XaaS (Everything as a Service)

Everything as a Service aka XaaS is a term for services and applications that users can access on the Internet upon request. The Everything as a Service definition may seem unclear at first sight, but actually, it is not difficult to understand. XaaS encompasses any computing service that is delivered via the internet and paid for in a flexible consumption model rather than as an upfront purchase or license.

The XaaS Model
XaaS is a conceptual model consisting of all possible services and products that can be provided over networks. At the moment, there is no full implementation of this model. Pushing for XaaS is an ideal benchmark and one of the main strategies for leading global cloud companies such as Microsoft and Google. Below are some practical -aaS cases (apart from SaaS, PaaS and IaaS) that are gaining popularity.

source: Sam Solutions

• Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS): Managed service providers (MSP) own some hardware and install it on customers’ sites on demand. Customers utilize the hardware in accordance with service level agreements. This pay-as-you-go model is similar to leasing and can be compared to IaaS when computing resources are located at MSP’s site and provided to users as virtual equivalents of physical hardware. The Haas model is especially cost-effective for small or mid-sized businesses.
• Communication-as-a-Service (CaaS): This model includes different communication solutions such as VoIP (voice over IP or Internet telephony), IM (instant messaging), video conference applications that are hosted in the vendor’s cloud. A company can selectively deploy communication apps that best suit their current needs for a certain period and pay for this usage period only. Such an approach is cost-effective and reduces expenses for short-time communication needs.
• Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS): Desktops are delivered as virtual services along with the apps needed for use. Thus, a client can work on a personal computer, using the computing capacities of third-party servers (which can be much more powerful than those of a PC). A DaaS provider is typically responsible for storing, securing and backing up user data, as well as delivering upgrades for all the supported desktop apps.
• Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS): This is the model of outsourced security management. A provider integrates their security services into your company’s infrastructure and, as a rule, delivers them over the Internet. Such services may include anti-virus software, encryption, authentication, intrusion detection solutions and more.
• Healthcare-as-a-Service (HaaS): With electronic medical records (EMR) and hospital information systems (HIS), the healthcare industry is transforming into Healthcare-as-a-Service. Medical treatment is becoming more data-driven and patient-centric. HaaS creates opportunities for almost all categories of citizens to get qualified medical help. Thanks to the IoT, wearables and other emerging technologies, the following services are available:
  • Online consultations with doctors
  • Health monitoring 24/7
  • Medicine delivery at your doorstep
  • Lab samples collection even at home and delivery of results as soon as they are ready
  • Access to your medical records 24/7
• Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS): Important trends of modern society are mobility and freedom of transportation at different distances. There are numerous apps popping up connected with transport, so a part of this industry is transforming into an -aaS model. TaaS model is not only convenient but also ecologically friendly. The most vivid examples are:
  • Carsharing (you can rent a car at any place via a special app and drive anywhere you need, paying for the time you use a car, or for the distance you cover)
  • Uber taxi services (you order a taxi via an app, which calculates the cost of the rout in advance). Uber is planning to test flying taxis and self-driving planes in the near future.