Have you ever seen your team waste time exchanging files via email? Or been unable to access important documents outside the office? What about when the external hard drive fails and the data disappears?
It's a headache!
These are just some of the signs that your company may need to evolve to a cloud solution.
In fact, investing in the cloud for businesses is no longer a “maybe it makes sense” proposition, but rather a strategic step to ensure agility, security, and competitiveness in an increasingly demanding digital market.
With a good cloud solution, you gain the flexibility to work from anywhere, enhanced security to protect your data, the ability to grow without limits, and a significant reduction in operating costs.
But beware: choosing the right cloud service will determine whether your company gains efficiency or enters a maze of technical limitations, integration failures, and unexpected costs.
In this guide, we show you everything you need to know to make that decision with confidence.
Understanding the Specific Needs of the Company
Before you start comparing providers or technologies, there is one essential question you need to answer: what does your company really need to store and access in the cloud?
Choosing the best cloud solution for businesses always starts with an internal analysis.
The clearer your needs are, the easier it will be to find a solution that fits (and not the other way around).
These are some points to consider.
Volume of Data to be Stored
Start by estimating the current data volume and expected growth over the coming months.
Will you only be storing simple documents? Or also images, videos, backups, and entire databases?
Making this growth forecast will help you avoid paying for space you don't need right now, while helping you ensure that your cloud solution can keep pace with your business.
File Types and Access Requirements
Not all data is created equal.
Some documents need to be accessed by several team members, others require greater confidentiality, and some files need to be available at all times (such as databases or real-time reports).
Knowing what type of data you will store and how it needs to be accessed will help you choose between solutions geared toward collaboration, backup, or continuous performance.
Performance and Response Speed
If you use applications that work directly with files in the cloud, such as management software, databases, or CRMs, the performance of the cloud solution will be a decisive factor.
High latency can cause slowdowns and hinder the team's daily work.
A high-performance cloud for businesses allows fast access to data, even with many users simultaneously.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Do you work with personal, sensitive, or confidential data?
So you need to ensure that the solution complies with standards such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
Some providers offer data centers within the European Union, which facilitates compliance with these obligations.
Integration with Existing Systems
The ideal cloud should connect easily to your company's digital ecosystem.
That is, tools such as CRM, ERP, billing systems, automation, or collaborative platforms such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
Integration prevents duplication of work and errors, and makes processes simpler and faster.
Budget
Finally, set a realistic budget for this investment.
Keep in mind that the cost goes beyond storage itself, such as bandwidth, transfers, technical support, and, in some cases, software licenses.
The good news is that there are scalable solutions, with prices that can be adjusted to your growth rate. And often, what you save in time, security, and productivity more than compensates for the amount invested.
Types of Cloud Storage Solutions for Businesses
The cloud is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is a set of possibilities that must be adapted to the way your company works.
At Apollotec, we know that every business has specific challenges, which is why we develop flexible, modular, and scalable cloud solutions designed to respond to real-world contexts.
These are the main types of cloud storage you can consider.
Shared Cloud: simple but limited
It is ideal for companies in the early stages or with very basic needs.
Shared storage allows you to store files and access them remotely.
However, it does not offer great guarantees of performance or security, since resources are shared with other companies.
It can serve as a starting point, but quickly reveals its limitations.
Private Cloud (dedicated servers)
In this model, your business has exclusive access to custom-configured cloud servers.
Not only will you have better performance, but also greater security and control over your data.
It is ideal for companies with high volumes of information, intensive processing needs, or specific compliance requirements (such as GDPR).
At Apollotec, we create private cloud infrastructures with automatic backups and high availability, always with dedicated technical management.
It is the most suitable cloud solution for companies that value security, speed, and total reliability.
Cloud with Full Integration
One of the great advantages of Apollotec's cloud solutions is their ability to integrate with the systems you already use: ERP, CRM, e-commerce platforms, collaboration tools, automation, or internal software.
You can create a connected, reliable, and efficient digital ecosystem without technical or operational barriers.
Full integration is recommended for companies that want to connect all their systems in a single, centralized, and secure environment.
Each of these options can be adapted and scaled according to your company's current situation and objectives. That is why, at Apollotec, we do not offer “closed packages,” but rather solutions tailored to your reality.
