Cloud Computing Services
Cloud as a service refer to on demand cloud services that are offered by cloud computing provider to customers through the internet. The main reason of using cloud services is to optimize the expenses for administering own server equipment. With cloud services, business can pay for cloud computing providers to rent their data center, where business can put all the data. Business will only pay for what they use, so it will more profitable than managing own servers.
Cloud services have 3 different levels of service. There are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). These levels are based on the degree of how far the involvement of the business and the provider. In this article, we will discuss about all three types of cloud as a service, and how to differentiate each of them.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure means the basic component that supports the entire process or system to operate. IaaS refers to services that provide supporting environment for operation purposes. The services are various, such as servers, network, virtualization, and storage. IaaS becomes the basic service that Is offered by the provider. Businesses can move their current operating system, data, and applications to the virtual machines. Commonly, businesses that using IaaS are more likely to focus on their operation, and leaving cloud computing provider to manage for their utilities.
Common IaaS providers are IBM, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Platform as a service offer similar service with IaaS, but with some extra services. In PaaS, the provider provides all the infrastructures, and tools or operating system in extra for the consumer through the internet. Commonly, PaaS are used by a business or developer that provide hosting services, where the business, manage the data and applications and paying to Cloud computing provider for the infrastructure and the tools. Business that using PaaS wants to avoid the complexity of developing their own tools to develop an application. Therefore, businesses choose to pay provider to use tools from the provider, including the infrastructures.
Common PaaS providers are Cloud Foundry, Windows Azure, Amazon Web Services ,and Google App Engine.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Software as a Service refer to service through the internet, which businesses can pay for a completed software. Normally, SaaS providers will charge the consumer on the subscription basis model. SaaS provider offers all infrastructure, platform, and the software for the consumer, where they can use the software without ties to the infrastructure and platform. In SaaS, the provider has full control of almost everything, including your data, which will be stored in the provider’s storage.
SaaS has the most visible services, for example, Microsoft 365, Gmail, Salesforce, Google Application, and many other things.
Distinction of the Service Types
To distinguish all these three types of cloud services, the easiest way is through metaphor. Some articles are using various of metaphor to differentiate cloud services. So, imagine if cloud is a building, big building that contains rooms, and appliances.
The building structure is the IaaS, including walls, doors, stairs, window, and electricity. These infrastructures will be the basic need for the purpose of the building. Supporting the activities that are going to happen inside the building. Therefore, IaaS only provides the basic need to support activities, such as operating system, and application.
Next is PaaS, using the same example, PaaS includes all the infrastructure, with extra platforms that are meant to be used for a specific function. At the building, PaaS extra services include office rooms, Kitchen, toilet, and lobby, where consumers that rent the rooms can do whatever they want in the room. Normally, the building owner / or provider, will offer empty rooms in the building, where all are maintained in the owner /provider’s premises (building).
Finally is SaaS, which will be the common one that can be seen as an example. Using the same metaphor, SaaS includes appliances in the room, such as laptop, stove, lights, and any other appliances. A SaaS provider will provide a room fulfills with appliances, this room will also maintain in the owner / provider building. Therefore, SaaS includes both IaaS and PaaS, with extra services that allowing the consumer to use the service without worrying about the backstage of the service (electricity, water, security, building maintenance).
To be more clear, here are the distinction table of cloud services:
– Managed by you
– Managed by provider
Functions of Each Types
In this section, we are going to discuss each function of cloud services. So, you will select the most suitable service that your business need.
IaaS Functions
IaaS is commonly used in a business which dealing with huge amount of data. Businesses can store, manage, and analyze data which will take a huge amount of power. Therefore, IaaS becomes a popular cloud service for big companies that want to optimize their infrastructure expenses.
Besides, IaaS also popular among companies that doing adds-on services and networking services. IaaS becomes the support to smooth the connection. IaaS is also the best option for companies that relying much on test and development, with a more concentrate power in the data center and will not affect the companiy daily operation.
PaaS Functions
PaaS is suitable for app development, where PaaS can greatly reduce the complexity and time to build an app. By using PaaS, developers don’t need to spend much of their resources. Developers can customize their application or software easily with minimal coding. In addition, Developers don’t need to worry about the infrastructure, where providers already build their own infrastructure to support PaaS.
In addition, both developers or companies don’t need to worry when a problem occurs. The provider will fix the platform for the users. Therefore, companies and developers can stay focus on their app development.
SaaS Functions
Software as a service is widely used by end users through application and software. Where users ignore the complexity behind the software they use. SaaS is suitable for businesses who lack of IT team and intend to eliminate the gap, where they can use SaaS in their personal computer. It will fasten the company operation by allowing the SaaS provider to manage the businesses data and application.
SaaS more towards automation for businesses. Therefore, SaaS is popular in the business to ease daily operation and reducing cost of acquiring IT team.
Conclusion
Every type of cloud service has their own benefits and functions. Therefore, understand the difference between those types are very essential to make the best plan for your business. However, a good plan is still not enough if you cannot find a suitable provider according your need.
Fortunately, you come to the right place, where we provide a wide range of cloud services that you can apply to your business. We are using a subscription based model of using our service, so you will not spend any cost if you pause using our service within a period of time. Know more about us.
