3. 3
Types of Cloud Services
The "cloud computing" refers to the method of accessing
resources, software, and databases through the Internet and
without regard to limitations imposed by local hardware.
Employing this technology allows businesses to scale their
operations with greater flexibility by transferring the majority or
a portion of the administration of their infrastructure to external
hosting companies.
Cloud computing operates in three environments:
Public Cloud – These are hosted by CSPs and include
services like Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), Platform as a
service (PaaS) and Software as a service (SaaS).
Private Cloud – These are hosted by or for a specific
company.
Hybrid Cloud – This includes a combination of both private
and public cloud.
4. 4
Most cloud service providers try to build secure clouds for their
clients. The success of their business strategy depends on their
ability to stop breaches and preserve public and client
confidence.
Although, they can make an effort to prevent cloud security
vulnerabilities with the services they offer, but they have no
control over how customers use those services, what data they
add to them, or who has access to it. With their configurations,
sensitive data, and access restrictions, customers can weaken
cloud security.
To deal with such situations, CSPs provides cloud computing
services that are most often used and widely embraced, it
includes:
Infrastructure–as–a-service (IaaS)
Platform-as-a-service (PaaS)
Software-as-a-service (SaaS)
5. 5
SaaS
A cloud provider hosts applications and makes them online
accessible to customers as part of the software as a service
(SaaS) distribution model. In this model, a third-party cloud
provider may be hired by an independent software vendor (ISV)
to host the application. Or, with bigger businesses like
Microsoft, the software seller may also double as the cloud
provider.
SaaS, along with platform as a service and infrastructure as a
service (IaaS), is one of the three basic types of cloud computing
(PaaS). SaaS apps are used by a variety of IT specialists,
corporate users, and private consumers. Products range from
high-tech IT equipment to personal entertainment options like
Netflix. SaaS solutions are commonly promoted to both B2B and
B2C consumers, unlike IaaS and PaaS.
In a recent McKinsey & Company analysis, experts for the
technology sector forecast that the market for software as a
service will continue to expand and approach $200 billion by
2024.
6. 6
How SaaS Works?
SaaS requires the cloud delivery model to operate. The
application and accompanying data will either be hosted by a
software provider utilizing its own servers, databases,
networking, and computing resources, or it may be an ISV that
hires a cloud provider to host the application in the provider's
data centre. Any device with a network connection can use the
application. Usually, SaaS apps are accessed using web
browsers.
Because of this, businesses that use SaaS apps are not required
to set up and maintain the software. Users may access the
programme by just paying a membership charge, which is an
already-made solution.
SaaS is closely connected to the on-demand computing and
application service provider (ASP) software delivery models,
where the provider hosts the client's software and sends it via
the internet to authorized end users.
Using application programming interfaces (APIs), businesses
may combine SaaS apps with other software. For example, a
business can write its own software tools and use the SaaS
provider's APIs to integrate those tools with the SaaS offering.
7. 7
SaaS Architecture -
SaaS services and applications often employ a multi-tenant
architecture, which means only one instance of the SaaS
application will be operating on the host servers and will be
used to support each subscriber or cloud tenant. All users, or
tenants, of the application will use the same version and
settings. The data from various subscribers will still be kept
separate even if they will share the same cloud instance and
platform with other users.
The standard multi-tenant design of SaaS applications allows the
cloud service provider to manage upgrades, bug fixes, and
maintenance more quickly, simply, and effectively. Engineers
can manage the one, shared instance and make the necessary
modifications for all clients without having to apply changes in
many instances.
Additionally, multi-tenancy makes a bigger pool of resources
accessible to more users while maintaining key cloud features
like security, speed, and privacy.
9. 9
SaaS Advantages-
SaaS eliminates the requirement for businesses to install and
run apps on their own computers or in their own data centres.
This removes the cost of purchasing, procuring, and maintaining
hardware as well as purchasing, installing, and supporting
software. Additional advantages of the SaaS model include:
Flexible Payments
Customers subscribe to a SaaS solution rather than buying
software to install or additional infrastructure to support it.
Many firms may practice better and more reliable budgeting by
converting costs to recurrent operational expenses. SaaS users
can also quit using the service at any moment to stop the
recurring fees.
Scalable usage
High vertical scalability is a characteristic of cloud services like
SaaS that offers users the flexibility to acquire more or fewer
services or features as needed.
10. 10
Automatic Updates
Customers may rely on a SaaS provider to automatically handle
upgrades and patch management rather than buying new
software. This lessens the workload for internal IT employees
even further.
Accessibility and Persistence
Users may access SaaS apps from any internet-enabled device
and location since SaaS companies distribute their products via
the internet.
Customization
SaaS apps, particularly those from the same software supplier,
are frequently customizable and may be connected with other
corporate systems.
11. 11
SaaS Disadvantages-
SaaS also presents certain potential risks and complications
since companies must rely on outside providers to deliver the
software, maintain it, manage and report proper billing, and
offer a safe environment for the company's data.
Issues beyond customer control
Issues may develop when service interruptions, unwelcome
modifications to service offerings, or security breaches are
experienced by the providers; any of these situations may
severely hinder consumers' ability to use the SaaS product.
Customers should be aware of and make sure that their SaaS
provider's SLA is being followed in order to prevent these
problems from occurring.
Customers lose control over versioning
Regardless of whether a consumer wants the latest version or
not, if a provider adopts a new version of an application, it will
roll out to all of its customers. The company might need to
devote more time and money to training as a result.
12. 12
Difficulty switching vendors
Switching suppliers may be challenging, as it is with utilizing any
cloud service provider. To switch vendors, consumers must
migrate quite significant volumes of data. The usage of
proprietary technologies and data formats by some suppliers
can also make it more difficult to move consumer data between
multiple cloud providers. When a consumer finds it difficult to
switch service providers as a result of these circumstances,
vendor lock-in occurs.
Security
SaaS applications are frequently described as experiencing a
significant challenge with cloud security.
13. 13
SaaS privacy and security
Compared to traditional software, software as a service entails
different cybersecurity vulnerabilities. With conventional
software, the user is accountable for ensuring that the product
is operated on a secure infrastructure and network while the
software provider is accountable for removing code-based
vulnerabilities. As a result, the independent software
manufacturer and third-party cloud provider are more
accountable for security.
Despite the quick acceptance of cloud-based models for fully
serviced software goods, enterprises continue to have certain
privacy and security concerns with SaaS offerings. These issues
include:
Encryption and key management
Identity and access management (IAM)
Security monitoring
Inadequate integration into more extensive, company-
specific security environments
Satisfaction of data residency requirements
Data privacy
Cost of investing in third-party tools to offset the SaaS
security risk, and
Lack of communication with technical and security experts
during the sales process.
14. 14
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