What are the Types of Cloud Services?

Cloud services offer enterprises the chance to significantly level up their operations with cost-effective data solutions that are flexible, manageable, and scalable. With similar computational architecture as an on-site infrastructure, the cloud utilizes data centers, servers, and networks spread out across the globe. Through the cloud, businesses can eliminate the need for on-premises infrastructures and maintenance of physical servers while increasing adaptability to their ever-changing markets. 

The power and ease of cloud computing allow employees to remotely access data applications anywhere, anytime, and on any device through the internet. When a cloud architecture is built in layers of two or more cloud services, it’s known as a “cloud computer stack.” Multiple cloud solutions may be required to meet the growing demands of a business. Cloud services provide enterprises with flexible solutions uniquely tailored to their requirements. The four cloud services companies utilize individually or together are: Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, Software as a Service, and Functions as a Service.

Infrastructure as a Service 

Through Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), a cloud service provider manages the infrastructure for you—including the network, data storage, and all virtual servers. You are renting all the resources from the provider; however, you have complete control over your system via the internet dashboard or an application programming interface (API). IaaS is the most common type of cloud service. It gives businesses the highest flexibility and control over their IT resources. With no on-premises core infrastructure to worry about, on-site overhead costs are eliminated, making IaaS cost-effective. Also, the flexibility of the “pay-as-you-go” model allows businesses to only pay for the services they need and nothing more. As enterprises grow, they can add services along the way, which is why IaaS is a great choice for many small and mid-sized companies.   

Platform as a Service 

As a business’s needs grow beyond IaaS, Platform as a Service (PaaS) is the next step up. PaaS still offers infrastructure support just like IaaS, but it also gives enterprises a framework to develop applications. Multiple developers can collaborate on building, developing, and testing software applications—all with infrastructure support from the cloud provider. Businesses can focus efficiently on building vital developmental tools and database systems by removing the time-consuming need to manage infrastructure hardware and operating systems. That includes IT tasks like capacity planning, patching, software maintenance, and more. The accessibility of a shared cloud platform makes it easy for development teams to create solutions rapidly and efficiently. Like IaaS, PaaS is scalable, allowing enterprises to increase services as needed. Mid-size companies may find PaaS an excellent cloud service solution when the need for developing tools arises. 

Software as a Service

Managed by a cloud service provider, Software as a Service (SaaS) delivers software applications to users. These kinds of applications are typically mobile or web applications hosted on the internet. Businesses can access their SaaS applications through a dashboard or API. Most enterprises utilize some kind of SaaS service, whether it’s web-based email, customer relationship management (CRM), or a content management system (CMS). SaaS cloud providers handle the infrastructure, hosting, and software updating duties. 

For instance, a web-based email application lets users focus on sending and receiving emails without worrying about add-on features or server updates. As a finished product created for end-users—the intended users of the application—SaaS is a subscription-based model. Cloud providers simply lease the software to companies. Employees create their unique username and password to log in. SaaS gives everyone access to the same vital cloud solutions, from small businesses to large corporations.

Functions as a Service 

Functions as a Service (FaaS) is the latest innovation in cloud service solutions. Also known as serverless computing, FaaS is an event-driven cloud solution that allows users to send a complicated function to a cloud provider’s server without building or maintaining infrastructure. When traffic is high, the function can scale, receiving additional resources as needed. Likewise, if traffic reduces any need for resources, FaaS keeps pace. With FaaS’s pay-as-you-go model, enterprises can keep expenses to a minimum. One of the biggest benefits of FaaS is its ability to allow businesses to focus primarily on application development. Without the need to manage a server, FaaS frees up considerable time and resources for businesses. 

Cloud solutions are necessary for any organization looking to scale business, cut costs, and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace. In many environments, building on-premises infrastructures can quickly become outdated, leaving an organization with unused hardware, inflexible operating systems, and overblown expenses. Whether you have infrastructure needs, application development needs, pre-designed software needs, event-driven needs, or all of the above, Cynergy Technology provides cloud service solutions that are effective, reliable, and state-of-the-art. 

When you partner with Cynergy Technology, we support you in getting back to doing what you do best—running your organization. To learn how Cynergy Technology can provide guidance to the global world of cloud options available to your organization, contact us today!