Development in the Cloud: Considering IaaS and PaaS
As a continuation of our exploration of the wide array of services offered through the cloud, we will examine the two remaining cloud service structures: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). For our initial discussion of cloud technologies and more information on the features of Software as a Service (SaaS), see our post, Software as a Service: Convenience in the Cloud.
Both IaaS and PaaS share the features that distinguish cloud services from traditional software and development resource delivery models. All cloud services are structured around measured service, allowing users to rapidly scale or reduce the resources they are using by simply adjusting their allotment. They are also all accessible through a network connection, granting on-demand user access at any time from designated access points.
While the structure of service remains the same, the primary difference between SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS are the services they provide. While SaaS provides convenient access to software, IaaS and PaaS provide resources for software development within the cloud.
In the table below, we detail the distinguishing characteristics of IaaS and PaaS, as well as recommendations for when to choose a specific service and where to start looking for the best provider to fit your needs.
Whether your primary concern is flexibility or convenience in your development efforts, cloud services provide cost-effective opportunities to enhance your business. If you are interested in engaging these cutting-edge technologies for you company, but you aren’t sure how to begin, give RTS Labs a call today so that we can get started putting cloud technologies to work for you.