For architects, photographers, journalists, and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), choosing the right storage solution is critical to maintaining control, security, and scalability. While cloud storage has gained popularity, on-premise storage remains a superior choice for those prioritizing data sovereignty, predictable costs, and tailored performance. LightUp.Cloud offers an exceptional on-premise solution powered by Riak CS, a distributed object storage system built on Riak KV. With just five disks, LightUp.Cloud delivers unlimited storage, supports unlimited users and devices, and provides unmatched security and flexibility. Here’s why taking the “hassle” of on-premise storage with LightUp.Cloud is a game-changer for SMBs serving the 30.2 million small businesses in the USA and 24.7 million in the EU.

The Power of On-Premise Storage with LightUp.Cloud’s Riak CS

Riak CS, integrated into LightUp.Cloud, is an open-source, S3-compatible object storage system built on Erlang, designed for high availability, fault tolerance, and scalability. Unlike cloud providers like ownCloud ($3,600 for 50 users) or FileCloud ($1,800 for 15 users, 1 TB), LightUp.Cloud’s on-premise solution requires only five disks to unlock unlimited storage capacity, with no restrictions on users or devices. This makes it ideal for data-intensive industries like architecture, photography, and journalism, where large files and secure access are paramount.

Key Benefits of On-Premise Storage with LightUp.Cloud

Choosing on-premise storage with LightUp.Cloud’s Riak CS offers solid, tangible advantages that make the setup effort worthwhile:

• Complete Data Control: On-premise storage gives organizations total control over their data, unlike cloud solutions where third-party providers manage access. This is critical for industries like healthcare or journalism, where data privacy is non-negotiable. Riak CS ensures data stays on your infrastructure, reducing reliance on external vendors and mitigating risks of remote hacking.
• Unlimited Storage with Minimal Hardware: With just five disks, Riak CS provides virtually unlimited storage capacity, scalable to petabytes using commodity hardware. This contrasts with cloud solutions like Google G Suite, where unlimited storage is restricted to enterprise plans with five or more users, or Office 365, which caps at 1 TB for small business plans unless upgraded.
• No Limits on Users or Devices: LightUp.Cloud’s Riak CS allows unlimited users and devices to connect at no additional cost, unlike competitors like Seafile Pro ($720 for 10-249 users) or Pydio ($3,600 for 100 users). This is a cost-effective solution for growing SMBs or teams with multiple collaborators, such as architectural firms or photography studios.
• Predictable Costs: On-premise storage eliminates the rising costs of cloud subscriptions, which can increase by 25-50% as reported in 2022 by Google Cloud users. With LightUp.Cloud, the initial investment in five disks and setup is offset by stable, predictable costs, saving up to 5 times compared to cloud alternatives over time.
• Enhanced Security: Riak CS, running on Erlang’s BEAM virtual machine, isolates data in secure processes, ensuring robust protection. Combined with LightUp.Cloud’s S3-compatible API and access control lists (ACLs), it supports compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA, making it ideal for regulated industries.
• High Availability and Performance: Riak CS’s distributed architecture ensures no single point of failure, with three replicas per object by default and automatic failover for failed nodes. This delivers 99.999% availability and up to 10 Gbit/s speeds via LAN sync, outperforming cloud solutions that rely on internet connectivity.

Real-World Applications for SMBs

LightUp.Cloud’s on-premise Riak CS solution is tailored for professionals and SMBs with demanding storage needs:

• Architects: Store and share large 3D models and blueprints securely on-site, with unlimited storage for project archives and instant access for team collaboration.
• Photographers: Manage terabytes of high-resolution images and videos without cloud subscription fees, enabling fast local access for editing and client sharing.
• Journalists: Keep sensitive investigative files on-premise, ensuring data sovereignty and compliance while supporting unlimited users for collaborative reporting.
• Healthcare Practices: Maintain patient records on-site to meet HIPAA requirements, with scalable storage and secure access for multiple devices.

Unlike cloud solutions that require fast internet and risk outages, on-premise Riak CS ensures uninterrupted access, even in low-connectivity environments, making it ideal for remote offices or fieldwork.

Deploy your on-premise solution with LightUp.Cloud.

Why the “Hassle” Is Worth It

Setting up on-premise storage may involve initial hardware and configuration efforts, but LightUp.Cloud simplifies this with AWS CDK deployment scripts and managed options. The minimal requirement of five disks delivers unlimited storage, and Riak CS’s easy-to-install architecture (requiring just three components) streamlines setup. Compared to competitors like ownCloud or FileCloud, which demand costly maintenance and limit storage or users, LightUp.Cloud’s on-premise solution offers:

• 3-click setup via AWS CDK for rapid deployment.
• Scalability by adding commodity hardware, avoiding the need for expensive server upgrades.
• Cost savings up to 5 times over cloud providers, with no per-user or per-device fees.
• Local performance with LAN sync, eliminating internet dependency for faster file access.

For SMBs, the long-term benefits of control, security, and cost predictability far outweigh the initial setup effort, especially when serving data-intensive workflows.

Why LightUp.Cloud’s Riak CS Stands Out

LightUp.Cloud’s on-premise Riak CS solution outshines competitors like Seafile Pro ($720 for 10-249 users), ownCloud ($3,600 for 50 users), or Pydio ($3,600 for 100 users) by offering unlimited storage, users, and devices at a fixed price. Its Erlang-based architecture ensures fault tolerance and high availability, while S3 compatibility allows integration with existing tools. Unlike cloud providers with fluctuating costs or security concerns, LightUp.Cloud empowers SMBs with a secure, scalable, and cost-effective on-premise solution tailored to their needs.

Ready to take control of your data? Get started with LightUp.Cloud’s on-premise Riak CS and unlock unlimited storage today.