Azure Cloud Computing: IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS

Cloud computing with Microsoft Azure

The progressive Digitisation demands more and more Performance, speed and thus also IT resources. In most cases, it is not possible or profitable for companies to set up local data centres to cover their IT resource requirements. This is why more and more companies are switching to Cloud computing solutions um. Cloud computing describes the provision of IT resources via the Internet. This means that companies no longer have to install their hardware and software inflexibly and locally, but can provide the relevant resources as required with a pay-as-you-go Use a plan from the Internet. Cloud computing providers such as Microsoft Azure take care of the provision of the appropriate services, reliability and security, while you gain flexibility and save on costs and administration.

Azure offers different types of cloud services depending on which resources you want to manage or provide. The most important cloud services include "Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), "Platform as a Service (PaaS) and "Software as a Service (SaaS). Here we explain what these cloud services do and what advantages and disadvantages they have.

IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service

IaaS provides customers, as the name suggests, with a Digital infrastructure available. The infrastructure primarily includes hardware such as Server, Data storage and Network components. IaaS provides the foundation for digital corporate structures and replaces or supplements local data centres, server and storage solutions and data security.

IaaS from Microsoft Azure allows the digital infrastructure to be placed in the hands of Microsoft, while the choice and acquisition of operating systems, apps, middleware and software remain in the hands of the company.

IaaS - features, advantages and disadvantages

PaaS - Platform as a Service

PaaS offers a digital platform for the development. With Middleware, Development tools, Business intelligence services and Database management systems the Microsoft Azure PaaS platform offers the services and resources to develop relevant applications for your company.

As with IaaS, with PaaS the infrastructure is handed over to the cloud provider Azure. It also offers Azure PaaS as a cloud-based development platform services such as Tools for app developmentdatabase management, business analytics and middleware. The Control about all your Applications and their Development However, with platform services such as Azure, this remains in the hands of the Developer and applications can be programmed entirely according to your own wishes and requirements.

PaaS - features, advantages and disadvantages

SaaS - Software as a Service

SaaS already offers Ready-to-use cloud-based appsthat companies can use without a great deal of development effort. Software and Apps such as e-mail tools, calendars or Office tools can be purchased and used over agreed periods of time. The resources required for the app, such as servers, middleware or security, are provided by the service provider (e.g. Microsoft Azure), saving customers a lot of administrative and development work.

If you use the Azure SaaS services such as Cloud Applications, the two other cloud services - Platform and Infrastructure as a Service (PaaS and IaaS) - are automatically provided by Microsoft Azure. This form of cloud service provides companies ready-to-use applications such as Mail or Office Tools and thus brings the minimum administrative effort with it.

SaaS - features, advantages and disadvantages

The choice between IaaS, PaaS and SaaS therefore depends primarily on which tools and services you need. The Cloud services from Microsoft Azure offer you Flexible solutionswhich build on each other and can be quickly supplemented or reduced as required.

IaaS, PaaS, SaaS - comparison

Microsoft Azure as the foundation for IIoT applications

Thanks to the flexibility of Microsoft Azure and a wide range of IoT and AI productivity tools, the platform with its components and services is suitable as the foundation for shopfloor.io-IIoT applications.

Modules such as the Azure IoT Edge, Event Hub, Stream Analytics or IoT Hub for the connection of machines or the use of Azure Machine Learning components open up new solutions and customised functional enhancements within the shopfloor.io-Frameworks.

elunic is Microsoft Gold Partnerstrategy consultant and software integrator for mechanical and plant engineering and Industry 4.0.