Iaas vs Saas vs PaaS- A detailed explanation with examples

The cloud is now the most discussed topic amongst young entrepreneurs planning their digital business. Everybody needs to understand the importance of various cloud services before they opt for them. Every digital business owner should get along with the three main models of cloud computing.

IaaS: Infrastructure as a service

SaaS: Software as a service

PaaS: Platform as a service

These three are emerging as popular options among the people moving their businesses to the clouds. Let's dig deep and try to understand the concept, benefits, and differences among each one of these. You can easily choose the best one once you know how they differ from each other.

Key differences and examples

Moving your business to the clouds includes some tough decisions. And most of those decisions revolve around the set of works you want to outsource to the service provider. A couple of years ago, all the companies and organizations had on-premise systems and software. But now, numerous cloud platforms are available for various work processes.

There are three simple ways to differentiate IaaS, SaaS, PaaS.

IaaS: Cloud-based services like storage and networking based on a pay-as-you-go model.

SaaS: A digital software that is made available online by some third party.

PaaS: Every hardware and software available online.

Examples

IaaS: Amazon Web Service, Digital ocean, Google Compute Engine, Magneto, Cisco Metapod.

SaaS: Salesforce, Dropbox, BigCommerce, MailChimp, Hubspot, ZenDesk.

PaaS: Windows Azure, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Apache Stratos, OpenShift, Force.com, Heroku.

Breaking down the three Cloud computing models- IaaS, SaaS, PaaS

Infrastructure as a Service: IaaS

IaaS comprises automated computer resources used for networking, storage, and other purposes. It works on a pay-as-you-go model. Hence, entrepreneurs and businessmen can purchase resources as per their requirements.

IaaS delivery

This cloud infrastructure service comprises private networks, servers, storage spaces, and operating systems. These services ensure that the customer has complete control. Hence, they are outsourced online from a virtual data center and delivered using APIs.

Advantages offered by IaaS

There are certain perks of choosing IaaS:

• IaaS requires zero significant initial investment. You can purchase whatever you need through this flexible model.
• Clients gain control over the infrastructure, and they can easily automate the process.
• Due to the consumption-based purchases, there are no more requirements of external IT contractors.

When should you use IaaS?

• Startups and small companies use IaaS to cut their budget short.
• Budding small enterprises attracting a sudden growth will also have sudden needs of improving. Hence, they use IaaS.
• Corporations and business groups have strict policies about keeping complete control over everything. IaaS helps them in doing so.

Software as a Service: SaaS

SaaS is the commonly used cloud computing service. Organizations create and deploy applications that can be used with the internet. These types of applications often come with a yearly or monthly subscription fee. Few SaaS applications are accessible through browsers. Anyone can access them without downloading them.

SaaS delivery

The online model of SaaS has eliminated the requirements of IT staff. Companies and offices no more need to install software and applications on their workstations. Employees can log in to the application through a browser and access all the important services.

Advantages of using SaaS

SaaS eliminates the need to install applications and software on the computer.

The SaaS applications are accessible from any device, and they get automatic updates.

Customers can access everything just by logging into their accounts.

The smooth payment structure stands out from all the other advantages. With an easy payment gateway, subscribing becomes easier for non-tech guys.

When should you use SaaS?

If you have bagged a small project that needs to be done quickly on a tight budget, SaaS is your option.

There are rarely used software and applications that take up space in your computer. People use SaaS applications to replace them and free up space in their devices.

Budding entrepreneurs launching a small eCommerce startup prefer to avoid any technical problems. Hence, they choose SaaS to save time and money.

Platform as a Service: PaaS

This computing service provides components and frameworks over the internet to assist in application development. The user base of these cloud platform services is mostly developers. They use it to build applications tailored to their needs.

PaaS delivery

PaaS creates a global platform for developers and brings them under one roof. These platforms encourage software creation with their special components.

Applications built on such a framework are highly scalable for their cloud characteristics.

Advantages of using PaaS

There are numerous benefits of using PaaS:

• A cost-effective development process where developers don't need to start from scratch.
• Avoid responsibilities and huge expenditures while creating robust apps.
• There are no added responsibilities of maintaining the software.

When should you use PaaS?

Multiple developers can work simultaneously on the same project with ease.

Startups trying to build creative applications choose PaaS so that developers can focus on building and deploying the app.

Large companies working on several projects find it hard to maintain software updates and security patches. Hence, they use PaaS to reduce the production cost and deploy apps more quickly.

Conclusion

In the world of on-premise hosting, IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS are the new king. These cloud computing services adds flexibility to every budding business. People no more need to know how to manage or administrate a system. If you plan to move your business to the cloud, this is the best time to do so.?