On-Demand Self-Service
A model where users can provision resources as needed without human intervention.
Description
On-Demand Self-Service in the context of AWS (Amazon Web Services) refers to the ability for customers to access and manage computing resources without requiring direct assistance from service providers. This model allows users to automatically provision and manage IT resources such as storage, computing power, and database services through a web-based interface or API. For instance, a developer can quickly spin up a virtual server (EC2 instance) or create a database (RDS) using the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI. This capability is particularly beneficial for businesses seeking agility and scalability, as they can scale their infrastructure up or down based on demand without waiting for manual approval or intervention. This flexibility not only helps in optimizing costs but also accelerates the development and deployment of applications, enabling organizations to innovate faster and respond to market changes more efficiently.
Examples
- A startup using AWS Lambda to deploy serverless applications, enabling rapid scaling without pre-provisioning servers.
- A retail company utilizing Amazon S3 to store and retrieve large amounts of product images on demand, adjusting storage capacity as needed.
Additional Information
- On-Demand Self-Service is a key principle of cloud computing, aligning with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) definition of cloud services.
- This model supports various pricing strategies, including pay-as-you-go, which allows businesses to only pay for the resources they consume, further enhancing cost efficiency.