This document describes the different types of Platform as a Service (PaaS) models available. PaaS provides a complete software and hardware solution to reduce costs and complexity. Specific types include: aPaaS which offers individual components like databases; iPaaS which supports integration of aPaaS offerings; kPaaS which is a business intelligence platform; uxPaaS which focuses on user interfaces; dPaaS which focuses on data components; and mftPaaS which enables file transfer. The PaaS market is growing rapidly with 50% of new applications expected to be delivered as Software as a Service by 2015.

1. Types of PaaS*
*Platform as a Service

2. The PaaS market is still relatively immature, and there are only a
few providers who have been delivering PaaS solutions.
Gartner estimates that “By 2015, cloud-based solutions will be
growing at a faster rate than on-premises solutions, and 50% of
new application ISVs will be pure SaaS providers.”
This document describes the different PaaS models available.
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3. PaaS (Platform as a Service) is where a complete software
and hardware solution is provided to users, reducing the cost and
complexity of buying and managing the individual components.
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4. aPaaS (application Platform as a Service) is where only a
specific component or subset is offered on a platform.
An example would be a database, messaging, or caching
component.
Therefore, PaaS is a comprehensive application infrastructure
platform as a service.
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5. iPaaS (integration Platform as a Service) supports the
integration of components to link aPaaS offerings together. It
contains functionality to assist development, execution and
management of multiple applications.
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6. kPaaS (knowledge Platform as a Service) is a business
intelligence platform for gathering and analysis of
broad sets of data.
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7. uxPaaS (user experience Platform as a Service) is a form
of aPaaS which specialises in the user interface
components, where the middle and data layers can be separate
[cloud or traditional] systems or platforms.
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8. dPaaS (data Platform as a Service) is a form of aPaaS
which specialises in the data components, offering SOA-style
services to the rest of the [cloud or traditional] system.
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9. mftPaaS (managed file transfer Platform as a Service) is
a cloud service which enables organisations to distribute files
internally and externally.
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10. PaaS relationships
PaaS
aPaaS
uxPaaS
kPaaS mftPaaS
iPaaS
dPaaS
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11. What to look for in a PaaS vendor
 Make sure a pre-integrated set of components is offered on the PaaS offering – not a client led list of
components
 Choose a vendor which already has PaaS solutions in use by real clients in real project situations
 Beware of being “locked in” to a PaaS supplier by ensuring all Intellectual Property can be licensed and used
by a replacement partner
 Ensure the PaaS platform has been tested by an independent security auditing company
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12. Sources
• “PaaS Road Map: A Continent Emerging”, Gartner
• “Gartner Platform as a Service: Definition, Taxonomy and Vendor Landscape, 2011”, Gartner
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13. Copyright Endava
For more information, please visit endava.com
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