Information storage is a process of collecting, organizing, and storing the data into a data repository in a digital form, from where the data can be access to derive the information for business use. In this section, ahead we will discuss information storage right from the collection of raw data, how it is structured to determine the information out of it, and about its storage.
Elements of Information Storage :
What is Data?
Data can be interpreted as a collection of random facts such as audio, video, printed letters, e-books, photos, documents, etc. that can be used to draw a conclusion for business use. Even when the computers were not evolved some methods were used to collect and store data for determining information out of it such as a lot of paperwork was done to store the data, even filming was one of the methods to collect facts.
After the evolution of the computer, we were able to store the same data into a more convent form which we refer to as digital data. The e-mails, pdfs, JPEG images, or MP4 videos all are the example of digital information. In a computer, the digital information is stored in the form of 0s and 1s.
With the advent of computers, the rate of data creation and sharing has increased rapidly. The factors behind the rapid growth of digital data are discussed below:
- Advance Data Processing Capabilities
Modern-day computers are fast and efficient at processing large volumes of data. So, it becomes very easy to transform the different types of data from the conventional form to the digital form.
The data processing capability of the computer is 100 times faster when compared with the data processing speed of a human. So, its quick processing capability enhances the growth of digital data.
- Low-Cost Digital Storage
Earlier the digital storages were costlier but advanced technology has reduced the cost of digital storage and increased the storage capacity of digital storage devices. These less expensive digital storage devices encourage data generation and storage.
- Advanced Communication Technology
Only generating and storing digital data is not enough. We have to exchange this data to share the information. The traditional way of exchanging information such as postcards used to take a week to reach its destination. But with advanced communication technology such as emails only take a few seconds to reach their destination.
With the factors above there was a tremendous boost in the creation, collection, storing, and sharing of data and this not only fulfills the business needs but it also satisfies individual needs. This accelerated data growth is often referred to as data explosion.
The significance of data varies from time to time as some data has importance for the short term as it losses its importance after some duration. According to the significance of the data, the storage solution is used. The storage solution can even be governed on basis of the contributor of the data i.e. the individuals store their data on hard disks, CDs, DVDs, Flash drives, etc.
The data generated from businesses is vast and has significance over a longer period of time as it can be used to extract meaningful information that can be used to make an economic benefit.
Types of Data
Depending upon the storage and management of data, it can be classified into two types structured data and unstructured data. The structured data is the one that is well organized in the form of rows and columns so that it becomes easier for the applications to retrieve and process the data. A real-life example of structured data is a database management system i.e. DBMS.
Now, discussing the unstructured data, the data that cannot be organized in a way from which the information cannot be retrieved is the unstructured data. An example of unstructured data is digital documents in the form of .doc, .pdf, .txt, email messages, etc. Almost all enterprises have unstructured data and their primary concern is to store and manage the unstructured
data.
Information
Any kind of data, structured or unstructured is not useful unless we can retrieve a piece of meaningful information or knowledgeable data out of it. To enhance the business strategy, businesses analyze their data to identify useful information such as buying pattern of the customer, or preferred brand of the customer and the businesses can plan according to enhance their sale.
Information tends to be very important in the success of a business so every business is concern about its availability and its protection.
Storage
As we can derive useful information from raw data, businesses are also concern about its storage. The data must be stored such that it is easily available for processing. The storage type varies on many bases such as its cots, its usage, its size, the rate at which it can be accessed, and many more. The example of storage devices are CDs, DVDs, hard disk, etc.
In this way, the process of information storage includes collecting raw data, processing it, organizing, and storing it in the storage device.
