The cloud infrastructure industry has seen exponential growth over the years, with global spending estimated at $178 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, an increase from $130 billion in 2020, according to Statista. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that the average person has approximately 630 photos and 24 videos on their mobile phone. And this number is likely only set to increase, especially with the rise of the creator economy and continuous advancement in the technology and media fields. It’s safe to say—people own a lot of multimedia and expect a secure and reliable cloud storage solution.
When was the last time you shopped for a new cloud storage vendor? You might’ve been using the same free plan for the last few months but are now running out of storage space. Or maybe the vendor your colleague recommended is becoming too costly. Or the vendor you’re using is just too sluggish for your needs. If you’re in the market for something new, you’ve come to the right place.
There are various factors to consider when hunting for a new cloud storage vendor. You’re likely expecting little to no error messages, fast speeds, and sufficient storage space—all at a great price. Whether you’re a professional expecting 4K resolution and terabyte sizes, a team member searching for a new solution on behalf of your team, or an amateur creative that creates for fun, keep reading to learn the key considerations when choosing a cloud storage vendor for multimedia.
Factors to Consider When Evaluating Cloud Storage Vendors
Storage Capacity
We’ve likely all had moments of picking out a new smartphone model, thinking the storage space is enough, only to realize a year later that we should’ve gone with the larger capacity instead. No one wants to open their camera app to capture a moment only to see a ‘storage is full’ error message glaring back at them. Similarly, you likely don’t want to see this message when you’re in the middle of uploading or downloading important files (or really, ever).
Most cloud-based video storage solutions likely offer a free plan to start and reel you in with more storage space in paid plans. Every organization’s storage capacity needs will depend on the nature of its business. A sports broadcast network may require multiple terabytes of video per event, resulting in a petabyte amount of content annually, while an individual creator could find hundreds of GB sufficient monthly.
Ci Media Cloud stands out for its archiving feature, saving your active storage space while leaving your files accessible. Change your mind? No sweat; you can easily restore archived files in just a few clicks. No more creating tickets and waiting up to 48 hours to get your file back—especially if you’re on a deadline! Each of Ci’s plans includes a set amount of active and media archive storage. Contact us for plans with unlimited space for large enterprise solutions.
Security
In 2022, over 422 million individuals were affected by data leaks, breaches, and exposure. As technology advances, so do cyber crimes and the need to keep up with preventing data attacks. While one user may need cloud–based video storage for personal, passion project footage, a fellow user may work for a high-profile company, juggling sensitive or confidential files. Or you may work with various third parties and need a firm grip on who has what type of access and for how long.
No matter the stakes, every user should expect and receive the highest security standards from a cloud storage vendor. Ci Media Cloud prioritizes security by running on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and securing files with end-to-end encryption in-transit and at-rest. Users can also secure sensitive content with passwords, expiration dates, and forensic or visual or forensic watermarks. Additionally, Ci is monitored 24/7, 365 days a year, by Sony’s Global Security Operations Center and is also ISO Certified so users can have further peace of mind.
Speed and Accessibility
The 24-hour news cycle has been around for decades, and media consumers’ expectations are higher than ever. The public wants content, and they want it fast. With this comes a greater burden on entertainment-based organizations and broadcast networks, among others, and every second is critical. When using a cloud storage solution, no user wants to see an error or timeout message interrupting their workflow—especially when under the mercy of deadlines or competitors racing to accomplish the same task.
Ci Media Cloud is praised and relied on by customers for the amount of time it gives back. Traditional methods of media transportation might entail hours of uploading and downloading, days of transport, and the potential risk of a drive getting lost or damaged—leading a team to start the process all over again. However, with cloud-based solutions, you get closer to your end goal but more reliably and faster. Ci paves the way for easily shareable content between departments, remote collaboration, and instantaneous publishing. Your weeks-long workflows are now hours-long workflows.
Pricing
So, you’re looking around on a vendor site and think it might be a good fit. But then there’s the dreaded question: how much does this cost? Per month? Per year? Per user? If you prioritize flexibility, consider a vendor that offers month-to-month plans, so you won’t be tied to long-term contracts that are tough to get out of should your needs change.
And depending on who you work for, an individual creator will have a vastly different budget than a team with a company footing the bill. As you shop, look for a pricing plan structure tailored to various audiences, from individuals to teams or enterprises. It may even be a priority for you to have flexible payment options.
Most vendors likely offer a free plan to start, with more expensive plans including more storage space and shiny features. Consider asking a vendor if they offer free trials, promotions, or discounts. There could even be perks if you’re a student or employed by an educational institution. Some promotions may be offered temporarily throughout the year, while new subscribers are the group most likely to get sign-up discounts. Existing Ci customers can currently take advantage of discounts for annual subscription renewals.
Integration with Multimedia Tools
When shopping for a cloud-based video storage solution, one question you should keep top of mind is if it integrates with other applications. Ci Media Cloud wouldn’t be what it is today without the help of other tools and platforms. For example, Ci is integrated with:
- Adobe Premiere Pro for seamless uploading and importing between the two tools
- IBM Aspera so users can prioritize and manage file and folder transfers
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) so users can leverage AWS services without needing to write code
- Teradek encoders and Atomos recorders for camera-to-cloud workflows
- Microsoft Azure and Okta for single sign-on
Among many more! Learn more about Ci’s integrations here.
How to Choose the Right Vendor
When hunting for the right media asset management software, remember to take your time. Some plans may have contracts you could be locked into once you sign the dotted line. Meanwhile, others may have free plans that give you time to determine if it’s a good fit. You might even look at a vendor’s existing customers highlighted on their website to see if the organization already caters to your needs and business type.
Additionally, consider reviewing user reviews on G2 and Capterra and reading any FAQ sections. For all unanswered questions, we recommend reaching out to the vendor’s help team. They can help determine which plan is best for you, and it’ll be your first glimpse into the org’s communication before you make any sign-up decisions.
If the vendor offers downloadable apps or plug-ins, you’ll also want to ensure that the browsers and devices you use are supported, whether you’re a Mac or PC user. Plus, if you’re frequently working on the go, you’ll want to confirm if a vendor has a mobile counterpart.
Wrapping up
Ci Media Cloud is media asset management software that powers (and empowers) major Hollywood studios, sports broadcast networks, and news networks, to name a few. Your favorite entertainment on the big screen? The sports replay? The live, on-the-ground broadcast of recent news? Ci Media Cloud has contributed to all of these pivotal moments behind the scenes to help make them a reality.
Whether you’re a professional creator, a team, or a business, we’re bound to have a plan that fits your creative needs. Still need some convincing? Our free plan comes with no strings attached. For more, visit our help center.
With the various cloud asset management software options out there, narrowing down the best fit can be overwhelming. And as your needs change, your storage vendor may, too. We hope this guide makes decision-making a little easier. Happy storing!
Want to learn more about Ci Media Cloud, or ready to pull the trigger? Unlock the possibilities, and get in touch.
