Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Digital Storage

Online digital storage is also called internet storage or hosted storage where people or organizations can use a service provider to store their data on the internet and thus avoid storing data locally on physical disks like a hard drive or a tape backup.

People store different types of documents using online storage services as a add on method for some other data storage option they use.

Today, online storage is used by an increasing number of people every day and is growing due to the rise of faster internet speeds. There are various reasons for this, the first being that it provides easy access to documents, images and other media for not one person, but to many users.

Benefits of these digital storage units

Besides storing personal files like images and videos, sensitive data can be stored in these facilities using a password protected account. People who opt to store important documents here are provided 24 hour access to these important documents, and need not wait for another person to forward the documents from a central server.

Online digital storage sites can also be used for storing important personal documents like living wills, insurance policies and last wills as electronic copies. These documents are uploaded and stored as backup of hard copies so that if something does happen to its original copies, you can easily access, print and use the electronic versions.

Some people use online digital storage sites for creating and storing virtual photo albums, for storing music files and for storing any other online media for easy access from anywhere you want, using any computer. This is why online digital storage units are especially useful for people on the move and intermittently use a desktop, laptop and hand-held device.

Disadvantages

However there are quite a few people and companies who are apprehensive about using online digital storage facilities because of its lack of security. Though passwords and other security measures are used to protect these sites. If a hacker finds the security key to the accounts this may compromise them.

While some of these online digital storage sites offer free services, some of them charge a small monthly fee. As all the data is stored in one or more remote servers, many internet connections are still too slow to benefit with these services.

Free online digital storage sites offer each user limited storage space with basic security protocols. It’s okay to use these sites for a few files; however it’s better to use fee based storage system which will give you much more storage options.

Whichever storage site you use to store your data, make sure you thoroughly check the contract text between you and the provider before agreeing to it. Find out where the storage facilities are located, and make sure you are the exclusive owner of the account. Use unique user names and passwords to access all the data you store in these online digital storage sites.

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“Can I Start a Home Based Internet Marketing Business With a Zero Budget?” and Other Good Questions

Anyone seriously looking to become a home based business owner should ask lots of questions in order to make a well-informed decision. A good place to begin is by doing several informational interviews with successful business owners in the same kind of business. Most people are more than happy to share their experience with others, and some will even recount the lessons they learned the hard way so that you can avoid costly pitfalls.

Following are a few questions that I often hear about start-up costs. It would be a good idea for you to ask these of other people as well, but here are a few of my own responses:

Q: I’d like to get into Internet Marketing, but I don’t have any money to invest. Can I still do it?

A: Depends on what you mean by “get into it.” If you are serious about becoming a successful business owner, then the short answer is “no.” It takes some money to start any business. The good news is that home based Internet marketing businesses require a lot less cash investment than traditional “brick and mortar” businesses, franchises, or even cottage industries that depend on expensive materials, production equipment, licenses and inspections, product shipping and/or inventory storage. All of that makes a home based Internet business accessible to almost anyone by comparison.

It also depends on what you will be marketing and whether you already have, or need to purchase the products and/or services in order to fulfill customer orders promptly and professionally. This will vary from company to company, so be sure you fully understand what is required of you, up front.

Q: So what kinds of costs are involved?

A: There are different kinds of expenses-capital expenses (one-time or infrequent) and operating expenses (those that recur monthly or even more often). You might compare the two to buying a truck for a business (capital expense) and buying gas, oil, insurance, and maintenance to keep it running (operating expenses).

Capital expenses for Internet Marketers include the cost of things like your computer, printer, phone, etc., and other home office set-up needs. You might find that you, like many people, do most of your work out of a wi-fi café and “out-of-pocket” with your cell-phone, pda, and so forth. Easy, then, to keep these costs reasonable-especially if you already have the equipment and gadgets. But since these tools are the lifeblood of any Internet Marketer, they need to be up-to-date and reliable. You may also need to put some money out to get your business branded (your visual look, logo, etc). If you don’t have these things in place, you won’t be able to compete in the vast online universe. That will affect your profits, and hence your success. You might have people in your personal network who could help you with this, and that could save you money.

Operating expenses in this industry will primarily be related to these things:

o The actual marketing of the product, service, or opportunity in which you are dealing: that is, online advertising. There are lots of ways to market online, and the costs will range from free (yes-there is some) to…well, not free. The cost of paid advertising, and pay-per-click (most effective) usually depends on your volume, and may become more economical once you have a good reputation and add value to the ad vendor’s bottom line.
o You’ll need broadband Internet connectivity, phone service with voice mail and unlimited long distance, a merchant account (so you can take payments online), etc..
o Remember to budget for training (there is always a learning curve to scale) and ongoing professional development. If you don’t invest in becoming an expert, those who do will quickly soak up the profits that could have been yours. *Finally, don’t forget to budget for general office supplies, transportation costs, and other “everyday” items that you might not currently be spending money on in your life.

