Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) is a type of cloud computing that comes with the hardware and software platforms allowing businesses to develop, run and manage their customized solutions. All of this can be done without having to invest in any of these infrastructures or maintain them. Providers of PaaS usually host the entire hardware and software setup as part of its own installation facilities allowing this platform to be used by others on subscription plan basis.
PaaS platforms can be integrated as solution stacks or service hosted through the internet connection for complete accessibility of the particular domain of services. The platform can also be used to develop applications and store data on a rental plan basis. Simply put, it is a total development and deployment cloud environment that lets you develop and deliver everything ranging from small cloud-based apps to large and sophisticated cloud-enabled enterprise=grade applications. The only things that you as a business need to maintain in the PaaS environment is the application itself and the inherent data.
Most popular examples of Platform-as-a-Service are that of Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
What does PaaS offer?
The PaaS infrastructure includes the complete list of items that includes serves, storage installations and networking, middleware, development tools, database management systems, business intelligence (BI) tools and services and more. Platform-as-a-Service is designed to support the full lifecycle of web application sequences from development, testing, deploying, managing and regular updating. With this service by your side, you are free of all obligations of complex processes of buying and renewing software licenses and maintaining all allied hardware, development tools and resources. While you manage only the application and the services you provide through it, the service provider takes care of managing everything else.
Organizations make best use of PaaS when they wish to develop customized frameworks using the in-built components. Cloud features like scalability, multi-tenant capability and high-availability reduce coding time and pressure. Business Analytical tools that PaaS providers give allow organizations to mine their data and analyze it for business insights, identify current patterns and predict outcomes. Some PaaS providers also offer services that enhance daily workflow, scheduling, directory and security.
Advantages of using PaaS
The first and foremost advantage of course is that using PaaS cuts infrastructure investment costs while offering the best development and hosting platform. With the complete array of tools avail, the service also helps cut coding time as developers can easily integrate pre-coded components like directory services, workflow and security features into the new application. All of this lets you as a business add to the efficiency of your existing team without having to hire additional resources.
Sophisticated tools for Business Intelligence and software development become readily available to you based on the pay-as-you-go model. The total cloud environment of the platform allows you and your team to access applications and data from any location making possible all forms of remote working. Last but not the least, the same integrated environment supports the complete cycle of web applications beginning with development to testing, deploying and managing.
