NAS vs cloud: which to choose for your company’s files
For most small and medium-sized businesses with people who work outside the office or exchange files with clients, the cloud is the simpler choice. A NAS can make sense when files are very large, you almost always work from the same site and someone can manage it. Here is how to decide.
What a NAS is and what a cloud is
A NAS is a small server with disks that you keep in your company, connected to the network. You buy it and you manage it.
A cloud is an online service: the files sit on the provider’s servers and you access them from a browser, computer and phone. You usually pay a subscription, and the technical management is the provider’s job.
The main differences
| NAS | Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Upfront investment plus maintenance | Periodic subscription |
| Where the files are | In your company | On the provider’s servers |
| Access from outside | To be configured and protected | Ready to use |
| Speed on site | Very high with heavy files | Depends on the connection |
| Updates and failures | Your responsibility | The provider’s responsibility |
| Sharing with clients | To be organised | Usually with links and permissions |
| Editing together online | Limited or to be added | Often included |
When a NAS makes sense
- You work with very heavy files, such as video or technical projects, almost always from the same site.
- You have someone who can manage it: updates, disks, backups.
- Your connection is slow and cannot be improved.
When the cloud makes sense
- The team works from several sites or outside the office.
- You often exchange files with clients and want to do it with links and rules.
- You have no IT department that can look after a server.
- You want to edit documents together, without different copies.
What not to forget
- The real cost of a NAS also includes spare disks, management time and replacement over the years.
- The real cost of the cloud grows with users and space: work it out over a few years.
- A NAS needs protecting: if it can be reached from the internet, updates and configuration matter a great deal.
- Backups are still needed: a single NAS in the office does not protect against theft, fire or serious failures.
Can you use both?
Yes. Some companies keep very heavy archives on site and use the cloud for everyday documents and for sharing with clients.
Where to start
Count how many people work outside the office, how large your files are and who would look after the NAS. If you want to understand the online alternative better, read what business cloud storage is.
Files is the Italian cloud for companies: you store, share with clients and edit documents together, with no server to manage in the office.
Alex