Data Storage

Buy data storage from The Retail Factory. The first type of removable data storage available for home or business users was the simple floppy disc which is still available and most PCs are sold a drive as standard because the PC industry recognizes that it is important to have a reliable way to backup your information.

As times have changed so has the size of the average PC hardrive. The floppy disc is too small for most modern PC backups and both home and office users are thinking about other ways to backup their computer information.

The next evolution from floppy discs came with the compact disc (or CDs) and now around 10 years since it became popular it is one of the easiest ways to backup small amounts of data. The CD is still a popular method for home users to backup their data and although a full backup may require a DVD it is still possible to transfer information from one PC to another PC using CDs. Most small offices that don't want to invest to much money in data storage or data backup often use DVD’s to backup server information but a popular alternative to DVDs for data transfer is the USB pen drives.

USB pen drives or flash drives as they are also known use a technology called USB (or universal serial bus) which allows them to transfer information from one PC into a small keychain sized memory stick and transfer the information effortlessly to another PC anytime they need. USB Pen drives are a popular tool for management professionals to help them with presentations because although not overly bulky a CD, DVD or even portable hard drive is not only large but slow compared to the ease of use a USB pen drive meaning the presentation can be accessed in a matter of seconds rather than minutes.

For larger transfers of data or massive server backups, IT workers often use Data Backup Tapes such as LTO or DLT tapes to store large (upwards of 200GB+) amounts of compressed data onto a magnetic tape that is accessed only for the purpose of recovering after a backup of an irregular audit.

The data backup tapes are the equivalent use of large warehouse sized filing cabinets where information is stored and is rarely needed again where CDs, DVDs and USB Pen drives are closer to a document file that is either used regularly, hardly at all or is used to transfer information quickly from one PC to another.