In the simplest sense, IaaS is the process of providing the hardware necessary to run an application. By utilizing IaaS solutions, companies eliminate the need to house and maintain expensive data centers. Unlike PaaS, which also manages and administers the operating-system and support software, an IaaS solution requires the customer to manage all software and take responsibility for maintaining system updates. Using an IaaS solution includes the following advantages:
Elimination of an expensive and staff-intensive data center
Ease of hardware scalability
Reduced hardware cost
On-demand pay-as-you-need scalability
Reduction of IT staff
Suitability for ad hoc test environments
Allows complete system administration and management