IaaS, Paas, SaaS, DaaS - Benefits and Drawbacks of Cloud-Based Services

What is IaaS?

Infrastructure as a Service or IaaS, delivers important storage, network and compute resources over the internet. IaaS allows for scalability that comes with having instant accessible computing infrastructure without the associated costs that come with purchasing individual components, maintaining and implementing security. IaaS is used to provide virtual computing resources. It is commonly used to create virtual machines and environments that can then be used to develop and deploy services and software. 

Advantages of IaaS

Improved Security

A cloud service provider can provide the maintenance and security you need for your software applications and data, most often better than what can be normally attained in-house.

Time Saved

IaaS helps to save time as your organisation members can focus on the organisation’s core business rather than having to spend more time on managing IT infrastructure.

Availability

As you are looking to launch your next software product or service, having quick access to readily available computing infrastructure can be a challenge. With IaaS you can reduce the time it takes to set-up and have an infrastructure in place for your services.

Affordability

IaaS is usually cheaper than having to purchase hardware and then going through the set up costs. It also helps to save money in maintenance and security as this is provided by the company.

Disadvantages of IaaS

No Access

If there is no internet available then access to the service is disrupted. If the servers are also down because of a hardware issue on the provider side or maintenance is required, this also hinders the ability to get access and continue using the service. 

Provider Dissolution

If the vendor providing IaaS goes bankrupt and shuts down, the users will lose access to the services as well as any data which may be stored on the servers. 

Pricing

Companies can also change their pricing which can affect the business. If the business is dependent on the provider then changing vendors or resorting to another infrastructure can interfere with and slow down business operations.

Restrictions

You are usually restricted to the hardware provided by the IaaS vendor. Which makes you dependent on operating on hardware that is provided. Furthermore, access to newer hardware will usually only be provided by large IaaS providers, which usually incurs more cost.

What is PaaS?

Platform as a Service or PaaS, is a complete development and deployment environment in the cloud that enables the delivery of both simple and sophisticated applications. You purchase the resources required from a cloud services provider and then get access to them over the internet. Check our article on Cloud Computing for more information.

PaaS and IaaS both include access to resources and infrastructure such as servers, storage and networking. PaaS incorporates further resources such as middleware, development tools, database management tools, deployment tools and more. It is usually used in development of web applications from building, testing, deploying, maintaining and updating. 

Advantages of PaaS

Advantages of PaaS include saving development time and costs, having access to key tools and features at a reasonably lower cost, aid in managing the development of a software and more. 

Time To Market

Through using the available resources and development tools you can cut the time it takes for a product to be launched onto the market. The time saved which is incurred when developers have to build their own infrastructure, tools, configure testing beds and develop measurement tools will speed up the development process and therefore release to market.

Cost-Effective

By using a pre-built platform it eliminates the need to build applications from scratch, helping reduce costs. This helps to eliminate extra costs that are incurred with extra development time. This is important for small to medium businesses or startups with limited funding and resources as they can reduce their operating costs when developing a software. 

Access to Pre-Built Tools

Having access to pre-built components reduces time of development which is normally needed for such tools. Software developers are able to take advantage of this and save time for the actual development of an application. These tools are well developed and well established by cloud services providers, including software testing and software health assessment tools for debugging.

Disadvantages of PaaS

General

PaaS follows the same general disadvantages as IaaS, such as not having internet access or being unable to connect to the service results in not being able to use it. Additionally, it makes the business dependent that the vendor does not cease trading, increase prices or go out of operation.

Platform Control

There is also a lack of control with the platform as you only have access to tools and hardware made available by the vendor. If you require something very specific the vendor might not be able to provide it.

Data Privacy

All application and work data is stored on the vendors servers, which can provide data privacy risks if the service is operated in another country.

What is SaaS?

Software as a Service or SaaS, is a cloud-based service where you access an application via the internet, instead of downloading and installing the application/software on your PC. Types of software you can access from the cloud include office tools such as GSuite, cloud gaming services such as Google Stadia, cloud storage options such as Dropbox and more.   

