Research from Gartner indicates mobile technology and the personal cloud will replace the PC as the hub of daily life – at least in terms of digital activity – by 2014. Trends show a movement toward a “bring your own device” era, where people use smartphones and portables more than PCs, reported on Wired. Cloud storage will naturally assume a fundamental role in managing and maintaining data in a mobile hub. For users who don’t want to be tied to only one cloud storage account and are looking to utilize many cloud storage options and access them all in one place, there are applications that provide that service.
Benefits of Multiple Services
Every cloud service has unique features, ranging from collaborative tools including chat, to desktop syncing applications, that attract subscribers, according to Online Backup Geeks. Overcoming limited storage space with your free cloud storage service is as simple as signing up for several free storage products.
Consolidating Cloud Spaces
Of course, managing multiple storage services takes time and energy. Consolidation tools have emerged that make managing data more efficient, provide easier access to archived records and synced documents across multiple service areas. Another benefit of utilizing a consolidation service is that expanded storage space allows users to explore the full potential offered by free services before choosing to pay for plans with higher amounts of storage.
Not all consolidation tools are created equal, according to Techrepublic. Choose the tools that work best for individual needs and equipment by considering both web-based and desktop services. Explore the capabilities and limitations of several consolidation options before making a decision. The three consolidation services below represent some of the best options available today.
- Otixo: Web-based services from Otixo provide file management services for a monthly fee of $4.99. Subscribers have single sign-on access to their data files and social network accounts. The service support numerous services, including SkyDrive, SugarSync, Facebook and Dropbox. The drag-and-drop feature eliminates the need to download files to move data from service to service.
- Joli​drive: A functional interface that delivers a single space to manage audio, visual and text documents across multiple cloud spaces from any device for work or play. This free service is supported by required user promotion on social networking sites. For consumers who use multiple document storage services, such as Dropbox and Google Drive, along with a variety of photo services, this provider delivers an easy-to-navigate mechanism that supports most of the popular cloud options. Running applications in the cloud eliminates the need for external storage and downloading music and videos.
- Primadesk: This offers a web-based dashboard with numerous features that range from checking your email to enabling one-click sign on. An account supports a number of email services and allows users to manage cloud-based services from portable and desktop computing devices. Three service packages are available. The 1GB free account allows subscribers to manage 10 services. The Pro and Premium accounts allow users to manage an unlimited number of cloud services. Subscribers pay $5 monthly for 10GB or $10 monthly for 30GB of storage space.
What service have you used to consolidate your cloud storage? Leave your input in the comments.