At Advanced, we are committed to providing the very best to our customers, and we are ready to use the latest technologies to achieve that. We are exploring new possibilities and new ways of working to design a better standard of service. Platform as a Service – or PaaS – is a growing force in the Software as a service industry, and one which we are leveraging to improve our customers’ experience.
What is Platform as a Service (PaaS)?
PaaS isn't just a collection of digital tools. It's a platform that underpins a range of software solutions, supporting users through their work. It provides a unified user interface (UI) and experience (UX) allowing users the familiarity of a single environment across varied tasks.
Platform-based solutions are nothing new. You're probably already very familiar with the Microsoft Office suite. Its apps share a familiar user interface, allowing users to switch between them and keep working, without having to slow down.
This is the concept that underpins Platform as a Service - simplifying and unifying workflows. By working between different applications on a single platform, it makes everything seem easier and simpler. Rather than switching between different solutions in a fragmented workflow, PaaS brings it all together.
Benefits of PaaS
Platform as a Service solutions provide a balance of scalability and flexibility. By working from an existing platform, new applications and workflows can be added seamlessly, allowing the platform's reach to grow. Meanwhile, it's far easier to integrate workflows across different applications, rather than relying on a single pathway.
One of the key concerns for anyone investing in new software solutions is cost-effectiveness. PaaS solutions streamline the buying process, with a single point of sale. By building a range of solutions from a single framework, package deals become more affordable. A connected platform can make PaaS solutions less costly for suppliers, which can be passed on to customers.
As well as being cost-effective at point of sale, PaaS solutions provide greater productivity and efficiency into the future. By working within a single platform, users are afforded a simplified UI and a more straightforward workflow. This allows them to work more effectively, without being held back by the speedbumps of incompatibility between applications.
Simplifying PaaS implementation
Platform as a Service solutions seem like the perfect fit for many organisations, but it's important to recognise why it can still be a difficult choice to make. There are reasons that some people would be wary about taking the leap to invest in a PaaS solution. However, these aren’t barriers to making the most of this software, and there are ways to ensure you get the best possible outcomes.
A PaaS-first workflow necessitates a shift to a cloud-first model. This can be daunting to business leaders who aren't confident in handing responsibility over to a provider, rather than trusting in on-premise solutions. A positive change requires a strong partnership with a trusted managed service provider, who can support the digital transformation process. There are also PaaS solutions, like those offered by Advanced, that support hybrid solutions, making the most of both cloud and on-premise solutions.
It is also important to recognise the concerns about security when working through a cloud-first system. In the past year, we have seen IT professionals become more confident in their security, it remains a top priority for most. New developments in Extended Detection and Response (XDR) and next-generation firewalls (NGFW) are providing greater protection than ever before, with rapid detection and response capabilities. This is something more readily available from a partnership with an established managed service provider.
In summary, PaaS is a technology development that shows great potential. This solution provides a number of benefits to users, including more efficient workflows and greater security through the cloud. While the barriers to adoption make the process initially unattractive, these a merely a slight speedbump on the road to success.
You can learn more about Platform as a Service solutions in our upcoming blogs. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn for all our latest content.
