The future of business is computing based on the internet. Instead of running applications or programs from software downloaded on a physical computer or server, cloud computing accesses these same applications through the internet.

The cloud is everywhere and you probably use it every day without knowing it. Checking your bank balance online? You're in the cloud. Sending an email on your phone? You’re in the cloud again. Cloud is becoming the new normal and it's beneficial for your business to adapt to this technology to save you time and money. 

The Benefits of the Cloud

Flexibility - Cloud services allow you to easily scale down or up your computing resources. That means it's perfect for businesses with growing or fluctuating bandwidth demands. 

Affordable - Cloud services are more cost-effective as they eliminate the costs associated with hardware upgrades and maintenance etc

Secure - Cloud services use industry-leading security protocols keeping your business's information even more protected.

Now that you know the benefits of the cloud in general, you might be wondering which cloud service model should you choose?

Cloud Service Models - Saas vs IaaS vs PaaS

Cloud models come in three types: SaaS (Software as a Service), IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) and PaaS (Platform as a Service). Each of the cloud models has its own set of benefits that could serve a bunch of different businesses. The following is a brief description of the three types of cloud models and their benefits.

SaaS - Software as a Service

SaaS is a model where the vendor controls the entire computing stack that you then access using a web browser. This gives you quick access to cloud-based web applications. The applications run on the cloud and you can access them with paid subscriptions or limited access. The cloud creates even more ease as it does not require any installations and downloads in your existing computing infrastructure. Examples of SaaS include Google G Suite, Microsoft Office 365, Dropbox etc.

Pros of SaaS

Affordable - eliminates the costs involved in the purchase, installation, maintenance and upgrades of computing hardware.

Accessible - Allows you to access the services from anywhere on any device 

Ready to use - No long set up times all that is needed is to sign up. 

Who is SaaS good for?

SaaS is ideal for small-scale businesses that do not have the necessary budget and resources to deploy on-premise hardware. As well, companies that require frequent collaboration on their projects will find SaaS platforms useful.

IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service

IaaS is a virtual provision of computing resources over the cloud. Cloud provided in IaaS can give you a range of computing infrastructures such as storage, servers, networking hardware alongside maintenance and support. This allows businesses to opt for computing resources without having it be on their premises. Examples include Amazon Web services. Microsoft Azure and Google Compute Engine.

Pros of IaaS

Minimize Costs - Eliminates the need for on-premise hardware thus reducing costs

Enhanced Scalability - Most flexible clouding service allowing you to scale up or down as needed

Simple Deployment - Easy to deploy servers, processing, storage, and networking allowing you to be up and running in no time. 

Who is IaaS good for?

IaaS is the most flexible model for cloud services giving you control over hardware infrastructure allowing you to customize according to your needs. Whether you are running a startup or a large enterprise, IaaS gives access to computing resources without the need to invest in them separately. 

PaaS - Platform as a Service

PaaS is a cloud base where you can develop, test and organize the different applications for your business. By using PaaS you can simplify the process of enterprise software development. This form of the cloud allows the resources offered to be managed by the company or platform provider. Examples of this type of cloud: Google App Engine and AWS Elastic Beanstalk.

Pros of PaaS

Minimal development time - the vendor provides all the computing resources needed thus simplifying the process

Multiple Programming Language Support - Supports multiple programming languages 

Enhanced Collaboration - Makes it easier to collaborate with teams especially if they are all in different locations.

Who is PaaS good for?

PaaS is a great option if your project involves multiple vendors and developers. It's very easy to create custom applications since all the essential computing and networking resources are leased. PaaS simplifies the app development process that minimizes your organizational costs.

Overview

After reading this article you should have a basic understanding of the benefits of the cloud and how each type can help your business. To summarize, IaaS is perfect if you need a complete virtual computing platform. SaaS is better suited if you just need cloud-based software like emails, social media and productivity tools. And finally, PaaS is great if you want to develop and test your software applications.

Get in touch with our experts today to know more about our cloud services and how they can specifically help your business.