With the advancement of the Internet and increased network bandwidth, a new era of cloud computing has emerged. Nonetheless, the emergence of COVID-19 has driven enterprises to embrace the work-from-home reality, allowing cloud technology to shine even brighter than before.
Though our social lives and physical reality have paused in this time of unparalleled uncertainty, cloud computing services/platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Teams, Amazon AWS, and others keep our digital lives running for the time being.
Cloud computing has a critical role to play in providing a flexible digital work environment, supporting health services, and enabling secure online shopping. To take use of cloud services, you must first comprehend the various cloud computing models.
This article will help you understand the many types of cloud models and the fundamental differences between them.
What are the various models for delivering cloud computing services?
Depending on which of the four cloud models you choose, cloud computing has the enormous potential of delivering a plethora of public (shared) services. Each model brings a whole new level of flexibility and power to the table. SaaS, UCaaS, PaaS, and IaaS are the four major cloud consultancy service delivery models.
1. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Software-as-a-service (SaaS) refers to a complete product that is managed and maintained by a cloud service provider. SaaS is a cloud-based service that extends a whole software suite in a pay-per-use model. It is made available to end users through a ubiquitous network, namely the internet.
SaaS is a superset of both PaaS and IaaS since it includes everything from infrastructure, middleware, and operating systems to web-based applications that can be accessible anywhere, at any time. This fully built cloud service paradigm helps enterprises to get started during the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt quickly, and scale company operations remotely.
Advantages and features-
- Service that is available whenever you want it
- Platform that is self-contained
- Provisioning that is automated
- Model with multiple tenants
- Use a single sign-on
- Billing based on a subscription
- Remote collaboration is the best option.
2. Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) (PaaS)
PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) is a subset of SaaS that is built on the same infrastructure as IaaS. Aside from that, the vendor helps firms with middleware, database management systems, operating systems, web servers, and development tools in this service model. All of them provide a remote environment in which customers can develop, create, and operate their software products without the need for any in-house gear or software.
As a result, PaaS allows users to focus on their application resources and successfully manage their data, while the suppliers take care of the rest. Because the platform is web-based, remote development teams can have instant access to all materials from anywhere. As a result, they will be able to optimise their product development life cycle and offer more agile products.
Advantages and features
- Product development in a hurry
- User interface that is accessible over the internet
- Architecture with many tenants
- Integration with third-parties
- Proven in the future
- Apps that have been pre-programmed in great detail
- Allows for a nomadic workforce
3. Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is a service
Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) is a flexible cloud computing service paradigm that provides consumers with all of the necessary infrastructure and computing resources in a completely remote environment. PaaS suppliers are responsible for providing advanced services to handle your company’s infrastructural requirements, which include data storage space, servers, virtualization, and networking.
IaaS is a highly extensible and profitable service since it eliminates the need for in-house infrastructure by outsourcing data centres, cloud components, and servers. This service paradigm can help you scale up and down your infrastructure service on demand. IaaS will be an excellent fit for SMEs and startups that may not have the financial resources to purchase the necessary infrastructure to construct their own network.
Advantages and features
- Dynamic scalability
- Vendor lock-in is reduced.
- Automated processes
- Server space on the internet
- Access via a graphical user interface (GUI) or an API
- Capacity for load balancing
- Model of pay-per-use
- Virtualization of platforms
4. UCaaS stands for “Unified Communications as a Service.” (UCaaS)
In the midst of the current crisis, unified communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) is becoming more popular, as this service model provides users across the world with communications continuity and remote collaboration services via the cloud network. Furthermore, this service architecture offers increased security and reliability, allowing distant workers to collaborate in a safe, virtualized cloud environment.
As working from home becomes the norm and the digital workplace becomes the future of work, UCaaS services are being adopted by both SMEs and large organisations to keep their teams linked while they work remotely. The UCaaS platform not only allows mobile workers to connect and collaborate via phone and video conferences, but it also allows them to share data, documents, and resources over the cloud infrastructure, resulting in more efficient processes.
Advantages and features
- Management that is centralised
- Response time has improved.
- Voice over IP (VoIP) technology
- Conferencing through audio and video
- BYOD is encouraged.
- Channel with a lot of data
- High-level security
- Instant device-to-device communication
Key Difference between the three Cloud Computing Service Models >
Common Instances of SaaS, PaaS, IaaS and UCaaS >
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Cloud computing has emerged as the knight in shining armour for most organisations throughout the world in these unusual times, as the virtual work environment and distant cooperation intensify. However, some businesses are still struggling to make the switch to cloud infrastructure. If your company is having trouble embracing and selecting the correct cloud computing service model for your modern demands, our domain experts are always available to provide best-in-class cloud consultation and assistance.