This document provides an overview of Platform as a Service (PaaS) including definitions, characteristics, advantages, when to use PaaS, and challenges. PaaS provides developers a platform to build, run, and manage applications without having to maintain the infrastructure. It can offer scalability, ease of development and deployment, high availability, and reduced costs. However, challenges may include integration issues, customizing legacy systems, loss of operational control, vendor lock-in, runtime issues, and data security risks.

1. Comprehensive Information
on Platform as a Service

2. Table of Contents
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 The Cloud
 Cloud Service Models
 Platform as a Service (PaaS)
 PaaS Delivery
 PaaS Characteristics
 PaaS Advantages
 When to Use PaaS
 PaaS Challenges
 Integration
 Customization of Legacy Systems
 Operational Limitation
 Vendor Lock-in
 Runtime Issues
 Data Security

3.  A cloud refers to those servers that are accessible over the Internet as well as the databases and
the software that run on such servers. Cloud servers exist in data centers. Companies and users don’t
need to manage physical servers when they use cloud computing. They don’t have to run software
applications either on their machines for cloud computing. Any device connected to the Internet can
be used to access the same files and applications with the aid of cloud computing. The cloud offers
the benefits of enhanced scalability and functionality along with cost savings.
 Cloud technology is used in cloud hosting, which is a type of web hosting service. Web hosting
makes websites accessible over the Internet. This service is provided by website hosting companies
and it can be of different types, such as shared, dedicated, reseller, VPS, cloud, WordPress etc. The
terms “Windows Shared Web Hosting”, “Linux Dedicated Hosting”, “Linux Reseller Hosting” refer to
different types of web hosting services.
3
The Cloud

4. YELLOW
Cloud service models are of three types which are distinctly different from each other. These are capable of
forming a comprehensive cloud service model by interacting with each other. The three types of cloud service models
are mentioned below-
 Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
 Platform as a Service (PaaS)
 Software as a Service (SaaS)
 Platform as a Service (PaaS) will be the focus of the content of the following slides.
Cloud Service Models
4

5. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
 Platform as a service (PaaS) is a category of cloud service models. It provides
the platform to customers for developing, running, and managing applications
without having to deal with the complexity of building as well as maintaining the
infrastructure that is typically needed for developing and launching applications.
 PaaS vendors provide all the necessary development tools, infrastructure and the
operating systems over the Internet that are needed for building an application.
 Examples of PaaS are Windows Azure, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Force.com,
OpenShift, Google App Engine and Heroku.
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6. PaaS Delivery
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PaaS can be delivered in three ways. These are mentioned below.
It can be delivered by a provider as a public cloud service. The consumer controls the deployment of software in it with
minimal configuration options. The networks, servers, database, storage, operating system (OS), middleware and other
relevant services are provided by the provider for hosting the application of the consumer
PaaS can be delivered as a private service behind a firewall
It can be delivered as a software that is deployed on a public infrastructure as a service or the “Top Cloud Hosting
Company”.

7. YELLOW
The main characteristics of PaaS, which define it as a cloud service, are as follows-
 Built on virtualization technology. Hence, resources can be scaled up or down very easily as per business
requirements
 Integrates databases and web services
 Provides many services that aid with the development, testing as well as the deployment of apps
 Many users can access it through the same development application
PaaS Characteristics
7

8. YELLOW
Regardless of the size of an organization, PaaS offers numerous advantages. These are mentioned below.
 It is scalable
 It makes development and deployment of apps easy as well as cost-effective
 It has high availability
 It ensures automation of business policy
 It reduces the need for coding significantly
 Apps can be customized by developers without being bothered about software maintenance
 It makes it easy to migrate to a hybrid model
PaaS Advantages
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9. 9
1-800-123 -8156
Whoa! That’s a big number, aren’t
you proud?

10. YELLOW
 PaaS can be used to streamline workflows in the event that many developers are working on the same project.
If other vendors are included, then the entire process can benefit from the enhanced speed and flexibility that it
provides. It is especially beneficial when there is a need for the creation of customized applications. PaaS can
be used when there is a requirement to reduce costs considerably and do away with the challenges that are
encountered while developing or deploying an app quickly.
When to Use PaaS
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11. PaaS Challenges
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PaaS presents certain challenges with regard to data security, vendor lock-in, integration, runtime
issues, operational limitations and customization of legacy systems. These will be discussed in more
detail in the following slides.

12. Integration
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There is an increase in the complexity with regard to connecting the data of an onsite data center and
an off-premise cloud. Integration with the existing services as well as infrastructure can be challenging
when not all the components of a legacy IT system are built for the cloud.

13. Customization of Legacy Systems
13
Many customizations and changes in configuration might be needed in order to ensure that legacy
systems work perfectly with PaaS service. Such a customization can give rise to a complex IT system.

14. Operational Limitation
14
Cloud operations that are customized and have management automation workflows might not apply to
PaaS solutions. This is because the platform usually limits end users’ operational capabilities. This loss of
operational control might affect the way in which PaaS solutions are provisioned, operated and
managed.

15. Vendor Lock-in
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The requirements and the reasons that result in choosing a specific PaaS solution and/or vendor might
change in the future. If the existing vendor doesn’t have convenient migration policies, opting for some
other PaaS vendor might become challenging and it might impact one’s business.

16. Runtime Issues
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PaaS solutions might not be optimized for frameworks of one’s choice. There might be a lack of
availability with regard to specific framework versions or these might perform optimally with the PaaS
service. It might not be possible for customers to develop custom dependencies with the platform.

17. Data Security
17
Organizations that use PaaS solutions have data in third-party cloud servers that are controlled by the
respective vendors. This can lead to security risks and give rise to concerns.

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