IaaS PaaS SaaS: Mastering The 3 Different Cloud Service Models

In today’s world, cloud computing has become very popular among businesses of all sizes because of its effective tech services. Cloud computing services have helped businesses conveniently access and utilize tools to perform different tasks. There are various Cloud service models to choose from, like IaaS PaaS SaaS, and you may get confused while making a decision. Don’t worry; in this blog, we will help you know everything about the different cloud computing models like IaaS PaaS SaaS to decide which one will be best for your business.

Cloud computing services provide on-demand solutions and IT resources to companies via the Internet with pay-as-you-go or subscription-based pricing models. This may include infrastructural support like storage, security, network equipment, and data centers, as well as comprehensive applications built to perform specific tasks. You can get them all through cloud computing. This blog delves into the three types of Cloud Computing services: IaaS PaaS SaaS. Also, it provides detailed insights into the characteristics, pros and cons, and use cases, as well as more about IaaS PaaS SaaS, making it easier for you to choose the best solution. Therefore, keep reading!

Types of Cloud Service Models: IaaS PaaS SaaS

IaaS

Infrastructure-as-a-Service, or IaaS, is a type of on-demand cloud computing service that you can buy from third-party providers on a pay-as-you-go basis. They will provide you with infrastructure services like virtual machines, servers, operating systems, networks, and storage through a cloud server over the Internet.

Why would you need IaaS?

IaaS helps businesses gain complete control of their entire infrastructure and run big websites and web apps successfully at a lower cost. IaaS services allow you to opt for only what you require and pay accordingly. This helps you cut down on costly upfront capital investments in hardware and software and save on recurring maintenance fees. Among the most popular cloud computing models, IaaS PaaS SaaS is mostly managed by system managers in different companies and is used by companies of all sizes.

IaaS Architecture Services

IaaS includes several physical and virtual resources supporting customers with the essential components required to run web applications in the cloud. Let us take you through some of the major components and services that IaaS provides.

Ensure cloud security and compliance.
Automated services like performance monitoring, load balancing, backup, and recovery.
Virtualization of computing resources
Helps manage large physical data centers for physical servers.
Offers 3 types of file storage options: Block storage, file storage, and object storage.

Pros of IaaS Services

Gives businesses complete control over the infrastructure.
Enterprises can buy or lease only the services they need, thus reducing maintenance and upfront charges.
The pay-as-you-go model is convenient for many businesses.
They can scale up or down as required.
Provide easy, fast, and cost-effective solutions to manage workload without having to deploy in-house hardware or software.

Cons of IaaS Services

• If the service provider is not reliable or trustworthy, then it can pose a risk to your data and security. Therefore, always choose a reliable server and do thorough research before choosing one.
• As IaaS servers give you a lot of control, you must also be responsible and ensure that no data is lost from your end, as it may not be recovered later.
• Ensuring multi-tenant security is another major issue. The service providers usually lend the hardware and other infrastructure to several clients, and they must ensure that no data from the previous client is left in the system before it is passed on to the next customer.

IaaS Use Cases

Data Recovery and Backup Solution: Not only do IaaS providers offer data storage, but you can also depend on them for data backup and recovery concerns.
Testing and Development: IaaS solutions make it quicker and more cost-effective for companies to set up and scale their testing and development environments. This helps companies to test and run their web applications and launch them faster.
Manage Big Data Analysis: IaaS provides a suitable environment to manage large workloads and can process and analyze big data.
Provide Web Hosting: IaaS service providers use the cloud framework to host websites with heavy traffic. They also provide customers with secure, scalable, and fully customizable hosting facilities.
Perform High-Performance Computing: These solutions provide you with advanced framework and infrastructure support to securely manage and run high-performing computing networks for your company.

