Fundamentals of Cloud Computing IaaS, SaaS and PaaS
Many government agencies are still unsure how they can take advantage of cloud computing to meet their own objectives. And no wonder. The term covers so many possible approaches, even professionals who work with the cloud can have a hard time keeping track of them all.
Virtually all uses of the cloud, however, fall into three big baskets: IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service), SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) and PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service). By understanding all three models, you can help your agency make good decisions from the outset and find a strategy that fits its specific needs.
“I” Is For Infrastructure
IaaS means an outside provider allows you to use its machines to store and process your data, run your applications and carry out other key tasks.
It’s a “service” because you no longer have to buy and maintain your own hardware, such as servers or mainframes—the provider takes that responsibility off your hands. Amazon Web Services is a well-known commercial provider of IaaS.
Lower costs, high performance. With IaaS, you only pay for the computing power you need at a given time. If you need more, you can quickly acquire more to meet new demands on your system; when your usage drops, so does the cost. This can be more cost effective than investing in hardware that you may not entirely need all the time—or having your system slow down or fail when it suddenly needs data processing or storage capacity you don’t have.
Concerned about security? There are ways to protect your data and systems on the cloud. If you’re working with especially sensitive information, though, you might want to explore an arrangement that gives you more direct control, such as a clustered server system or a so-called private or hybrid cloud.
“S” Is For Software
With SaaS, you’re able to use prebuilt applications running on a provider’s machines. You don’t own or control this software. Instead, your personnel can access it on demand through a Web browser or similar interface.
A complete shift to the cloud. In theory, SaaS allows you to move the majority of your software usage to the cloud. It removes the management and financial burden of buying, maintaining and updating your own operating systems and applications. At the same time, you pay only for your use of the applications. You have continuous access to the software you need, while saving money and setup time.
Custom versus off-the-shelf applications. SaaS, like other ready-made software, can be an especially good option for helper applications that serve general needs. But it limits your ability to tailor software to specialized uses, or to incorporate best practices you’ve learned over the years. For applications that will serve your agency’s core business, you should consider investing in custom software, which can also be hosted on the cloud.
“P” Is For… What, Exactly?
Even if you’ve heard of IaaS and SaaS, Platform-as-a-Service may be unfamiliar—but it’s catching up in importance.
PaaS offers developers a ready-made framework for creating software on the cloud. You give the provider the code for your application and as long as it is compatible with the language and strictures of the platform, it will run on the provider’s hardware.
Easier, faster software development. PaaS allows you to develop custom applications without the hassle of acquiring or maintaining your own framework. As with SaaS, the provider hosts the software on its own machines, relieving you of hosting and systems administration costs.
More limited possibilities. With PaaS, you are restricted to whatever platform is available through the service. That means less flexibility in customizing your applications or improving them later on. PaaS can sometimes be expensive, since you need to employ personnel who are able to program with the provider’s framework.
The Bottom Line
IaaS, SaaS and PaaS can all boost efficiency and lighten the administrative load for government agencies. But all three come with crucial tradeoffs and limitations. Individual agencies have to consider their own specific needs and decide which approach, if any, is likely to work for them.
If you have additional questions about cloud computing, just call 212-447-1100 or email info@webintensive.com.
