Cloud storage can be a tricky business, even if storing data in the cloud might seem like a simple thing to do. IceWeb, a provider of unified data storage appliances for both virtual and cloud environments, is already providing cloud storage services to its customers, but the company is trying to make things simpler by creating a cloud services business unit.

Under the new IceWeb Cloud Services Unit, the company plans to provide "secure, infinitely expandable, ubiquitous cloud capabilities" to its customers. According to the company's CEO, Rob Howe, this expansion of IceWeb's cloud business is a critical focus for the company–something it is starting to see the benefits from as a business.

It's no surprise to the Talkin' Cloud readership that cloud services is growing at a rapid pace, and the addition of a business unit dedicated to cloud services at IceWeb is probably nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, it fits in well with changes throughout the industry. For IceWeb, it's the culmination of a lengthy development period, according to Gaurang Mehta, IceWeb's CTO.

"We are now able to offer a complete suite of cloud storage services to our customers who have been reluctant to move in the direction of the 'public cloud' types of architecture," Mehta said in a prepared statement.

In addition to the launch of its cloud services business unit, IceWeb also hinted at the next phase of its cloud services, which is a nationwide content delivery network that will help customers to maintain their data "everywhere at once." One of the keys to the IceWeb cloud services strategy is providing affordable alternative to existing solutions, but that's not exactly a new promise from vendors (anything but, actually).

"We will launch our IceFOLDER mobile client software, enabling business associates, students, faculty, customers or constituents to manage their own personal folder in the business or campus cloud from any device–a smartphone, tablet, notebook, whatever, while securing that data according to the controls required by the enterprise on IceWEB appliances running in their on-premise cloud," Howe said.

If that's not a teaser, I don't know what is. More details to come from Talkin' Cloud as they emerge.