IaaS vs. DaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS – Which Should You, Choose?
IaaS vs. DaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS
Cloud computing is presented in a wide range of services. It’s no question that cloud computing will have numerous benefits for your organization. But, if you want to maintain maximum efficiency in the cloud, you must choose the right service level for you. The different service levels available govern how you utilize cloud computing to build and manage your IT infrastructure.
There are 4 different types of cloud computing services. They are Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Desktop as a Service (DaaS). Let’s look at each one and what kind of organization will benefit from it.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS is delivered over the web and is primarily designed for the end user. It is usually offered on a subscription basis or as a pay-as-you go model. Because of its accessibility, this model is rapidly growing in popularity and market indicators predict even further growth. Some of the benefits of SaaS include:
- Commercial software accessible on the web
- SaaS software is often managed from a central location, so it’s easy to manage
- The user is not required to handle any software upgrades
SaaS is ideal for organizations with applications that must have internet or mobile access. This service level makes it very easy to access the web without the need for any hardware upgrades.
It may not be ideal for organizations dealing with applications that are restricted by law or otherwise from sharing their data. As this issue of Data Security continues to dominate the cloud computing world, the industry has come up with a number of solutions.
Cloud providers are increasingly offering more secure options and users have the option of choosing a hybrid model which has all the benefits of SaaS plus additional security.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS is similar to SaaS except for one major difference. Rather than offering software that is delivered over the web, PaaS offers a platform for the creation of software delivered over the web. Some of the benefits associated with PaaS include:
- You have an environment to test, host, deploy and maintain applications in various stages of development
- PaaS allows for a multitenant system where multiple users can manage a single account
- PaaS has inbuilt scalability to aid in data load balancing
PaaS is ideal for an organization that has multiple developers working on the same development project. It is, however, less than ideal when an application needs to be portable or when development will require customization of hardware and software. It would be ideal to use IaaS in this case.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
The IaaS model specializes in delivering cloud computing infrastructure as an on demand service. In this service, clients can access servers, Data Storage Centers, and network equipment. Some of the benefits of IaaS include:
- A vast array of resources is distributed as services
- IaaS allows for scaling, which means it is flexible
- Cost varies with use
IaaS is ideal for organizations that have a great need for a cloud computing infrastructure, but can’t afford the hardware they need. It may be a bad idea to use IaaS if regulatory compliance restricts a company from outsourcing data storage.
Where there are regulatory compliance issues it is ideal to go with the Private cloud since the company will have full control over the infrastructure.
Desktop as a Service (DaaS)
With DaaS, clients get a virtual desktop and the provider provides all back-end services that would have usually been provided by application software. Some of the advantages of DaaS include:
- Migration to another platform is easy
- DaaS is easy to use compared to other models
- The DaaS service is highly personalized and customizable
DaaS is ideal for small organizations that have limited resources, but still find cloud computing necessary. It may, however, not be the right fit for larger corporations looking for a more involved IT infrastructure. Such companies would be better off using IaaS or the Private Cloud which is more suited to a larger corporation’s needs.
Which of the above services is ideal for your organization and why? Let us know what you think!
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