- [Instructor] X as a service
is a category and style of computing
that provides technology-related services
to individuals and organizations over the Internet,
typically on a subscription basis.
The complexity of the technology is mostly hidden,
and so your business can focus on its core specialized work
and higher-value activities such as innovation.
All you usually require is an Internet-connected device
with a browser such as Chrome, Edge, or Safari.
Let's take a look under the hood,
and identify some of the qualities of X as a service
that make it unique and valuable.
Delivering computing resources from a central platform
was not introduced with X as a service.
There were already many flavors,
including the popular client service model
that most of us are familiar with
when saving and accessing files on a file server
or printing to a shared printer.
X as a service uses standard Internet technologies.
This standardization has remarkable utility.
It means that, as long as you have an Internet connection,
a browser, and some minimum device hardware,
you can access X as a service capabilities.
Using Internet standards means
the software doesn't care, for example,
if you have a PC or an Apple computer.
That choice largely becomes one of
preference, cost, and performance.
X as a service capabilities
are made available from multitenancy systems.
This is not as complex as it sounds.
In an older model of centralized computing,
a separate system would be required
for each organization requiring access to an application.
Multitenancy means that services
are provided to all customers
from a single shared infrastructure.
What does that mean in practical terms?
For example, if the vendor upgrades the multitenancy system,
you, as the customer,
immediately get the benefits of the upgrade.
This architecture also has horizontal auto-scaling.
This means that, if performance demands it,
simply adding more compute capability
will increase the performance for all users.
Multitenancy is also highly redundant.
This means that, if any component fails,
it can be removed and replaced
without impacting the uptime of the service.
Access to X as a service capability
can use shared authentication functionality.
This simply means the environment
can validate users for using services.
Shared authentication means you could easily traverse
different parts of the environment with ease.
It's a form of single sign-on.
In other words, it enables you to log on once,
and then access different functions
with only the permission
you've been granted by an administrator.
Since X as a service has become popular,
it's more important than ever for systems to be able
to exchange data and intelligence with each other.
Fortunately, X as a service vendors are incentivized
to make interoperability a priority.
After all, few organizations will buy a service
that doesn't play nice with other solutions.
Due to additional standards,
and a commitment to support complimentary systems,
integration is finding solid support
in the X as a service provider community.
By simplifying the architecture and deployment
of technology services,
X as a service enables organizations to focus on innovation,
embrace digital transformation, and move more quickly.
These are all necessary facets of success
in a hyper-competitive 21st century marketplace.