Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Platform as a Service

Platform as a Service (PaaS), is one of the three tripods of cloud computing, together with Software as a Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). To fully appreciate the potential and value that PaaS can bring to the table, let’s consider one real live application of this technology, software development.

Conventional web-based software or application development is governed by these criterias:

i. Manpower for core application development in a J2EE environment (for assembling and layering APIs, protocols and applets algorithm)

ii. Manpower for end user interaction (JavaScript/Toolkit/Ajax; User interface and cross -browser dynamism)

iii. Manpower for hosting logistics (Computers, server, storage, database, support software and secondary services)

iv. Initial capital outlay (On top of ongoing operational cost)

v. Incubation Period (Turnaround time for project maturity)

This contemporary approach is significantly limiting, as the sheer amount of investment and turnaround time required will preclude the participation of smaller organizations, leaving the field of Research and Development exclusively in the domain of large corporations or well-funded academic institutions. The Jobs/Wozniak or Gates/Allen success story will never be emulated again. In addition, the inherent risk of objective shortfalls in the new application or even complete delivery failure compels investors to leverage their investment into low risk and safe endeavors.

Enter the PaaS.

At its very core, PaaS provides the platform for developers to collaborate, develop and manage applications without the need for any hardware, software and support services investments. In addition, theoretical unlimited scalability is also offered.

Firms are now able to fully commit their resources towards R&D, instead of being burdened by infrastructural investment and burgeoning operational expenses. More importantly though, innovation no longer need not be curtailed by the lack of funding as the pay-as-you-use utility model of the PaaS poses no notable economic barriers.

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