SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS: Which Cloud Computing Model Is Best?
Cloud solutions are something that most of us are familiar with. For businesses, cloud solutions protect against potential data loss and theft, as well as streamlining the way that many businesses work.
Despite the prevalence of cloud in tech articles and more, adoption of cloud solutions has been slow for many businesses. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for many businesses to quickly adopt a home working model, things are beginning to accelerate, with almost 50% of organizations now making cloud transformations as a result of the pandemic.
If your business is looking to move to the cloud, you’ll need to make a choice between SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS – three different cloud computing models that provide different services to business.
We take a look at each one in detail to help you work out which cloud computing model is best for your business.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
SaaS refers to cloud-based software. It’s software that exists online and is generally available via a subscription. Some of the best-known cloud software includes Office 365, Dropbox, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
There are a lot of benefits that come with SaaS. It’s easy to install, requires a simple sign-in process, and it can be used on multiple devices. It can be rolled out to a large number of people quickly, and enables easy file-sharing and collaboration. However, as SaaS is controlled by the providers, you could face several issues if there is an outage of any kind.
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
PaaS provides a platform which allows developers to create software, including areas such as analytics, data management and middleware. OpenShift and Google App Engine are examples of PaaS.
With PaaS, developers can create applications without needing to purchase the infrastructure required, which can provide flexibility to businesses. However, developers are restricted by the platform that they use, and could incur increasing costs over time. There are also risks to your developed software if the platform suffers an outage.
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
IaaS refers to the cloud-based infrastructure organizations can use to manage their networks and servers, storage, operating systems and more. This reduces the need for on-site resources, with systems managed through an online dashboard or application programming interface instead.
Organizations can use IaaS to establish and manage their data, and are able to scale as needed as their business grows. It can save money compared to physical hardware and infrastructure and can provide added security. But the cost can increase and be unpredictable, requiring a need for careful planning and forecasting.
Which Cloud Computing Model Is Best?
With SaaS, PaaS and IaaS, it’s not so much a question of which is best, but which one is best for your business. Different businesses will have different needs, and you’ll need to establish yours before deciding on the right model.
For many businesses, especially small businesses, SaaS will provide useful, tried and tested solutions that can help deliver different business needs. PaaS will enable customization, while IaaS can develop complete infrastructures and operating systems. Your business could need a single model or multiple models, depending on the size and nature of your business.
If you need help deciding on the right computing model for your business or organization, consulting a Florida IT provider can help you with recommendations and get your system up and running. For more information and details of the cloud services we offer, contact TheCompuLab today, and we’ll be more than happy to discuss your cloud computing needs.
