The cloud has become an integral part of our lives. It is now an integral part of a modern IT infrastructure. When companies decide to venture into the cloud, there is only one challenge: should it be the cloud at infrastructure, platform or application level? In this context, IT specialists and experts talk about the cloud service models of IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service), PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) and SaaS (Software-as-a-Service).
Cloud-Service Models
So not all clouds are the same, so far – so good. But what are the differences between the service models? And which cloud model is best suited to your requirements?
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure-as-a-Service describes the hardware level of these online service models. Here, a cloud provider such as Microsoft provides the entire IT infrastructure online, i.e. via the internet: this includes servers, storage space, networks, etc.
This means that the company no longer needs its own hardware. Nor does an IaaS user have to worry about the company’s internal IT. This cloud service model also offers the greatest cost benefits.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
Platform-as-a-Service is next and builds on the infrastructure. The PaaS level defines the development and deployment environments in the cloud. This allows cloud applications to be developed, integrated and operated. The SAP Cloud Platform and the Microsoft Power Platform are prime examples of this level. Both allow users to independently add additional and customised cloud solutions to their own system landscape; in our view, this is probably the biggest advantage of this model level.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Software-as-a-Service refers to direct cloud applications and builds on the other two levels. It involves software that is not installed locally, but is provided externally by a cloud service provider. Where previously a one-off purchase price was specified, today a subscription model is used. Here, the costs incurred depend on the number of users, among other things.
Control differences between IaaS, PaaS and SaaS
The difference between the above-mentioned cloud service models can be found in the degree of control over your own IT.
If you don’t want to give up complete control over your own IT, you only have the choice of a pure on-premise system. However, it is important to remember that full control is not necessarily an advantage. Of course, although you have all the strings in your hand, you also have to take care of procurement, maintenance, operation and development yourself.
When using IaaS, on the other hand, you relinquish control over both your hardware and infrastructure. The only thing that remains in your hands is the actual operating system and the applications.
This is exactly where PaaS comes in. With PaaS services, cloud service providers host the operating system as well as the hardware and infrastructure. This means that you only have to worry about developing your own applications.
You get the complete carefree package with a SaaS solution! In this case, you are no longer even responsible for providing the software.
Which cloud service model is right for you?
But which model is perfect for you depends on your requirements, needs and existing systems. In principle, it always makes sense to obtain services from the cloud in order to keep your own system landscape flexible, lean and scalable.
Microsoft’s solutions already cover the SaaS requirements for many business processes, meaning that in-house developments are hardly worthwhile in some cases. It is therefore always important to check whether and where it makes sense to invest in in-house development or in a software project. Sometimes a standard cloud solution meets your needs perfectly.
Would you like to find out how you can optimise your system landscape? Talk to us; our experts will be happy to advise you on which service model is right for you and your challenges.
