As many will have noticed, there has been a clear deviation from physical infrastructure to cloud-based models. This is because cloud platforms allow organizations to sync systems, adapt to business trends, and maintain cohesion. Platform-as-a-Service solutions are a major facet of this increasingly viable corporate strategy.
PaaS is, at its simplest, an all-encompassing product that allows businesses to evolve. It is something that many major cloud providers specialize in, and organizations are finding it to be an increasingly important part of conducting business.
SEE: What Is Private Cloud? (TechRepublic)
What is PaaS?
PaaS generally refers to the entire suite of tools that providers offer for organizations looking to migrate to a cloud business model. Much like hybrid cloud technologies, this allows for greater control over operations and simplifies the cloud system for businesses.
PaaS provides everything a customer needs to transition to a cloud computing approach. Businesses do not need to have their own infrastructure or software on-hand. This practice is common among cloud providers, and platforms like Microsoft Azure, IBM Cloud, and Amazon Web Services all provide PaaS in addition to other services.
SEE: What Is Public Cloud? (TechRepublic)
Benefits of PaaS
There are numerous advantages to utilizing PaaS models. One of the first considerations is often cost, and PaaS is a much cheaper alternative than investing in infrastructure and creating an in-house cloud platform. It also allows for quick and sustainable growth. Some vendors let customers increase or decrease their subscription benefits as needed.
Cloud platforms offered by PaaS providers are also considered secure. Providers typically grant organizations private digital storage and allow companies to restrict access to software tools. Businesses operating with PaaS are able to get work done remotely, from anywhere, without fear of security setbacks. PaaS frequently includes collaborative tools that allow employees to access systems and multitask with different versions of digital software as often as they require.
SEE: What Is Hybrid Cloud? (TechRepublic)
Drawbacks to PaaS
There are some disadvantages to PaaS models. Security, while mentioned above as a benefit, can also be a setback. Though business operations are frequently secure and streamlined, there is always the risk that the PaaS provider might have an internal security issue. Given that all data stems from a cloud archive, a problem could mean a serious breach for customers.
There are also redundancies within a PaaS model. Tools that organizations don’t need, for example, cannot be removed from a platform. This means businesses must relinquish a degree of control in the name of a simpler and more effective system. PaaS providers all operate in slightly different ways. An organization that eventually wants to migrate operations, or use the tools of a different provider, may find that integration becomes incredibly difficult.
SEE: Cloud Storage Management Checklist (TechRepublic Premium)
Features of PaaS
Collaborative workflow
PaaS includes options for collaboration. These tools are more sophisticated than many standard software services. Businesses are able to encourage employees to work simultaneously on multiple versions of a project or edit the platform from anywhere. Collaboration via cloud computing can improve workflow and improve productivity.
Control over permissions and software access
PaaS products allow businesses to grant or restrict access to aspects of the platform with ease. This lets companies decide when, how, and who will be contributing to internal details of the cloud.
Platform customization
Using code, automation, and software tools, organizations are able to customize PaaS systems as they see fit. As noted above, there are parts of the platform that are unchangeable, which can be frustrating. The majority of the time, however, customization is a viable and encouraged option.
Scalability
Just as brands can easily restrict or grant access to software, they can also scale up or down with the same level of ease. This is advantageous during busy seasons, for example, when companies may need more resources than during other months of the year.
Cloud services
Of course, PaaS models include cloud tools. It couldn’t exist without the cloud as they are both linked. Therefore, management, navigation, integration, and other cloud computing tools are available as part of a PaaS structure. In one concentrated platform, businesses are able to access many of the essential tools they require.
SEE: What Is Software as a Service? (TechRepublic)
The bigger picture
Overall, PaaS makes sense for many businesses, especially those that are smaller and have fewer resources than established brands.
For those wishing to read more about cloud computing, TechRepublic explores the topic here.
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This article was originally published in October 2022. It was updated by Antony Peyton in June 2025.