Examples of IaaS Cloud Providers

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Google Cloud Provider (GCP)
• IBM Cloud
• Microsoft Azure

PaaS

Taking a step ahead from IaaS, let us introduce you to PaaS or Platform-as-a-support. While IaaS provides infrastructural support, PaaS, as its name suggests, provides cloud platform support to customers. PaaS is especially suitable for developers as it provides them with a cloud-based platform to build, run, and manage applications and software. Customers do not have to build the framework or basic infrastructure as it would be offered by the PaaS service providers.

Basically, the hardware and software and all the basic infrastructure will be handled by the service providers and the platform will be delivered so that DevOps teams can work on them. With the help of a Graphical User Interface or GUI, teams of programmers and developers can collaborate to develop applications and software by coding, testing, integration, and more.

Why would you need PaaS?

Among the most popular cloud computing models of IaaS PaaS SaaS, this one is mainly used by developers to develop, manage, and run web applications for both internal and consumer use. PaaS cloud services offer a cloud-based virtual infrastructure such as servers, storage, data centers, networks, and more, along with a platform or a layer of software and the required tools to facilitate app and software development.

PaaS Characteristics

Among the three computing models IaaS PaaS SaaS, PaaS is best known for providing all the services and frameworks that developers need to build and run applications and software without the headache of backend and maintenance. Here are some of the services you can expect:

Hardware and software maintenance
Advanced development tools
Maintaining operating system updates
They provide cloud infrastructure like servers, network equipment, storage, etc.
Offers middleware software, SDKs, and libraries.
Offers interfaces like API, GUI, and CLI as required.

Pros of PaaS Services

Provides cost-effective solutions as it is an on-demand service, so companies can pay for only the services they opt for.
You can get access to advanced development tools at affordable prices.
Remain stress-free about maintenance and backend as it is maintained by the service provider
With the infrastructure and basic platform already at hand, developers don’t have the hassle of building from scratch. They can instantly start building apps on it. This would ensure quicker app development and deployment.
Programmers and DevOps teams can access PaaS resources and tools and collaborate over the internet from anywhere and on any device.
You can easily scale up or down as and when required.
Service providers ensure secure infrastructure and offer guidelines and best practices for working on their platform.

Cons of PaaS Services

• As the PaaS service providers are responsible for security and maintenance, a glitch in the platform or any data risk is a matter of concern. Therefore, you must choose a reliable and trustworthy service provider.
• Always check the Terms of Service to ensure that they do not limit the changes or customizations you can make.
• You cannot control the basic infrastructure features, so you must choose a service provider wisely that aligns with your work vision.

PaaS Use Cases

Internet of Things (IoT): PaaS supports several programming languages like Java, Python, etc., and other tools and environments that are used to develop IoT applications. They also facilitate storage and data-filtering concerns for IoT devices.
Helps to Develop and Manage API: PaaS helps with built-in frameworks to develop, manage, and run APIs easily and securely for DevOps teams. These APIs are often used to communicate data and functionality between different applications.
Mobile App Development: PaaS solutions help with quick and easy mobile app development for developers and programmers. Many of these platforms provide a customizable drag-and-drop app builder to accelerate faster app development to cater to the public or corporate needs.
DevOps and Agile Development: PaaS solutions provide all the required toolchains and environments to successfully cover DevOps release cycles, making them more agile and automated.

Examples of PaaS Cloud Providers

• Google App Engine
• EWS Elastic Beanstalk
• OpenShift
• Heroku
• Apache Stratos

SaaS

Now that we have introduced you to both IaaS and PaaS let us move on to the next cloud model, which is SaaS. SaaS or Software-as-a-Service is a type of cloud service that provides software solutions or applications to customers according to their requirements. SaaS companies provide both the basic infrastructure and platform in the form of a comprehensive application as a solution designed to meet the customers’ needs. It is one of the most popular types of cloud computing services that are preferred by businesses of all sizes.

Also, we would suggest SaaS customers invest in advanced and fast hardware equipment because most of the SaaS services and solutions are delivered over the Internet, so this would ensure better and faster workflow.

Why would you need SaaS services?

