them to stay up to date with the most recent data copies. Instead of having to sort through multiple versions of different data reports on their individual systems. With the use of this device, all of the employees can easily access the copy that is available on the company’s NAS.

Moreover, employees of every department can make sure that the most recent copies of the data are always available on the storage device. Thus, ensuring that everyone has access to the most current version. NAS devices are a great way to centralize your organization’s data and keep your team on the same page. To know why you should get one of these devices for your organization.

Hard Drives
Hard Drives

Benefits of Network Attached Storage (NAS)

Whether you are a small or medium business. Working as one of the largest firms in your area or the smallest. The problems relating to data storage and access are universal. While the traditional server storage solutions of files and data on a hard drive work well. It ultimately leaves your organization’s data vulnerable and difficult to find. How you can benefit from a NAS device.

1. Central File Storage and Access

A NAS device can help you access work files and documents both from your desktop workstation or when you are working remotely and not at the office. This means that you do not have to do the more tedious job of emailing files back and forth to yourself, to ensure that you can work at home with ease. Moreover, if you are on the go and have a meeting with the client, with NAS you can successfully pull up any documents you need anywhere and anytime.

Having a central system for all your data storage needs also helps improve security and reduce the chances of the data getting lost. You can also set up a file access permission system on your NAS. This will ensure that only those employees that should have access to those files have the authority to.

Cloud Storage
Cloud Storage

2. Optimal And Private Storage

Buying separate hard drives for every employee to collate business data, is not only going to cost your organization a lot. But it can also pose a high risk of data theft and drive corruption. The high technology cloud services are more robust when it comes to storage and security. But as an employer, you would fear that you have access to this data. This is especially a concern if the data is sensitive. By having a central workstation as the data storage hub you can ensure that every employee has a dedicated data storage space. Moreover, with permission systems, you can make sure that the data is for the organization and its employee’s eyes only.

3. Automated Local Cloud Backup

Another great benefit of a NAS device is that it can offer you affordable backup solutions. It can also act as a cloud backup for your remote systems. For the in-house desktops, you can opt for a backup via ethernet cable or for a wireless connection. This helps you ensure that your organization’s data is backed up safely and that you have prompt access to it at any time.

Cloud Storage
Cloud Storage

4. Easy to Set Up and Use

Network attached storage devices are simple to set up and easy to use. They are designed such, that you do not have to go through hours and hours of instructions or manuals to set them up. Many technological services offer to help you set up your NAS and other connections for you. So, if you are having a hard time or difficulty setting it up you can always approach them. Moreover, access to the device is also user-friendly. It usually has a web-based interface to make access to files an easy process.

5. Remote Data Access

With a NAS device, your organization cab has secured private clouds with access through a local area network with a web-based interface to help configure the settings. This also helps make the data accessible across various time zones, making it easy for remote workers to access it. This way you can run your organization with peace of mind that not only is the data accessible to all but will also stay safe.

Remote Data Access
Hard Drives

6. Reduced Hard Drives Costs

By storing all your documents with a NAS device, you choose a less expensive storage solution compared to the hard drive option. This is because your organization’s PC won’t have enough storage capacity and you would always need external server storage solutions. This is where NAS can come into play. It will help you store your data efficiently, while at the same time the savings on hardware can add up significantly over time.

7. Space-Saving and Compact

Another benefit of using a NAS device for storage purposes is that you will not have to dedicate a lot of space in your office to it. These devices come in various sizes, depending upon their capacities. But most of these devices are no bigger than the bread toaster in your kitchen. Not only does this make the device convenient to use, but the compact designs also make it easily portable in case of an emergency.

Storage
Network Storage

8. Affordable File Storage Option for Homes and Offices

Lastly, NAS is great in terms of expenses. It is a very affordable option for small businesses and private users. The prices of most NAS products start at less than $200. Thus, making it a great storage solution for most employers.

Bottom line

In conclusion, for those individuals who are looking for simpler server storage solutions, NAS is the best way to go. It provides easy access and security for a local backup giving you peace of mind. Moreover, it is very affordable, and you would save a lot of cost that would otherwise be spent on hard drives. Additionally, their compact structure makes them perfect for storage, without taking up a lot of space in your office. If you are looking for some up to date server storage solutions than visit Sibbex now!