The PaaSor Platform-as-a-Serviceis a cloud computing model that provides companies with a complete development platform. It enables them to design, run and manage applications without the cost, complexity and rigidity associated with managing an on-premise infrastructure.
The cloud ecosystem is based on three main models:
- SaaS (Software as a Service) This is the best-known type. It enables software to be used directly online, without local installation (e.g. e-mail, CRM, office automation).
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) This model provides access to an outsourced IT infrastructure. The provider manages servers, networks and storage.
- PaaS (Platform as a Service) Unlike IaaS, PaaS also integrates ready-to-use ready-to-use software components such as operating system, database or the web server.
See also our PaaS vs Serverless comparison to better understand their use cases.
This turnkey cloud offering is winning over more and more organizations. Its simplicity enables startups and large enterprises alike to quickly launch their web services or mobile applicationswithout having to manage their own technical infrastructure.
PaaS use cases
The PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) covers a wide range of business and technical needs. Here are a few common use cases:
- API development and management PaaS platforms enable you to develop, run, secure and supervise programming interfaces (APIs) as well as microservicesin a standardized environment.
- Internet of Things (IoT) PaaS supports a wide variety of environments, with multiple programming languages, frameworks and tools used in IoT deployments. It simplifies rapid deployment and large-scale management.
- Data analysis some suppliers offer integratedbusiness analysis to transform data into actionable insights, facilitating decision-making.
These use cases illustrate the flexibility and power of a PaaS solution. The adoption of this model is growing. According to Gartnerthe global PaaS market will be worth around 20 billion USD in 2019to reach 34 billion USD by the end of 2022. According to recent projections, this market is expected to reach between 137 and 168 billion USD by 2025.
PaaS, agility and teleworking
The PaaS often proves to be more cost-effective than IaaSparticularly in terms of operating costs. Overheads are reduced, because customers don't have to manage, configure or provision virtual machines or servers.
A flexible pricing model
However, companies need to keep a close eye on pricing strategy of their PaaS provider. Two main models coexist:
- Pay-as-you-go (or pay-as-you-go): only resources actually resources actually consumed are billed.
- Flat-rate pricing A fixed fixed monthly amount is applied, regardless of actual activity.
Despite this variability PaaS offers many advantages. It enables development teams to design, test, deploy, maintain and evolve their their applications fasterand with lower cost than managing an in-house infrastructure.
A lever for agility
Accessible from any browser, the PaaS offers an entirely online cloud development environment. Developers can work on their projects from anywhere in the worldwith no local installation constraints.
This global accessibility proved invaluable during periods of remote working. During confinements, many companies were able to continue continue to develop and maintain their services thanks to PaaS solutions, despite operating in degraded mode.
The PaaS is emerging as a strategic cloud solution for companies wishing to accelerate application development without technical complexity. By combining flexibility, accessibility and cost reductionBy combining flexibility, accessibility and cost reduction, PaaS meets the needs of both development teams and new working methods, such as telecommuting and distributed projects.
If you need to evaluate or deploy a PaaS solution tailored to your needs, our teams can advise you objectively on the most appropriate options.
See also our guide to choosing the right cloud provider here.