Among the most popular cloud computing models of IaaS PaaS SaaS, this one is mostly managed by business managers and used by companies of all sizes. No matter the size of the business, SaaS services can help anyone with advanced and effective solutions. With the proper SaaS tools, you can manage and improve several business processes, like accounting, marketing, data analysis, HR processes, and much more. You need to research well before investing in SaaS services and also consider your requirements and budget before investing in one. SaaS services can help manage different tasks so that you can focus on more important business issues.

SaaS Characteristics

Subscription-based pricing model.
Provisions for automation and integrations
Flexible and scalable infrastructure
Automated updates by service providers
No additional hardware is required.
Follow data security and compliance.

Pros of SaaS Services

Provides flexible and scalable solutions to businesses of all sizes.
You do not have to invest in expensive upfront charges for licensing, creating infrastructure, and more.
Subscription-based billing makes SaaS products accessible and affordable for businesses of various sizes.
SaaS service providers ensure the easy onboarding of new users and help them with training and documentation so they can use the products effectively.
They offer frequent upgrades and updates so that customers can use the latest app versions.
They provide cloud services that can be accessible for customers anywhere and on any device.
SaaS services aid to ensure seamless workflow and help complete tasks efficiently.
You can scale up or down according to your company’s needs.
Ensure data security and privacy for customers by following certain regulations and compliance.

Cons of SaaS Services

• SaaS providers are responsible for your data security, so there might be risks of data breaches. That is why you must choose a reliable SaaS company’s services.
• Often, a SaaS tool may not be compatible with your device, so always research and choose the one that aligns with your hardware devices.
• SaaS companies provide lots of integration, but the integrations depend on them. You hardly get the freedom to choose.

SaaS Use Cases

Almost every professional or personal task can be managed with the help of SaaS tools. Companies just need to identify their requirements and explore the SaaS providers who can help them out with these specific tasks. From marketing, data analysis, and education to HR activities, financial tasks, and more, all of these can be done using SaaS tools. This is one of the most popular and widely-used cloud services among IaaS PaaS SaaS.

Examples of SaaS Providers

• Salesforce
• Adobe
• Shopify
• Mailchimp
• HubSpot, and much more.
• Alongside innovation, we, How To Buy SaaS, is also a SaaS marketplace, a one-stop platform to buy and sell SaaS subscriptions or acquire a complete SaaS business from SaaS owners.

IaaS PaaS SaaS: At a Glance

Now that We have discussed the three cloud computing models of IaaS PaaS SaaS, here is a table that will help you understand better and differentiate between IaaS PaaS SaaS.

Features	IaaS	PaaS	SaaS
Service Includes	Provides a framework/infrastructure and virtual resources to develop and run web applications on the cloud.	Provides the infrastructure along with a layer of software/platform to build on and create web applications and software.	Provides the basic infrastructure, platform, and a comprehensive software solution focused on managing different tasks as per the customer’s needs
Best-suited for	Startups and businesses who want to save time and money spent on infrastructure, mid-sized and big businesses who want complete control over infrastructure.	Mid-sized businesses and startups who want to develop their own customized applications for internal use; developers who want to quickly build and deploy web applications.	Small businesses and startups who do not have the capital to build their own software are looking for solutions to simplify business tasks or for personal use.
Managed By	System managers	Developers and Programmers	Business managers
Operational Costs	Highest	Lower	Minimal

Final Thoughts

In this blog, we have introduced you to some of the most popular cloud computing services in the market: IaaS PaaS SaaS. The cloud computing market is ever-changing and gaining momentum each day, with new models and ideas continuing to evolve. Besides IaaS PaaS Saas, the market is also witnessing newer models like Function-as-a-Service (FaaS), Communication-as-a-Service (CaaS), and everything-as-a-service (XaaS). With newer technology and innovation emerging every day to cater to the never-ending needs of companies, the future of cloud computing is filled with boundless anticipation and excitement.

Stay tuned with us to shape your trajectory!