Categorizing and Comparing IPaaS, APaaS and SaaS

7 min read Dec 20, 2019

You must have heard about the terms IPaaS, APaaS, and SaaS in your business and may be wondering what they are all about and what their applications in industries are. If yes, then this piece of information is definitely curated for you guys! Have a read on…

The Real Talk

Did you ever heard about the integrations and wondered how is it taking the software industry (as a whole) by the storm? Well, if your answer to this question is NO, you would indeed be amazed to know about it!!!

Presently, every business (irrespective of its industry) wants their data to be able to flow effectively among different applications & different software. Obviously, there’s no doubt in that as well! Since integrations can significantly help your business to acquire a real competitive edge and increase effectively; it gets vital to streamline the operations. Thanks to the Internet, businesses can now deploy the developments and can distribute them remotely.

But, do you know what; in order to reap the maximum number of benefits, businesses would actually need to stay away from installing integrations which stands alone. As a matter of fact, this signifies integrations you are considering ought to be intelligent. Well, the significant and principal integration types these days are iPaaS, aPaaS, and SaaS.  The improved user experience and enhanced effectiveness is the central reason why most of the businesses out there are considering incorporating these integrations in their businesses.

In this write-up, I am tending to provide you all with the quick guide regarding the incorporation of principal integration type’s iPaaS, aPaaS providers, and SaaS, along with the key differences and advantages of employing them that you ought to know!

“As-A-Service” Offerings For Businesses

In order to perform different business processes, today, there are lots of “as a service” offerings available. With new services being announced on a day-to-day basis in various businesses, humans see Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), Backend as a Service (BaaS) and so on.

Well, these acronyms can be somewhat confusing for people to get, so I will be breaking down the difference among iPaaS, aPaaS and SaaS so that you can easily find out the solution that is right for you and your business.

The Real Difference Between IPaaS, APaaS, And SaaS

Now, when your business has finally made a final decision to opt for cloud services for your infrastructure deployment and application, it gets essential for you to understand the fundamental difference between these three categories of cloud services.

To be pretty honest, the cloud is such a broad concept, which nearly covers every possible online service within it. However, whenever companies refer to cloud procurement services, then usually there come three different cloud service models. And under these considerations, there comes Integration Platform as a Service (IPaaS), Application Platform as a Service (APaaS) And Software as a Service (SaaS).

Each of these has its individual ins and outs, but with this post today, I would like to help you build a practical understanding of the principle difference among these IPaaS, APaaS, And SaaS Development.

IPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service)

What is iPaaS? IPaaS solutions are primarily a suite of cloud services that stimulate data integration flows between the endpoints, which are likely to be executed, governed, and developed. These endpoints can be either the combination of cloud-based processes, applications, services, or data within single or multiple administrations. Well, the best part about these endpoints is that – they are all connected with one another in one single platform.What is iPaaSIPaaS solutions are primarily a suite of cloud services that stimulate integration flows between the endpoints, which are likely to be executed, governed, and developed. These endpoints can be either the combination of cloud-based processes, applications, services, or data within single or multiple administrations. Well, the best part about these endpoints is that – they are all connected with one another in one single platform.

Now, if you been confused about the term Endpoints, then let me clear you up with it! Here, endpoints are elements that send and receive messages from or to the external points. Nevertheless, in the IPaaS area, you would find the word connectors more instead of these endpoints. The reason behind it is – these are primary platform-specific endpoints acquired through vendors.

In brief words, we can address IPaaS as a platform solution where you can manage and develop connected application integration in one place, which is often aided by EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) applications.

Why To Use IPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service)

IPaaS increases the efficiency of your business by streamlining the data integration tools between various systems. With this, it brings the business’s needs altogether in an individual cloud-based tool-set, thereby creating a seamless integration of the systems. More so, with it, users can seamlessly move data from one database to another database without any trouble as it does not discriminate among various systems. 

IPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) Attributes –

  • Cloud-specific functions 
  • Management Of integrations
  • Capable of integrating new & legacy applications
  • Scalability

APaaS (Application Platform as a Service)

This Application Platform as a Service is one of the self-contained cloud environment that will let your business to do the deployment, management, and maintenance of your business applications effectively. With this, you will be provided with a diverse foundation & tools to deploy and develop various business applications quickly. In such a case, the vendor is going to provide you with the infrastructure like data storage, servers, and networking, which would be of great help.

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In brief words, we can describe it as a service solution that will streamline business application deployment processes. With this, you will also get the facility of automation so that you can deploy & develop the business application process in a short span of time. 

