If you're deciding to outsource your cloud solutions, first learn the difference between SaaS vs. PaaS

Businesses all over the world are eschewing the conventional on-premise services they have grown to rely on in favor of cloud computing and its associated services. 

The revenue generated by these platforms has increased significantly over the past ten years, rising from about $90 billion in 2016 to over $312 billion in 2020 on a global scale. 

What’s the difference between SaaS and PaaS? 

One third of cloud computing services offered by a third party are IaaS, and the other two major categories are PaaS and SaaS.

But what exactly do the terms "Platform as a Service" and "Software as a Service" mean? 

A cloud computing "as a service" solution enables companies to delegate IT management to a vendor who can offer the cloud architecture, security, reliability, and scalability required to run contemporary digital solutions. And, in contrast to on-premise solutions, these are simple to access via any web browser or online apps. 

What can you therefore anticipate from PaaS and SaaS? 

What is a PaaS solution?

Platform as a Service, or PaaS, enables companies and developers to host, create, and distribute consumer-facing apps. On their own infrastructure, PaaS providers will host the hardware and software before delivering this platform to users as a complete package. As a result, developers can create, deploy, and maintain apps in a ready-to-use environment without the requirement for onsite infrastructure. However, enterprises will have to handle their own data and apps. This provides the framework for data protection, storage, and uptime that developers want while also enabling the customizability that many developers seek.

The following are some of the main benefits of this cloud computing model, along with the capability to instantly deploy a PaaS platform:

• More scalability and flexibility.
• Cost-effectiveness.
• Easy to use.
• Customized software.
• No software maintenance

Because they are free from having to worry about the underlying cloud infrastructure and because PaaS solutions allow for a high degree of customization, businesses and developers frequently use PaaS providers. 

Examples of PaaS products: OpenShift, Liferay Experience Cloud Self-Managed (SM), and Google App Engine. 

What is a SaaS solution?

The most complete cloud computing service is called SaaS, or "software as a service," and it delivers a whole SaaS application that is run by a vendor through a web browser. This implies that the SaaS provider takes care of everything, including software upgrades, bug patches, and maintenance. Customers can connect to the app through a dashboard or API without having to install anything.

SaaS products provide businesses with a number of clear benefits as a highly scalable, user-friendly cloud service model, including:

• Your SaaS app doesn't need to be managed, updated, or upgraded.
• Your local computing resources won't be used by SaaS apps.
• A quicker time to market is provided by cloud solutions.
• In general, SaaS products are simpler to use and gain access to.

Because of these factors, businesses now regard the SaaS product model as one of the most common cloud service models. 

Examples of SaaS solutions: Hubspot, Slack, and Liferay Experience Cloud

How do you choose the right PaaS or SaaS provider?

PaaS and SaaS have the potential to significantly transform how firms operate when appropriately matched to business demands. The need for solutions has grown at an exponential rate, and cloud computing services are continuing to become more popular. Even if you have a lot more options now, it's easy to get overwhelmed by them, especially when each service makes a claim to be the best. To choose the best option for you, it's critical to assess your needs.

Security is a top priority

What actions can you take to ensure that your firm chooses the finest PaaS or SaaS provider? Security is one of the main issues in the business world nowadays. Three of the most crucial things to think about are listed below:

1. Compliance: Verify that any cloud service provider you select complies with legal requirements, industry standards, and best practices.
2. Reliability: The vendor must have sufficient emergency recovery plans and policies for both platforms and software products in order to guarantee dependability and availability during planned and unplanned downtime.
3. Data security: Although PaaS and SaaS models make things simpler to use, security is still an issue. Examine security certifications for validity and look through company records for any traces of past data breaches. Verify that any potential supplier has the safeguards, practices, and policies necessary to maintain the privacy of your data.

The cloud is the way of the future, whether you use PaaS or SaaS. Smart business leaders understand that the best approach to scaling and growing is to supply solutions through the cloud. By moving to the cloud, your company can grow more quickly, save money, and preserve customer relationships.

Conclusion

Whatever approach is adopted, the cloud is the way of the future. Smart business executives are aware that using the cloud to deliver solutions is the best approach to scaling and expanding their company.