Top Cloud Service Providers for Businesses
When talking about cloud computing for businesses, certain names come up almost automatically: AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud dominate the global market.
But are they always the best choice for your business? Not always.
It is essential to understand what each supplier offers and, above all, how that offer fits your company's reality in terms of support, integration, performance, and proximity.
AWS (Amazon Web Services)
AWS is the largest player in the market. It offers a wide range of cloud services, from storage and servers to artificial intelligence and machine learning.
It is highly scalable and flexible.
Strengths:
- Huge variety of services and tools;
- Global scalability;
- Very active technical community.
Points to consider:
- Prices are sometimes complex and difficult to predict;
- Limited technical support in Portuguese;
- Integration with local systems may require additional development.
Microsoft Azure
The great advantage of Azure is its native integration with the Microsoft ecosystem (Office 365, Windows Server, Active Directory).
It is a solid option for companies that already use these tools.
Strengths:
- Integration with Microsoft environments;
- Good safety structure;
- Advanced business tools.
Points to consider:
- Steeper learning curve;
- Some services require additional licences.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Google offers a highly innovative cloud with a strong focus on data, artificial intelligence, and performance.
It is widely used by start-ups and technology companies.
Strengths:
- Excellent analysis and machine learning services;
- Integration with other Google tools (Workspace, BigQuery);
- Intuitive interface.
Points to consider:
- Support in Portuguese may be limited;
- Less presence in the traditional business market.
Where does Apollotec come in?
Unlike international giants, Apollotec offers customised cloud solutions with close monitoring, support in Portuguese, and total flexibility. Our team designs and manages cloud servers that operate in certified data centres, with automatic backups, firewalls, continuous monitoring and integration with the systems you already use.
We are present in Portugal. We speak your language. And we understand the context of your business.
This means that we respond quickly, adapt the technology to your processes, and create scalable solutions without technical or bureaucratic complications.
Because sometimes, what your company needs is not more features, but a technology partner who is truly on your side.
Conclusion
Choosing the best cloud solution for businesses is much more than just opting for a well-known provider or following a trend.
It is making a strategic choice that will influence how you work, collaborate, grow, and protect your data.
Throughout this article, we have seen that:
- Every company has specific needs, and the cloud must be tailored to these realities.
- There are different types of storage, each with clear advantages depending on how you intend to use the cloud;
- International giants are not always the best choice for your business, especially if you value proximity, support in Portuguese, and customised solutions.
- Factors such as security, scalability, integration, and reliability should be at the heart of your decision.
At Apollotec, we create tailor-made cloud solutions, with dedicated servers, automatic backup, continuous monitoring, and integration with the systems you already use. More than just a supplier, we are the technology partner that accompanies your growth.
If you want a more secure, more efficient cloud that is 100% tailored to your business, schedule a 30-minute meeting with one of our specialists and discover the ideal cloud solution for you.
FAQ'S
What are the signs that my company needs a cloud solution?
Some signs include difficulties in remote access to documents, inefficient file sharing via email, and risk of data loss due to failures in physical devices such as external drives.
What should I consider before choosing a cloud solution?
It is essential to analyse the specific needs of the company, including data volume, file types, access requirements, necessary performance, legal compliance, integration with existing systems, and available budget.
What is the difference between shared, private and fully integrated cloud?
The shared cloud is basic and affordable, but limited in terms of security and performance. The private cloud offers greater control, security, and performance. The fully integrated cloud connects to the company's systems, creating an efficient digital ecosystem.
What precautions should I take regarding safety and legal compliance?
If you work with sensitive data, you must ensure that the cloud solution complies with the GDPR and other applicable standards. It is important to choose providers with data centres in the EU and features such as automatic backups and firewalls.
Are large platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud always the best choice?
Not always. Despite their robustness, they may have limitations such as support in Portuguese or difficulties with local integration. Solutions such as those offered by Apollotec provide customisation, proximity and support tailored to the Portuguese business context.
How can Apollotec help my company transition to the cloud?
Apollotec offers customised cloud solutions with dedicated technical management, servers in certified data centres, integration with existing systems, and close support in Portuguese, adapting to the real needs of your business.
