In today’s business world, any internet-based storage system, service platform, or program is powered by cloud computing. A key subset of cloud computing is Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), the ability to access a platform on a server instead of at a physical location.
Because of its efficiencies and benefits, leading businesses and companies that want to scale should be taking advantage of cloud computing.
“There are so many facets that have developed in cloud computing over the past few years, and PaaS is one of the key ways businesses can grow through the use of technology,” says Maurice Hamilton, CEO of IT firm Infinavate. “If you’re looking to become more agile and innovated, the switch from in-house servers to cloud computing is table stakes.”
Let’s dive deeper into PaaS and see how it can support your business’s innovation roadmap.
How Platform-as-a-Service Relates to Cloud Computing
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is where a platform of systems can be combined to create a customized solution for the end user. It is similar to a SaaS model, but the difference lies in the ability for the user to use assorted cloud based platforms as building blocks to create their own complete product.
As an example, most heavy duty phone apps are using some sort of backend on a PaaS. Usually there is some kind of service base or a stack of technology so that data can be manipulated. The backend of every app is built on a PaaS.
“What this does is allows someone else to handle the details of letting the computer run and the user can focus on coding,” says Hamilton. “Platforms like Microsoft Azure give you components to assemble together. They will break throes down into other components so that you are billed only for what you are using. This is all delivered on a cloud model through the Internet, so that you have the latest software and platforms to work with.”
As long as these services can be delivered through an IP-based connection, it is considered to be in the cloud.
How Does Platform as a Service Work?
PaaS allows someone else to maintain the creation of a platform and its updates while the user focuses on using the latest resources for their needs. The platform provider has their offering broken out into multiple components so the user is only billed for what you are using. Similar to a mix and match building blocks, plugin or modules allow the user to assemble inside a platform.
Clients can avoid the need to purchase physical programs for the computer, and instead can procure PaaS resources in an outsourced, on-demand site such as Salesforce and Microsoft Azure. IT consulting companies, such as Infinavate, discover which systems best suit your company, develop plans for syncing with your other platforms, and then process the setup for optimized usage. This consulting streamlining often saves a company thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars each year.
In the past, versions of platforms would be downloaded directly to each computer. PaaS is different in that it allows the platforms to be externally based, updated, and managed by an offsite provider. All that is needed from the user is to purchase and add-on what is needed for ongoing use.
“When looking for the right PaaS IT team to manage your servers, you want to make sure you have a reliable partner who is focused on your needs and goals,” says Hamilton. “A trustworthy IT advisor is always looking to make the deployment of these solutions as easy and seamless as possible.”
Advantages of PaaS
The biggest value provided by PaaS is the ease of deploying applications. Before PaaS, IT departments had to put a new application on their own servers for users to download. Or, they had to make application updates on each computer or other device. Now, you can instantly update licenses or new applications across an enterprise without the cumbersome workload on your IT team.
Examples of PaaS Platforms in B2B and B2C
Leading PaaS Providers:
- Microsoft Azure
Used as a PaaS, SaaS, and IaaS all in one; users have storage, networking, and web hosting all in one place - Salesforce
Provides no-code, low-code, and pro-code tools for app building - IBM Cloud
Applications can be connected with data, email, infrastructure, and prebuilt templates that correspond to different workflows for automation - Google Cloud
Used in combination with Google’s web services to build customized solutions to meet development support, email, monitoring, scaling, and hosting - Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Used for building business solutions such as content delivery and database storage
PaaS benefits:
- Meet the market quicker
- Decrease resource costs
- Merge and manage multiple applications in one place
- Deploy changes faster
- Benefit from tested and trusted practices
- Innovate faster
How Can PaaS Be Used in The Transportation Industry?
Recently, Infinavate worked with a transportation company to equip PaaS infrastructure in their home office and workers. As their vehicles are in the field, employees can access and provide real-time information for tracking and other data. These insights can be passed onto their customers as a valuable differentiator versus their competitors and allows for added security and strategic planning.
How PaaS Can Be Leveraged in Any Industry
The advantages of using Platforms-as-a-Service are clear. Users are able to work more efficiently and effectively, since running programs on a local server is not necessary. The purchase of individual physical software is also not required since the process is pay-for-what-you-need.
“The return on investment (capital expenditures and costs) comes from the scalability and efficient model that comes with PaaS,” adds Hamilton. “You can easily give access to who needs it and limit access to those who don’t. And you can instantly scale up or down as your company grows or evolves. It gives your company limitless flexibility.”
When it comes down to cost and speed of deployment for the production of a product, users don’t have to spend time developing and connecting a business’s services. Instead of maintaining technology, users are able to simply check boxes and focus all the attention on the app. Schedule a discovery call with Infinavate today to discuss how you can save more money on enhancing your cloud computing options.