Iaas vs Paas vs Saas: Choosing the Right Cloud Computing Models for your Business

Understanding Different Cloud Models:
Choosing Between IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS for your
Business
The world has changed since the term cloud was first introduced. Long, boring office
meetings have shifted to quick Zoom calls, tea-time chit-chat has found space in Slack
threads, and bulk hardware and machinery have vanished into the cloud.
Not only have businesses started moving on from the traditional on-premises
infrastructure, but they have started utilizing applications and platforms as a service.
Maintenance of hardware and software separately was draining many businesses'
budgets, badly disrupting their operations.

That’s when cloud computing decided to spread its wings in multiple directions. New
cloud models arrived as extensions of what the cloud can offer to cater to the unique
requirements of today’s business. Now, companies need not spend millions on buying and
maintaining heavy infrastructure or creating or purchasing separate platforms to get many
business operations moving.
When we talk about cloud models, IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are always on the hit list. But
how are they different from each other?
Most importantly, it is essential to know what they are and which one is right for your
business model. This is the blog where you will find everything you must know about
different cloud computing models.
What are Cloud Models?
Cloud models or cloud service models refer to the methods by which IT assets and
services are delivered to end users via the Internet. These assets include computing
power, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics.
A wide range of users uses three major cloud computing service models:
1. IaaS (Infrastructure as a service)
2. PaaS (platform as a service)
3. SaaS (software as a service).
Let's understand each of these and demystify which one suits your business requirements
the most.

1. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a popular cloud computing model where you rent
essential IT infrastructure, like servers, storage, and networking, from a cloud provider.
It's like having a virtual data center without the physical hardware headaches.
Here's how it works:
● You choose the resources you need (servers, storage, etc.) and pay only for what
you use (like a pay-as-you-go phone plan for computing power!).
● The cloud provider manages the physical infrastructure, including hardware,
software, and maintenance.
● You access and configure your resources through a web interface or API (similar
to managing apps on your phone).
● Instead of buying and maintaining your servers, you rent them from the cloud
provider, freeing yourself to focus on your core business activities.

IaaS Benefits
IaaS gives customers more flexibility than traditional IT systems in terms of computing
resources. You can scale up and down according to your traffic fluctuations. It also helps
save on the up-front costs and overhead of purchasing and maintaining on-premises data
centers and hardware. What other benefits does IaaS offer:
● Always Available:
With IaaS, it is easy to back up servers even though you have created them in separate
geographies, which keeps your business running smoothly even in the event of power
outages or physical damage.
● Low Latency and Improved Performance
As IaaS providers operate data centers in various locations, customers can easily locate
apps and services closer to the user, optimizing performance and minimizing downtime.
● Stringent security:
IaaS providers take security seriously. Whether on-site or at data centers, they ensure
everything is encrypted and protected, keeping customers stress-free.
● Easy & Quick Scaling:
Whether you need more resources or want to reduce the usage of your existing resources,
IaaS can help.
● Access to every new tech update:
Cloud providers update their products according to the latest technological
advancements, which IaaS users can benefit from at a much lower cost than buying those
functionalities externally.
Disadvantages of IaaS:
With pros exist some cons as well. Even though IaaS is excellent, it brings along its
setbacks:
● Security threat
While cloud service providers offer extended convenience, security is always a matter of
concern. When you have servers right in front of you, you might feel less stressed than
when you work in a less secure cloud environment.

● Unplanned Expenses
Traditional setups are expensive compared to IaaS, which is highly cost-friendly.
However, there is still some uncertainty about cost. For example, increased bandwidth
usage can lead to higher bills due to pay-as-you-go pricing models.
● Entire Dependence on Vendor:
IaaS relies on third-party providers, making the customer entirely dependent on their
quality of service and pricing. For instance, with Amazon Web Services (AWS),
customers depend on them for both hardware and software resources.
Who can use IaaS?
While IaaS never restricts its customers from taking benefits from its offerings, here are
some specific situations in which it is highly advantageous:
● Startups and Small companies:
They can prefer the IaaS model to prevent spending more on purchasing, building
hardware infrastructure, and its long-term maintenance.
● Big Companies:
It's an ideal choice for huge enterprises that want to get complete access to applications
and infrastructure and pay only for what they consume.
IaaS Providers:
DigitalOcean, IBM Cloud, Linode, Amazon EC2, AWS, Google Cloud and more.
IaaS offers a scalable and cost-effective foundation for many projects, primarily for those
demanding high responsiveness. However, getting the most out of IaaS often requires
specialized knowledge in areas like machine virtualization, containerization, etc. That’s
where cloud computing consulting services can help. These services are provided by
certified cloud consultants ensuring your team doesn’t have to to go through a rough
patch while optimizing the cloud infrastructure alongside taking care of performance and
cost-efficiency.

