PaaS, IaaS and Saas

The fundamental service models for cloud computing.

Datanet works closely with software vendors and IT companies to create a tailored private cloud solution that is flexible, scalable and reliable, giving software vendors the opportunity to offer a variety of cloud services to suit different types, sizes and requirements of organisations.

Cloud is an enabler of change within a business as its key benefits include expenditure reduction ( CapEx and OpEx), efficient deployment of services and a greater flexibility to meet evolving business requirements.

There are three fundamental service models for cloud computing. PaaS, IaaS and SaaS and collectively they provide access to computing resources in a virtualised environment across the internet. This enables a cost-effective, flexible and secure alternative to traditional in-house managed software and packaged applications.

PaaS

Platform as a Service, often simply referred to as PaaS, is a category of cloud computing that provides a platform and environment to allow developers to build applications and services over the internet. PaaS services are hosted in the cloud and accessed by users simply via their web browser.

Platform as a Service allows you to provision and deploy software applications in the cloud. Our PaaS offering also includes the facilities for application design, application development, testing and deployment as well as database integration, security, scalability, storage and application versioning. Furthermore our PaaS offering provides you with the option to monitor your applications and direct access to your databases. All this is possible across your entire network whilst eliminating the need to invest in and maintain hardware and software.

The infrastructure and applications are managed for customers and support is available. Services are constantly updated, with existing features upgraded and additional features added. PaaS providers can assist developers from the conception of their original ideas to the creation of applications, and through to testing and deployment. This is all achieved in a managed mechanism.

As with most cloud offerings, PaaS services are generally paid for on a subscription basis with clients ultimately paying just for what they use. Clients also benefit from the economies of scale that arise from the sharing of the underlying physical infrastructure between users, and that results in lower costs.

Below are some of the features that can be included with a PaaS offering:

  • Operating system
  • Server-side scripting environment
  • Database management system
  • Server Software
  • Support
  • Storage
  • Network access
  • Tools for design and development
  • Hosting

IaaS (sometimes referred to as HaaS – Hardware as a Service)

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is one of the three fundamental service models of cloud computing alongside Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS). As with all cloud computing services it provides access to computing resource in a virtualised environment, “the Cloud”, across a public connection, usually the internet. In the case of IaaS the computing resource provided is specifically that of virtualised hardware, in other words, computing infrastructure. The definition includes such offerings as virtual server space, network connections, bandwidth, IP addresses and load balancers. Physically, the pool of hardware resource is pulled from a multitude of servers and networks usually distributed across numerous data centers, all of which the cloud provider is responsible for maintaining. The client, on the other hand, is given access to the virtualised components in order to build their own IT platforms.

You will have the benefit of outsourcing your hardware requirements including support operations, hardware, servers and networking components. Datanet takes the hassle away from you by housing and maintaining the hardware in Aspen house Datacentre. You may require virtual server space, network connections, bandwidth, IP addresses and load balancers. The pool of hardware resource is pulled across from our secondary datacentres enabling 99.9% up time.

The following are salient examples of how IaaS can be utilised by enterprise:

  • Enterprise infrastructure; by internal business networks, such as private clouds and virtual local area networks, which utilise pooled server and networking resources and in which a business can store their data and run the applications they need to operate day-to-day. Expanding businesses can scale their infrastructure in accordance with their growth whilst private clouds (accessible only by the business itself) can protect the storage and transfer of the sensitive data that some businesses are required to handle.
  • Cloud hosting; the hosting of websites on virtual servers which are founded upon pooled resources from underlying physical servers. A website hosted in the cloud, for example, can benefit from the redundancy provided by a vast network of physical servers and on demand scalability to deal with unexpected demands placed on the website.
  • Virtual Data Centers (VDC); a virtualised network of interconnected virtual servers which can be used to offer enhanced cloud hosting capabilities, enterprise IT infrastructure or to integrate all of these operations within either a private or public cloud implementation.

SaaS (Sometimes referred to as On-Demand software)

SaaS, or Software as a Service, describes any cloud service where consumers are able to access software applications over the internet. The applications are hosted in “the cloud” and can be used for a wide range of tasks for both individuals and organisations. Google, Twitter, Facebook and Flickr are all examples of SaaS, with users able to access the services via any internet enabled device. Enterprise users are able to use applications for a range of needs, including accounting and invoicing, tracking sales, planning, performance monitoring and communications (including webmail and instant messaging).

We can help you deploy Software as a Service applications. Let us take care of the mundane essential details such as Servers, software updates/patches, license upgrades, and security whilst handling your entire infrastructure and networking needs so you can focus on developing and customising your application.

There are a number of reasons why SaaS is beneficial to organisations and personal users alike:

  • No additional hardware costs; the processing power required to run the applications is supplied by the cloud provider.
  • No initial setup costs; applications are ready to use once the user subscribes.
  • Pay for what you use; if a piece of software is only needed for a limited period then it is only paid for over that period and subscriptions can usually be halted at any time.
  • Usage is scalable; if a user decides they need more storage or additional services, for example, then they can access these on demand without needing to install new software or hardware.
  • Updates are automated; whenever there is an update it is available online to existing customers, often free of charge. No new software will be required as it often is with other types of applications and the updates will usually be deployed automatically by the cloud provider.
  • Cross device compatibility; SaaS applications can be accessed via any internet enabled device, which makes it ideal for those who use a number of different devices, such as internet enabled phones and tablets, and those who don’t always use the same computer.
  • Accessible from any location; rather than being restricted to installations on individual computers, an application can be accessed from anywhere with an internet enabled device.
  • Applications can be customised and whitelabelled; with some software, customisation is available meaning it can be altered to suit the needs and branding of a particular customer.
Call our team today on 01252 810010 to find out more about your cloud options