“Cloud computing is the future.”
Anyone in business and tech has heard that phrase many times. And it’s proven to be true. Over the years, cloud computing has rapidly grown to be one of the most essential aspects of the IT landscape. It’s developing at a pace to where it could soon dethrone traditional hosting as the go-to IT infrastructure.
It’s not hard to see why. Cloud computing is an upgrade in many areas – speed, security, and even environmental friendliness. That is why many businesses are making the switch from hosting – and you should too.
As you’re learning more about cloud computing, you may run into several confusing acronyms – ones with so many A’s and S’s. There’s IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. These are all different types of cloud computing.
What exactly do they all mean? Don’t worry! We break them all down in this article – diving into the differences and benefits of each.
Introduction to Cloud Computing
First, let’s explain what cloud computing is. It is a type of computing that uses the internet (“the cloud”) to deliver shared resources, such as application software, storage, servers, and databases. A cloud services provider (CSP) hosts the computing resources for a monthly fee or on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Over the years, businesses have leaned more towards cloud computing for various reasons. They’re cost-effective, scalable, easily accessible.
However, cloud computing didn’t become popular until the mid-2000s. Before then, on-premises computing was the norm. In this system, all information was housed on local servers.
Some businesses still use on-premise hosting to this day. The reason is for security reasons. On-premise hosting offers increased control of data. They’re less vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Lastly, since they’re all in-house, they don’t need to rely on third-party providers for security or data storage.
However, times are changing, and more and more companies are transitioning to the cloud because of how convenient they are. Benefits of the cloud include:
- Accessing data from any time, anyplace.
- Reducing IT costs for the company by using a shared infrastructure vs. buying hardware to store data on-premises.
- Scalability so companies can increase their processing power without investing in more hardware or software licenses.
What is IaaS Cloud Computing Service?
IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service. It’s a cloud computing service that delivers basic on-demand IT infrastructure to the end user through the internet. The providers or vendors often provide four essential elements:
- Servers
- Storage
- Networking
- Virtualization
In essence, the IaaS provider will help you manage computing, storage, networking, and virtualization. But the other components, such as data management and application software, are all on you.
Examples of IaaS:
- DigitalOcean
- Cherry Servers
- Linode
- Rackspace
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Cisco Metacloud
- InMotionHosting Flex Metal Cloud
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Compute Engine (GCE)
Benefits of IaaS
If you like to keep it old school and prefer to manage some computing elements yourself, then IaaS is a perfect option for you. The provider only manages the infrastructure. Everything else can be under your control.
There are other benefits of IaaS as well. For starters, they’re flexible and cost-efficient. You save money because you don’t have to build a physical data center.
Plus, it utilizes a pay-as-you-go model (as with PaaS and SaaS). So that means you only have to pay for what you use.
Second, they’re often reliable. The service can perform effectively without issues. Even if there are any issues, the IaaS provider will handle all the troubleshooting and upgrades quickly.
What is PaaS Cloud Computing Service?
PaaS stands for Platform as a Service. It is a cloud computing service that provides businesses and individuals the ability to develop, run, and manage applications on the cloud. These providers offer a complete platform – hardware, software, and infrastructure.
On a PaaS platform, it hosts many of the same features you get from IaaS and so much more. Users and developers have the majority of the resources they need from app development to deployment.
What you get with PaaS is:
- Everything in IaaS (servers, storage, networking, visualization)
- Middleware
- Operating systems (O/S)
- Runtime
They’re appealing to businesses because they reap the benefits of cloud and on-premise platforms without the costs and labor. The PaaS provider handles all the infrastructure, middleware, and O/S, while the user only has to focus on the application software.
Examples of PaaS:
- Google App Engine
- AWS Lambda
- AP Cloud
- Microsoft Azure
- Heroku
- AWS Elastic Beanstalk.
- IBM Cloud Foundry
- OpenShift
- Salesforce Lightning
- Pivotal Cloud Foundry
Benefits of PaaS
One neat thing about PaaS is that it’s faster to code. That is because much of the coding is done for you. Developers enter the service with a pre-established codebase, cutting their coding time in half.
Again, you have a lower cost because of the flexible pay-as-you-go model. Plus, developers that use PaaS also won’t have to buy and manage software licenses.
It also provides greater flexibility for teams. Team members can access the service without having to be in the same room. It’s a huge plus given the current shift to a remote work environment.
What is SaaS Cloud Computing Service?
SaaS stands for Software as a Service. It’s a computing service model that delivers application software to customers over the internet.
The SaaS provider offers all the hardware, software, infrastructure, and data management within the app. It’s the complete opposite of traditional on-premise hosting.
What you get with SaaS is:
- Everything in IaaS (servers, storage, networking, visualization)
- Everything in PaaS (middleware, O/S, runtime)
- Application software
- Data management
Users don’t even have to download anything on their devices. Instead, they can simply access the software through a web browser or other client-side interfaces (PCs, tablets, or smartphones).
Examples of SaaS services:
- Canva
- Salesforce
- Dropbox
- Slack
- ZenDesk
- Buffer
- Visme
- HubSpot
- Donorbox
- G Suite
Benefits of SaaS
SaaS has the benefits of both IaaS and PaaS, such as:
- Flexibility. Customers use software without having to install it on their computers.
- Lower costs. SaaS also utilizes a pay-as-you-go model.
- Reliability. Better security and reliability due to fewer updates.
It does have one unique advantage over the other two computing services. SaaS has a rapid deployment.
When customers pay for the software, they can get it instantly. They don’t need to wait several minutes for it to be installed. Users can use it right away
What Should You Choose for Your Business’s Needs?
Cloud computing has opened up a world of possibility for those who no longer want to be bogged down in all elements of servicing, running, and managing non-essential aspects of their businesses.
IaaS is great for those who want a hybrid approach. PaaS is an excellent choice for developers. SaaS is the best choice for adaptability.
However, these approaches aren’t mutually exclusive. Meaning that companies could combine services if they choose. So you have many appealing options.
It’s up to you as to how much effort you aim to put in. If you’re still unsure of which cloud computing service is best, Confianz can help! Our team of experts wants to work with you to create a tailored approach that’s the right fit for you.
Confianz Global Inc. is a leading Odoo ERP Development Company in USA. We provide unmatched mobile app development services globally to a wide range of business verticals & help them enhance their market reach, growth and ROI. With Confianz Global you can hire an IOS app developer or an android app developer to work directly with your own IT team.
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