Cloud computing models fall into 3 main categories
- IaaS - Infrastructure as a service
- PaaS - Platform as a service
- SaaS - Software as a service
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
Cloud computing services where hardware resources are provided by an external provider and managed for you. IaaS helps users to use computing power or virtual machines without labor-intensive hardware investments or server management. Physically, the hardware resources are pulled from a variety of networks and servers distributed across different data centers, all of which are managed and maintained by the cloud service provider.
For example, say a user wants a Linux system, with IaaS he will get access to it without having to worry about the networking of the machine on which Linux is installed or the physical system.
Features and Benefits of IaaS Cloud Computing Service
- A typical infrastructure as a service offering saves both time and money as the underlying hardware set up and support is provided by the service provider.
- Resources are available on demand as and when required so there is no wastage of any unused resources and no delays on adding any resources.
- Utility-based pricing model i.e. pay only for the resources you actually use.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
This cloud computing service is an advanced version of IaaS. Apart from just providing the IT infrastructure, PaaS also provides the computing platform and solution stack as a service. PaaS is a cloud computing service that provides developers with a framework that can be used for building custom applications. Platform as a Service lets software developers build custom applications online without having to worry about data storage, data serving, and management.
A typical Platform as a Service offering consists of
- Hosting Solutions
- OS
- Software tools for design and development.
- Environment for server-side scripting
- DBMS
- Network Access
- Storage
- Server Software
- Support
Features and Benefits of PaaS Cloud Computing Service
- PaaS makes software development easy even for non-experts as anybody can develop an application through the web browser with just a single click functionality.
- There is no need for the users to upgrade or update the infrastructure as the PaaS service provider handles all the update patches, upgrades, and regular software maintenance.
- PaaS provides location independence as developers in different locations can work together on the same application build.
- There is no need to invest in physical infrastructure or in expertise required to manage it, an example of this would be SAP. The ability to rent virtual IT infrastructure brings in great cost benefits for the users.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
A special cloud computing service that incorporates both IaaS and PaaS service offerings. SaaS is a cloud computing service that provides application-level services tailored to diverse business needs such as business analytics, CRM, or marketing automation. SaaS is a cloud computing service offering that provides web-based software applications to customers on-demand. SaaS providers host a fully-functional application through a browser-based interface and make it accessible to the users through the Internet.
SaaS is a subscription-based offering where users subscribe to software on a monthly basis instead if purchasing it so there are no upfront costs involved. It also provides a provision to the users to end the subscription when it is no longer needed.
Features and Benefits of SaaS Cloud Computing Service
- There is no initial setup cost as the users can make use of the application as soon as they subscribe.
- There is no hardware cost as well because the processing power is supplied by the service provider.
- Flexible payments as the users pay for the services on a pay-as-you-go model.
- Any updates to the software are automatic and free of charge.
- SaaS provides cross-device compatibility because SaaS applications can be accessed through any internet enabled devices, such as laptop, smartphone, or desktop.
- Enterprises need not engage an IT expert to download the software on multiple systems in the office nor have to worry about the keeping the software up-to-date on every PC.