5 enterprise data storage solutions

As your organization handles and secures an ever-increasing amount of data, it’s never been more important to have a strong data storage solution in place. An enterprise data storage solution will help manage, protect, and store your data, providing a safe place for your data to live.

Though some enterprises maintain their own infrastructure for data storage, more organizations are turning to cloud-based storage systems. Cloud-based storage solutions offer a more affordable way of protecting your data on a virtual infrastructure.

When it comes to deciding on the best data storage solution for your enterprise, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. One is scalability. Alex Bekker, head of the data analytics department at ScienceSoft, says the architecture should be conditioned to upscale and downscale with your business, with no impact on processing capacity.

Another factor is data security. Your solution should “provide encryption and access control mechanisms, and integrate with security tools,” Bekker explains. And finally, a solid storage solution should offer unlimited connectivity and support on multiple platforms.

The following enterprise data storage solutions check off all those boxes and then some. Considered the leaders in the market, these cloud-based service providers consistently earn high ratings.

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services currently dominates the cloud-based storage market. It offers a pay-as-you-go cloud storage model, meaning you only pay for the storage you use. AWS offers three storage types: Amazon Glacier for long-term storage, Amazon Simple Storage Service for scalable object storage, and Amazon EBS for block-level storage. AWS is highly regarded for its flexibility, security, and speed of data transfers.

2. Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is a popular option because it has a versatile storage system that’s secure, scalable, accessible, and durable. The software encrypts all your data and has a number of access control options. It offers three account types (Basic, Standard, and Premium), five storage types, and four tiers of redundancy.

This is a great solution if you’re already using other Microsoft solutions, as it will easily integrate with your current systems. According to Microsoft, 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Azure.

3. Dell EMC

Dell EMC offers what it calls “multi-cloud agility with zero data gravity,” which means it allows you to simultaneously tap into different cloud locations and access your data in various storage locations. Another major perk is that it uses native array replication, letting you safely and securely move your data from on-premises into the cloud. This solution can reduce application outages and latency by 90 percent, according to a study commissioned by Dell.

4. IBM

IBM provides a variety of storage options, such as hybrid storage arrays and flash storage. These storage services help reduce customer costs by moving data onto the most price-effective storage devices. In terms of cloud solutions, the company offers Cloud Object Storage, Cloud Block Storage, and Cloud File Storage. These three types of solutions refer to the different ways data can be filed and stored. IBM storage solutions are a great fit for enterprises that already use IBM systems.

5. Google Cloud

Google Cloud could be considered the underdog as it isn’t as robust in its service offerings as some of the others on this list. However, what it lacks in cloud services it makes up for in performance. It can collect and leverage every kind of data, from user and machine data to geographic data. It also has advanced security and privacy features and creates near real-time logs anytime someone interacts with your data. Spotify, Home Depot, and PayPal are just a few notable companies that rely on Google Cloud.

When it comes to finding the right solution for your organization, one of these five industry leaders might be right for your company’s data storage needs.

For related information, view our in-depth guide on enterprises and enterprise resource planning.