Types of Cloud Computing

Unpacking the Different Types of Cloud Computing

What the heck is "the cloud"? And how do IaaS, PasS, and SaaS relate to the cloud?

Cloud computing has transformed the way businesses and individuals store, process, and access information. With the ability to access data from anywhere and at any time, cloud computing has become an essential tool for businesses of all sizes. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to understand the different types of cloud computing and determine which one is right for you.

IaaS, PaaS, and?SaaS?are the three main categories of?cloud computing. Cloud computing is using a network of different servers that host, store, manage, and process data online.

By understanding the key differences between these types of cloud computing, you’ll be able to determine which one is best for your business needs.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

IaaS provides businesses with access to a?virtualized computing infrastructure, including servers, storage, and networking. With IaaS, businesses can rent these resources on an as-needed basis, rather than having to invest in expensive hardware.

What does IaaS do?

IaaS helps companies build and manage data as they grow, paying for storage and server space as needed without hosting and managing servers on-site. IaaS products do make up the foundations of building new technologies delivered over the cloud.?

IaaS providers manage their customers’ data on physical servers across the world.?

IaaS Delivery

IaaS products deliver storage systems, networks, and servers virtually to enterprise businesses. Organizations can access and manage their data through a dashboard and connect it to the IaaS provider’s API.?

IaaS Pros

IaaS cloud infrastructure offers companies and administrators the greatest level of control and power over software and hardware. Other benefits include:

• Its pay-as-you-go model allows businesses to only pay for the?resources they use.
• Organizations have complete control over their infrastructure.
• It can be scaled or downsized as needed.
• There’s no need to buy a physical server or maintain it.

IaaS Cons

The principal drawback of an IaaS tool is that you're still responsible for being “technologically” secure. In addition:

• You have to make sure that your apps and operating systems are working properly and providing the utmost security.
• You’re in charge of the data — if any of it is lost, it’s up to you to recover it.
• Because it provides the greatest amount of control, IaaS tools are also the most hands-on. IaaS firms only provide the servers and its API, and everything else must be configured on your end.

IaaS Examples

• Amazon Web Services (AWS): AWS is overseen by Amazon and is used for on-demand cloud computing and purchased on a recurring subscription basis. AWS helps companies store data and deliver content — in fact, it's helping you read this blog post right now.
• Microsoft Azure: Microsoft Azure is a cloud-computing IaaS product that allows for building, testing, and managing applications through a network of Microsoft data centers.
• Google Cloud: Google Cloud is an IaaS platform that businesses can use to natively run Windows, Oracle, and SAP. Additionally, a business can manage its enterprise database and use AI solutions to increase operational efficiency within the firm.
• IBM Cloud: IBM Cloud is another IaaS product that allows businesses to “allocate your computer, network, storage and security resources on demand.” In other words, businesses only use resources when needed, increasing efficiency.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS provides businesses with a platform for developing, testing and deploying applications. With PaaS, businesses can take advantage of cloud-based tools and services to build custom applications, without having to worry about managing the underlying infrastructure.

What does PaaS do?

PaaS products let developers build custom applications online without having to deal with data serving, storage, and management.

You can think of PaaS as a scaled-down version of IaaS. It still provides customers with servers and data centers to store their information (in this instance, an app), but its customer is a developer creating an app that will then be delivered over the internet to consumers. SaaS applications are developed on PaaS platforms.?

PaaS Delivery

PaaS provides a secure platform for developers can create software and apps for consumer use. Developers access PaaS tools over the web. For instance,?the Heroku dashboard, prompted me to create an app.

Developers use PaaS because it’s cost-effective and allows for easy collaboration for an entire team. Consider building an app on your local drive, then trying to deploy it online — that’s difficult or might take too many steps.

With PaaS, developers build their app right on the platform, then deploy it immediately.

In addition:

• PaaS tools are very easy to use and sign-up for.
• Developers can collaborate with other developers on a single app.
• Developers can easily customize and update apps without thinking about software upkeep on the backend. Just code and go.
• If the app grows in adoption and usage, PaaS platforms offer great flexibility and scalability.

