Public cloud

#Microsoft Azure

Platform as a service (PaaS) is a complete development and deployment environment in the cloud, with resources that enable you to deliver everything from simple cloud-based apps to sophisticated, cloud-enabled enterprise applications. You purchase the resources you need from a cloud service provider on a pay-as-you-go basis and access them over a secure Internet connection.

Like IaaS, PaaS includes infrastructure—servers, storage and networking—but also middleware, development tools, business intelligence (BI) services, database management systems and more. PaaS is designed to support the complete web application lifecycle: building, testing, deploying, managing and updating.

PaaS allows you to avoid the expense and complexity of buying and managing software licenses, the underlying application infrastructure and middleware or the development tools and other resources. You manage the applications and services you develop and the cloud service provider typically manages everything else.

Salient features of Microsoft Azure PaaS are: -

Cut coding time. PaaS development tools can cut the time it takes to code new apps with pre-coded application components built into the platform, such as workflow, directory services, security features, search and so on.

Add development capabilities without adding staff. Platform as a Service component can give your development team new capabilities without your needing to add staff having the required skills.

Develop for multiple platforms—including mobile—more easily. Some service providers give you development options for multiple platforms, such as computers, mobile devices and browsers making cross-platform apps quicker and easier to develop.

Use sophisticated tools affordably. A pay-as-you-go model makes it possible for individuals or organizations to use sophisticated development software and business intelligence and analytics tools that they could not afford to purchase outright.

Support geographically distributed development teams. Because the development environment is accessed over the Internet, development teams can work together on projects even when team members are in remote locations.

Efficiently manage the application lifecycle. PaaS provides all of the capabilities that you need to support the complete web application lifecycle: building, testing, deploying, managing and updating within the same integrated environment.

#Benefits of PaaS provider:

• When you choose PaaS hosting, users are free to build software using the tools which their providers offer. The PaaS service may have preconfigured features which clients can subscribe to; so they will choose what they want and remove those that they do not want.

• You can benefit from support from the provider; services are also regularly updated and the existing features are upgraded while new features are also added from time to time. The provider can help developers to conceive new ideas and create applications; even helping in their testing and deployment.

• When you choose the PaaS computing model, you can avail of a subscription service where you follow the pay-as-you-go model and pay only for the resources you use. So, client enterprises can achieve economies of scale as their capital and operational costs are reduced.

• Clients do not have to buy infrastructure; they can simply get this on rent and this has both practical and economic benefits. They do not have to buy or maintain infrastructure and can rent resources only when there is a need for them. So, there is no wastage of resources or investment in unused resources.

• Using PaaS, even the so-called non-experts can create applications seamlessly. They may build these through the single-click function such as the WordPress which can be installed with one click only.

• Clients also enjoy a high degree of flexibility because they can decide which tools to install to cater to their specific business needs. So, picking and choosing features is an important advantage with PaaS hosting. Moreover, features are also customizable and may be altered depending on circumstances.

#Benefits of SaaS:

High Adoption

SaaS applications are available from any computer or any device—any time, anywhere. Because most people are familiar with using the Internet to find what they need, SaaS apps tend to have high adoption rates, with a lower learning curve.

Lower Initial Costs

SaaS applications are subscription based. No license fees mean lower initial costs. Having the SaaS provider manage the IT infrastructure means lower IT costs for hardware, software, and the people needed to manage it all.

Painless Upgrades

Because the SaaS provider manages all updates and upgrades, there are no patches for customers to download or install. The SaaS provider also manages availability, so there’s no need for customers to add hardware, software, or bandwidth as the user base grows.

Seamless Integration

SaaS vendors with true multitenant architectures can scale indefinitely to meet customer demand. Many SaaS providers also offer customization capabilities to meet specific needs. Plus, many provide APIs that let you integrate with existing ERP systems or other business productivity systems.