Role of Fully Managed Cloud Databases in Business

Today’s digital era puts data at the heart of every business. It plays a crucial role in driving decision-making, improving customer experiences, and overall business growth. And with the exponential growth of data volumes, it has become necessary for companies to turn to efficient and scalable ways to store and manage their data. Enter the cloud.
The latest cloud storage report from Statista shows that at least 60% of corporate data are stored in the cloud. That’s likely because cloud technology has revolutionized how businesses operate, from improving productivity to reducing costs. Within this ecosystem, fully managed cloud databases have emerged as a powerful tool for companies to handle their data securely and efficiently.
Let’s explore how exactly these databases help organizations stay ahead of the game.
What is a cloud database?
Traditionally, managing databases required businesses to set up and maintain their own physical infrastructure, which was time-consuming and costly.
Then came the advent of the cloud database – a distributed cloud-based data storage model that offers high availability, scalability, and performance. Cloud databases are designed to store, manage, and retrieve structured or unstructured data remotely, making it easily accessible to users anytime, anywhere.
What’s the difference between a self-managed and a fully managed database?
Organizations usually have two options when it comes to managing their cloud databases: self-managed or fully-managed. The former removes the physical server burden but still requires companies to handle maintenance, updates, and backups. This setup is intended for entities that prefer complete control over their data.
On the other hand, managed cloud databases are, as the name implies, managed by a third-party provider, who takes care of maintenance, security, and performance for a fixed monthly fee. They are also easy to set up, as the steps detailed in MongoDB’s Atlas tutorial prove.
Such an arrangement makes managed cloud databases ideal for businesses that want to focus on their core operations rather than IT maintenance.
What advantages do fully managed cloud databases have over other databases?
Cost savings
Both traditional databases and self-managed cloud databases require a dedicated team of IT experts to maintain them. The former is even costlier, as it also needs expensive hardware and software.
On the other hand, fully managed cloud databases not only eliminate the need for any physical infrastructure but also handle the upkeep themselves. This saves companies from significant upfront costs.
Additionally, many managed cloud database providers offer a pay-as-you-go model. This lets businesses pay only for the resources they use, instead of investing in a fixed amount of storage and processing power.
Scalability
Thanks to a flexible payment model and the absence of physical servers, cloud databases generally make scaling business operations easy. Companies can easily add more storage and processing power as they grow, or as data volumes fluctuate (due to seasonal trends or marketing campaigns).
Cybersecurity
Malware threats, password attacks, and network takeovers are just some of the constant threats that businesses face when it comes to storing their data in the cloud. That’s why cybersecurity should always be a top priority.
Third-party cloud database providers typically offer robust security measures, like data encryption, regular backups, and threat detection. However, a Thales Group cloud security report emphasized that only 45% of cloud data is encrypted, highlighting the need for businesses to carefully evaluate their chosen provider.
Easy access
With remote workplaces becoming a norm, the need for easy access to data has become more critical than ever. Fortunately, the nature of cloud databases allows authorized users to access data from anywhere at any time, as long as they have an internet connection.
Such accessibility boosts the productivity of remote and geographically dispersed teams, enabling them to collaborate and work seamlessly.
Toparlıyoruz
Fully-managed cloud databases are a game-changer for businesses that deal with large volumes of data but either have limited IT resources or prefer to focus on their core operations. With them simplifying data management, managed cloud databases can help companies conveniently access their data, make better decisions, and reduce costs.