Why Your Ecommerce Business Should Switch to SSD VPS Hosting

When it comes to storage, your company is looking for systems that offer speed, performance, and an adequate amount of storage to operate at top performance. As you consider moving to virtual private server hosting, consider how fully managed SSD VPS hosting can benefit you.

Solid-state drives (SSD) are one of the best storage tools to upgrade your company’s information systems. They perform the same functions as hard drives, but offer additional benefits that can help businesses operate more smoothly and efficiently.

As you weigh the pros and cons of choosing a solid-state drive versus a hard drive (or combining the two), the following information can help you make an educated decision.

What is SSD Technology, and How Does it Work?

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are data storage devices utilizing flash memory – rather than hardware – to provide fast access to information. A popular form of flash memory, NAND, constitutes non-volatile memory with electrical erasure and reprogramming capabilities. The chip stores information without the need for a power source.

Flash memory is an attractive storage option due to several qualities it possesses, including:

• Low power consumption:

  Flash memory requires few energy resources.

• Physical endurance:

  Due to their simple construction and lack of moving parts, SSD drives pack considerable lasting power.

• Small sizes:

  SSD drives feature compact construction, making them convenient to store and carry.

The flash memory utilized by solid-state drives is similar to that used by thumb drives, except the speed and type of memory differs considerably between the two. The better speed and reliability of SSD flash memory makes it more expensive, but more suitable for your sensitive company data.

When users query solid-state drives for information, the SSDs’ use of flash means data becomes available almost instantaneously. This makes them the perfect choice for businesses seeking to improve speed and efficiency of their operations.

What are the Differences between SSD and Hard Drive Storage?

Due to their construction, solid-state drives and hard drives present several differences when it comes to performance and operation. Unlike SSDs, hard drives use rotating magnetized platters to collect data. When your computer attempts to access information, the head (a needle-like element) physically moves over to the data in order to write or read it. This process can take considerably longer than for the more readily available SSD.

So, how do the differences between SSDs and HDDs break down? These devices diverge on several factors, such as:

• Age:

  Over the short time frame encompassing information technology, hard drives can be considered the “granddads” of data storage. From the 1956 IBM 350 RAMAC hard drive, which occupied roughly the space required by two commercial refrigerators, to modern-day drives that take up only a few square inches, hard drives have come a long way. SSDs, by contrast, have only been in development as we know them since the late 2000s, thanks in part to the advent of the netbook.

• Speed:

  Because hard drives utilize moving parts, the physical act of data retrieval takes longer than for solid-state drives. With the SSD’s use of flash memory, data becomes available almost instantaneously.

• Predictability:

  SSDs are durable and don’t wear out easily. However, by utilizing monitoring tools, users can measure NAND use and detect device wear easily. By contrast, hard drives present no such tools. When they fail, they do so without presenting any warning signs. 

• Data irretrievability:

  Due to their structure and function, SSDs and hard drives present vastly different data retrieval processes in the event of device failure. When SSDs fail, data is still available on the NAND. Conversely, retrieving lost data from hard drives can be a complicated and an expensive prospect.

• Capacity:

  In terms of storage capabilities, SSD units offer capacities ranging from 128 gigabytes to 1 terabyte (although the latter remains extremely rare). HDDs often offer considerably more space, from 200 gigabytes on the low end to 4 terabytes on the high end.

• Price:

  The cost difference between SSD and hard drive storage is significant. A 128 gigabyte SSD and a 2 terabyte HDD cost about the same, but the hard drive will provide 16 times more storage. Although costs vary by provider, this amounts to an average of 5 cents per gigabyte on a hard drive and 83 cents per gigabyte on a solid-state drive.

Companies must measure budgetary concerns against the benefits and drawbacks of implementing either storage system. Many organizations choose to combine SSD and HDD systems to conserve costs while maximizing storage availability.

Regardless of whether you currently use solid-state drives, hard drives, or a combination of the two, the services they perform are the same: They boot systems, store applications, and keep important files in one place.

How Can My Company Benefit from Upgrading to SSD VPS Hosting?

Taking the plunge into SSD technology will present several immediate benefits to your company’s information technology systems. Expect to experience many positive changes as a result of your upgrade, including:

• Shorter boot times:

  If you’re tired of waiting for your computer’s various components to load every time you turn it on, a solid-state drive can help speed things along. 

• Rapid application launching:

  Does it take forever to open your email or other programs or applications? SSD hosting can help cut waiting time and help you complete essential tasks in less time. 

• Faster document and file management:

  You need quick access to important files and documents. An overtaxed hard drive can make simple actions like opening and saving documents or duplicating or copying files into time-consuming chores. 

• Easier data retrieval:

  When it comes to protecting your important data, the choice between SSD and hard drives is clear. With SSDs, you can anticipate device failures before they occur and more easily retrieve data when they do. Waiting for a hard drive to fail and hoping you can regain access to lost information isn’t worth the risk. 

Although choosing between SSD and HDD technology for your company’s data storage requires weighing multiple considerations, it becomes easier when you understand the core differences between the two. As you invest in a VPS hosting service, SSD storage represents a “solid” choice when it comes to system speed, performance, and data availability. Should solid-state storage make it into your budget, you will likely find it well worth the investment.

Do you have questions about SSDs? At AccuWebHosting, we’re committed to your success and satisfaction. Contact us today to learn more.