Platform as a Service (PaaS) is set to experience significant growth over the next few years, says analyst firm Gartner.

PaaS is part of the increasingly popular set of cloud computing technologies, and Gartner described PaaS as the 'core' layer of cloud computing and as the origin of many new developments.

"With large and growing vendor investment in PaaS, the market is on the cusp of several years of strategic growth, leading to innovation and likely breakthroughs in technology and business use of all of cloud computing," said Yefim Natis, vice president and analyst at Gartner.

"Users and vendors of enterprise IT software solutions that are not yet engaged with PaaS must begin building expertise in PaaS or face tough challenges from competitors in the coming years."

In a report entitled 'PaaS 2012: Tactical Risks and Strategic Rewards', Gartner claimed the last 12 months had been pivotal for PaaS as uptake of the technology grew. Gartner predicted 2013 will see all major vendors offering PaaS and healthy competition developing over the following three years.

"While there are clear risks associated with the use of services in the new and largely immature PaaS market, the risk of avoiding the PaaS market is equally high," said Natis.

"The right strategy for most mainstream IT organisations and software vendors is to begin building familiarity with the new cloud computing opportunities by adopting some PaaS services now, albeit with the understanding of their limitations and with the expectation of ongoing change in the market offerings and use patterns."

Written by Louise Boyd

Garter predicts PaaS will experience growth