Q: How about fees to “buy into” an Internet Marketing business?

A: These will vary, but yes-you can expect that in most cases there will be some kind of application and/or start-up fee. Beware the exceptions because the costs will only be more hidden. Here are some tips to make sure you don’t get burned:

o Anything you pay while you are still gathering information about a company or opportunity should come with a written money back guarantee. o Check to see what period of time the guarantee covers-24 hours? (not so much) 30 days? (much better)-and use that time to learn all you can. o Avoid any company that does NOT provide such a guarantee up front. o With a guarantee in hand you should be able to pay the “start-here” fee confidently-you will have little to lose and perhaps much to gain.

Q: How much should I be willing to pay up front?

A: As with the previous questions, this one also depends-mostly on you this time.

o An application or start-up fee should be modest-affordable for you-and the compensation plan presented to you should thoroughly explain what you would need to do to see both a return on your initial investment and future profits.
o If you absolutely do not have the amount of money requested just to open the door, then the chances are good that this opportunity is out of your reach at this time.
o If you really, really like what you see and still don’t have the cash or credit available to get started, then do whatever it takes (legally and ethically, of course) to turn this situation around and find the money. Serious entrepreneurs think and act in these ways all the time: this could be a good test for you as to whether you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

Q: Okay. So let’s say I find the money, get started and then find that there are MORE things to spend money on than I could see at the outset: Have I been scammed?

A: Not necessarily! In fact, probably not. You are now just far enough into it to begin learning what the top-tier producers do to succeed. This would be a good moment to take stock again:

o Are you willing and able to do whatever it takes to succeed, or is this all a little too hot to handle for you? If the latter, then it might be time for you to request your refund and step away from home based Internet Marketing. If, on the other hand, you are still highly motivated to succeed by taking on these challenges, then you would do well to press on. The returns can make it all worthwhile.

Remember that you are in business now and that you will have to spend money to make money. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Here are a few good rules of thumb to follow on your way to Internet marketing success:

o On average, you should not spend more than 10-20% of your anticipated commission on the marketing needed to make that commission. For instance, if your compensation plan pays a $100 commission on the product or service you are marketing, then you should not spend more than $10-$20 to make that sale.
o Make your first goal to pay yourself back for your start-up costs.
o Once you have recouped your initial investment, continue putting 80-100% of your profits back into your marketing in order to build your business.

Q: ARE YOU KIDDING? I need to make money, not keep putting it down a hole.

A: Exactly! Drastic as this sounds, it is the only way to ensure that you will survive and thrive in the face of the competition. Consider these things:

o Once you have built a steady and profit-generating business, expect to put no less than 10-15% of your revenue back into marketing on a continual basis.
o The number one reason people fail in any kind of business venture is the failure to manage and reinvest profits in order to grow their businesses. If you take your first profits and buy that big screen TV with your name on it, chances are you will start to FEEL “scammed” because you won’t see the kind of traffic and response to your marketing that more experienced Internet marketers are having. So get your priorities straight and tough it out.
o The best home based Internet Marketing opportunities offer professional guidance and direction about how to start up on a limited budget and be responsible with your money.
o If the company you are connecting up with can’t show you a range of effective marketing options that fit your budget while you are still getting started, then keep on walking.

In business, it takes money to make money-there is no way around that. If you can easily accept that basic truth, then simply keep your wits about you while you are gathering information, and resist the temptation to react (positively or negatively) ONLY on the basis of reading other people’s testimonials about getting rich.

Internet Marketing has been identified as one of the few fairly recession-proof industries out there today. That doesn’t mean, however, that anyone can “get rich quick” with no effort, or simply become a millionaire without investing (and reinvesting) time, know-how, and a percentage of profit. In fact, only about 3% of those who enter this industry have what it takes to hit multiple six and seven figure incomes. Those who build wealth through Internet Marketing (and quite honestly the profits can be life-changing), regularly spend money to make money. They take their businesses and their reputations as successful entrepreneurs seriously. If you are prepared to do the same, you too may have the bright and prosperous future of your dreams with a home based Internet marketing business. Here’s to your success!

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Self Serve Kiosks For Self Storage Facilities

Industry studies show the increasing usage of technology in facilities of all ages. Self-storage operators are employing the Internet for marketing, rental payments and online reservations. Facilities are benefiting from computer-management software, surveillance cameras accessible over the Internet, and digital video recorders.

