Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Platform as a Service (PaaS) Discussion

Platform as a Service (PaaS) is the next step down from Software as a Service (SaaS) in the Cloud Computing Stack. Instead of ready-made applications or services, PaaS provides the platform for developing such applications and services. Here you find various development tools and such things as database management systems, enterprise service buses (ESBs), application servers, business intelligence (BI)/business analytics, and so on that could be used to support the applications and services developed.

Platform as a Service (PaaS) Advantages

Advantages Unique to Platform as a Service (PaaS)

• You or your organization are responsible for the versioning/upgrades of software developed (this is also a disadvantage).

Advantages Shared With Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

• The maintenance and upgrades of tools, database systems, etc. and the underlying infrastucture is the responsibility of the PaaS Cloud Provider.
• Various pricing models may allow paying only for what you use. This, for example, can allow an individual or a small organization to use sophisticated development software that they could not afford if it was installed on an internal, dedicated server.
• Some PaaS Providers provide development options for multiple platforms: mobile, browser, and so on. If you or your organization want to develop software that can be accessed from multiple platforms, this might be an easy way to make that happen.
• If you have events such as high seasonal sales activity, then the elasticity of the Cloud with PaaS might provide an opportunity.
• The PaaS Cloud Provider may provide better security than your existing software (security—or inadequate security—can also be a disadvantage). Better security may come in part because it is critical for the PaaS Cloud Provider and is part of their main business. In-house security, on the other hand, is not usually an individual's or a organization's main business and, therefore, may not be as good as that offered by the PaaS Cloud Provider.
• No need to manage the introduction of new releases of the development or underlying software. This is handled by the PaaS Cloud Provider.
• No need to provision servers. This is handled by the PaaS Cloud Provider.
• No need to manage the underlying data center. This is handled by the PaaS Cloud Provider.
• Usually, there is no need to manage backups. This is handled by the PaaS Cloud Provider.
• If the PaaS Cloud Provider supports failover should the software (for example, the database management software) or the data center become unavailable, that failover is a concern of the PaaS Cloud Provider and you do not need to plan for it.

Platform as a Service (PaaS) Disadvantages

Disadvantages Unique to Platform as a Service (PaaS)

• You or your organization are responsible for the versioning/upgrades of software developed (this is also an advantage).

Disadvantages Shared With Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

• When it is mandatory that the underlying hardware be of a specific type or the underlying software be modified to support the deployed application.
• There may be legal reasons that preclude the use of off-premise or out-of-counry data storage.
• Security features of the PaaS Cloud Provider may not adequate for your needs.
• If you have a need for high-speed interaction between your internal software or software in another Cloud and the PaaS Cloud Provider, relying on an Internet connection may not provide the speed that you need.

Platform as a Service (PaaS) Variations

Context for Platform as a Service (PaaS)

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Related Articles for Platform as a Service (PaaS)

• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
• Network as a Service (NaaS)