Cloud services increasingly popular in US K-12 districts

Cloud services are becoming increasingly popular to K-12 districts across the US due to declining costs, a mature market, easy-access bandwidth and better security. Cloud computing allows districts to store resources online, including websites, online learning applications and student information, and many firms who offer cloud storage have useful on-demand, 24 hour, support teams ready to assist if problems should arise. 

Dive Brief:

Declining costs, a mature market, easy-access bandwidth and better security are making cloud data storage more attractive to K-12 districts across the U.S.

Cloud computing lets districts store resources online, including websites, online learning applications, and even student information systems and school-specific human resources material.

Many companies offering cloud storage services also have on-demand, around-the-clock support teams ready to assist should any problems arise; yet because the cloud is now more readily available, District Administration reports that many kinks have already been worked out.

Dive Insight:

Like any storage system, cloud storage can be used with backups to avoid running into a data nightmare. Districts have been wise to back up systems and information, even with today's much more responsive and high-functioning cloud services.

Private clouds are also an option, but it's one that requires more preparation and labor. District administrators choosing to use private cloud storage need a high level of expertise as well as internal system support and maintenance. Network attached storage is also a cost-effective, secure alternative.