Business is shaped by cloud technology, from enabling remote work to hosting the websites, applications and databases we rely on every day.

 

Let’s take a look at the infrastructure, platforms and software that the cloud can provide.

 

Cloud infrastructure provides the foundation of a digital environment by handling the servers, storage and network requirements. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) allows these components to be scaled with demand, enabling flexible and cost-effective resource management. IaaS also removes the need for businesses to maintain and upgrade their own IT infrastructure, which makes for more stable, reliable and secure systems.

 

Platform as a service (PaaS) includes not only the infrastructure, but also the development tools and operating systems to enable developers to build applications. PaaS providers remove the need for developers to manage backend systems and databases, and instead allow them to focus on building software.

 

Software as a service (SaaS) provides applications for end users to use. SaaS solutions can range from email and document management applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Word, to customer relationship management (CRM) tools such as Salesforce. SaaS is often licensed on a subscription basis, where users pay on-demand and can access applications conveniently, without worrying about other hardware or software installation.

 

Many of the biggest cloud providers in Australia offer IaaS, PaaS and SaaS solutions for their customers. Here’s a look at where some of the most popular companies fit in today’s cloud landscape.