5 Service models
5.2 Platform as a Service

PaaS (Platform as a service): 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. Basically, it is a way to rent hardware, operating systems, storage and network capacity over the Internet.

The service delivery model allows the customer to rent virtualized servers and associated services for running acquired or consumer-created applications developed using programming languages, libraries, services, and tools supported by the provider. The application development platforms allow users to create and host applications of a larger scale than an individual or small business would be able to handle. PaaS providers can assist developers from the conception of their original ideas to the creation of applications, and through to testing and deployment. This is all achieved in a managed mechanism.

The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control over the deployed applications and possibly configuration settings for the application-hosting environment. They benefit from the economies of scale that arise from the sharing of the underlying physical infrastructure between users, and that results in lower costs; PaaS services are generally paid for on a subscription basis with clients ultimately paying just for what they use.

Some examples of the features that can be included with a PaaS are:

Some benefits of PaaS are:

  • Regarding software developers, they can use individual PaaS environments at every stage of the process to develop, test and ultimately host their applications.
  • Teams Can Collaborate From Afar. Anyone in any location has the ability to work on software projects.
  • Flexibility; customers can have control over the tools that are installed within their platforms and can create a platform that suits their specific requirements.
  • Cost savings: there is no need to invest in physical infrastructure
  • Maximize uptime: PaaS vendors should have the tools, technologies, and experience to help the user to avoid the unplanned outages that cause downtime
  • Scale easily. Features can be changed if circumstances dictate that they should.

One of the cons of PaaS is that depending on the offerings of the company providing the PaaS, the user could be locked into a specific software environment, language or interface. This can affect some, not all, providers.

Some PaaS examples are: