Cloud computing is a broad word that refers to the supply of data storage, processing, analytics, and other services over the internet rather than through local hardware. Understanding various cloud service models, analyzing your needs, and determining how the chosen model can offer you a planned set of workflows are all the necessary steps in deciding between them.
There are normally 3 cloud service models to compare, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Each of these cloud services models possesses its benefits, as well as variances. Now, for any organization to know how to make the best choice, it is necessary to understand the differences between SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS is the most widely used type of cloud service model. In short, it is a way of delivering applications over the Internet as a service. The services over the internet make accessibility of the same more convenient thereby making the installation and maintenance of complex software easier.
This could hence indeed help service providers manage, maintain, and have control over the cloud infrastructure on both hardware and software as well as its security. SaaS is more user-friendly in nature and can be easily adapted. Some SaaS examples include Gmail, Google Apps, Salesforce, and Netflix.
SaaS Benefits:
- Multitenant Architecture
- Easy Customization
- Better Access
- Automatic Updates
- High Usage Rates
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Platform as a service is where the cloud service providers deliver a platform to clients, enabling them to develop, run, test, manage, and host their applications. It also provides users with computing resources as well as tools and software to develop their apps, including middleware, database management, and the operating system. Similar to SaaS, even the PaaS providers manage, maintain, and have control over the cloud infrastructure as well as its security.
PaaS being mostly used by application developers requires certain technical skills to operate the same. Popular examples of PaaS include AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Windows Azure, Google App Engine, and OpenShift.
PaaS Benefits:
- Increased Agility
- Highly Scalable
- Faster Time to Market
- Cost-effective development of apps
- Centralized and simplified app management
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is made of highly scalable and automated computing resources. Here, businesses can opt or purchase the computing resources on-demand and when it is required. This service type among all the cloud service models is completely self-driven for accessing and monitoring computers, networking, storage, and other services. Unlike SaaS and PaaS, IaaS users have control over the cloud infrastructure as well as its security.
IaaS is hence highly used by technical professionals like that of infrastructure and network architects. Common examples of IaaS include DigitalOcean, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Compute Engine (GCE).
IaaS Benefits:
- More rapid innovation
- Resources are available as a service
- Increased scalability, dynamic and flexible
- Reduced startup and maintenance expenses
- Organization retain complete control of the infrastructure
Anything as a Service (XaaS)
Anything as a Service ( XaaS) stands as a single term denoting the extensive variety of services and applications emerging for users to access over the Internet. Businesses under these systems get to innovate faster, extend their customer relationships, and nurture the sale beyond the initial product purchase by using the data generated over the cloud services model.
Anything-as-a-service derives (XaaS) refers to the delivery of anything as a service right from software-as-a-service (SaaS) to storage-as-a-service, desktop-as-a-service (DaaS), disaster recovery-as-a-service (DRaaS), network-as-a-service (NaaS), infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and even emerging services such as marketing-as-a-service, healthcare-as-a-service and more.
XaaS Benefits:
- Allows the shift of capital expenses to operating expenses
- Quick launch of new apps and business processes
- Creates space for new projects
Cloud models enable low-cost IT infrastructure development, simplifying management and reducing costs. It is also highly scalable, allowing for flexible response to business expansion and change. For many companies, this is an important factor in making their business more competitive.