PaaS (Platform As A Service)
Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a cloud-based environment that enables its customers to
develop, deploy, and manage applications without stressing over the underlying
infrastructure.
Here's what PaaS takes care of:
● Hardware and Software: The cloud provider hosts and manages everything from
servers and operating systems to databases and development tools, allowing
customers to concentrate on application development.
● Security and Maintenance: PaaS can handle security updates, backups, and other
maintenance tasks, enabling developers to focus solely on development.
PaaS Advantages:

● User-Friendly Interface: PaaS offers a graphical interface (GUI) that makes it
easy for development and DevOps teams to collaborate on all aspects of the
application lifecycle, from coding to deployment.
● Scalability and Security: The multitenant architecture ensures your application
can handle multiple users while keeping data secure.
● Easy Integration: PaaS simplifies connecting your app to databases and web
services using standard protocols like REST and SOAP.
● Try Before You Buy: With PaaS, you can experiment with new technologies
(operating systems and programming languages) without paying any additional
upfront costs. It also gives you access to a wide variety of resources without
paying extra for hardware or software.
● Scale Up or Down Easily: PaaS offers a flexible approach that allows you to
increase resources easily as and when needed.
● Fewer IT Headaches: PaaS providers manage the infrastructure, including
software updates, security patches, and other administrative burdens.
In short, PaaS lets your development team focus on developing great applications while
the cloud providers handle the rest.
PaaS limitations and concerns
● Data Security: Since your data is stored on the PaaS provider's cloud servers, you
might feel uneasy about its privacy and security. This also restricts your ability to
have complete control over security settings and meet specific data hosting
requirements.
● Integration Complexity: Connecting your existing data centers and apps with the
PaaS solution can be tricky sometimes. Legacy systems might require some
specific adjustments to work smoothly with PaaS.
● Legacy System Customization: You might face difficulties aligning your existing
applications and services with PaaS and need help with customizations. However,

many companies offer quality cloud computing consulting. They can help you
navigate these complexities in the IT environment and make working with PaaS as
easy as ever.
● Runtime Limitations: The PaaS platform might not support all programming
languages, frameworks, or versions your team is currently using, limiting you
from having multiple development choices and customisation options.
Who can use PaaS?
As a versatile cloud computing solution, PaaS has some prime beneficiaries:
● Developers and Development Teams:
It is an ideal and user-friendly platform for developers and their teams to build, deploy,
and manage applications. By providing pre-built infrastructure and tools, developers can
focus on coding and functionality.
● Businesses of All Sizes:
PaaS is a relatively cost-effective way for businesses to launch applications without
having to make upfront hardware and software investments.
● Startups and Entrepreneurs:
It is known to be a flexible yet budget-friendly platform for startups to build and launch
their applications quickly and efficiently.
Paas Providers:
Force.com
Microsoft Azure
Heroku
Red Hat Openshift on IBM Cloud
AWS Elastic Beanstalk
. While compatibility between data security and legacy systems is a major concern, PaaS
as a cloud service model still stands strong as the best solution for development teams.
While data security and legacy system compatibility require some thought, PaaS offers a
compelling solution for development teams.

