In the modern era, technology continues to evolve and impact businesses of all sizes in diverse sectors. Today, enterprises are in search of ways to scale their operations, enhance efficiency, promote security, and minimize costs. That is where cloud computing comes into the picture.
When it comes to cloud computing models, there are three types. It includes SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS. Each of the models comes with unique benefits.
However, to drive efficiency, power innovation, and stay ahead in the competitive era, choosing the right cloud computing model matters a lot.
In this article, we will explore all the models in detail and get to understand how to make the right choice. Let’s dive in!
What is Cloud Computing?
Simply put, cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services over the Internet with pay-to-use charges. Instead of owning, buying, and maintaining physical servers and data centers, it allows you to access technology services from a cloud provider based on your unique needs.
IT services may include everything from servers, storage, and software to databases, analytics, intelligence, and networking. The core aim of cloud computing is to provide businesses with flexible resources, economies of scale, and faster innovation.
Moreover, it allows businesses to run their infrastructure efficiently at lower operating costs. Therefore, the market size of cloud computing is likely to reach USD 2,291.59 billion by 2032.
Types of Cloud Computing Services
1. What is Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)?
Among all the three cloud computing models, SaaS is the most popular. In this model, software applications are delivered to clients over the Internet. That means you do not have to worry about downloading and installing the software. Instead, you can run the applications directly in the browser.
Moreover, you also do not need to update the software regularly. Everything will be taken care of by the third-party vendors. They can also provide you with quality assistance to handle the technical issues relating to data, storage, and servers. As a result, maintaining software applications becomes simple and easy for your business.
Characteristics of SaaS
The key features of SaaS include:
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Applications are available over the internet.
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Platforms are managed by a third-party vendor and hosted on a remote server.
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Customers or users are not responsible for updating the software applications.
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Platforms are managed from a central location.
👉 Related Read: Best SaaS tools for Businesses
Examples of SaaS Cloud Model
Some of the prominent examples of the SaaS cloud model are:
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Dorik
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Google Workspace
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Salesforce
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HubSpot
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Adobe Creative Cloud
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Microsoft Office 365
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Netflix
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Dropbox
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Slack
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Zoom
When to Use the SaaS Cloud Model
SaaS proves to be an excellent choice for:
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Startups and small businesses that want to launch applications but do not have the funds and resources to develop their apps.
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Applications that do not require much customization.
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Short-term projects that need easy, quick, and affordable access.
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Applications that won’t be used frequently.
👉 Read more about how AI is changing the SaaS businesses.
Benefits of SaaS Cloud Model
Choosing the SaaS cloud model can provide businesses with numerous benefits. Let’s dive into the top benefits.
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Simplicity
The SaaS cloud model is simple and easy to use. The service provider will manage all the infrastructure and app management tasks. All you need to do is pay the subscription fee, create an account, and start using the software application.
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Convenience and Accessibility
With SaaS, you can access the services easily from anywhere. All you need is a stable internet connection and devices like a laptop or smartphone. As a result, it allows team members to work remotely and ensures easy collaboration.
Moreover, the updates and maintenance of the apps are handled by the SaaS providers. So, you get more time to focus on your core business tasks.
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Better Cost Savings
Purchasing and maintaining the software and hardware infrastructure can be an expensive affair. However, if your business has budget constraints and wants to launch applications, opting for the SaaS cloud model is an ideal option.
SaaS providers offer flexible pricing models to businesses. So, you just need to pay for the services your business uses. As a result, your business can ensure greater cost savings.
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Scalability
The SaaS model allows businesses to easily and quickly add or remove resources and users in a hassle-free manner. Based on the changing needs of your business or seasonal demands, you can conveniently adjust your software usage.
👉 Related Read: Learn about why SaaS startups should choose No-code platforms.
