In our recent article, we wrote about what cloud storage is, who uses it and its benefits for consumer and business use. Read the entire article here. Today we want to talk about the different types of cloud storage, why you should care and what the benefits of the different types are. Cloud storage isn’t going away — in fact, it may become even more prevalent.

This article will include many acronyms that we will break down to make the cloud service information clearer.

What Are 10 Different Types of Cloud Storage?

CAAS, this is communications as a service. To put it in simple terms, it’s a cloud-based messaging, telecom and video conferencing service that lets your staff have remote video calls – think Zoom and Skype as well as Facebook and Twitter video chat apps.

DAAS which means desktop as a service. This allows workers to access their main desktop from any device from any location. This is what many company’s implemented when the coronavirus pandemic meant they had to send their employees home in order to keep the business going. With DAAS you can access a Mac, Windows or Linux desktop via the cloud (where your business has stored its information) and the employees’ desktop will look the same no matter where or from what device it’s accessed.

DBAAS, or database as a service hands the reins of the administration of your company’s database to a cloud service provider.

GAAS, is gaming as a service. Google, Microsoft’s Project xCloud and Stadia – to name a few allows a player to launch a game on various devices and access it over the Internet. With the foothold this service is making, console gaming may become obsolete.

HAAS, hardware as a service. HAAS has different nuances than cloud-based solutions in that it lets a business rent its hardware from a provider. The company leases equipment including: printers, computers, phones, tablets and more.

IAAS, infrastructure as a service, provides coverage to networking and servers in the cloud. Your company could put all, or part, of its network in the cloud and this could provide different resources to different users.

IDAAS, or identity as a service, is another cloud-based user management and identity service that provides secure access to virtual and physical resources by offering various layers of security. As an example, IDAAS includes thumbprint reader software and iris detection.

PAAS, is platform as a service, and is a combination of software and hardware development for a company. PAAS gives developers a platform from which to code and test software on different platforms, operating systems and hardware before it’s released.

SAAS or software as a service includes YouTube, Netflix and Gmail, as examples. SAAS provides access to full services that reside in the cloud.

STAAS, storage as a service, is the place into which your company buys cloud-based storage. Dropbox and Google Drive are examples of STAAS. This lets workers access the cloud storage as opposed to in-house storage.

Do you need to worry about any of these acronyms? Maybe. Maybe not. BUT it’s always ideal to be informed and up-to-date on the terms your IT providers and staff may be discussing with you. Being informed means you can make the best decisions for your company and its storage needs.

If you’re unclear on the answers to these questions, DM us or schedule an appointment to talk with our President Seth Melendez. Protect your company’s most valuable asset – its data.

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