Cloud storage is a recent innovation in streamlining the process of backing up, restoring and synchronizing computer data. It is available to large companies and individual users. One question you might be asking when considering your own data storage needs is this: Is cloud storage worth it? Here are seven things you get which makes cloud storage worth it.

1. Storage space That's the obvious one. You get space on your providers' servers and other hardware to store your data. You could be storing either a few folders of files that you then access using several computers and devices, or you could be storing a complete backup of all your computer systems.

2. Hardware In the days before cloud storage, if you routinely backed up your computer systems (you do do that, right?), you had to use your own hardware--external drives, flash drives, your own servers, etc. Now with cloud storage, you get to store your data on someone else's hardware, which means that you don't have to keep it around and maintained any longer. Nor do you have to remember to plug it in, turn it on, or anything else. With cloud storage, you can just leave your computer connected to the Internet and stop worrying about it.

3. Automated backup The cloud file storage provider you choose will allow you to automate the process of backing up your data. Usually they have a default setting that you can use, or you can modify it to better meet your needs. Once you are happy with it, all you need to do is keep all your computers connected to the Internet and the rest... just happens.

4. Seamless restoration The traditional way of restoring data in the event of a hard drive failure is not always easy or simple, and usually requires the help of computer hardware experts. One of the advantages of cloud storage is that the restoration process is much more streamlined and easy. You can easily do it yourself by following some simple directions, or you can call the cloud storage provider technical support line and someone can talk you through the process.

5. Technical support You can't underestimate the value of live technical support, and you get it when you purchase cloud storage. This means if you are not sure something is working right or have any questions at any point, live help is just a phone call, email or chat away.

6. Seamless synchronization Remember the days when you had to email files to collaborators (or even yourself), then those emailed files would be modified and then you'd have to overwrite the original file? Remember the confusion caused if you procrastinated on that final step? With cloud data storage you no longer have to worry about that. Simply access your files from the cloud whenever you want to work on them, or share part of your cloud with collaborators, and every time a file is modified, those modifications are populated in the cloud and onto all computers that are tied to the cloud. The synchronization of files is automatic as long as all involved computers are connected to the Internet.

7. Eliminate hardware clutter This alone could be worth the cost of cloud storage! You can say goodbye to external hard drives with all their wires, maintenance, and quirks and needs for their own physical storage space. You don't have to worry about whether or not you have enough memory on your hardware. If your needs outgrow the size of your cloud storage account, you can easily upgrade and many providers have an unlimited option as well. Let someone else keep and maintain the state of the art hardware while you use your little piece of it.

Is cloud storage worth it? Only you can make that decision for you. Many people, including yours truly, have answered this question with a resounding yes.