This way, your business will be able to do the quick app development & delivery process for your clients. In fact, this Application Platform as a Service (APaaS) is going to offer your business with high control and high productivity. It makes the coding process for numerous platforms as a service slow down the delivery of business applications and makes automation take place by making you build these applications in a faster way.

Why To Use APaaS (Application Platform as a Service)

With the Application Platform as a Service (APaaS), your business can quickly deploy business applications and make the complete development process a breeze with its handy components. Well, a maximum number of service providers, streamlines the business application development process, though they do not consider the slow nature of designing apps. So, for such a situation, APaaS can be the ideal way out that can help your team to find out the right & effective solutions to problems that you may face in the business application development process.

APaaS (Application Platform as a Service) Attributes – 

  • Scalability, load balancing, and failover
  • Web-based user interface
  • Multi-tenant architecture
  • Services to develop, test, deploy, host, and maintain applications

SaaS (Software as a Service)

Well, this SaaS (Software as a Service) is one of the most common cloud deployment models which are employed by numerous businesses. Primarily, it refers to business applications delivered on the internet, which is usually managed by some third party. In this case, a user will not be required to worry about downloading, updating, or hosting of any software distribution models though some will require plugins. This is primarily because Software as a Service apps are going to work and accessed through a Web browser, eradicating the requirement of installing software ecosystem on a user’s system. 

However, earlier, SaaS providers like Salesforce have started to charge some monthly subscription charges in order to utilize the service, thereby making different businesses to acquire the software at a cost-effective price at a more expectable expense.

What’s more, maximum companies nowadays use SaaS business applications, and most of these applications are purchased after paying some annual or monthly charges. But now, the SaaS model has made everything extremely simple for businesses to deploy these business apps and given a new boom to the modern cloud integration platform revolution arena.

Why To Use SaaS (Software as a Service)

The cost-cutting nature of SaaS makes it one of the widely renowned choices. In addition to this, SaaS makes lofty inherent expenditures of maintenance, upgrades, and installations a no more concern as it would not require you to scramble your wallet every single time. 

SaaS (Software as a Service) can be the most ideal solution to go-with for a business that does not wish to delve into the difficulties of maintaining, deploying, and creating business applications on it. In conjunction, SaaS employment is going to save your business with lots of resources, as integrating and getting it is only going to require internet device from your end.

SaaS (Software as a Service) Attributes – 

  • Customization and configuration 
  • Accelerated feature delivery
  • Open integration protocols
  • Collaborative and social functionality

Common Examples Of IPaaS, APaaS, And SaaS

Platform Type     Examples / Applications
IPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) MuleSoft Anypoint Platform, Zapier, Segment, Jitterbit, IBM App Connect, Dell Boomi, Celigo Integrator.io.
APaaS (Application Platform as a Service) Mendix, Salesforce, OutSystems
SaaS (Software as a Service) Dropbox, Concur, Google Apps, Cisco WebEx, GoToMeeting, Salesforce

A Quick Recap

What are the differences between IPaaS, APaaS, and SaaS?

  • IPaaS is a multi-tenant platform that promotes B2B and cloud-to-cloud integration functions. It supports real-time integration platform & scales to adhere to the high-volume requirements of electronic data interchange (EDI) environments.

  • APaaS, as a service, refers to a cloud environment for deploying, designing, and maintaining custom business apps. This single platform enables agility, collaboration, and maintenance in the application lifecycle.

  • SaaS provides out-of-the-box and ready-to-use solutions to meet particular company needs. Maximum advanced SaaS platforms are built on PaaS and IaaS platforms.

You might decide to begin with any one of these cloud computing service models or discover a requirement for all three (IPaaS, APaaS, and SaaS): that entirely rely on the extent and complexity of your enterprise.

Summing It Up

To sum it up, I can say that IPaas, APaaS, and SaaS apps must be chosen on the basis of the company’s requirements and desires. You need to consider all the company aspects at first and then pick the integration type, which will best suit your company in the upcoming time. In order to know more about using these IPaas, APaaS solutions, and SaaS that helps sync all the data in between your current business systems, consider contacting with some right vendor for the help!!

If you are on the lookout for a professional and competent cloud integration partner, feel free to reach us today at - +1 510 509 7549 or info@seasiainfotech.com.

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Ganesh Verma

Ganesh Verma is an avid IT enthusiast with around 19 years of experience. Currently associated with Seasia Infotech, a CMMI level 5 organization he has demonstrated his techno managerial capabilities in orchestrating strategic goals and objectives of the organization and guidance to the project teams to deliver the same. He has been instrumental in building credibility, establishing rapport, and communication with stakeholders at multiple levels to maintain profitable business relationships with existing customers.