What Are the Different Types of Cloud Services?
Cloud computing helps businesses automate their processes and pursue data-driven decisions. Cloud services enable organisations to enjoy rapid and limitless scalability through flexible and cost-efficient methods. Your business can store, process, manage, and retrieve data assets and software resources on demand.
There are different types of cloud computing services your company can use. We discuss each of these specific services in the following sections.
Top 3 Types of Cloud Computing Services
IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are the three types of cloud computing services. Each service category follows a unique model and caters to specific clients.
The sections below explain these classifications and how they can benefit your business.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
The first type is IaaS or Infrastructure as a Service. This cloud model provides computing, storage, and networking platform users on a pay-as-you-go approach.
Small business owners or private developers use IaaS to rent out IT infrastructure that can be scaled and automated according to their needs. This service eliminates the need to start from scratch and go through the complicated process of setting up IT hardware and software equipment.
If you hire an IaaS provider, they will manage and maintain your cloud infrastructure. They will also maintain the infrastructure’s servers, hardware, hard drives, networking, and data storage.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Another cloud computing service is Platform as a Service or PaaS. PaaS provides a cloud-based, state-of-the-art development and deployment environment for its clients.
Maintaining in-house IT infrastructure to develop and deploy unique apps is costly. PaaS lets programmers and developers deploy, run, and manage custom apps affordably.
These services are also ideal if your company deals with app development sparingly. The option to rent out the infrastructure instead of having an in-house one is more practical and affordable.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Finally, the third cloud model category is SaaS or Software as a Service. SaaS providers offer software applications. As a cloud infrastructure, users can’t install and maintain these applications locally. Most of these applications use licensing and subscriptions to be accessible to their users. The plus side of these services being online is you can access them from any device, wherever you are.
SaaS is the most familiar type of could computing service that businesses and private individuals use daily. Google Workspaces, Dropbox, Office 365, and email platforms like Gmail are examples of SaaS. Unlike the other cloud models, some SaaS platforms are free to use.
SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS are not only beneficial to individuals and organisations. These infrastructures also play a crucial role in transforming how legislators manage and transform urban spaces into smart cities. Smart cities such as Singapore, Oslo, New York, London, and Copenhagen use platforms, servers, databases, automation, and storage services. These platforms are working to reshape their environments for a more data-driven future.
With the scope and benefits of cloud services, it won’t be surprising to see these technologies outside the workplace and fully integrated into our daily lives soon!