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Traditional file servers aren’t much better
Businesses that want to take total ownership of their data can choose to purchase their own hardware, pay for Windows File Server licenses, and buy separate Client Access Licenses to build a custom conventional file server. Storing data locally can provide better speed, reliability, and security than SaaS when accessing data through the corporate intranet.
Traditional file servers still require recurring subscriptions for Windows File Server as well as licenses for each individual client, quickly increasing the total cost as your workforce grows. Hardware, software licenses can cost close to US$10,000 over the course of three years for a company with 100 employees.
Meanwhile, conventional file servers’ support for internet access, file collaboration, and mobile applications are considered weaker than other storage solutions. With remote work now commonplace, these restrictions can reduce team productivity to a snail’s pace.
Time to migrate your business to NAS?
The past 20 years have seen innovative vendors transform NAS from an only-storage solution once, to multi-featured application servers with built-in file sharing, collaboration, IT administration, and data security solutions.
Specialists at NAS vendors like Synology, a business favorite, have developed secure alternatives to SaaS and traditional file servers with rich built-in applications, web-based file management services, and collaboration suites that not only save on costs but also greatly simplify management.
For a business with 200 employees, a modern NAS server with hard drives can cost as little as US$3,000 — without any recurring subscription or licensing fees — and includes free file management and collaboration software that can easily meet business needs for the next three to five years.
SMBs that need more capacity can easily scale up by adding separate hard drives or expansion units, without worrying about hefty IT upgrade costs or a bump in license fees.
On average, the total cost of ownership for a NAS is less than half the cost for a traditional file server, and using NAS can be more than 90% cheaper than buying equivalent cloud subscriptions.
Where should you safely store your data?
With the right choice of file server and smooth implementation, digital transformation doesn’t have to be a challenge for SMBs.
When choosing the right solution, SMBs can achieve greater productivity and gain a significant competitive advantage by taking into account growing workforces, the total cost of ownership, scalability, remote working capabilities, mobile compatibility, and data security.
For an affordable, complete solution suited for SMBs, NAS is an excellent choice to replace or complement traditional servers and cloud services.
