PaaS(Platform as A Service)

As we move from IaaS to CaaS to PaaS, it becomes confusing. In IaaS and CaaS, we established that Infrastructure/ Servers and Storage is provided by Cloud providers and rest of all the activities are managed by customer team, itself. Now, let’s try to understand PaaS where all software(s) are made available for customers by the Cloud provider. Software(s) are already installed and ready to use. Customers don’t have to manage any compute or storage; everything is managed automatically by Cloud provider.

If you expect Me (Service Provider) to buy laptops (Infrastructure or Servers) with all the possible software(s) pre-installed and made those available to you via Internet, ready to be used in few clicks. Along with software(s) all rest of the activities like to install security software(s), enable software(s) encryption, replaces normal hard disk with encryption disk, install all MS Office software(s) on it for daily activities, install database on it, configure Disaster Recovery and High Availability Strategy like taking backup on an external disk and keep moving data on periodic basic on second laptop so just in case if first laptop crashes, work can be continued on second laptop, periodic upgrading all the software(s) on both laptops etc., all will be taken care by Me (Cloud Provider) is PaaS.

‘In nutshell, Platforms i.e., software(s) with infrastructure and storage is PaaS.’

Please note, in PaaS, only the software installed version is provided not implemented solution e.g.

• If you want Oracle database, it will be sitting pre-installed for you, you just need to click a few buttons, and it will be ready for you to create tables or solutions.
• If you want Python, it will be available for you to start developing your solution.

Hope we are aware of the difference between Software and Solution e.g., 1) Installing Microsoft Word, Excel or Power Point will give you empty Word, Excel, and Power Point and is called Software installation. Now, if you want to create a diagram then you must open Power Point and create diagrams. Creating diagrams is equal to creating Solution. 2) If you want to build a Data Warehouse in Oracle. Installing just Oracle Database is equal to installing Software. Now, to build physical data models i.e., creating tables and relationships in Oracle database is equal to creating Solution.

Please hold on to the Software and Solution concept, it will be key to understand topic i.e., SaaS.