Every so often, a technology comes along that completely redefines the way we organize the world. Cloud computing is one of them. Cloud computing can be broken down into three core service models — IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS (also known as Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Software as a Service).
Since its inception, the cloud has had a massive impact on the way we manage data, access resources, and run organizations at all levels. And this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down, either — according to Globe Newswire, the cloud computing market is predicted to reach $1.614 billion by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 17%.
In this article, we’ll look at why cloud computing is so valuable for businesses and the key differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
Why Is Cloud Computing So Valuable?
Why are organizations turning to cloud computing like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS at such a high rate?
There are several good reasons. Cloud services allow you to access the resources and technology of your cloud provider, which means you can save significant amounts of money while tapping into technology that might be impossible to implement on your own.
Using the cloud can also make it much easier to scale, and you’ll have access to a team of highly experienced professionals to help you make the most of this technology and do what’s best for your business.
What Is IaaS?
IaaS is a way of outsourcing some of your computing infrastructure to a cloud provider. Instead of building your own data storage facilities, servers, networks, and so on, you can access the resources of your provider.
This can be an enormous benefit because it allows you to avoid the major time and cost investment necessary to build your own infrastructure from scratch by tapping into an existing infrastructure straight away.
On top of convenience and cost savings, IaaS also makes it much easier to scale your organization without the need for massive overhauls. If you have a specific task or project that requires more sophisticated resources, you can tap into that higher level much more easily.
Right now, Amazon controls almost half of the IaaS market, according to Statista. Microsoft and Alibaba also play significant roles.
What Is PaaS?
PaaS is a complete cloud environment designed for building and hosting applications. It contains all the resources developers need to create and run applications. This includes the infrastructure resources you’d get with IaaS like servers and data storage, as well as app-specific things like development tools, middleware, and database management.
PaaS makes it much easier to build and deploy applications. Typically, PaaS providers also take care of security and offer guidance and support to developers.
Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud are all examples of popular PaaS providers.
What Is SaaS?
With a SaaS model, you pay to access a suite of cloud-based software solutions to meet a specific need.
The SaaS provider develops, maintains, and updates the software. All you need to do is pay your subscription, sign in, and use the features. SaaS solutions tend to scale well and be easily accessible from a range of locations.
A famous example of SaaS is Salesforce. Instead of building and maintaining your own sales and customer support tool — which can be incredibly costly and time-consuming — you can simply log into Salesforce and access a pre-built solution with all the features you need.
How Do IaaS, PaaS & SaaS Interact?
While we’ve been focusing on the ways IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are different from one another, it’s important to remember that all three models are related.
The major benefit to all three is the ability to outsource your IT needs to a third party, tapping into its expertise and resources while you save time and money for projects that are unique to your business.
What to Know When Purchasing IaaS, PaaS & SaaS
So far, we’ve looked at some key examples of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS tools that your business can benefit from. But how do you whittle down your options and make the best buying decision for your needs? Here are some best practices to follow.
- Spend some time assessing your goals, risks, and the key problems you want to solve with your software. Think about the future, too — how will your chosen solution scale with your business?
- Create a shortlist of service providers that align with your requirements, and compare them. At this stage, it’s a good idea to consult reviews and talk to previous and current customers of your prospective software.
- Get in touch with the individual providers once you’ve whittled down your list to just a few potential options so you can ask further questions and confirm whether or not their product is the right fit for your business.
- Take your potential software for a test drive. Many as-a-service products offer generous free trial options, and they often contain a free tier where you can use the basic features of the platform for as long as you want.
Choosing the right IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS tools has a dramatic impact on your operation. Take the time to make the right choice for your unique team and business goals.
DYOPATH & the Cloud
At DYOPATH, we can help you manage various aspects of your IT infrastructure, including cloud-based services. Our goal is to help you do what’s best for your business with comprehensive, secure, and scalable services.
Schedule a call with us to find out more and get started.