# Types of Cloud Services

#### SaaS <a href="#saas" id="saas"></a>

Software as a Service

Cloud-based service providers offer end-user applications. Google Apps, DropBox, Slack, etc.

* Web access to Software (primarily commercial).
* Software is managed from a central location.
* Delivery 1 - many models.
* No patches, No upgrades

When not to use

* Hardware integration is needed. (Price Scanner)
* Faster processing is required.
* Cannot host data outside the premise.

#### PaaS <a href="#paas" id="paas"></a>

Platform as a Service

Software tools are available over the internet. AWS RDS, Heroku, Salesforce

* Scalable
* Built on Virtualization Technology
* No User needed to maintain software. (DB upgrades, patches by cloud team)

When not to use PaaS

* Propriety tools don't allow moving to diff providers. (AWS-specific tools)
* Using new software that is not part of the PaaS toolset.

#### IaaS <a href="#iaas" id="iaas"></a>

Infrastructure as a Service

Cloud-based hardware services. Pay-as-you-go services for Storage, Networking, and Servers.

Amazon EC2, Google Compute Engine, S3.

* Highly flexible and scalable.
* Accessible by more than one user.
* Cost-effective (if used right).

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/rtXPLjVTxuTGIysjCx89/blobs/yDsmgK3Hi5NIZQLa2HB5/02_saas-vs-paas-vs-iaas-breakdown.jpg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### FaaS - Serverless computing <a href="#serverless-computing" id="serverless-computing"></a>

Function as a Service.

Focuses on building apps without spending time managing servers/infrastructure.

It features automatic scaling, built-in high availability, and pay-per-use.

Use of resources when a specific function or event occurs.

Cloud providers handle the deployment and capacity of servers and manage them.

**Example**: Azure Functions, AWS Lambda, AWS Step Functions.

### Easy way to remember SaaS, PaaS, IaaS

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/rtXPLjVTxuTGIysjCx89/blobs/uLaQEgY0vhsWlrRDDWLU/02_saas-vs-paas-vs-iaas-Pizza-example.jpg" alt=""><figcaption><p>bigcommerce.com</p></figcaption></figure>