- Software as a Service – SaaS (Software as a Service). Cloud enables the consumer to use the provider’s applications running on cloud infrastructure. These applications are accessible from various client devices through either a thin client interface such as a web browser (e.g. web e-mail), or the program interface. The consumer does not manage or control the basic cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual functions of the application, with the possible exception of limited specific user setting of application configuration .
- Platform as a Service – PaaS (Platform as a Service). Cloud enables the consumer to deploy self-developed or acquired applications to cloud infrastructure. These applications may have been developed by means of programming languages, libraries, services and tools supported by the provider.The consumer does not manage or control the basic cloud infrastructure (networks, servers, operation systems, storage) but he controls installed applications and configuration for the guest application environment.
- Infrastructure as a Service – IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). Cloud enables the consumer to process and store data, to use networks as well as other basic computing resources and thus enabling him to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control the basic cloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, repository and deployed applications, or has limited control over selected components in the network (e.g. security gates and access points).
Some sources mention even more models of cloud services:
- Network as a Service – Naas
- Desktop as a Service – DaaS
- Management as a Service – Maas
- Business Process as a Service – BPaaS
- Information as a Service – INFaaS
- Everything as a Service – EaaS