Cloud computing has become an integral part of business dynamics, and global businesses are moving fast into the cloud environment for managing information systems.
While the cost of infrastructure management is one of the benefits, the other dimensions of benefits are the flexibility and agility available for the businesses to host their information systems using different solutions like IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
While IaaS is the infrastructure as a service, and SaaS is the Software as a Service, the intermediary solution in the form of PaaS is a potential development, which is significant to the developments in the domain.
PaaS is the Platform as a service and is suitable for businesses to develop their systems over the platforms offered by the cloud computing service provider.
Technically, PaaS (Platform as a Service) is a kind of cloud computing solution offering developers the scope to build, deploy and manage software applications using the underlying infrastructure.
Evolving trends of cloud computing opened scope and flexibility to building blocks essential for applications management with the limited requirement of deploying code etc.
Serverless computing kind of developments in the PaaS services makes it easier for the development and deployment of information systems.
Commercial PaaS service providers charge customers to avail the resources partially or use the platform, based on the number of applications being hosted, or the other customization as several users, etc.
Usually, the PaaS offerings are templates or build packs that support the quick development of common application scenarios customized for functional activities.
As a result, the PaaS options are seen as resourceful for developers, as it offers a defined scope for the development and execution of applications.
There are scores of PaaS examples, that refer to the potential scope of the application system.
For instance, in the scope of a CRM system for business, there are some options like developing a CRM system right from basics and deploying or secondly, using the available CRM solutions on a subscription basis.
While the first one takes significant time and effort, the second choice is about a lack of customization.
As an intermediary to the above options, the PaaS as example like Salesforce, AWS Elastic Beanstalk and Windows Azure can be a very good solution.
Salesforce offers a backend platform essential to host the customized CRM solution for the respective businesses, and the development teams need to work around the available templates, and feature integration solutions to prepare a good CRM system customized for every business need.
Related topic: AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud: Which is Better?
Some of the building blocks highlighting the scope of PaaS services are:
1. Managed Infrastructure
The cloud service providers supporting the platform as a service offers the servers, operating systems, data centers, and networking resources essential for managing the application hosting on the platforms
Functionality in terms of design, testing, and development tools is the other critical aspect of PaaS service.
Primarily, in terms of source code editing, debugging, and compliance, the level of collaboration tools offered in the new-age platform as a service solution is phenomenal.
Middleware systems are the other critical support in terms of OS, and other licensing solutions essential for hosting the solutions.
In an illustrative PaaS example, if a customer wants to build a web application over a .net framework, in the conventional model, licensing can be a significant cost for the business.
But in the platform as a service model, the platform is offered by the cloud service provider and the application is a host on the licensed middleware environment, which is beneficial for all the stakeholders.
2. Scalability
In the case of businesses extending their business information systems, the scalability with the PaaS is better and can support economies of scale.
PaaS service providers offer flexible packages, wherein the systems can be developed according to the business needs and host personalized applications as necessary.
Pros and Cons of PaaS
PaaS has the scope for users to quickly work on the application development or custom support solutions to be deployed in a quick turnaround time.
Even without heavy load factors, the PaaS deployment can be highly resourceful for businesses.
PaaS solutions offered by the providers have the scope for a definitive approach to business logic rather in addition to addressing the infrastructure provisioning.
SLAs (service level agreements) in the offering from the PaaS service providers refer to the security and accountability factors from the service providers towards managing the patching, upgrades, and other functional aspects essential for the successful management of the business.
Even for cloud-native development requirements and can mitigate the requirements to develop a complete IT infrastructure setup.
Among the Demerits of PaaS
More often as the applications developed for empowering the business systems are launched on third-party platforms, any interruption to the hosted platform can hurt the performance.
Also, if the applications are not hosted in a customized set-up offered by the PaaS service providers, flexibility could turn challenge for the clients using the PaaS.
Services across the platforms are important for supportive PaaS services. One of the challenges in the PaaS solutions can be data migration from one platform to the other.
The challenge in the system is about compatibility between the platforms if it has to offer a smooth transition of applications from one to the other level.
Any futuristic changes to the applications must take place in the same environment, and cross-platform solutions are still in the nascent stages of development.
Pros and Cons are integral to all the solutions and services, and even in the case of PaaS, the PaaS examples refer to potential ways in which the systems could be managed in an effective environment.
PaaS solutions when chosen from reputed vendors, can help in accomplishing the service quality and robust application development for e-business systems.
With eCloud for Enterprise Business, the “pay as you grow model” is offered which helps optimize the benefits of PaaS.
Are you considering the PaaS as a potential choice for the development and deployment of your business applications?
Engage with the Exabytes Enterprise Solution in Malaysia to support you with more insights for decision making and custom application developments.
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