Cloud Computing is a service that provides availability of a computer resources interns of storage & compute power without any direct intervention of any storage disk or physical devices. Cloud Computing provides more flexibility and feasibility to the compute & storage resources.
Both Infrastructure and platforms are managed by the cloud providers and are updated continuously for maximum performance and security and also ensure that network-connected hardware required for the application service is updated and properly maintained. One could easily start up with the cloud computing services from any location and could group up the business as per growth. Its a remote based instead of centralized, so that users can scale up the services, if business grows. It also allow multiple users to access a shared program or storage in real time from different location. The Cloud Computing provides more ways to collaborate from different location using mobile devices.
The cloud computing service models are categorized into three types. All IT companies were on on-premises few years back & now you can utilize the cloud platform for nearly all of your systems and processes. These three models explain how could you use the cloud for your business.
Iaas (Infrastructure a As Service): Its a method of delivering compute, storage, networking and other features over the internet. It provides end user to adopt the compute,application & storage without purchasing the license, mange & support the underlying host and services. It provides better time to market ,cost saving & Scalability. Amazon Elastics Compute, Microsoft Windows and Rackspace are few example of this service.
Paas (Platform As a Service): It provides computing platform to develop application which typically includes hardware and software tools over the internet. Amazon Elastic Beanstalk, Windows Azure, Apache Stratos are few example of this service.
Saas (Software As a Service): It also referred as On-demand software service where you don’t have to worry about software installation, setup to run your application. You just have to pay to run your service. Google Apps, Microsoft outlook, Gmail are few example of this service
Summary: With increase in popularity of Iaas, Paas & Saas is reducing the need for on-premise hosting. Each model give user choice, flexibility & other options that on-premises can not provide. You could start with one cloud service model or find a need for all three that depends on the size and complexity of your business.