Advantages of SaaS

Key advantages of SaaS include compatibility, accessibility and increased efficiency. As SaaS offers lower short term costs than on-premise local software as well as accessibility to any and all simply via an internet browser, it helps make software available for a wider range of businesses, making it easier for small to medium based companies to access corporate level efficiency and empowering many industries.

Accessibility

A key advantage of a SaaS based application is that it can run via the internet. It does not matter which hardware or operating system a user may have. As long as they have access to internet, they will be able to use the software.

Security & Updates

As the SaaS vendor has their own unique hardware that the application operates on which users access, they do not have to worry about patching and updating the application for various different types of hardware. This also means fixing security issues and keeping software up-to date is easily carried out by the vendor, of which the users will directly benefit. The software is updated on the server side meaning that an update will take way less time to reach the users than on a local version of the program.

Lower Costs

Initial investment for hardware is significantly reduced through SaaS services. A software installed locally has certain hardware requirements for it to run properly. This means a higher cost is sometimes incurred as you have to use high-end hardware in order to run the application. For many businesses, this usually means additional servers and IT equipment.

Scalability

As SaaS is scalable, it is easier than ever to add more users to your business or organisation. Most SaaS companies provide fixed priced options as well as flexible plans depending on how many users you require. This can in-effect lower additional cost as you won’t be spending more on extra hardware when expanding or frequently switching hardware as it becomes more redundant.

Market Reach

Software providers are able to provide their services to a wider range of audience across different markets. As there are less hardware requirements for users, it can be adapted to and used by more people across the world.

Disadvantages of SaaS

General

SaaS follows the same general disadvantages as IaaS, such as not having internet access or being unable to connect to the service results in not being able to use it. Additionally, it makes the business dependent that the vendor does not cease trading, increase prices or go out of operation.

Backup Availability

Backup of your data may not be available, which can cause problems if you or your organisation require them. You will have to trust the provider for not losing your data. Moreover, switching to another vendor can cause delay to business operations.

Restrictions

If you or your business are used to a particular version of a software and the program is updated by the vendor, this can cause compatibility issues as downgrading or rolling back to a previous version is usually impossible. 

What is DaaS?

Desktop as a Service or DaaS provides access to cloud-based workspaces (virtual computers). DaaS provides access to computer workspaces usually equipped with better hardware than what is currently available within the business or for personal use. These virtual workspaces also sometimes come with libraries of software readily available to use all at a cheap cost and made accessible via computer or mobile device.

Advantages of DaaS

DaaS can be helpful for reducing the cost that comes with upgrading to or purchasing hardware. It can also provide benefits to many organisations as through setting up a cloud-based workspace employees can log into, it can reduce the security risks of having work devices containing valuable data being lost. It also helps to track and manage organisational data and record when certain data is accessed, further reducing security risks.  

Accessibility

DaaS makes it accessible for organisations and users to make use of better hardware at a lower cost. This is convenient for users wanting to run demanding software and applications. 

Data Security

Setting up virtual workspaces which can be accessed by employees remotely offers much more data protection and security than having organisation data on a local device which, if lost, can cause serious damage to the business.

Disadvantages of DaaS

General

DaaS follows the same general disadvantages as IaaS, such as not having internet access or being unable to connect to the service results in not being able to use it. Additionally, it makes the business dependent that the provider does not cease trading, increase prices or go out of operation.

Privacy Risks

If the DaaS provider is located in another country and is not entirely reputable, this can cause potential privacy risks of your data being accessed without your knowledge. If legal matters arise it can also be hard to pursue a standing in court as the jurisdiction is different to that of the country you and your business operate in.

Storage Limits

There are limits to how much data storage you can occupy and use in a virtual workspace. Upgrading storage capacity may incur extra costs and are usually more expensive than local storage. 

User Input

A good internet connection is required to handle user inputs such as keyboard and mouse as well as computer outputs such as audio and video in real-time with as little latency as possible.

To Summarise

We hope that you have understood the different types of cloud software services available. Overall, there are many benefits to using these services. oftentimes businesses can make use of these to save time, reduce costs and improve efficiency of daily operations. 

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