Cloud Platforms (PaaS)

In the middle layer of the Cloud Pyramid resides the Cloud Platform layer where users gain increased flexibility and control in comparison to the Cloud Application layer, however this is still somewhat restricted as to what a user can or cannot do. Also, this layer presents an increased level of complexity in terms of managing the frameworks therein (e.g., Java or Ruby). Products and companies like Google App Engine, Heroku, Mosso (now the Rackspace CloudSites offering), Engine Yard, Joyent or force.com (SalesForce development platform) fall into this layer.

Characteristics:

• Strengths
  - Great for developers with a particular niche target, upload a tightly configured applications and it simply “runs” within the platform’s framework; more control than a Cloud Application
• Weaknesses
  - Restricted to the platform’s ability only; hard to work “outside the box”; sometimes dependant on Cloud Infrastructure providers

Company examples:

• Google App Engine
• Microsoft Azure
• Force.com (SalesForce)

Examples of Cloud Platforms