What is SaaS, IaaS & PaaS?

The cloud is a hot topic for small businesses all the way to global enterprises, but remains a broad concept that covers a lot of online territory. There are usually three models of cloud service to compare: Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Each of these has its own benefits, as well as variances, and it is necessary to understand the differences among SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS to know how to best choose one for your organization.

• SaaS: Software as a Service

Software as a Service, also known as cloud application services, represents the most commonly utilized option for businesses in the cloud market. SaaS utilizes the internet to deliver applications, which are managed by a third-party vendor, to its users. A majority of SaaS applications run directly through your web browser, which means they do not require any downloads or installations on the client side.

SaaS Characteristics :

There are a few ways to help you determine when SaaS is being utilized:

·     Managed from a central location

·     Hosted on a remote server

·     Accessible over the internet

·     Users not responsible for hardware or software updates

When to Use SaaS

SaaS may be the most beneficial option in several situations, including:

·     Startups or small companies that need to launch ecommerce quickly and don’t have time for server issues or software

·     Short-term projects that require quick, easy, and affordable collaboration

·     Applications that aren’t needed too often, such as tax software

·     Applications that need both web and mobile access

• PaaS: Platform as a Service

·     Cloud platform services, also known as Platform as a Service (PaaS), provide cloud components to certain software while being used mainly for applications. PaaS delivers a framework for developers that they can build upon and use to create customized applications. All servers, storage, and networking can be managed by the enterprise or a third-party provider while the developers can maintain management of the applications.

PaaS Characteristics

PaaS has many characteristics that define it as a cloud service, including:

·     Builds on virtualization technology, so resources can easily be scaled up or down as your business changes

·     Provides a variety of services to assist with the development, testing, and deployment of apps

·     Accessible to numerous users via the same development application

·     Integrates web services and databases

When to Use PaaS

Utilizing PaaS is beneficial, sometimes even necessary, in several situations. For example, PaaS can streamline workflows when multiple developers are working on the same development project. If other vendors must be included, PaaS can provide great speed and flexibility to the entire process. PaaS is particularly beneficial if you need to create customized applications. This cloud service also can greatly reduce costs and it can simplify some challenges that come up if you are rapidly developing or deploying an app.

• IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service

Cloud infrastructure services, known as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), are made of highly scalable and automated compute resources. IaaS is fully self-service for accessing and monitoring computers, networking, storage, and other services. IaaS allows businesses to purchase resources on-demand and as-needed instead of having to buy hardware outright.

IaaS Characteristics

Characteristics that define IaaS include:

·     Resources are available as a service

·     Cost varies depending on consumption

·     Services are highly scalable

·     Multiple users on a single piece of hardware

·     Organization retain complete control of the infrastructure

·     Dynamic and flexible

When to Use IaaS

Just as with SaaS and PaaS, there are specific situations when IaaS is most advantageous.

Startups and small companies may prefer IaaS to avoid spending time and money on purchasing and creating hardware and software. Larger companies may prefer to retain complete control over their applications and infrastructure, but they want to purchase only what they actually consume or need. Companies experiencing rapid growth like the scalability of IaaS, and they can change out specific hardware and software easily as their needs evolve. Anytime you are unsure of a new application’s demands, IaaS offers plenty of flexibility and scalability.

Common Examples of SaaS, PaaS, & IaaS

Platform Type	Common Examples
SaaS	Google Apps, Dropbox, Salesforce, Cisco WebEx, Concur, GoToMeeting
PaaS	AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Windows Azure, Heroku, Force.com, Google App Engine, Apache Stratos, OpenShift
IaaS	DigitalOcean, Linode, Rackspace, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco Metapod, Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Engine (GCE)