Platform as a Service" (abbreviated as PaaS) is a software development platform available as a service, where development can be performed either online or offline. In the latter case, the developer, after downloading a portion of the platform, can develop the software within their own infrastructure and then upload it to the public platform through synchronization. PaaS service providers allow the publishing and sale of the software produced within the cloud platform.

Some use case scenarios for the PaaS model include:

• Development Framework: The PaaS model provides a framework on which developers can base to create or customize cloud-based applications. Similar to creating an Excel macro, a PaaS solution enables developers to build applications using integrated software components. Cloud features like scalability, high availability, and multi-tenancy are included, reducing the amount of code developers need to write.

• Analytics or Business Intelligence: Tools provided as a service with a PaaS solution allow organizations to analyze data and perform data mining, uncovering insights, patterns, and making predictions to improve forecasting, product design decisions, return on investment, and other business decisions.

• Additional Services: PaaS solution providers may offer other services that enhance applications, such as workflow management, directory, security, and scheduling.