SMBs have been gobbling up cloud computing services at a faster clip than most enterprises, according to industry watchers. And with Google recently reducing its prices on cloud storage and expanding the types of files that can be stored in the cloud, SMBs have reason to be excited.
One problem, however: For those not using Google Storage, transferring data from a different cloud provider like Amazon S3 to take advantage of the cost savings presented a challenge.
With that in mind, cloud storage startup Gladinet has added Google Storage support to its Gladinet Cloud Desktop solution, a cloud storage client that can support cloud services from a host of providers including, but not limited to, Amazon S3, AT&T Synaptic Storage, Microsoft Windows Azure, EMC Atmos and Google Docs. It enables users to swap data between cloud services and lets the cloud services interact with each other.
"We know small- and medium-sized businesses have limited time and expertise to devote to file storage, transfer and backup, so our developers have worked hard to make Cloud Desktop quick and easy to use," said Jerry Huang, co-owner of Lake Worth, Fla.-based Gladinet. "That ease of use is especially apparent when it comes to moving files between cloud services. Now that Google Storage is supporting all file types, our clients can take advantage of that lower-cost storage solution almost instantly from their Cloud Desktops."
Last month, Google revealed plans to let users upload any type of file to its cloud via Google Docs. Google also said it will offer customers up to 1 GB of storage for any non-Google Docs format files for free, while additional storage runs 25 cents, per GB, per year.
Essentially, Gladinet Cloud Desktop helps cloud users take advantage of various cloud storage services. It turns Microsoft Windows Explorer into a cloud storage portal, meaning users can access files in Google GDrive or other cloud services as if they were stored locally. The Cloud Desktop client maps GDrive to a local drive on the PC, meaning users can edit files with native applications, transfer files by dragging and dropping and monitor and manage tasks. Basically, Google Storage users can now map a virtual drive in Explorer to online sites and services.
Supporting Google Storage lets users access Gmail, Picasa and Google Docs. Additionally, data backups can be done manually or automatically. According to Huang, it unlocks the power of cloud storage.
"There is no easier way to migrate from more expensive cloud storage solutions to Google Storage," he said.
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