Corporations of all sizes and markets are obsessed with Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms. By making software services more accessible, these powerful technologies are in the hands of more users than ever.
The next step is logically Application Platform as a Service. APaaS has been described by industry professionals as the “distant cousin” of SaaS, as it allows organizations to build their own SaaS apps to fit their own needs.
If you work in IT or any technical position, you owe it to yourself to become acquainted with these “as a Service” monikers, whether it’s SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS.
For today, let’s focus on APaaS, what it can offer, and how it relates to these other concepts.
What Is APaaS?
The global market shows us that the value of APaaS has risen significantly year-over-year as far back as 2017 at least. High-profile enterprises like Amazon, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft, Google, and IBM are all involved in this trend.
Application Platform-as-a-Service (APaaS) is a cloud-based platform that gives companies access to the required software and infrastructure they need to develop and deploy applications. APaaS solutions quicken development time by removing the need to build the backend infrastructure and core software layer from scratch.
Like other -aaS offerings such as SaaS and UCaaS, APaaS is a subscription-based cloud service that gives companies advanced capabilities. As a result, organizations that use an APaaS solution will reduce development costs by saving time and requiring fewer developers to bring the application to life.
Even applications that seem simple on the surface need a robust backend infrastructure to keep them in operation. Furthermore, as the app gains more users, the backend infrastructure must grow to keep the app stable and usable.
APaaS provide the backend and often include a core software layer that developers can build upon rather than starting from scratch. Additionally, some APaaS solutions include specific development tools that create low-code development environments.
What makes APaaS such a powerful concept? Application Platform as a Service modernizes the process of app development for businesses of all sizes and capabilities. The “platform” mentioned here can refer to anything from integration software to business process management.
An APaaS platform provides you a developmental environment hosted in the cloud that helps you build and manage business applications efficiently. It’s essentially a virtual space for the rapid deployment of personalized corporate apps.
APaaS vs. PaaS: What’s the difference?
PaaS and PaaS are often used interchangeably, but they are different. Platform-as-a-Service solutions are more generalized, while APaaS solutions are specifically focused on applications.
PaaS is any integrated stack, solution, or service delivered over the Internet that can provide a database, middleware, operating system, or even an application. APaaS can be considered a subcategory of PaaS that specifies the service is custom-made for applications rather than a diverse variety of possible platforms.
“App development in both small and large businesses can be complicated, expensive, and time-consuming. APaaS addresses these pain points through superior scalability, low-code solutions, and cloud-based delivery.”
What Are the Benefits of APaaS?
Why has APaaS proven to be such a prevalent trend in enterprise workflows? The benefits of this type of platform are clear.
- Low-code solutions: It’s time to bring the technical skill of programming down to earth. Under APaaS, even those without programming experience (known often as “citizen developers”) can still create excellent programs.
- Shorter development times: Even seasoned programmers can benefit from APaaS since it helps minimize repetitive tasks and makes room for more creative development. Templates are often available so that the underlying infrastructure of a new app is already ready to go. There’s no need to waste time starting from scratch this way.
- Scalable work: The pressure to create powerful software under a certain budget is always looming overhead, so why not scale your resources depending on the circumstances of the project?
- Faster time-to-live: Not having to write the entire app from scratch accelerates the deployment time of new business applications, allowing the developers to focus on more important aspects of the job.
- Cloud-based offerings: APaaS often refers to services hosted in the cloud. Having to create new apps on the premises can be a costly endeavor. Instead, you can opt for a subscription service at a regular rate, which simplifies budgeting and gives you more accurate cost estimates.
- Enabling mobile apps: Creating mobile applications is becoming more commonplace as smartphones and the Internet of Things trend continue to rise. Adapting apps to a variety of different devices is much easier through APaaS.
Application Platform as a Service overall makes your company more agile, in turn raising productivity and revenue rates in today’s competitive corporate environment.
How Does APaaS Compare To Other “As a Service” Platforms?
The many “XaaS” terms out there can be daunting, so let’s clear up some confusion. “As a service” includes the following:
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) refers to any type of platform service, from basic app development to entire operating systems. It’s essentially an umbrella term that encompasses any service that can be used for the creation of business applications over the Internet. Microsoft Azure is a popular example.
- Application Platform as a Service (APaaS) is a subcategory of PaaS. It exclusively involves the cloud services that help create applications. Cloud Softphone and Salesforce are two examples of APaaS.
- Software as a Service (SaaS) is any instance of a software experience delivered remotely from a third-party provider rather than running on a local machine. This setup allows for seamless updates and reduced hardware requirements for running the software. License fees are also a non-issue here. Netflix is a famous example of SaaS.
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is the cloud-based offering of server technology and other infrastructure. Offloading the cost and complexity of running physical servers saves the client business time and money. Amazon Web Services is an instance of IaaS.
Looking for more information about the different “as a service” options? Learn the differences between UCaaS, CCaaS, and more here.
“APaaS includes all the benefits of SaaS since the service is deployed by a third-party provider off the premises. It also includes the advantages of IaaS as well since it involves cloud-based infrastructure.”
What’s the Role of APaaS in Communications?
Do not overlook the potential role of Application Platform as a Service in business-grade communication. Creating your own collaboration platform is complex, difficult, and expensive. And there’s little room for error; dropped calls result in frustration among employees, partners, and customers.
Since providing flawless experiences is important, don’t try to handle communication apps yourself. Work with an APaaS provider to build yourself an industry-grade software platform for collaboration. From the voice chat to the video conferencing, you have to make sure everything works 100% perfectly.
Looking for the Best Communications APaaS? Try Cloud Softphone
Don’t settle for anything less than the most trusted name in the industry: Cloud Softphone is a reliable Application Platform as a Service for your organization to build its own communication software.
Because you want to make all interactions with business partners, employees, and clients clean and smooth, use the powerful benefits of APaaS by adopting a white-label softphone today. Configure the features to your needs and test the environment in real-time, whether you’re communicating over desktop workstations or mobile devices.
Are you interested in seeing how easy it is to build a UCaaS app with Cloud Softphone? Book your demo today to get started.