One emerging item in the technical arsenal is the self-serve kiosk. When looking for ways to increase profitability and enhance customer service, more storage owners are turning to kiosks, including many of the largest names in the industry such as U-Stor-It, Simply Self Storage and Extra Space Storage.

Self-storage kiosks enable prospects to rent storage units 24 hours a day even if the manager is not available. A potential customer can take a virtual tour of the facility, select a unit, purchase a lock, pay for the unit, print out a rental agreement, and even sign up for tenant insurance. Existing tenants can use the kiosk,which interacts in real-time with a facility’s management software,to make payments and update their accounts.

Lease Up Faster

Some operators are discovering that kiosks can unlock new revenue streams and even free financing funds. I currently use kiosks at 4 of my locations in Indiana, and they have helped me accelerate the lease up after we add more units. I also attribute the kiosk I installed last year with the rental of over 100 units out of over 2,000 at my facilities. As a result, one of my facilities achieved more than 92 percent occupancy after only one year of operation.

This rental activity has allowed for a more favorable financing package which paves the way to start the development of the next phase of the construction at our facilities. In addition, the faster the lease-up, the better the term of the loan I can get for the next phase.

The additional rentals taken in by the kiosk allowed occupancy to exceed or 85 percent stabilization occupancy level faster, thus accelerating the timetable for expansion. In most of our communities, we have a lot of people working until 5 p.m. or 5:30 in the evening, and they’ve been coming in after hours and renting a unit at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. We’ve had some customers come in at midnight to rent units while I’m drooling on my pillow. We have found that these self serve kiosks have added great value to our operation.

Kiosks Collect Late Fees

I also discovered another added bonus of the kiosk: the ability to always collect late-fee payments. When I reviewed his balance sheet, I made a startling discovery. We’re actually collecting more late fees than ever through the kiosk. It’s generating additional income and it allows customers to come in and pay their late fee without having to face my managers, and they have immediate access to the facility. If someone wants to get into their unit after hours, they’re going to have to pay the late fees to get in. They don’t have to contact the manager or the owner asking to get a break.

The first time a customer is late we normally waive the late fee. When they come in after hours, there’s no one here to waive that, so the kiosk automatically charges the late fees. One of our facilities collected more than $700.00 in late fees during the first two months of the year, which was more than the amount collected all of last year. The trend duplicates a similar experience at our other locations as well. The ability of owners to gain favorable financing terms faster as a result of using a kiosk during lease-up is an added value we seldom talk about,” says Robert Chiti, CEO of OpenTech Alliance Inc., manufactures of a self-storage kiosk. “On top of that, to witness how late-fee collections can ramp up an income stream for a self-storage operator is stunning.”

Better Customer Service

While managers remain available to greet customers, answer questions and take payments, the kiosk frees up my staff to pursue revenue-generating activities. We have a lot of people come in and pay at the kiosk, wave “hi” to the manager and leave. That allows our manager to make marketing calls without being interrupted to collect a payment.: In the age of ATMs and self-service checkout at home improvement centers, some customers prefer the speed of using a kiosk to striking up a conversation with a living, breathing manager. Others take longer to warm up to a self-service machine. The kiosks also tie with another modern piece of equipment: the cell phone. Our managers take cell phones with them and a lot of times someone will call and they can direct them to the kiosk after hours. Should a customer need assistance with the kiosk, there is a lifeline to immediate help. There is a call button on the kiosk that goes directly to the manager or to our call center to assist them.

Kiosks don’t take holidays

For myself and many other self-storage operators, technology has allowed us to become more efficient and profitable in an increasingly competitive environment. While the high cost of having staff on duty forces most self-storage facilities to be closed on holidays and Sundays, owners with a kiosk are finding renting units on off-days is an easy way to attract customers when their competitors are closed. I have witnessed the real financial impact of installing kiosks at our facilities. Using the kiosk keeps our managers happy by giving them Sundays off, but still allows us to be open 24/7. We rented two units on Thanksgiving and one on Christmas.

I was happy we could help these customers find storage when they needed it. Like myself, many owners and managers say the convenience factor their customers experience is truly significant since many need to take time off from work to stop by a facility and make their unit payments each month. However by adding a kiosk that takes payments, this enables them to stop by after hours, on weekends and holidays when the facility office is closed. As many in the self-storage industry have already discovered, kiosks reduce staffing costs while providing customers with increased confidence.

Without paying costly overtime, kiosks enable facilities to keep their open sign lit permanently, even during holidays. Of course, increased occupancy rates and reduced staffing costs translate into an increase of the bottom line and facility valuation. As more industries move toward self-service, it’s worth considering the role of kiosk’s in self-storage. There is a good chance you might find they help lease-up your facility faster, increase profits and differentiate you facility from your competition.

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