BaaS providers deliver data protection as a service by hosting the backup software and the primary backup repository in privately operated or public cloud data centers. The backup infrastructure, including backup software and backup servers and storage, is managed by the BaaS provider. Customers are still responsible for implementing backup policies and performing recovery tasks, but they are not responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and operation of the backup system. BaaS providers primarily protect VMs, databases and files in addition to SaaS applications such as Microsoft 365 and Salesforce. Some vendors also offer backup of endpoints.
Infrastructure monitoring tools capture the health and resource utilization of IT infrastructure components, no matter where they reside (e.g., in a data center, at the edge, infrastructure as a service [IaaS] or platform as a service [PaaS] in the cloud). This enables I&O leaders to monitor and collate the availability and resource utilization data of physical and virtual entities — including servers, containers, network devices, database instances, hypervisors and storage. These tools collect data in real time and perform historical data analysis or trending of the elements they monitor.
SaaS management platforms (SMPs) provide central admin console capabilities to discover, manage, automate, optimize, govern and enable SaaS used by employees. SMP also enhances protection of identities and data while using SaaS. Only SMPs offer all of these capabilities, but other adjacent tools, such as software asset management, SaaS security and office productivity governance, can provide complementary support for this work.
Gartner defines a unified endpoint management (UEM) tool as a software-based tool that provides agent and agentless management of computers and mobile devices through a single console. Modern UEM tools: Provide a user-centric view of devices across device platforms; Offer agent and/or agentless management through native Windows endpoint, macOS, Linux and Chrome OS controls. Offer agentless mobile management through native Apple iOS/iPad OS and Google Android controls; Aggregate telemetry and signals from identities, apps, connectivity and devices to inform policy and related actions; Aggregate and analyze technology performance and employee experience data; Integrate with identity, security and remote access tools to support zero-trust access and contextual authentication, vulnerability, policy, and configuration and data management; Manage nontraditional devices, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wearables and rugged handhelds.