What Is Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service?

• Introduction
• Understanding Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service (ACaaS)
  • What Is ACaaS?
  • Key Architectural Features
  • Technical Differences from Adobe Commerce Cloud (ACC)
  • Potential Benefits (With Caveats)
• Key Architectural Features
  • Modular, Composable Design
  • API-First, Headless Approach
  • Edge Computing and Performance
  • Continuous Integration and Delivery (CI/CD)
• Potential Benefits for Businesses Currently on Adobe Commerce Cloud
• Technical Considerations and Constraints
• Preparing for Transition: Guidance for CTOs
• Conclusion

Introduction

Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source have traditionally been available as either on-premise platforms or through Adobe Commerce Cloud (ACC), a Platform-as-a-Service solution. Adobe has now introduced Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service (ACaaS)—a fully managed, cloud-native SaaS solution intended to simplify operations and enhance scalability.

Before we dive in, it’s important to acknowledge that ACaaS is still relatively new, meaning there are limited real-world examples demonstrating precisely how it performs in practical, everyday scenarios. Additionally, much of the available information about ACaaS currently comes directly from Adobe's own promotional materials. This series is designed to provide the clearest insights possible based on the information currently available, but readers should keep these considerations in mind.

However, an important question arises: who is ACaaS really for? While it might initially seem like a natural next step for businesses using Adobe Commerce Cloud or Magento Open Source, ACaaS represents a fundamentally different approach. Transitioning from a traditional or even cloud-hosted Adobe platform to a fully SaaS-based, composable architecture may not automatically be the right choice for every existing Adobe or Magento customer. Indeed, ACaaS could be equally suitable—or unsuitable—for businesses operating on entirely different technology stacks.

This series of articles will explore this critical consideration, equipping CTOs and technical leaders with clear insights to determine whether migrating to ACaaS aligns with their organization's strategic and technical goals.

Understanding Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service (ACaaS)

What Is ACaaS?

Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service is Adobe's fully managed, cloud-native SaaS eCommerce platform. Introduced in 2025, ACaaS differs from traditional Adobe Commerce deployments by offering businesses a solution where Adobe directly manages infrastructure, scalability, and ongoing platform maintenance.

Key Architectural Features

• Cloud-Native Infrastructure: ACaaS automatically scales computing resources to match traffic demands, reducing manual intervention for scaling and infrastructure management.
• Automatic Updates: Continuous updates provided by Adobe eliminate manual patching or upgrade schedules, reducing operational overhead.
• Composable Architecture: Individual services can be independently deployed, updated, and scaled. ACaaS emphasizes an API-first approach, facilitating easier integration with third-party services.
• Edge Deployment: Storefront components and services are hosted geographically closer to end-users through edge computing, potentially improving response times and reducing latency.
• Simplified Onboarding: Self-service tools allow rapid provisioning of sandbox and production environments.

Technical Differences from Adobe Commerce Cloud (ACC)

• Infrastructure Management: ACC requires active infrastructure and environment management by the business; ACaaS is fully Adobe-managed.
• Customization Capabilities: ACC permits deeper customization of the underlying codebase. ACaaS focuses primarily on extending functionality via APIs and modular services rather than direct code modifications.
• Update Management: ACC updates must be planned and executed by the merchant’s team, whereas ACaaS updates are automatic and continuous.

Potential Benefits (With Caveats)

Where the ACaaS architecture aligns with an eCommerce business’s specific needs, the following benefits may be realized:

• Easier infrastructure management
• Automatic scalability and improved resilience
• Reduced complexity related to software updates and patches

However, businesses must carefully evaluate whether the constraints around customization and third-party integrations fit their operational requirements.

Technical Considerations and Constraints

• Complexity of Composable Architecture: Businesses must be prepared for additional complexity involved in managing modular components, potentially requiring new skill sets and processes.
• Limitations on Customization: Restricted access to the core codebase may limit deep customization options, requiring reliance on available APIs and modular services.
• Third-Party Module Compatibility: Existing third-party modules might not be immediately compatible with ACaaS, requiring careful assessment and potentially alternative solutions or redevelopment.

Preparing for Transition: Guidance for CTOs

• Technical Readiness Assessment: Evaluate internal capabilities to manage a composable, SaaS-based architecture, identifying potential skill gaps or training requirements.
• Comprehensive Module and Integration Audit: Conduct thorough audits of existing modules and integrations to determine their compatibility and suitability for migration.
• Risk Identification and Mitigation: Identify potential risks associated with migration, including data integrity, downtime, and user experience disruptions, and develop clear mitigation strategies.

Conclusion

This article has reviewed essential considerations when evaluating Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service. Future articles will continue to provide detailed guidance, helping businesses better understand this new platform option from Adobe and clearly determine the suitability of ACaaS for their unique strategic and technical needs.