SaaS (Software As a Service)
Software as a Service or Cloud Application Development Services are the most utilized
and favorite option among businesses. This ready-to-use model uses the Internet as its
home base to deliver applications managed by a third-party vendor.
Here is how it functions:
● The vendor manages everything: The software provider takes care of the
servers, databases, security, and maintenance, so you don't have to worry about
installing or updating software.
● Subscription-based access: Customers only have to pay a monthly or annual fee
to access the software, typically through a web browser or mobile app.
● Scalability on demand: Whether you need to increase user accounts or expand
storage, you get it all here in SaaS.
● Wide range of options: SaaS covers applications on a wide variety, from email
and social media to accounting and CRM software. Chances are, you already use
SaaS in your daily life – email, social media, and cloud storage like Dropbox are
all examples.

SaaS Advantages:
For those who are already familiar with the benefits of SaaS, here is more to the list:
● Cost-Effective:
It cuts down on the upfront expenses for hardware, software, and licensing, plus the costs
of the infrastructure and IT staff to manage them. All you have to pay is a monthly or
yearly subscription fee, and as your business grows, you can easily adjust your plan and
avoid paying for unused resources.
● Easy to Use:
You don't have to get into the nitty-gritty of installing servers or software to use the
potential of SaaS applications. You can directly sign up with your credentials and start
using the software through its application or a web browser. Also, there is no need to
worry about updates, as SaaS providers keep adding new features and security patches to
keep your application updated and data secure.
● Accessibility:
You can decide the accessibility of your software/application through access control in
settings, who can access it, and from where. Although, it's been a proven option for the
teams working remotely in different geographies. Furthermore, customers also get help
from 24/7 self-service features, resulting in a better experience.
● Collaboration:
SaaS tools often include built-in features like document sharing, chat, and video
conferencing, which facilitate teamwork.

Disadvantages of SaaS:
Every coin has two sides. SaaS holds a strong stand, but there are some obstacles also
that you must be aware of:
● Less Control:
Unlike in-built applications, you get less control over what's happening in Saas. You
typically have to use the latest version and cannot control when you can upgrade your
system.
● Security Concerns:
No matter which cloud-based solution you use, data security is and will always be the
prime concern. Try looking for a cloud consultant before getting into the complexities of
the cloud solution. They will guide you in getting the right cloud service provider with
strong security practices.
● Limited Options:
While SaaS offers a wide range of applications, it might be a better fit for some specific
needs. Some specialised software may not be available as a hosted service.
● Internet Dependence:
SaaS applications require a reliable internet connection. If your Internet goes down, you'll
lose access to your software and data.
Who can use SaaS?
Here is the list of all the users who can benefit from SaaS applications:
● For All Businesses
Being a cost-effective solution, SaaS provides businesses access to essential applications
without paying anything.
● Startups & Entrepreneurs:
SaaS provides startups with an easy and affordable way to launch and function with
essential tools like CRM, accounting, and project management software.
● Remote Teams and Freelancers:
These applications are perfect for remote teams and freelancers as they are accessible
from anywhere with an internet connection.

● Educational Institutions:
For schools and universities, it sounds like a good investment saving cost of installing IT
infrastructure investments.
● Non-profit Organizations:
Considering budgetary concerns, SaaS is a good option for non-profits. It also provides
access to good software tools, allowing them to focus on their mission.
SaaS Providers:
Salesforce, Microsoft, Adobe, Google, Shopify, Hubspot, Zoho, ServiceNow.
Overall, SaaS is a valuable tool for any business or individual looking to access and grow
using powerful software and applications without the burden of managing complex IT
infrastructure. Its affordability, accessibility, and wide range of features make it a popular
choice for everyone.
Factors to consider: Right cloud model for your business
Here's a roadmap to guide you through this critical decision:
1. Know Your Business Inside Out
For starters, you must know your business inside out and prepare a checklist that enlists
your needs:

