19 Nov 2008

PaaS 'potential for firms'

Businesses, as well as software developers, can benefit from platform-as-a-service (PaaS) technology, an expert has argued.

Writing at Information Week, Fredric Paul described his experiences PaaS applications in action.

Initially, he said it was difficult to see how PaaS could benefit anyone else apart from software developers, for which the technology has been originally arranged.

But now software developers can use PaaS to deliver better business applications through the cloud, Mr Paul suggested.

A window-treatment company based in Cleveland was able to provide a "fast and cheap" service after it received the order-entry application it needed, he wrote.

"That simply wouldn't have been possible with a traditional software development model," Mr Paul commented.

A PaaS industry expert added that the technology helps more developers to get ideas into applications for firms, "sooner and cheaper", which leads to an improved choice and higher-quality products.

Meanwhile, firms considering a web host should prioritise factors such as customer service, backup facilities and security management within their search for a vendor, according to a recent GirnarSoft blog.