DaaS vs SaaS vs IaaS vs PaaS — Understand the Difference
By: Harsh Pahwa
Tags: Cloud Computing, Infrastructure, Business Strategy

There’s no doubt in the fact that the cloud is important for enterprise existence today. We can’t function properly without hosting our applications and data on the cloud. Honestly, there’s no remote working without the cloud working.

However, even with the significance of this technology, we often fail to understand it properly. There are multiple types of cloud services. Selecting the right one is crucial for your business. If you choose the wrong service, your governance will be haywire, and infrastructure would be a mess.

Hence, we have discussed 4 variations of cloud services below. Read on to start exploring how Desktop as a Service, Software as a Service, Infrastructure as a Service, and Platform as a Service work.

What is DaaS?

Desktop as a Service, as the name suggests, is a cloud service where you get a virtual desktop remotely. Here, the cloud provider offers every back-end service related to the desktop on a remote service.

Here are some amazing benefits of the DaaS:

You can migrate to any platform of choice easily.

You can easily use it when compared to physical desktops.

This service is customized and personalized according to your requirements.

If you are a small organization, this service is particularly beneficial for you. With limited resources, the cloud makes it hassle-free to fulfill your desktop requirements without spending a lot on infrastructure, hardware, and expensive upgrades.

However, a large enterprise looking for a full-fledged IT infrastructure may not benefit a lot from the DaaS service. For the said requirements, IaaS is a more appropriate service for you. Check the details below.

What is SaaS?

Software as a Service is different from Desktop as a Service. You don’t get the entire desktop environment here; it is just the software. Usually, providers offer software over the internet to a range of users. You can purchase the subscription and pay as you use the service.

This model is exceptionally feasible and easily accessible, which is why it is growing and becoming popular.

Here are some benefits of Software as a Service:

It is a commercial app or software, which you can use on the internet.

It is centrally managed by the provider, which makes management more effortless.

You don’t have to handle the updates as the provider itself manages it.

Software as a Service is the perfect type of cloud solution for users who have a stable internet connection. You just need to log in your details to start using this service. There are no hardware requirements. It is even possible to access the details on your phone.

However, if an enterprise can’t share data publicly or can share data only in a restricted manner, such as an accounting firm, then they should not opt for this service.

If you still wish to utilize this service, it is best to find a provider that offers high-security SaaS services. You should go for a package with dedicated security architecture.

What is IaaS?

Infrastructure as a Service offers the entire infrastructure to the client. This means that you can access services, network equipment, and data storage centers through its service. It is practically a virtual machine, which needs to be maintained. Popular examples include Microsoft Azure.

The difference between this type of infrastructure and in-house physical infrastructure is that you don’t need to spend money on servers and hardware. You have servers that are in different geographical locations.

This infrastructure is difficult to handle and manage, so you should ensure that your team has the expertise for this type of cloud computing.

Here are the benefits of Infrastructure as a Service:

You get multiple resources in the form of services.

You can scale your requirements any time you want.

Cost is varied according to your use.

This type of cloud computing is ideal for you if you have high infrastructural needs, but purchasing software may fall out of your budget. However, if you have compliance boundaries that require avoiding data outsourcing, you should look for a private cloud.

What is PaaS?

Platform as a Service provides a platform to you. Over this platform, you can deploy your app to use it remotely through the web. For example, you can use Node.js technology to deploy an app on this platform. The most famous examples of this service are the Google App Engine and Heroku.

You can use this type of cloud service to develop and deploy your application. Of course, you may require middleware to connect your app with the web server, operating system, programming language, and other things. However, all this is worth your time. This service is very flexible.

Here are the benefits of Platform as a Service:

You get an environment to host, test, maintain, and deploy applications. You can develop it or use an existing app for the purpose.

You can allow more than one user to use the same account, which means that even 10 users can access one account.

It is possible to scale as and when you want. This helps in optimizing your storage.

The backups and maintenance are taken care of by the provider.

If you have more than one developer working on a project, you should use Platform as a Service for the project.

This is also an amazing solution when you need to make your applications remote without being restricted to hardware.

Conclusion

From being able to work remotely to scale requirements as and when required, the cloud is the best implementation you can have for your business. Think of how the coronavirus pandemic disrupted our work and life equally.

If we had cloud computing in the office, at least one thing would not have fallen apart. Therefore, take lessons from the experiences of our past and understand how cloud implementation is important. Just ensure that you are using the right type of cloud architecture, as it will help you improve your performance and ROI.

If you are confused about how to make the right decision, check the above discussion to move in the right direction.