Cloud Services Explained: How To Find The Right Cloud Service For Your Business
By now, you’ve probably heard of the cloud and all the benefits businesses can reap from switching to cloud-based services. But, which kind of service suits you the best? Today, we’re taking a closer look at SaaS, PaaS and IaaS to see which is the right fit for your business.
Software as a Service (SaaS).
What is it?
Usually accessed via a web browser, SaaS uses the cloud to deliver applications to users.
As all of your data is hosted on a provider’s servers, you can access it from any connected device – i.e. a laptop, tablet or mobile with an internet connection.
SaaS is one of the most popular and well-known cloud-based services and for good reason too.
If you have people in your team who use multiple devices, you save a lot of time and money, you’re not responsible for maintenance and updates, the service provider is.
You probably already use SaaS in your business if you use digital accounting software, CRM or an online HR solution.
Key benefits of SaaS are:
- Available over the internet.
- Hosted on a remote server by a third-party provider.
- Scaleable and affordable.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
What is IaaS?
You may not have heard of the term IaaS before, but don’t worry it’s really straightforward.
IaaS encompasses services like pay-as-you-go storage, networking and virtualisation.
The “virtual machine” is one of the most common instances of IaaS – a digital version of a computer or server that is accessed over an internet connection.
The reason you may use IaaS is if you want a cloud-based alternative to expensive on-premises infrastructure.
Key benefits of IaaS:
- Highly flexible and scalable.
- Accessible by multiple users.
- Cost-effective.
Platform as a Service (PaaS).
What is PaaS?
PaaS is mainly used by developers who require a virtual environment when developing and testing their own software or applications. So, if you host or develop your own software, you’re likely familiar with PaaS.
It saves time and money as, again, you don’t need to build and maintain your own servers, operating system, hardware and software.
There is a growing increase in PaaS, especially among small businesses; however, most businesses will make more use from SaaS and IaaS.
Key benefits of PaaS are:
- Accessible by multiple users.
- Scaleable.
- Easy to run without a lot of system administration knowledge.
If you’d like to know more about how the cloud could transform your business, check out our other resources: