NAS drives are designed to be simple to operate – a dedicated IT manager is often not required to run this type of solution, and this helps to keep IT costs down. NAS drives also offer an easy backup solution, ensuring that data is always accessible when it is needed.
Having data accessible from a centralised location also makes it easier for employees to collaborate, respond to customers in a timely fashion and manage day to day aspects of the business, even if they are working remotely. NAS devices usually have space for between 2 and 5 hard drives in the box. This means that as your business grows, you can increase your storage capacity as needed. In terms of connectivity, NAS drives can be connected to your network with an ethernet cable or over WiFi.
In terms of cost, NAS drives start at around £300 for a basic unit with around 4TB of storage and go up to around £5,000 for a high-end unit with around 100TB of storage. As ever with IT, it pays to do your research. Think carefully about what your business needs are now and in the future. Consult with a good IT professional for guidance on what options would suit your business best.