Which Cloud Computing Model Is Best For You?

The cloud is seemingly everywhere nowadays permeating nearly every part of our lives — and we’re not talking about the weather here either. 

Cloud computing is making it easier for businesses to manage their information. They can scale the services to meet their demand. However, which cloud computing model is the best choice for your business? Yes, there are three models to choose from, each offering a different level of control.

While you can always randomly pick a model. A better option is to know a little bit about your options, which means exploring the trio of cloud computing models.

A Look at the Three Cloud Computing Models

So, what are the three cloud computing models? You can choose from Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). As mentioned earlier, each one gives you a different level of control. 

However, before you start focusing solely on the amount of control you want from your cloud computing model, there’s a little more to consider.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

If you want all of the advantages of cloud computing without any of the maintenance tasks, software as a service (SaaS) may be a good option. You get a fully developed product that’s operated and maintained by the service provider.

With SaaS, you don’t need to worry about maintaining the infrastructure. The service provider is handling this, along with any upkeep. All you need to focus on is using the software. If your business doesn’t have a dedicated IT department or your tech team is overwhelmed with other tasks, SaaS is something they may push you to sign up for.

You may even be using SaaS without even realizing it. Gmail is a software as a service application. You can access your email from almost any connected device without having to install any software. If your business uses Salesforce to help with customer management, you’re already using software as a service. You pay a small fee for the software to manage your customer relationships.

While SaaS is a breeze to set up, is accessible from any internet-connected device, and is scalable, there are also a few potential downsides. You can’t customize the service and there are a few data security concerns. You’re sending your stored data to a third party and this always comes with potential risks.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Platform as a Service (PaaS) takes cloud computing a step further compared to SaaS. Your development team can use the platform to collaborate on building, deploying, and managing applications. Best of all, you don’t need to worry about housing the necessary infrastructure onsite — everything’s contained in the cloud.

If your team is frequently working on new applications and business models and you don’t want to continuously add servers and other components, PaaS can be a cost-effective option. Some examples of Platform as a Service include Google App Engine and Windows Azure. Developers have everything they need at their fingertips to work efficiently as a team or solo.

Along with the benefits that include speeding up the development process and lowering costs, the cloud computing model requires very little training. This means your team can get straight to work without having to take classes or sit through tutorials. 

However, there are potential downsides to consider. You may run into issues with compatibility, flexibility is occasionally limited, and there are the same potential security risks you get with SaaS.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

If you have the personnel but are missing pretty much everything else, Infrastructure as a Service may be a great option. You get everything from storage to networking and virtual infrastructure. Yes, this includes virtual servers and everything else you need to build apps and manage data. Basically, all you supply, other than the team members, is a device with internet access.

Some examples of Infrastructure as a Service include Google Compute Engine (GCE) IBM Cloud, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Some of the benefits you get with Infrastructure as a Service include its easy scalability. You can scale the resources to meet your current needs. If a disaster occurs, downtime is minimal. You’ll be back up and running, usually in a few minutes. 

Since you’re only paying for what you need, IaaS is cost-effective. Yes, there are a few potential downsides to IaaS; the service lacks some flexibility and you are risking becoming overly dependent on the service.

Take Your Business to the Cloud

Embracing cloud computing offers a strategic advantage in today's digital world, presenting a scalable and cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. By tailoring cloud services to your specific needs, you can optimize resources and budget, achieving greater operational efficiency. 

Yet, it's crucial to thoroughly evaluate the potential challenges and risks associated with cloud adoption. Understanding these aspects ensures that your business makes an informed choice, fully aware of both the benefits and the limitations of cloud computing.