Now, easy access to data anywhere and anytime, unlimited storage, low latency, affordability, security, innovation, and scalability are only some of the reasons multiple industries and organizations globally are shifting to cloud technology. On the other hand, for consumers, having a virtual space beyond the physical space of a mobile, laptop, or a tablet to securely store and access pictures, music, and files is not only an extraordinary reality but a necessary add-on.

Types of cloud computing services

Not too long ago, all a company’s IT systems were on-premises. Now, to rival with other company leaders operating in unique and innovative ways, many are considering shifting their IT systems to the cloud. If you are too, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the three main types of cloud computing service models, their pros and cons, and see which one (or a combination of two) fits yours.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

This is the most common service model because it offers the fundamental infrastructure of virtual servers, network, operating systems, and data storage drives, allowing you to customize it according to your requirements. Many medium-sized businesses opt for this because it is a pay-as-you-go model; it removes the need for hardware in the office (minimizing costs) and allows for flexibility and scalability to use the resources how they deem fit. For instance, you can scale up when you have room for new capabilities and innovation or scale down, still giving you access to computing resources without the need to invest in them separately (a cost-effective solution).

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS platforms make software available to users over the internet, usually for a fixed monthly subscription fee. This means you don’t need to install and run software applications on multiple computers or worry about payment for maintenance, compliance, or security; it’s all included. Additionally, SaaS providers can offer you either the basic software or a more complex solution (for larger organizations). For example, Jazz E-sell provides complete shopping cart software, allowing businesses to create an online shop within minutes without worrying about coding, hosting, or updating software. On the other hand, it can be as simple as accessing an email account online from any device using SaaS, such as Google G Suite and Microsoft Office 365. It is the ideal choice for small-scale businesses that don’t have the budget for on-premises hardware and need SaaS platforms for frequent collaboration and round-the-clock customer support.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

A PaaS vendor provides hardware and software tools over the internet, and people (mostly developers) use these tools to develop applications. In this way, developers don’t need to start from scratch when creating applications, saving them time and money on writing extensive code. PaaS is a popular choice for businesses who want to create unique applications without spending a fortune or taking on all the responsibility. It’s much like hiring a venue to put on a show vs. building a venue to put on a show. The place stays the same, but what you create in that space is unique.

SaaS started the cloud revolution because companies could roll it out quickly. As cloud computing matured, IaaS and PaaS emerged to give organizations more control over the alignment of business and IT objectives.

To learn more about how cloud platforms like Garaj can help businesses like yours visit www.garajcloud.com.