The Cloud, as it is commonly called, exists in a new way as compared to what is traditionally thought of as a computer, or even a network. First - and still today, primarily - there was the computer. Every piece of information or program one had access to was held physically within it. This quickly became insufficient. So then there came networks. Multiple computers allowed to draw information from each other as long as they were hard-wired together. This, too, was found to be insufficient, and the Internet was created.

Each step was a revolution in capability, power, and usefulness. And now, there has been another revolution with cloud storage providers. Instead of the end-user's computer being the bastion of all data storage and programs, the personal computer, at least in a business setting, is quickly becoming just a terminal, one connection node to a much more vast supply of power and data.

Imagine it this way: a person does not decide in advance how much oxygen they will be using for the next three to five years, and then haul all of that around with them everywhere they go. Instead, they inhale what they need whenever they need it. The Cloud is similar, in that instead of restricting a person to only what they have had the forethought to acquire for their task, they can source however much data or power they might need, and when they have manipulated the data and are done with the power, release it back into The Cloud for anyone else to use.  Thus does the efficiency of the entire system benefit from removing currently wasted data and computing power from each individual computer. And by these means is cloud storage providers are revolutionizing the information world.

Current cloud storage providers offer an online storage solution for both individuals and businesses to store virtually unlimited amounts of data on third party servers at an affordable cost.  One of the biggest advantages of cloud storage is that the customer only needs to pay for the amount of storage that they use!  And because cloud storage plans scalable (meaning they grow with your needs), there is no need to worry with future storage capacity problems.  Cloud storage eliminates the need for physical storage devices in offices and homes and enables customers to access their files virtually anywhere that has an Internet connection.

Cloud Storage Providers

Mozy™

Mozy™ backup gives both businesses and individuals a way to automatically backup any type of file from their computer.  As you are probably aware, backing up your hard drive data onto CD's or an external drive takes a lot of time and effort to accomplish.  Mozy™ is a completely automatic service that backs up any kind of files on a hard drive including photos, documents, programs and music for access from anywhere.  Some of the features that make Mozy™ a top online backup services include:

• Fully automatic or scheduled backup cycles.
• Military-grade 128-bit encryption for secure data transfer.
• Automatic detection and backup of new or changed files.
• Real time customer support and tutorials.
• Low cost backup plans starting at $4.95/month.
• 2GB online backup free.

Rackspace CloudFiles™
 
Rackspace "Cloud Files™" is among the most popular and simplest cloud storage solution offered today.  Cloud Files™ enables its users to have the ability to store unlimited files and media for content delivery at blazing fast speeds on its Limelight CDN (Content Delivery Network). Some of the advantages of Rackspace CloudFiles™ include:

• Rackspace is the largest retail cloud storage provider today.
• Best technical support in the industry 24x7 365 days a year.
• Use as much or as little storage as you need.
• No minimum contract or commitments.
• Access your files from anywhere.
• High performance unlimited cloud storage for as little as 15¢/GB.

 ElephantDrive™

ElephantDrive™ provides secure online file storage and backup for individuals and companies that want to safely store their data.  ElephantDrive™ offers several plans that range from 2GB free for a single user to unlimited storage for many users and devices within a business and it's users have the capability to store any file type for access anywhere with an internet connection.  ElephantDrive™ storage plans offer:

• 15 day free trial period.
• Backs up your data to the cloud automatically.
• Access your data from anywhere with an internet connection.
• Ablility to back up more than one device.
• Cloud storage plans starting as low as $9.95/month.

Livedrive™ 

Livedrive™ cloud storage and cloud backup service has rapidly grown to store more than 10 billion files for its worldwide customers and is growing at a rate of over 20 million files each day.  Livedrive™ offers its users an easy and secured avenue to store unlimited files safely on the cloud.  And its users can access their files from anywhere with an Internet connection or through its mobile applications.  Popular Livedrive™ features include:

• 14 day free trial period.
• Unlimited backup cloud storage space.
• Access your files from anywhere.
• Cloud storage plans for as little as $6.95/month.