Cloud Computing - Services & Offerings

Cloud Computing offers 3 basic services –

1. Software as a Service (S-a-a-S)
2. Platform as a Service (P-a-a-S)
3. Infrastructure as a Service (I-a-a-S)

You will see this in every single article related to Cloud Computing; but let me tell you, Cloud Computing is not at all limited to the above three service offerings.

Initially when Cloud Computing was on its infant stage, most of the organizations and thinkers defined Cloud Computing offerings as 3 basic services just to ease of understanding, but now when we are very familiar with Cloud Computing and its offerings, stating the above 3 would not be a justice with Cloud Computing.

Now question is, what all are the service offerings of Cloud Computing?

And answer is “Infinite”; because you cannot limit one’s imagination and innovations!

Actually, the phrase “as-a-Service” is absolutely common and open to all. Whatever you can think of as an offering, think and add as-a-Service to it!

See, while writing this, I got one "Think-as-a-Service" :)

But, still to give you a somewhat image, here are the current service offerings of Cloud Computing, but once again, it is not at all limited to following as well –

1. A-as-a-S (Authentication-as-a-Service)
2. B-as-a-S (Backup-as-a-Service)
3. C-as-a-S (Code-as-a-Service)
4. D-as-a-S (Desktop / Database-as-a-Service)
5. E-as-a-S (E-mail-as-a-Service)
6. H-as-a-S (Hardware-as-a-Service)
7. I-as-a-S & IT-a-a-S (IT as a Service)
8. K-as-a-S (Knowledge-as-a-Service)
9. N-as-a-A (Network-as-a-Service)
10. P-as-a-S (Platform-as-a-Service)
11. S-as-a-S (Storage / Software-as-a-Service)
12. T-as-a-S (Testing as a Service)

… Remember, still you have a lot of alphabets remaining from A-to-Z!

In above 12 different service offerings, most of them can be combined into the top 3 basic offerings. Let’s see how –

• Services which are related to software / applications can be a part of S-a-a-S.
• IT infrastructure related services could be included in I-a-a-S.
• Finally, those services, which are available for any kind of architecture or platform, could be defined within P-a-a-S.

For them who only go by formal definitions, including here –

.

S-a-a-S (Software as a Service)

                        The cloud provides software applications running on cloud infrastructure.
P-a-a-S (Platform as a Service)

The cloud provides infrastructure, typically virtual machines, which can be loaded with the consumer created or acquired applications.

I-a-a-S (Infrastructure as a Service)

The cloud provides an infrastructure including (virtual) platforms, networking, etc. on which applications can be deployed and run including operating systems.

Cloud Computing – Definition / Explanation

What is Cloud?

It’s a ‘Basket’ full of computing resources like networks, servers, storage, applications and services. It’s open to add anything whatever you can think of, but should be accessed via network.

What is Cloud Computing?

A way which provides a convenient access to the ‘The Basket’, whenever required, with no or minimal efforts, in a cost effective way.

So, if I say, I am enjoying a ride of BMW without owning or hiring it would you believe that?

Yes, you have to! Because I am playing a game, online!

Coming back to the IT, if an organization is using millions of application and zillions of storage severs to run its day to day business but this organization doesn’t even have a network team, storage team, maintenance or back-up & recovery team that means either I am lying to you or this organization has some super miraculous power. Actually, none of them are correct! This organization is using Cloud Computing!

Let's give few thoughts here, using network to access computing resources which are gathered in one basket by putting very less amount of efforts and money; which is very similar to enjoying a ride of BMW without owning it;  is Cloud Computing!

So, no IT team means less extra efforts and at the same time less expenditure on resources and this is the basic idea behind the Cloud Computing – Less Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Less Operating Expenditure (OPEX).

Formally, “Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, services and many more) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.”

- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Cloud computing is a metaphor for giving Internet or Intranet users a growing collection of computing resources and associated software architectures to provide application services. The applications include processing and application integration, storage, and communications services. Cloud services are typically available on demand and are charged on a usage basis.

So, we can say “Whatever you’re using, that’s all you’re paying” like electricity!