Computing is a revolutionary technology that has transformed the way we consume and utilize IT resources. Prior to this time, organizations had to invest in their computing needs, like their physical hardware (CPU and storage) and software (cost of OS or database deployment), which were expensive, slow and often inflexible.
In contrast, cloud computing is where resources (servers, storage and applications) are delivered over the Internet as a service. Through this medium, end users can buy using a usage-based method rather than investing heavily in capital. These innovations include IaaS, PaaS, SaaS examples; nevertheless, the use of these cloud computing technologies has its own limits.
Several challenges come with cloud computing, which organizations should be well aware of before they plan to opt for the technology. Such as the risk of higher security issues and reliance on a steady internet connection. But once you have bought into one ecosystem, it is harder to change due to proprietary technology and standards.
Famous Examples of IaaS, PaaS and SaaS
Cloud servers are virtual servers that emulate the same functionalities of traditional physical servers. Essentially, Cloud servers do the exact same thing physical servers do: store data and run applications. Since cloud services are provided by third-party companies, they typically reside off-site in data centers and are accessible over a network, which is most likely the internet.
Cloud servers like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are built using virtualization software to divide a physical (bare metal) server into multiple virtual servers. This hypervisor-based virtualization abstracts the server’s resources (including the computing or processing power) and scales them to build cloud servers.
1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS is a method where the computing infrastructure is hosted over the Internet to substitute for physical assets. In IaaS, users have complete management of all virtual infrastructure components, such as virtual machines, Storage, and network configurations, and they also have privileges to create their own virtual machines.
This implies that users are flexible in altering the service to anything they might require at any time. In Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), the providers control and offer the data centers, servers, and networking equipment to specially arranged.
IaaS possesses the ability to scale and correspondingly expand computing power in conjunction with malleable computing resources. When it comes to the capabilities of users, they can also reduce their IT capital investment when it comes to acquiring and maintaining hardware and software.
Advantages of IaaS
Lift-and-shift migration: It has the ability to move an application or workload to cloud computing as it is, also known as as-is migration. With lift and shift, you can increase the scale, performance, and robustness of an application or workload. There is also a general benefit of a reduced cost or expenditure that especially comes with the running of an application.
Test and development: Your team can conveniently set up and dismantle test and development environments. IaaS can help you bring new applications to market faster. It also makes it quick and economical to scale development and testing environments up and down.
Storage, Backup, and Recovery: It can also help you avoid the capital outlay for storage and the complexity of storage management, which typically requires skilled staff to manage data and meet legal and compliance requirements. IaaS is useful for dealing with unpredictable demand and storage growth and can also simplify planning and managing your backup & restoration.
Examples of IaaS
- Amazon Web Services
- Azure IaaS
- Azure Virtual Machines
- DigitalOcean
- Zendesk
- Docusign
- Dropbox
- Google Workspace
- HubSpot
- IBM
- Mailchimp
- Oracle Cloud
- RackSpace
- Slack
- Google Compute Engine
- Linode
- Vultr
- Microsoft Azure
- Cloud storage
- CenturyLink Cloud
- SAP Cloud
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS, which stands for Platform as a Service, is the development and deployment of applications in a cloud computing environment. In a PaaS, the provider manages all servers and server-side storage, while each user makes their own application.
PaaS provides a complete platform for developing, running, and managing applications, including tools and libraries. It provides an abstraction to write code so developers can focus on writing it, not worrying about the underlying infrastructure, which is great for rapid app development and deployment.
PaaS vendors deliver a hosted and managed environment with specific attributes (libraries, system software) that will support the runtime execution of applications. Heroku, Google App Engine and Microsoft Azure are a few PaaS examples. These platforms suggest a scalable and flexible area for building and deploying web apps, mobile or desktop applications, etc.
Advantages of PaaS
Added Features: This feature extends the strengths of software, platforms, and infrastructure as a service (IaaS). The app’s added features, such as middleware or backend tools (also known as SaaS), provide the company with more pros than cons.
