What is Infrastructure As a Service? 5 Game-Changing Examples for Small Businesses

If you’re looking for examples of Infrastructure as a Service that actually apply to small businesses, this is where it gets practical.

You don’t need enterprise-grade systems to run a good operation. But you do need IT that works without regular intervention. You need systems that adapt when you grow and tools that don’t need a full-time IT manager to maintain.

That’s what Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) delivers. It gives you access to servers, storage, and networking on demand, all managed through secure, cloud-based platforms. There’s no need to invest in physical hardware up front, and you can scale resources as your needs change, whether you’re adding a new team or rolling out new software.

It’s also cost effective. You pay for what you use, avoid unnecessary overhead, and leave the maintenance to someone else.

So what exactly is IaaS, and how does it work?

What is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?

IaaS is one of the foundational layers of the cloud solutions model. It lets businesses access critical IT infrastructure like computing power, storage, networking, without needing to actually own or manage the physical equipment.

Instead of buying servers and dealing with upgrades, you run everything in a virtual environment. That infrastructure is hosted by your provider and accessed over the internet.

Think of IaaS as renting the foundation of your IT environment. Your provider gives you access to the infrastructure via the cloud, and you control how it’s configured and scaled. This gives you the functions of a physical data centre, but without needing to manage the hardware, power, cooling or upgrades.

IaaS typically includes:

  • Virtual servers, storage and networking The core components of your IT environment delivered over the cloud, with no physical hardware needed.
  • Reliable infrastructure for running software applications Host and manage your software in a stable, secure environment that won’t collapse under pressure.
  • Flexible support for hybrid cloud setups Mix local systems with cloud environments to suit how your business operates.
  • Built-in redundancy and failover If something breaks, your systems switch to a backup, which reduces the risk of downtime or data loss.

It’s also the base layer that supports other services like Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS). Rather than buying a packaged solution, you’re gaining control over the environment those platforms rely on.

Find out more about Saas.

Note: When selecting an IaaS provider, ensure they comply with Australian privacy and industry standards such as the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

5 Ways Small Businesses Are Using IaaS to Stay Competitive

1. Cloud-Based Virtual Servers

For small businesses, moving away from physical servers can be a turning point. Virtual machines (VMs) hosted in the cloud remove the need for expensive hardware and ongoing maintenance. But it’s not just about cutting costs.

You can run your business-critical applications, like CRMs, accounting systems, databases, or customer portals, in the cloud with consistent performance. Scale up quickly when your business grows, or down when it doesn’t. Deployments take only minutes. If something goes wrong, there’s no scrambling for spare parts or chasing warranty support, because your systems are still online.

This can be the difference between your IT holding your business back and helping it grow.

Benefits:

  • Fast deployment and provisioning
  • Flexible scaling
  • No upfront hardware costs
  • Reduced maintenance workload
  • Consistent performance for business applications

For businesses looking to extend this setup to staff devices, virtualisation also enables secure virtual desktop environments, giving users access to the same desktop from anywhere. Take a look at our Virtual Desktop Infrastructure services to find out more.

2. Storage Solutions on Demand

Running out of space used to mean buying another drive, waiting on procurement, and hoping nothing broke in the meantime. With IaaS, cloud storage means you don’t hit capacity walls or waste money on unused space.

It also changes how you handle disaster recovery. Instead of backing up to physical devices that fail, your data is stored securely in the cloud and accessible when you need it.

Storage becomes a utility. You use what you need, pay for what you use, and never scramble for space again.

Benefits:

  • Automated backup and restore
  • Secure document storage for compliance
  • File sharing across multiple teams or locations
  • Archiving inactive data without using local storage
  • Supporting cloud-based applications that require scalable data access

Thinking of retiring your old storage hardware? Our Cloud Migration Services help move your data without disruption.

3. Networking Infrastructure

Once your apps and servers are in the cloud, your old-school network might start showing its cracks. Clunky VPNs and hardware firewalls, and cobbled-together site links can’t keep up with remote work and new office setups.

Virtual networking is the cloud-native way to keep everything connected, securely and without a stack of dated technology. You get encrypted links between sites, remote access for staff, and traffic control that moves with your business, all configured in minutes.

And because it’s software-based, there’s no waiting for hardware and no extra appliance failures to troubleshoot.

Benefits:

  • Secure remote access for staff and contractors
  • Segment traffic by team, site or workload
  • Encrypted tunnels between cloud and on-prem systems
  • Centralised, software-based control of network policies
  • No hardware dependencies or licensing surprises

If your setup is growing or becoming harder to manage, our Network & Connectivity Services helps you build it right from the ground up.

4. Development and Testing Environments

Small businesses that develop or customise software often face a choice: risk testing on live systems or invest in short-term infrastructure they may not need later. IaaS gives you the option of temporary environments that are easy to manage and tear down.

You can run experiments or test integrations in a clean, isolated environment. It keeps your live systems stable while giving your team the freedom to move quickly.

Benefits:

  • Temporary sandboxes for app development
  • Isolated pilot environments for internal rollouts
  • Testing third-party software before deployment
  • Trying different configurations or integrations
  • Training environments for new team members or tech rollouts

It’s a low-risk way to innovate, without the cost of building a lab. Wondering how to make a better budget further? See Managed IT Services Cost in Brisbane: 7 Ways to Cut Expenses.

5. Backup and Disaster Recovery Services

Backups are only useful if they work when you need them. IaaS turns backup and disaster recovery from a fragile, manual task into a built-in, automated system that runs quietly in the background. This lays the groundwork for Creating a Business Continuity Management Plan That Actually Works.

If something fails, your data is already secured in the cloud. Systems can be restored quickly. You’re prepared to recover.

Benefits:

  • Scheduled, automatic backups to secure cloud storage
  • Fast restoration of files, systems or entire environments
  • Redundancy across multiple storage locations
  • Built-in support for compliance and audit requirements
  • Integration with business continuity planning

Backups are essential, but they’re only half the battle. A well-tested Disaster & Recovery Plan makes sure your business knows exactly what to do when things go wrong.

Bringing IaaS Into Your Business

For small businesses, IaaS offers something steady. flexibility without complexity, performance without waste, and support you don’t have to chase.

With IaaS, you can:

  • Avoid the cost and effort of maintaining physical infrastructure
  • Grow systems without waiting on hardware
  • Keep your team productive, even when plans change

It’s about being ready. At Deployus, we make IaaS work reliably and tailored to your business. You get personal service, clear answers, and continuity from a local team that shows up when it counts.

Learn more about our Infrastructure as a Service offering and see what it looks like when IT just works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud computing model that provides virtualised computing resources like servers, storage, and networking over the internet. Instead of owning and maintaining physical hardware, businesses rent the infrastructure they need from a provider.

IaaS helps small businesses reduce upfront hardware costs, grow systems quickly, and access enterprise-grade infrastructure without the need for in-house IT. It’s flexible, affordable, and ideal for businesses that need reliability without complexity.

  • IaaS provides the base infrastructure: servers, storage, and networking.
  • PaaS (Platform as a Service) delivers tools for building and deploying applications.
  • SaaS (Software as a Service) offers complete software solutions hosted and managed by a provider.

Each layer builds on the one below it, offering more abstraction and less direct control.

Most IaaS providers offer high levels of security, including data encryption, access controls, and regular backups. Still, it’s important to choose a provider that takes security seriously and aligns with your compliance needs.

Start by identifying the parts of your infrastructure that are causing strain, like outdated servers, limited storage, unreliable backups. From there, work with a provider who can tailor an IaaS solution to suit your size, budget, and growth plans.