PaaS

WHAT IS PAAS?
Platform as a Service, often simply referred to as PaaS, is a category of cloud computing that provides a platform and environment to allow developers to build applications and services over the internet. PaaS services are hosted in the cloud and accessed by users simply via their web browser.

Software developers, web developers and businesses can all benefit from PaaS:

Software developers can take advantage of a PaaS solution to build an application which they are planning to offer over the internet or software to be sold out of the box
Web developers can use individual PaaS environments at every stage of the process to develop, test and host their websites
Businesses can develop their own internal software, particularly to create distinct ring-fenced development and testing environments

 

How it Works

CREATION OF SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
PaaS is regularly used be developers, from conception to the creation of applications, through to testing and deployment

PAY-PER-USE
Generally paid for on a subscription basis and clients only pay for what they use. Sharing of underlying infrastructure results in economies of scale

CHOICE OF FEATURES
Customers can choose the features they require while discarding others. They can therefore choose a service to suit their needs

MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT
Infrastructure and applications are managed for customers and support is available

AUTOMATIC UPGRADES
Services are constantly updated, with existing features upgraded and additional ones added

 

Benefits to Application Developers

DON’T HAVE TO INVEST IN PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Being able to ‘rent’ virtual infrastructure has both cost benefits and practical benefits. They don’t need to purchase hardware themselves or employ the expertise to manage it

MAKES DEVELOPMENT POSSIBLE FOR ‘NON-EXPERTS’
With some PaaS offerings anyone can develop an application, simply through their web browser utilizing one-click functionality

FLEXIBILITY
Customers have control over the tools that are installed within their platforms and can create a platform that suits their specific requirements

ADAPTABILITY
Features can be changed if circumstances dictate that they should

TEAMS IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS CAN WORK TOGETHER
Using the internet, developers spread across several locations can work together on the same application build

SECURITY
Security is provided, including data security and backup and recovery

 

Features that can be included

One of the main benefits of Platform as a Service is the flexibility that it offers.

Users are able to choose which features they require, therefore avoiding paying for features they don’t require.

The following are amongst the features that are available from a typical PaaS offering:

  • Operating system
  • Server-side scripting environment
  • Database management system
  • Server software
  • Support
  • Storage
  • Network access
  • Tools for design and development
  • Hosting