Cloud Computing

cloud models

software, infrastructure, platform

There are three types of cloud models: software-as-a-service, infrastructure-as-a-service, and platform-as-a-service. Each offers a different level of flexibility and control over the product that your business is ‘buying’. Each also varies in its relationship to your existing IT infrastructure. Because of the wide variances between the three, it is important to determine which model will suit your business’s needs the best.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

The SaaS model allows your business to quickly access cloud-based web applications without committing to installing new infrastructure. The applications are available for use with a paid, licenced subscription. SaaS does not require any installations or downloads in your existing infrastructure, which in turn eliminates the need to install, maintain, and update applications on each of your computers.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

With this model, a third-party vendor provides your business with a platform upon which your business can develop and run applications. Because the vendor is hosting the cloud infrastructure that supports the platform, PaaS eliminates the need to install in-house hardware or software. Your business would not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure, but you would maintain control over the deployed applications (unlike with SaaS).

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

IaaS, as the most flexible of the cloud models, allows your business to have complete, scalable control over the management and customisation of your infrastructure. In the IaaS model, the cloud provider hosts your infrastructure components that would traditionally be present in an on-site data centre. Your business, however, would maintain control over operating systems, storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networking components.

Cloud-based models eliminate the need for in-house hardware and, in some cases, infrastructure. Whether it be the software-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service, or infrastructure-as-a-service model, cloud-based models can empower your business to work wherever you like, whenever you like!

Please contact the Khusela Sales team if you are interested in continuing the discussion about which cloud-based model is the right fit for your business.