One of the most significant obstacles companies face when considering a move to Azure or Windows 365 is the cost of data. Often, businesses have accumulated massive amounts of data over the years, and the expense of cloud storage can be daunting. This is especially true for companies looking to lift and shift to a total cloud solution, including Azure with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and servers in Tier 3 Data Centers.
Many organizations fall in love with the idea of virtual desktop infrastructure, only to abandon their plans due to the sheer volume of data they have amassed. However, there are strategies to mitigate these costs and make the transition more feasible.
Step 1: Data Deletion and Archiving
The first step towards managing data costs is to recognize that not all data needs to be stored in the cloud. Much of the data can be deleted, and what cannot be deleted (such as data mandated to be kept for compliance purposes in fields like accounting and law) can be archived. Training employees to move data to archive storage is crucial. Your IT provider can facilitate this by adding a simple icon that connects staff to the archive data.
Step 2: Shifting the Mindset
A significant part of managing data involves changing the way everyone in the organization views data cleanup. Think of it like maintaining a home. You wouldn’t wait to mow the lawn only when you plan to sell the house. If you did, the grass would grow so high that the house would be obscured from view. Similarly, regular data cleanup prevents the task from becoming monumental.
Step 3: Regular Data Maintenance
Establish a monthly habit of cleaning up data and moving old data to the archive. Make this task engaging by turning it into a game. Schedule a date and time each month for data cleaning and offer a reward, such as a gift card, to the employee who successfully moves the most old data into the archive within the allotted time. This not only makes the task more enjoyable but also ensures it gets done regularly.
The Impact of Storage Creep
The challenge of managing data is underscored by some striking statistics. According to IDC, the global datasphere is expected to grow from 64.2 zettabytes in 2020 to 175 zettabytes by 2025. This exponential growth highlights the challenge of managing and storing vast amounts of data. Additionally, a study by Veritas found that 33% of data stored by organizations is considered “dark data,” meaning its value is unknown. Furthermore, 52% of data is considered “stale,” meaning it hasn’t been accessed in over three years. This indicates a significant portion of stored data may not be actively used, contributing to storage creep.
The financial implications are also significant. Gartner reports that by 2024, 60% of IT leaders will face budget overruns due to the cost of managing unstructured data. This underscores the financial impact of not addressing storage creep effectively. Implementing data archiving solutions can reduce storage costs by up to 50%, as archived data is typically stored on less expensive, lower-performance storage systems, freeing up primary storage for more critical, frequently accessed data.
By building a successful habit of data cleaning, your organization can avoid the pitfalls of high storage costs when moving to the cloud. This proactive approach ensures that storage costs remain manageable and do not exceed the actual cost of cloud services.
By implementing these strategies, companies in San Antonio and beyond can overcome the financial barriers to adopting cloud computing solutions like Azure and Windows 365. This approach not only makes the transition smoother but also ensures long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Article by David Walter