Increased efficiency: You can decrease the time it takes to learn your new position and cut back on hours. PaaS helps to maximize quality and enable different common services by focusing on the IaaS in question, which reduces resources and effort spent on maintenance rights. This also turns hardware for extended use into a software platform, ensuring efficient utilization.
No New Staff Required: Development components sold as platform-as-a-service (PaaS) will instantly empower your development team with a wider range of capabilities. And this will not require you to scale up your team with the needed resources.
API working environment: Development platforms allow your existing developers to take on multiple platforms. Platforms that include computers, mobile devices, or other apps to speed up development for other languages and OSs.
Cost-effective, sophisticated tooling: Through a usage-based model, individuals and groups can leverage powerful development software and business intelligence and analytics tools they otherwise couldn’t afford.
Support geographically distributed dev teams: Since it is accessed over the Internet, many roles can work together within the PaaS application while possibly being remote. This saves a lot of time and gives organizations the ability—while working with a partner that’s not necessarily located in the same area—to still be productive as if they were in the same room together.
Application Lifecycle Management (ALM): Everything that you need to maintain the full life cycle of a web application, from developing to testing to deploying, managing and updating, is provided by PaaS in a single, unified environment.
Examples of PaaS
- SAP Cloud
- Microsoft Azure
- Salesforce Lightning
- Heroku
- AWS Lambda
- Google App Engine
- Pivotal Cloud Foundry
- AWS Elastic Beanstalk
- IBM Cloud Foundry
3. Software as a Service (SaaS)
Software as a Service (SaaS) is software that an external provider makes available to the public using internet browser technologies. With the SaaS model, all infrastructure is managed by the software provider; no additional personnel are necessary for maintenance or updates. This method makes the software available to users at any place over an internet connection using web-enabled devices.
SaaS provides software applications over the internet, eliminating the need for users to install and maintain software on their own devices. Solutions offered in the SaaS format are usually sold on a subscription basis, allowing customers to pay an ongoing fee for access to use the software.
One convenience that is offered by SaaS solutions is that they entail automatic updates and maintenance, ensuring customers are always using the most recent version of software. Moreover, it also allows you to easily integrate with other applications and systems, which is the most favored advantage for small- and large-scale businesses.
Advantages of SaaS
Get higher quality software: SaaS applications are often more up-to-date than the ones you buy. When the user interface is via a Web browser, developers can roll out new features as soon as they’re ready and you are able to access them immediately.
Pay only for what you use: It saves you money as the SaaS service will automatically scale up and down its service based on the level of usage.
Use free client software: Users can access most SaaS applications from their Web browser without any downloads or installations, although some SaaS applications require plugins. You can avoid much of the time and expense often associated with implementing new business software.
Mobilize your workforce easily: It is easy to “mobilize” your workforce with SaaS since users can access SaaS apps and data from any computer or mobile device that has Internet access. You don’t need to write new applications that will run on a bewildering variety of computers and devices because the service provider has already done so.
And, you don’t need to add special competencies in mobile security to your staff. A good service provider will take care of securing your data, no matter what kind of device it’s running on.
You can now access app data from any place in the world: Since data is stored in the cloud, users can access their information from any Internet-connected computer or mobile device. Hence, when application data is cloud-based, no data is lost if a user’s computer or device fails.
Examples of IaaS
- BigCommerce.
- Google Workspace, Salesforce.
- Dropbox.
- MailChimp.
- ZenDesk.
- DocuSign.
- Slack.
- Hubspot.
Conclusion
Cloud computing has changed the way we consume IT resources, as it delivers scalability, value for money and availability. With any technology come challenges and cloud computing has its own set of security risks, vendor lock-ins and so on. But that does not take away the benefits it brings along with the deployment, making cloud computing an attractive option for many organizations. As technology grows, cloud computing could be a key enabler of innovation and growth for different industries.