Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

The Middle Layer of Cloud Computing

In the typically accepted model used by cloud computing service providers, PaaS inhabits the middle area between user end software structures and background hardware processes. One could argue that some of the most crucial elements of cloud computing reside within the areas of the technology stack knows as PaaS.

In addition to being recognized as another form or layer of technology existing within the big picture infrastructure of cloud computing, PaaS is also a particular type of service that a provider can offer. So, Platform as a Service can be seen as both a set of technical components as well as a cloud computing offering in and of itself; this makes it very unique (along with SaaS and IaaS).

What are some of the specific components of PaaS?

Here is a short list of examples of the types of components that fall under the heading of PaaS:

• Database Management Systems - A database is only as good as the system that is used to manage it. In cloud computing, a database management system will often act as a courier between the upper / middle tiers of a technology stack and the hardware elements. Often times DBMS's will include comprehensive security protocols or deploy (their own) bots for maintenance and organization roles.
• Application Servers - In most cloud networking setups entire servers or hardware elements might be reserved for sole use of applications. The theory here is that if all activities on a particular system are the same, then it can be better optimized and create less errors as well.
• Business Process Management Suites - what are business process management suites? They are complex sets of tasks / applications that are compiled together in one format, analyzed and then used to formulate or provide fuel for additional application intensive processes. Businesses often use these to automate many of their internal processes as it is cheaper than using a human being and is less prone to errors as well.
• Applications / Data integration - As is the case with any other computer networking or processing solution, applications provide the activity and momentum needed to perform tasks and draw interest from users. Applications can be designed to do virtually anything; and in cloud computing, they exist in the middle layer. By the same token, any and all collected data that goes into a cloud computing system must be integrated into it in an economical, organized and efficient manner. The elements that are responsible for this are also located in the middle layer of the tech stack.
• Portals - Simply put, a portal is an access point between a user and cloud resources. Users will actually connect to cloud resources through a channel located in the middleware of the technology stack. The upper / software layer more or less floats on top of this middle layer as well.
• Applications that assist in standard cloud operations - Any other type of application that currently exists or is yet to be created occupies (or will occupy) the middle layer of the cloud computing technology stack.

PaaS as another type of cloud provider offering

Many cloud provider organizations are intent on giving users and/or business oriented clients that option of simply picking up or adding some form of PaaS offering to their current cloud network or traditional setup. Businesses in particular seem to enjoy the benefits of PaaS and often choose to implement it to assist in decision making processes as well as daily operations. Communication through a PaaS offering is a popular choice, it might even allow an organization to subvert their customer service department or establish a more efficient form of inter-office communication. Additionally, there are tons of individual applications that might be pertinent to specific business industries and used / deployed on an individual basis (or perhaps as part of a larger package of service options).

Looking at the future of PaaS

It could be said that the most successful companies that are or will be offering dedicated PaaS products, components and systems will be the ones that ultimately determine its future and direction. But if past trends are any indication, PaaS will likely continue to grow, incorporating every new application oriented concept that emerges.

A potential problem to overcome is the cost or affordability of PaaS offerings. The ongoing high cost of researching and developing PaaS components often leads a company to unexpectedly change the prices of their offerings. Consumers don't particularly like unstable pricing markets, so this is a problem. It is foreseeable that the prices will stabilize however, especially once more standardized sets of cloud computing components have been officially explored and appointed.

Many individuals today are solely focused on the sub components of PaaS and are apt to unintentionally avoid looking at the whole of PaaS as a single entity. This makes sense because it is impossible to truly define what comprises or completes a larger system without, both exploring all options for an intended system, and establishing the most proper / efficient way(s) to utilize them.