PaaS Cons

The most significant disadvantage of PaaS is that you can only control what’s built on the platform. If there’s an outage or issue with the hardware or operating system, the software will go out with it.

Other drawbacks include:

• You only have control over the code of the app and not the infrastructure behind it. Only small to medium-sized firms should use it.?
• The PaaS organization stores your data, which can pose a security risk to your app’s users.?
• The PaaS terms of service can limit the customizations you can make.

PaaS Examples

• Google App Engine: Google App Engine allows developers to build and host web applications in cloud-based data centers that Google manages.
• Kinsta: Kinsta?provides Application, Database, and Managed WordPress Hosting solutions that make it quick and easy to deploy any web application in minutes, without worrying about the hosting infrastructure.
• Red Hat OpenShift: Red Hat OpenShift is an on-premises containerization PaaS software.
• Heroku: Developers can use this PaaS tool to build, manage, and grow consumer-facing apps.
• Apprenda: Apprenda is a PaaS product that allows developers and businesses to host an entire application portfolio. Build and deploy applications of all types on this platform.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS provides businesses with access to software applications that are hosted in the cloud. With SaaS, businesses can use software applications without having to install them on their computers or servers.

What does SaaS do?

SaaS?products are among the most popular cloud computing services used by companies to build and grow businesses. SaaS is highly scalable and easy to use and manage because it doesn’t always require download and installation on individual devices for entire company use. This is particularly helpful for global teams that don't work in close proximity.

SaaS Delivery

SaaS delivers products over the web to end users. These tools can either be used as a web app (such as Google Docs) or downloaded and installed on the device (such as Adobe Creative Cloud). With a SaaS app, there’s no need for a specialist to come in and manually install it on each laptop using a purchased license.

SaaS Pros

The biggest advantage of using SaaS products is how easy they are to set up and start using. Because SaaS products are cloud-based, all you need to do to start accessing applications is to simply log in.?

Additional benefits include:

• You don’t have to manage or upgrade the software. This is typically included in a SaaS subscription or purchase.
• It won’t use any of your local resources, such as space on your physical server (if you have one).
• It’s extremely easy to find and purchase a SaaS product.
• Your IT team won’t have to worry about the upkeep of a SaaS product.

SaaS Cons

SaaS tools’ ease of use lends itself to a significant disadvantage: When you use a SaaS product, you have no control over the cloud-based infrastructure it runs on. So, if the software provider experiences an outage, so do you. This can lead to widespread website outages and issues that can impact your SaaS-dependent business processes.

Some more drawbacks include:

• SaaS tools may be incompatible with other tools and hardware already in use at your business.
• Integrations are typically up to the provider, so it’s impossible to “patch” an integration on your end.
• You’re at the mercy of the SaaS company's security measures — if a leak happens, all of your data may be exposed.

SaaS Examples

• HubSpot: HubSpot is a CRM, marketing, sales, and service SaaS platform that businesses use to connect with and retain customers.
• JIRA: JIRA is a project management software that's delivered by Atlassian and can be purchased on a subscription basis by customers.
• Dropbox: Dropbox is a file-sharing SaaS tool that allows multiple users within a group or organization to upload and download different files.
• DocuSign: DocuSign is a SaaS product that businesses use to send contracts and other documents that require signatures.

By understanding the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, you’ll be able to determine which type of cloud computing is right for your business. Whether you need access to virtualized infrastructure, a platform for?developing applications, or cloud-based software applications, one of these categories of cloud computing is sure to meet your needs.

What's the Difference?

IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are all under the umbrella of cloud computing (building, creating, and storing data over the cloud). To understand the difference between them, think about them in the order we’ve presented them.?

These services can boost productivity and efficiency at your company — and help you grow better as a result.

By understanding the different types of cloud computing, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, you’ll be able to determine which type is best for your needs and take advantage of the many benefits that cloud computing has to offer.