Top 10 Creative Uses of Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is everywhere these days. Cloud Backup has become somewhat of a fad. But the good news is that cloud storage is actually useful. You can save a lot of time and money by utilizing cloud storage for both business and personal use. But there are plenty of ways to use cloud backup services in addition to simply storing data in the cloud. Let's take a look at 10 ways you can use virtual backup services creatively.

1. Replace Your FTP

Common knowledge dictates that most cloud storage services let you download and upload files through a graphic interface. Most users don’t realize there is another way to retrieve and upload files. You can actually make files and folders public for anyone to access. If you use a file transfer protocol (FTP) server, a cloud storage service can work as a more powerful alternative.

2. Collaboration

Cloud storage makes web-based collaboration an easy option for many web workers. This can be done by making your cloud storage service your main location for storing and sharing files. This not only saves a great deal of time in file sharing collaboration, but many cloud storage services let you collaborate in real time, making working online with multiple people easier than ever.

3. Synchronize Your Workspace

Many cloud storage systems are touted as the best way to synchronize files between locations. But you can do much more than synchronize documents and files. You can sync anything from system settings, old file version, contact information and even software installation files with the cloud. This makes it easy to take your computer workspace with you wherever you go in the world.

4. Store Documents

When it comes to storing company documents, there is no better method than with cloud storage. Storing company documents in the cloud will only increase the overall efficiency of your company. This is especially true if employees in your company like to regularly refer to old versions of documents. You can easily store company documents in the cloud, and notify employees and board members when the document changes.

5. Create a Virtual Paper Trail of File Versions

The problem with storing files in a traditional rack space server is keeping track of file versions. As software rapidly improves and changes, keeping track of different file versions can be incredibly confusing. In the cloud, you can create a virtual paper trail of different file versions. Not only that, but since the cloud is incredibly fast, you can access these files faster than ever.

6. Photo Storage

If you’re an avid photo taker, space on your physical hard drive can deplete pretty quickly. Moving your photos to the cloud not only save hard drive space, but they're easy to access for editing and publishing to your blog or website.

7. Backup Your Computer

Perhaps one of the most common uses of the cloud is to backup your computer. We’re likely to see a deeper integration of cloud storage into personal computers, as hard drives are becoming less and less reliable. Backup all of your data to the cloud to protect your data.

8. Video Storage

Video takes up a lot of space. Many video production companies and professionals are utilizing the cloud more than ever to upload and organize gigabyte upon gigabyte of digital video data.

9. Media Organization

In general, cloud storage serves as a great place to organize all of your digital media. From MP3s to photos to video to major multimedia design projects the cloud serves as an excellent way to organize large digital media libraries.

10. Data Restoration

Cloud storage also serves as a great launching pad for testing your data restoration process. This is a good way to prepare for any devastating hard drive malfunctions in the future.