Cloud computing has grown to become a vital asset to businesses in the 21st century. Providing virtualised solutions to data storage, workload running and so much more, cloud computing is essential to businesses looking to improve availability, scale with the growth of big data, and digitally transform.
This guide to infrastructure as a service (IaaS), a service offered by cloud computing providers to help businesses overcome setbacks and costs of traditional hardware systems, will explore what IaaS is, what benefits it provides and who uses it.
What Is IaaS?
Iaas, also known as hardware as a service (HaaS), is a cloud service that virtualises fundamental computer resources, which are managed and used over the internet. This means servers, storage, networking and operating software are online, reducing a business’ reliance or investment on traditional hardware.
Popular providers of IaaS are Microsoft Azure and AWS.
IaaS comes from the movement of legacy hardware, such as servers, onto virtualised, cloud-based infrastructure. By removing the physical aspect (other than physical data centres that power the computing), these virtualised environments can quickly scale, critical for the growth of big data in the modern day.
See more: How to Prepare Your Business for The Data Era and an Expanding Digital Landscape
Managed by third-party providers, IaaS is a popular service for businesses looking to move to the cloud, reducing costs and management demands of physical hardware. Businesses essentially pay for the cloud services they use, and only that. Instead of having to invest in hardware, maintain systems and manage their own physical servers, businesses can effectively rent this cloud service instead.
If you manage your own business IT infrastructure, here is a helpful guide.
Similar cloud services are software as a service (SaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS), which will be explored below.
Who Uses IaaS?
Many businesses from SMEs to international organisations can benefit from using IaaS to virtualise their fundamental computing needs and ensure their day-to-day processes are fast. Usually users simply access what they need, and the provider manages and upkeeps the service, with users paying as they go, or via subscription, ideal for start-ups or SMEs with less available expenditure or IT expertise.
IaaS is commonly used a steppingstone to more advanced cloud computing. For example, IaaS is very useful for businesses setting up their own internal cloud, who use IaaS as a temporary cloud solution.
As pricing of cloud services can quickly increase with big data growth and system adaptation is limited with IaaS, businesses may opt to only use IaaS as a short-term solution or for non-critical workloads. Where possible, businesses often create their own private cloud for mission critical data and workloads.
Are you an SME looking to move to the cloud? Read this blog first.
What Do Businesses Do Through IaaS?
There are plenty of things to do through IaaS that are useful for business, such as:
- Test and Development – Users can set up cloud environments for test and development, helping to bring applications to market faster.
- Website Hosting – IaaS hosting can be cheaper than traditional website hosting.
- Storage and Recovery – In-house storage management can be expensive and requires specialised skills and knowledge, therefore the provided recovery systems for IaaS can be crucial for businesses in preventing data loss.
- Data Analysis – IaaS provides a huge amount of processing power needed to mine data, meaning valuable patterns and trends can be found in large data sets through AI.
IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS
The main difference between the three main cloud computing services (infrastructure, platform and software) is who has control, i.e. how much does the vendor manage compared to the user?
IaaS
A third-party provider manages and delivers the cloud infrastructure to users, and may even limit aspects beyond fundamental computing resources, such as access to insights. Without the provider, businesses would have to manage their own computing, storage and networking system themselves.
PaaS
Cloud platform as a service (PaaS) builds on IaaS and essentially gives the user more. With PaaS, businesses get the virtualised infrastructure from the provider as well as hosting, operating systems, middleware and other services. Although a business receives simplified deployment, users are still restricted in adapting an environment.
SaaS
SaaS is when the provider hosts, manages and offers everything to the user as an entire end-user application. Instead of installing software, the user simply logs in and uses the application. Despite the provider managing all the service, the users get options to configure and adapt the application to their needs or specific use.
Learn More with PureComms
If you are looking to digitally transform your business, get started with PureComms. We offer a range of network and connectivity services, as well as cloud based VOIP phone systems, to help businesses transition into the new age of technology and telecoms. Whether you need to update your phone system or bolster your internet for performance, we can help!
Get in touch with one of our friendly team today!
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