What is SAAS, PAAS and IAAS?

What is cloud computing?

Accessing any resource through internet without installation into your local device will be called as cloud computing. Example: You are attending meeting in Zoom through an app which is installed into your local system, that is normal. But if you are attending zoom meeting through browser means you are actually accessing the Zoom application through internet without installing into your local device. Here in this scenario you are actually utilising cloud computing service.

What is the use of cloud computing? Why do we need cloud computing?

You don't have to own anything. You are just like taking the resources for rental. For example if you want an application to manage your company day to day activities. But you don't have time to develop a software for your company by yourself by hiring a software developer team. But somewhere, someone already developed such software which can be accessed through internet

What is the benefit for you here?

Time consuming - You don't have to develop that software which you needed

Efficient Storage - Since you accessing the application through internet you don't have to install into your local device

The services offered by cloud computing can be majorly classified into SAAS, PAAS and IAAS.

SAAS - Accessing applications through internet without installing into you local device

PAAS - Accessing a working environment through internet. Ex: Accessing a virtual OS.

IAAS - Accessing a physical infrastructure through internet without buying a physical device. Ex: Accessing storage devices to store my company data. The storage device will be in remote location. I am using it to store my company information without buying it.

SAAS use case:

I am starting a new company. I need a software to manage accounts in my company. Since my company new and I don't have budget to develop a software to meet my needs. But a company called XYZ already developed an application which meets my needs. They are saying I have to access the application through internet only and no installation required. I have to pay an amount on monthly basis for the services they are providing.

PAAS use case:

I am starting a new company. Just imagine in my company 10 employees are working. I have distributed 10 laptops to them installed with Windows OS. My client requirement is we have to work on Ubuntu OS as per their policy. But my client project is just for 2 months. i don't want to install Ubuntu OS in all the 10 laptops. It is time consuming and new OS installation will occupy additional storage. Now what will I do is I will look for any vendor in market who will be providing PAAS service. Once I find my vendor I will ask them to give me access for Ubuntu OS. Now my employees will be accessing the Ubuntu OS through internet. Once my client project gets over I will cancel my subscription.

IAAS use case:

I am starting a new company. I don't have enough money to buy infrastructure like storage and network setup in my company. I will approach cloud IAAS vendor to access these physical devices remotely. I don't have to buy these physical devices and I don't have arrange room space for these devices in my company.