Downsides of SaaS Cloud Model
No doubt, the SaaS cloud model offers several benefits to businesses. However, there are certain shortcomings too. Some of the common drawbacks of using this model are:
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Limited Customization
The SaaS providers offer certain customization options to businesses. However, you do not have much control over the software. So, you may not be able to tailor the applications to meet your specific requirements.
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Security Risks
The vast amount of data present in the external servers can give rise to compliance and security risks. No doubt, the SaaS providers have appropriate security measures in place. However, there are still chances of cyberattacks and data breaches.
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Interoperability
Integrating the software with your existing applications can be a little challenging. Wondering why? It’s because SaaS applications aren’t meant for open integrations.
👉 Related Read: Best website builders for SaaS businesses
2. What is Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)?
PaaS is another cloud computing model in which you get access to a platform over the internet. It allows businesses to develop, deploy, and test applications with ease. The best part is that you do not have to worry about the management of the underlying infrastructure.
The PaaS model provides you with all the tools and resources for complete software development. From coding to testing and deployment of the applications, everything can be done on the platform. It proves to be a cost-effective method compared to developing an application from scratch.
Characteristics of PaaS
The PaaS cloud model comes with several unique features. The key characteristics here are:
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Offers storage, networks, and servers.
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Provides deployment and bootstrapping services.
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It offers middleware services like cache storage, messaging, and databases.
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Platforms can be easily accessed by multiple users.
Examples of PaaS
The top examples of Platform-as-a-Service cloud model are:
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Google App Engine
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AWS Lambda
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Microsoft Azure
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IBM Cloud Foundry
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SAP Cloud
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Heroku
When to Use the PaaS Cloud Model
The PaaS model proves to be an ideal choice if:
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Several developers work on a single project.
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You want to develop, deploy, and test applications rapidly without investing in expensive infrastructure.
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Your company develops cross-platform applications.
Benefits of PaaS Cloud Model
Wondering why to choose the PaaS model?
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Faster Time-to-Market
In the competitive era, every business wants to launch their software faster in the market to gain an edge over others. However, the entire development process takes a lot of time. If you have a go-to-market strategy ready and want to ensure faster time-to-market, opting for the PaaS cloud model is an ideal option.
PaaS platforms offer you a pre-built development environment. As a result, your developers can focus only on areas like coding and app development instead of infrastructure setup. It can help significantly lower the development time and allow rapid deployment.
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Easy Collaboration
The PaaS platforms enable multiple developers to work on a project simultaneously. It ensures better collaboration and lowers the development time. Moreover, you can get access to several tools for project management and version control, thereby enhancing collaboration even more.
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Scalability
The PaaS model provides businesses with scalable resources. That means you can conveniently add or remove resources as per your requirements. So, adjusting the platform usage depending on your changing business needs becomes easy.
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Access to Advanced Services and Tools
The PaaS cloud model provides access to advanced services and tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning. All these can be expensive for businesses to implement. However, PaaS platforms can save additional expenses and enable businesses to remain competitive.
Downsides of the PaaS Cloud Model
While there are numerous benefits to using the PaaS model, there are certain drawbacks too.
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Limited Control
As the pre-built development environments are offered by the PaaS providers, businesses may have less control over the infrastructure. Moreover, customizing the environment to meet your specific needs may not be possible.
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Limited Portability
Businesses may not be able to completely port PaaS platforms to other environments. It can be a problem for businesses willing to switch providers or move to an on-premise environment.
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Dependency on Provider
Businesses will have to depend on the vendors for maintenance and updates to the platforms. In the event of technical issues from the provider side, the business may have to suffer the consequences.
3. What is Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)?
IaaS is yet another cloud computing model that enables businesses to rent virtualized computing resources over the internet. The resources may include storage, operating systems, networks, and servers. It empowers businesses to conveniently create and manage IT infrastructure over the cloud.
The best part is that businesses have control over the applications, operating systems, and security. Among the three models, IaaS proves to be the most scalable and secure.