1. Technical Capabilities: What do you need in terms of technicalities like
processing power, storage, capacity, network bandwidth, etc.?
2. Security: Data encryption, intrusion detection and disaster recovery plans.
3. Service Management: Customer Support, scalability, service level agreements
(SLAs).
4. Data Governance: Data security protocols, data residency, access control and
compliance requirements and adherence.
2. Evaluate Potential Providers:
Compare your checklist with the potential providers and look for these factors:
1. Compliance and Certification: Consider choosing providers with certifications
like ISO 27001. These certifications highlight their sincerity in delivering quality
and ensuring security.
2. Technology & Roadmap: Make sure that your provider's platform aligns with
your cloud requirements and provides a hospitable IT environment. Also,
remember to evaluate their service roadmap to see if it is compatible with your
future goals.
3. Data Governance: Choose a provider that offers you control over your data's
location and management. Before entering into any agreement, verify that their
data loss and breach notification terms are clear with your team.
3. Understand Service Dependencies:
Once you know which providers are there, assess their partnerships and service
dependencies, such as reliance on several vendors and subcontractors, seriousness about
SLAs, accountability, and service disruptions. Another thing that matters is the provider's
policies for handling outages and the limited liabilities you are getting into.
4. Scrutinize Contracts and SLAs:
Get clarity on roles and responsibilities regarding service delivery, security measures,
data management, backups, legal protection, pricing models, and penalties for service
disruptions.
5. Downtime Management & Data Preservation:
Verify the provider's documented process for handling planned and unplanned downtime.
Also, evaluate their capabilities to support your data security requirements.
6. Avoid Vendor Lock-In:

It is essential to minimize the risk of being locked into a specific vendor. Go with a cloud
service provider with open standards and minimal proprietary technologies, which will
allow for easier migration to other services if needed.
7. Company Profile & Market Reputation:
Research the cloud provider's company profile, client reviews, analyst ratings, and market
position. A financially sound provider with a strong track record is likely to offer a more
reliable and competitive cloud service.
By following these steps, you'll be well-equipped to choose the cloud service provider
that perfectly aligns with your business needs and sets you on the path to a successful
cloud transformation.
IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS: Which cloud model is ideal for you?
Basis IaaS PaaS SaaS
Full form Infrastructure as a
service
Platform as a
service
Software as a
service
Access Provide access to
various resources
like virtual
machines and
virtual storage.
Provide access to
run time
environment to
deployment and
development tools
for applications.
Give entire access
to the end user.
Technical
Understanding
Requires Technical
Knowledge
Basic knowledge is
required for setup.
No requirement for
having any
technical

knowledge as the
cloud service
provider handles
everything.
Users Used by skilled
developers to build
applications
Used by developers
with intermediary
skills
Used by all types of
users.
User Control Runtime, Operating
System,
Middleware and
Application data.
Application Data Nothing
Cloud Services AWS, Sun, vCloud
Express
Facebook,
Instagram,
LinkedIn, Google
Search Engine.
MS Office Web,
Facebook and
Google Apps
Popular Service
Providers
Amazon EC2 Force.com Salesforce
Managed by
Provider
Servers
Storage
Virtualization
Networking
Runtime
Middleware
Operating system
Virtualization
Servers
Storage
Networking.
Application
Data
Runtime
Middleware
Operating System
Virtualization
Servers
Storage
Networking
Finding your way out through the complexities of the cloud might seem tiring, but with
the help of a cloud consulting company, you can get clarity on your needs and select the
right option. IaaS provides a virtual data centre with maximum control and endless
customization to build unique applications. If you want to develop your application, then
PaaS is your choice, which gives a platform on top of IaaS, allowing you to focus on
development without infrastructural headaches.
For those looking for a ready-to-use solution, SaaS delivers precisely what you need.
With their coherent flexibility and scalability scope, all IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS provide
businesses of all sizes with an easy way to grow in the future of cloud computing.

The Final Take
In a nutshell, the cloud isn't just a trend - it's the future. By choosing the right cloud
service model (IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS) based on your needs, you are keeping your business
and your people ahead of the changing norms.
What you will get in return: smooth operations, exceptional customer service, and a
growing business with automated processes. Cyntexa is here to help you in all stages of
your cloud journey. From beginning to giving you a helping hand in development and
implementation, we offer expert guidance and hosting services from industry leaders like
Salesforce, AWS, Google Cloud, and ServiceNow.
Don’t get limited with the traditional IT systems and let our team clear the cloud
dilemmas for you.

Iaas vs Paas vs Saas: Choosing the Right Cloud Computing Models for your Business

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Iaas vs Paas vs Saas: Choosing the Right Cloud Computing Models for your Business