How do you compare the costs and benefits of different cloud database service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)?

IaaS in cloud enables agile and accelerated piloting, testing and deployment of an enterprises SW application development - mostly when time is of value.

For example, if your database workload is focused on writes, IaaS would allow your database administrators to tune the kernel to maximize throughput.

PaaS solutions provide a set of Development tools, UI/UX framework, integration modules and a ton of pre-built content for any organization both for heavy development and Low-Code development. PaaS enables rapid development of applications and solutions without having to install custom built software and going through traditional app dev models. Innovation through speed is via PaaS solutions.

SaaS solutions offers enterprises the ability to use a software off the shelf without having to install, configure, deploy and customize it. SaaS solutions removes one of the biggest issues that bog down IT/Biz expenses- Technical relevancy through incremental upgrades. SaaS features are upgraded (rapidly) seamlessly without the comsumers and IT spending millions of $$$'s in SW upgrade cycle just to .ake use the latest that the OEM has to offer.

When choosing a SaaS provider, you will need to consider the full lifecycle of your data. What are their publicized data integrity promises? How long are internal backups retained? What is their mean-time-to-recovery? And, for data portability and avoiding vendor lock-in, can you get backups which are usable independent of their service?

While considering any Database, factors such as budget, scalability needs, security considerations, and the expertise of your IT team play a crucial role in this decision-making process. By aligning these factors with your business goals, you can make an informed choice that optimally supports your data management requirements.

One thing to note about such DB models is the manner in which cost snowballs and can result in sticker shocks if the cost of these services is not monitored regularly.

When choosing any cloud database provider, an important consideration is data locality. Where your data is stored has legal ramifications in some jurisdictions. Does a provider clearly state which Country/Region your data will be housed? When deciding the database model, you are balancing your technical requirements, staff requirements, legal requirements and cost constraints. For example, to get the throughput you need with a PaaS solution, you may need to buy more capacity than an IaaS solution. But, the administration effort required for PaaS is lower, so you can expect to save money on staff requirements.