Characteristics of IaaS
The top characteristics of the IaaS cloud model are:
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It provides users with on-demand access to computing infrastructures hosted in the cloud.
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Resources are available as a service.
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The cost of services differs and depends on consumption.
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Multi-user hardware access.
Examples of IaaS
The prominent examples of the IaaS cloud model are:
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Microsoft Azure
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AWS
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Cisco Metacloud
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Digital Ocean
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Rackspace
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GCE
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Linode
When to Use the IaaS Cloud Model
The IaaS cloud model proves to be the perfect fit for:
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Startups and small companies that do not want to invest much resources and time in building on-premises software.
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Companies that want greater control over their infrastructure and apps.
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Businesses are experiencing rapid growth.
Benefits of IaaS Cloud Model
Leveraging the IaaS cloud model can provide businesses with several benefits. The top benefits of IaaS are listed below.
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High Reliability
IaaS providers spread the workload of systems across multiple servers and data centers. It significantly lowers the chances of technical issues. As a result, you can rest assured of having the cloud-based apps, hardware, and computing resources at hand when required.
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Greater Control
This model provides businesses with complete control over the infrastructure. So, you can expect better security.
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Scalability
The IaaS cloud model is highly scalable. That means you can conveniently downscale or upscale based on your changing requirements.
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Disaster Recovery
The IaaS providers offer disaster recovery services like data backup and replication. It ensures optimum protection against potential data loss. Moreover, it allows businesses to continue their operations in the event of an outage or disaster.
Downsides of IaaS Cloud Model
The IaaS model offers numerous benefits to businesses. However, there are downsides too.
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Technical Complexity
To implement the IaaS model, you need to have a deep understanding of virtualization technologies, infrastructure management, and other technical concepts. Without technical expertise, managing IaaS resources can be tough.
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Vendor Lock-in
IaaS models may make use of proprietary platforms and technologies. As a result, migrating to a different platform or switching providers can be challenging for businesses.
Choose the Right Cloud Model for Your Business
By now, you must have a complete idea of the cloud computing models. However, choosing the right model for your business can be tough. To make the right choice, various factors come into play. Read on to explore them in detail!
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Business Requirements
It is no surprise that every business is unique. So, the choice of cloud model will depend on your specific business requirements. For instance, if you are looking for simple and fast applications without investing in costly infrastructure, SaaS proves to be the ideal choice.
On the other hand, when several developers are working on a project and streamlining workflow is your top priority, PaaS is the right option.
IaaS is the perfect choice when complete control over infrastructure is what you need.
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Budget
Cost is another determinant of the choice of cloud computing model for your business. Be sure to compare the costs and select the one that fits your budget well. Various things that a company should consider while choosing SaaS, especially the cost of building SaaS applications for their future projects. SaaS and PaaS models may charge an annual or monthly fee. However, you would require an upfront investment in the case of the IaaS model.
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Technical Expertise
The level of technical expertise your business has can also impact your choice. If you have limited technical expertise, SaaS and PaaS are ideal options for you. However, when you have adequate expertise and want to handle your data, IaaS can be the perfect choice.
IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS: Which Cloud Service Is a Suit for You?
The choice of cloud computing model will completely depend on your business requirements and budget. Each model comes with unique features, functionalities, and benefits. Understanding the difference can allow you to make the right choice.
Whether you want simple cloud-based software, a smooth platform, or complete control over an infrastructure, there is a cloud computing model for you.
SaaS is the best choice for businesses requiring quick-running applications without having to deal with software issues.
PaaS is the best choice when time-to-market is your top priority.
IaaS is the right choice for all businesses that want a higher level of control.
Conclusion
The demand for cloud computing has continued to increase in recent times. SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS are the three prominent cloud computing models. Each of the three models has its advantages and downsides.
Depending on your business needs, budget, and technical expertise, you can select the right model. Once you are aware of the perfect fit model, partner with the best vendor to boost the efficiency and productivity of your business.
