Developing PaaS Apps

Almost any application that can be built in a traditional application development environment can be built on a platform as a service.


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Choosing a Platform

When choosing a platform, consider how the specific strengths of the underlying technologies support the applications you want to build. If you want to mine huge stores of data, for example, Google might be a good platform choice. If you want to develop and run business applications, however, the Force.com platform is ideal.

 
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Current PaaS Applications

Developers are building the following types of applications on PaaS platforms:


  • Social networking applications
  • Data mining applications for business intelligence
  • Business applications for project management, human resources, and financial services
  • Consumer e-commerce applications that include services involving online financial transactions
  • Industry-specific applications that serve specialized needs
  • Mashups that bring together two or more applications in a way that adds value to the user

Mashups Play to PaaS Strengths

Because PaaS, by definition, leverages Internet technologies, it is well-suited for mashups: a Web application that combines data from more than one source into a single integrated tool. The poster child for mashups is Google Maps, but enterprises increasingly use mashups as well—for example, to let a sales rep see credit reports. Because actual data does not need to be exchanged between applications in a mashup, they may also address regulatory issues around secure data transfer.

PaaS – the Answer for Verticals

Industry-specific segments often struggle with software that just doesn’t fit its needs. Typical issues—fields with the wrong names, unnecessary information, and missing functionality—all lead to user resistance. The best choice: a PaaS platform that lets verticals customize the software to reflect their specific business and user requirements.