IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS: Intro to Cloud Computing

Key takeaways

• Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is the utilization of IT services and hardware; platform as a service (PaaS) is the usage of servers, databases, and operating systems to run your applications; and software as a service (SaaS) is the usage of a cloud-based software application.

• An example of IaaS is Amazon Web Services; an example of PaaS is AWS Elastic Beanstalk for deploying a web application; and an example of SaaS is a cloud-based application like Slack.

• The different types of cloud computing services, IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, differ in what resources your business uses from the service provider and what IT resources your business operates locally.

Other PaaS examples providers include Google App Engine, Oracle Cloud PaaS, and Heroku. Discover more about cloud computing and how IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS differ from each other below.

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What are the main cloud computing service models? IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS

The three common types of cloud computing services are infrastructure as a service (IaaS, platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). Companies may use all three services or a combination to address their needs. Understanding each type of service and how they differ can help you find a solution that meets your needs and accomplishes your business goals.

What is IaaS?

IaaS, also known as cloud infrastructure services, allows you to rent IT infrastructures, such as physical and virtual servers, storage, and networking. You rent these resources from a cloud provider on a pay-as-you-go basis.

IaaS grants you the flexibility to use specific resources as needed without owning the infrastructure or paying a high upfront cost. It makes computing resources available on demand for you to rent, to address periodic shifts in usage.

If you are a part of a young and growing company, you can use IaaS to your advantage to avoid paying high up-front costs for computing resources. It can also save you from maintaining and managing your own IT infrastructure, saving your company valuable time and money.

As your business grows, you can change the specific hardware and software you rent to adequately address your evolving needs. Companies experiencing rapid growth can also greatly benefit from IaaS because it provides the flexibility to scale resources as the business grows.

The most notable IaaS providers typically offer reliable cloud infrastructure services and build trust with their clients. Top providers have many resources available to address every business need you may have to help your company grow with minimal friction. Some of the most commonly used and trusted IaaS providers are:

• DigitalOcean

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• Google Compute Engine (GCE)

• Linode

• Microsoft Azure

• IBM Cloud

What is PaaS?

PaaS is a cloud computing service that allows you, as a developer, to have complete control of an on-demand platform without having to manage and maintain the underlying infrastructure of the platform on-premises. For example, you can build your own web application to suit your business using the platform provided by PaaS.

In the PaaS model, you are only responsible for managing data and application resources, while the third-party cloud provider maintains servers, networks, storage, databases, and operating system software. The main advantage of PaaS is that it allows you to quickly create fully customized applications without the hassle of managing the underlying infrastructure.

Developers tend to use PaaS because it helps them organize workflows for multiple developers working on the same project. PaaS lets you fully customize your applications to your exact specifications.

Overall, the development process benefits from greater speed and flexibility with PaaS, making it ideal for developers who are rapidly creating, editing, and deploying new applications. Since you do not have to manage your underlying infrastructure, PaaS is often cost-effective. You pay for this type of cloud computing service on a per-use basis.

Like IaaS providers, the top PaaS providers have a reputation for offering reliable and trustworthy products and services. Other characteristics used to evaluate providers include overall cloud capabilities, breadth of workflow tools, design flexibility, and ease of use. Some of the most commonly used and trusted PaaS providers are:

• Google App Engine

• AWS Elastic Beanstalk

• Oracle Cloud PaaS

• Microsoft Azure App Service

• Heroku

• Engine Yard

What is SaaS?

SaaS is a cloud computing service that allows for the on-demand use of application software. You typically pay for SaaS on a subscription basis, giving you the flexibility to try different software and alter the tools you use based on what you need at a given time. You access the application software hosted in the cloud through a web browser, a dedicated desktop client, or an application programming interface (API. An example of SaaS is using Zoom or Cisco Webex to host video meetings for your company.

You can download most application software under SaaS directly through a web browser. As a user, you benefit from not having to work through lengthy installation instructions or wait for the software to download to your computer.

The cloud provider handles software updates, security patches, and routine maintenance, saving you time and effort. The provider hosts and fully manages the software applications and their underlying infrastructure.

Start-ups or smaller companies that may not have the human capital, time, or money to create and manage personalized software applications for themselves can effectively use SaaS. It will enable you, as a start-up, to quickly pick and choose what tools you need to use to begin to grow your business. Additionally, any short-term project would benefit from SaaS because it provides a fast, affordable, and flexible solution to many problems.

Since SaaS is usually paid for through a subscription model, you will only have to pay for application software when you need it for short-term projects. This will reduce the upfront costs that startups or smaller companies need to launch their businesses. SaaS is also a beneficial option for infrequently used applications, such as tax software.

Beyond providing reliable and trustworthy services, the top SaaS providers can advance their products to meet the changing needs of you and your business. They offer on-demand services that eliminate the need to install and update software, giving you a frictionless experience. Some of the most commonly used and trusted SaaS providers are:

• Salesforce

• Google Workspace

• Slack

• ADP

• Adobe Creative Cloud

• Dropbox

What educational options exist in cloud computing?

You have multiple educational options to begin a career in cloud computing. Becoming a cloud developer requires proficiency in traditional programming skills and specialized knowledge of one of the prominent cloud platform development environments.

Employers often require you to have a bachelor’s degree for cloud development positions, ideally in a major related to software, data, or computer science. The most common majors for pursuing cloud computing are software engineering, data science, and computer science. Any other related discipline can be sufficient as long as it still covers the computer programming languages commonly used for cloud development. These languages include Java, PHP,.NET, Python, Golang, and Ruby.

In addition to programming languages, you may find it helpful to gain exposure to artificial intelligence, machine learning, database development, and DevOps. These can help you boost your candidacy in the cloud computing space.

If you have not completed a bachelor’s degree, you could alternatively pursue an associate degree to become a candidate for entry-level positions in cloud computing. An associate degree typically requires two years of schooling, compared to four years for a bachelor’s degree. However, you will need relevant certifications to increase your chances of being hired.

Top certifications for pursuing a career in cloud services

• CompTIA Cloud+

• Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer

• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

Read more: What Is the Best Way to Learn AWS?

Earning one or multiple certifications can increase your odds of attaining a high-paying starting position in cloud computing. Candidates unsure precisely what they want to specialize in could pursue vendor-neutral certifications, such as CompTIA Cloud+. The skills and knowledge learned from a general certification like this can apply to many jobs with cloud providers. In general, you should compare and contrast the benefits of attaining each top certification and choose the ones that will help further your career.

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