OwnCloud vs. Traditional Cloud Storage: Which One is Right for You?

Choosing the right file management solution is a critical decision for any business. With traditional cloud storage options like OneDrive and Dropbox dominating the market, it can be difficult to explore alternatives that provide the flexibility and security your business needs. That’s where OwnCloud comes in. But how does OwnCloud stack up against traditional cloud storage services? Let’s take a closer look.
1. Ownership and Control of Data

When you use traditional cloud storage services, your data is stored on servers owned and managed by a third party. While these providers implement strict security measures, there’s always a level of risk involved when sensitive information is stored outside your control.

OwnCloud offers a different approach. By self-hosting your file management solution, you retain full ownership and control over your data. This means that you get to decide where your data is stored, how it’s accessed, and who has permission to view or edit it. For businesses with strict data compliance requirements, this level of control is invaluable.

2. Privacy and Security

With increasing concerns over data privacy and security breaches, businesses must consider where and how their data is stored. Traditional cloud storage services, while convenient, may not always meet the stringent security standards required by certain industries.

OwnCloud provides an extra layer of security through features like server-side encryption, customisable access controls, and the ability to store files in your own data center. These security features make OwnCloud particularly appealing for organisations that deal with sensitive or confidential information.

3. Customisation and Integration

Every business has its own unique processes and workflows. Traditional cloud storage services offer limited customisation options, making it challenging to adapt them to your organisation’s specific needs.

On the other hand, OwnCloud is designed to be highly flexible and customisable. You can configure the platform to align with your company’s processes, integrate it with existing software solutions, and even create custom plugins for specialised functionality. This level of customisation ensures that OwnCloud can be tailored to suit any business model.

4. Scalability and Flexibility

Cloud storage needs evolve over time as businesses grow. While traditional services offer scalability, they usually come with increased subscription fees and limited storage plans.

With OwnCloud, scalability is easier and more cost-effective. Because you host the solution yourself, you can scale up your storage capacity by simply adding more servers or integrating with external storage solutions. This makes OwnCloud a versatile option for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.

5. Cost Efficiency

When it comes to cost, traditional cloud storage services can become expensive over time, especially if your organisation requires multiple licenses or additional storage. Subscription costs can add up quickly, impacting your budget in the long run.

OwnCloud’s self-hosted model offers a cost-efficient alternative. By leveraging your existing infrastructure, you can minimise ongoing costs and avoid unexpected price hikes associated with subscription-based services. This makes OwnCloud a more sustainable solution for companies looking to manage costs while maintaining a high level of functionality.

6. Collaboration and Productivity

Effective collaboration is a crucial component of any file management solution. While traditional services like OneDrive and Dropbox provide basic collaboration features, they often lack the granular controls needed for larger organisations.

OwnCloud offers a comprehensive set of collaboration tools, including file sharing with advanced permissions, real-time document editing, and seamless integration with popular office applications like Microsoft Office and Collabora Online. These features enable teams to work together more effectively, whether they’re in the office or working remotely.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

The decision between OwnCloud and traditional cloud storage services ultimately depends on your business’s needs. If you require a solution that offers total control, enhanced security, and greater customisation, OwnCloud is a strong choice. It’s especially suitable for industries with strict compliance requirements, such as healthcare, finance, or legal services.

However, if simplicity, ease of use, and low initial costs are your primary concerns, traditional cloud storage services may still be a viable option.

In the end, OwnCloud offers a unique balance of flexibility, security, and scalability that can help your business stay competitive in a digital-first world. If you’re ready to take control of your file management and explore a solution that goes beyond traditional cloud storage, it’s time to give OwnCloud a closer look!

Get a quick overview so you can spend your time improving your processes.

You can easily define and set up processes according to your own needs using a convenient layout tool. In addition, since all types of workflow processes can be managed, you get all case management in one single system. 

Analyses, statistics and reports give you an unbeatable overview with real-time status and division of responsibility. Nothing has to fall through the cracks anymore and you always have an accurate and up-to-date base for decision-making.

CANEA Process is a tool that allows you to model and share business processes in an easy-to-use graphical web interface.

Seeing is understanding

Visualisation gives all employees an understanding of the organisation’s processes, activities, responsibilities and information flows.

Living processes

Identifying working methods while making it easy to update is the basis for continuous improvement of processes.

Create a complete picture

Linking together documents, information and tools with clickable process maps create an intuitive and comprehensive management system.

CANEA Workflow is an IT solution that automates, quality-assures and speeds up administrative workflow processes.

You can easily define and set up processes according to your own needs using a convenient layout tool. In addition, since all types of workflow processes can be managed, you get all case management in one single system. 

Analyses, statistics and reports give you an unbeatable overview with real-time status and division of responsibility. Nothing has to fall through the cracks anymore and you always have an accurate and up-to-date base for decision-making.

By creating executable processes in CANEA Workflow, you get both better control of the situation and smoother processing.

Streamlining the work

Ensure compliance and that handovers are done correctly and with the right information.

Correct decision support

You get an unbeatable overview of the processes in real time, with both clear reports and clear diagrams.

Improve processes continuously

Our process support can be constantly adapted to changing needs and requirements. In this way, we give you the best possible conditions for your daily work.

A document management system without complicated folder structures.

CANEA Document combines simple and intuitive search features with powerful features for managing documents from a life cycle perspective.

Maximum availability
Search and find information quickly based on what you need, not where it is stored.

High security
Ensure accuracy, changes and access to all information – with high traceability.

Fulfils requirements
Manage information according to standards, legislation and other requirements for document management.

CANEA Document supports everything from production, publication and modification to archiving and deletion – with full traceability and version management.

CANEA Document provides secure management of all types of documents – in one place. Tagging the information with metadata creates a virtual, multidimensional folder structure. This means that a document appears in multiple locations at the same time, with authorisation-controlled access. The right information in the right place for the right users at the right time!

You can usefully add your company’s process-oriented management system to CANEA Document. All production and distribution of documents is quality-assured and streamlined. In addition, your employees always have access to the most up-to-date version of the documents – directly via intranet, tablets and mobile phones.

Improve the performance of your project activities

CANEA Project is a comprehensive project tool with integrated support for all types of projects and parties– such as management, resource owners, clients, project managers and project participants. CANEA Project gives you an excellent overview of your entire project portfolio, including profitability and status, making it easier to prioritize and make decisions.

CANEA Project shares all important project information with both internal and external members.

Let your project manager focus on management rather than administration and distribution of the information.

Gather all project information in one place and make it available to both internal and external members.

Helps you with prioritization of projects, resource management and analysis of portfolios and programs.

Make reality of the strategy

CANEA Strategy makes it possible for organisations of all sizes to create a unique common thread from the strategic work to the daily operations. We do not just provide performance management tools but rather a completely new generation of IT support for strategy activation. The system guarantees and provides support throughout the chain from strategy to execution. You get no results without action. CANEA Strategy makes it possible in practise! 

CANEA Strategy ensures and provides support throughout the entire journey from strategy to execution.

Create a shared understanding of the strategy, the goal to achieve and how.

Gives management an unbeatable overview of what’s happening, how it’s progressing, and why.

Creates a clear common thread from the strategy to project, initiatives and actions.