Let’s face it, determining data value and where to store it is becoming more complex by the day. Unfortunately, this complexity means that choosing the right tiers of data storage can be exceedingly difficult, especially without the insight required to make the right choice.
Within the last decade, cloud storage has become an increasingly necessary option for post-production environments to store and access their data remotely. With the rise of remote and hybrid post-production environments and the increasingly vast amount of data generated daily, cloud storage has become an essential part of media production.
However, when it comes to choosing the right cloud storage tier, organizations fail to choose the proper storage solutions for their unique data access needs. As a result, these organizations fall victim to hidden fees, surprise cloud bills, security risks, and a lack of data availability and reliability.
First, let’s discuss the different storage tiers available: cloud storage is typically divided into three tiers: hot, warm, and cold. Hot storage is the most expensive and is designed for frequently accessed data that needs to be readily available. Warm storage is less costly than hot storage. It is intended for data that is accessed less frequently but still needs to be readily available. Finally, cold storage is the least expensive. It is designed for rarely accessed data but must be stored for long periods and may not be immediately accessible.
Hosting your hot-to-cold storage in the cloud is not unlike hosting it on-prem—with one significant difference: cloud storage is not a one-time CAPEX purchase. Unfortunately, charges incur every time data resources are moved in or out of cloud storage. Worse yet, the faster the access, the higher the monthly cloud costs.
Complicating matters is that choosing the right storage tier can be challenging, especially without the necessary insights to make an informed decision. As a result, post-production environments often choose the wrong storage tier due to a lack of cost insights, resulting in excessive costs and inefficient data management. For instance, using hot storage for rarely accessed data or cold storage for data that needs to be accessed frequently can lead to higher storage costs, longer retrieval times, and business disruption.
Your organization must have a thorough understanding of its data and its dependencies. For example, you need to identify which data is frequently accessed, which data is accessed less frequently, and which data is rarely accessed but still needs to be stored. This knowledge gives insight into which storage tier is appropriate for your unique needs—resulting in significant cost savings and improved data management.
Moreover, the ability to accurately calculate the cost of cloud storage is critical. Unfortunately, calculating the cost of cloud storage is not a straightforward process—due to complicated pricing models, fluctuating prices, and technical limitations.
Further, because cloud storage providers often charge based on the amount of data stored, the data retrieval rate, the data transfer rate, and the storage tier—the cost of cloud storage can vary depending on the provider and the data center’s location.
A variety of cloud calculators are available that can help you compare prices of cloud storage options before data is moved. However, many of these calculators are either difficult to use or highly inaccurate, as users are often guessing what they have. As a result, many organizations make poor cloud storage decisions based on inaccurate cost estimates. Receiving a bill for hidden fees is never a pleasant experience; fortunately, it can be avoided.
The solution is to use a cloud cost optimization application that can accurately calculate real-time cost estimates of cloud storage based on your specific needs and requirements and on your data set. This type of solution can also help you optimize your cloud storage costs by identifying areas of inefficiency and recommending ways to reduce your storage costs. You also need a tool that can tell you before you move your data the cost and time it will take, as well as integrate with cloud SLAs to expedite or make large build transfers saving cost.
Making better cloud storage decisions is essential for media production organizations. Choosing the right storage tier for each data type is vital. There’s an easy solution to help you accelerate, analyze, and succeed. It all starts here.
