What is Cloud Data Transfer and Why Do Organizations Use It?
Cloud data transfer is a process of moving data to and from a cloud computing environment. There are various needs that cloud transfers fulfill: one type of cloud data transfer takes data from a local, on-premises data center and brings it to the cloud. Another type of transfer moves data from one cloud platform to another. A third takes data from a cloud platform and brings it to a local, on-premises data center.
The main benefit of cloud storage solutions is to host data in the most effective way possible. Organizations typically choose to use cloud services, whether to transfer data or store and access it, based on cost, performance, and security. Overall, cloud storage provides greater elasticity, self-service provisioning, and redundancy which makes it a great choice for organizations.
Cloud Data Storage and Data Gravity
One issue that organizations face with cloud migration is the concept of data gravity. Gravity, in this context, is the idea that as the size of data increases, there will be more applications and services drawn to it. As an organization finds itself needing more data, it will need more structure to house it, then need more data, and so on. Ultimately, the bigger the data, the more one becomes “stuck” with a vendor.
There are a few pros and cons that come along with cloud storage that should be noted:
Pros of Cloud Storage
- The cloud is one of the most cost-effective methods that an organization can use.
- As network bandwidth rises, the speed by which data is transferred into the cloud also rises. This element is especially critical with remote workforces, giving any organization the ability to perform data transfers effectively and efficiently from anywhere in the world without creating data transfer bottlenecks.
- Cloud storage offers an increase in agility, lower costs, and stronger security.
Cons of Cloud Storage
- The concern with cloud storage is finding a work-around that helps connect your traditional server and move data into a cloud environment; for example, your S3 bucket.
- Quick access to data is not possible without fast internet connection and/or implementing a fast file transfer additionally.
The key to working around the main issue of cloud data storage is maximizing upload and download speeds without creating data transfer bottlenecks that impact your usage of your cloud storage.
3 Key Considerations for Cloud Data Transfer
More and more, organizations are beginning to store their data in the cloud, not just within on-premises servers. But how are they moving data to their cloud-based applications, using it, and transferring out of the cloud? When working with cloud-based applications, it is important to consider the practicalities of cloud data transfer, including:
- How you will move this data to and from the cloud
- How you will access it once migrated into the cloud
- What to do if you’re working with constraints like large data sets, short access time requirements, or far-flung sources and destinations
If the latter scenarios sound like your organization, FileCatalyst could be an effective tool for your cloud data transfer requirements.
FileCatalyst is a fast file transfer solution that integrates with several of the most popular object storage solutions to give you flexibility in your approach. Using File Acceleration Software for cloud data transfer will help organizations examine the challenges they’ll face and how to alleviate challenges.
Cloud software solutions are being adopted in droves, led by industries that rely on quick data access, such as media, broadcasting, and entertainment. While industries with strict compliance and security requirements, like banking and healthcare, have adopted these solutions more recently. FileCatalyst helps organizations of all kinds with their workflows by allowing users to move, edit, and send data to stakeholders quickly.
Accelerating Video Asset Movement for Media and Entertainment
In the case of the media industry, transfers of video content via the cloud is enhanced by FileCatalyst’s capabilities. Editing studios can move video assets into the cloud for editing, notating, and storage, including in major video editing programs such as Avid and Object Matrix. Additionally, FileCatalyst’s high-performance computing is able to store high-resolution images that need to be analyzed or edited in the cloud.
Is Cloud Data Transfer and Storage Secure?
Your data security is of utmost importance, and the security of your cloud data transfer and storage is only as secure as the tools you use. Here are some resources to help you determine how secure your tools are:
Why FileCatalyst?
As more applications move to SaaS or cloud deployment models, there needs to be high performance access from those applications. Migrating data storage from on-premise to the cloud can be a challenge. Integrating high performance file transfers into these cloud and SaaS applications can be another. FileCatalyst solves both issues with off-the-shelf tools for easy migration and an extensive Software Development Kit (SDK) to embed the technology into existing applications. Ultimately, FileCatalyst is a faster protocol that allows for frictionless uploads and provides full cloud data storage integration capabilities.
Additional FileCatalyst Benefits
- Accelerated Global Delivery: Organizations can deliver high-resolution media files at speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Overall, this reduces production cycles and workflows.
- Full Bandwidth Control: Even under poor network conditions, organizations can adjust transfers by importance and avoid network disruptions.
- Save Time and Money: All of the hang-ups that come along with transferring physical media can be avoided with FileCatalyst solutions.
- Transfer Growing Files: Files can be transferred as they are being encoded to enhance ease of use and quality of transfer speed.
- Unparalleled Security: Organizations can ensure that file transfers remain private using industry-standard encryption certificates like AES and SSL.
- Low-Resolution Preview: Within FileCatalyst solutions, organizations can view low-resolution previews to ensure they have accessed the intended content.
Ready to make the move to a cloud-integrated solution?
See how FileCatalyst will integrate with your cloud provider.