What is cloud application development in modern app development? The best app development companies recommend their clients turn their eyes to cloud technologies.
In this article, we’ll explain what a cloud-based app is, in which varieties it is available and how you can benefit from it.
What is cloud application development?
Characteristic Traits of a Cloud-Based App
From the end-user’s viewpoint, a cloud app doesn’t differ from a conventional one.
You can access it from any device that is connected to the Internet.
This device doesn’t need to be new and powerful.
The difference lies on the server side.
All the data from the app is stored within the cloud.
The company that the app belongs to doesn’t have to take care of its infrastructure.
The app’s primary task is to provide a handy interface that lets the user obtain the necessary information from the server.
When the user goes offline, they might be able to keep on using the app.
This is possible because some part of the information can be temporarily stored in the app itself.
As soon as this person connects to the Internet once again, the information will be updated.
The app’s owner can configure encryption, compression and other parameters for transferring and processing data.
Arguments in favor of Cloud Technologies
When app marketing agencies promote such digital products, they accentuate the facts that such apps:
- Deliver excellent performance
- Are highly secure
- Scale easily
- Have very high uptime
- Get updated quickly and without a hitch
- Make companies pay only for those resources that they actually use and are remarkably cost-efficient
- Accelerate and facilitate disaster recovery
- Are famous for intuitive deployment
The price of creating such an app depends on its complexity level — but in most cases, it doesn’t differ too drastically from building a conventional app.
Types of Clouds Used for Apps
When planning your future app, you’ll be able to select from the following cloud varieties:
- Private. Only a small group of users will get access to it. The cloud will be separated from the surrounding digital environment by a firewall.
- Managed private. It’s spot-on for groups of users who are not too tech-savvy. The developers or a third-party service provider takes care of all the technical aspects.
- Multi-cloud, also known as community cloud. It’s a particular case of a private cloud. Not one but several groups of users get access to it and obey the same rules for using it.
- Dedicated. It’s a smaller cloud within a larger one. Each department within the organization can have its dedicated cloud within the one that belongs to the whole company.
- Public. It’s enough to have an authorized device to be able to access it.
- Hybrid. It’s a mix of private and public. One large environment consists of multiple smaller ones that can be added or removed at any moment.
The public cloud is the most popular option thanks to its outstanding flexibility and reasonable pricing.
Varieties of Cloud-Based Apps
Such apps are available in four varieties. Below, we’ll share brief characteristics of each of them.
Software as a Service
SaaS apps perfectly cope with these tasks:
- Data management (when it comes to customer databases and CRMs)
- Sign-up and service automation
- Management of documents that are shared and edited collaboratively
- Offering email tools and instruments for carrying out audits
- Sharing schedules and calendars for event planning
The service provider manages the cloud.
The app can exist in mobile and/or web formats. The latter is convenient for groups whose members are against installing additional software on their devices and want to access the app right from their regular browsers.
Platform as a Service
This variety is optimal for:
- Middleware
- Development instruments
- Operating systems
- Database running infrastructure
The cloud service provider is responsible for both the software and hardware. Multiple users can conveniently share the same platform.
Infrastructure as a Service
IaaS was conceived to:
- Control the resources
- Cluster data
- Provide backups and enable the system to recover after crashing down
- Give access to logs
- Balance the load
- Work with security tools
- Compose detailed invoices
A private or public cloud can be used to manage the infrastructure.
The owner of the app deals with data, middleware and operating system.
The service provider is focused on hardware and fixing any issues that might potentially take place.
Desktop as a Service
The user who has purchased the license can access their virtual desktop from any device.
It will look exactly like the one that this person has on their PC.
A company can take care of the apps that work on the desktop and the overall security itself — or it can entrust these tasks to the service provider.
The latter will also be in charge of storing data and creating backups as well as maintaining and updating the system.
Whenever the company needs more resources, it pays for them and gets access to them immediately.
Wrap up
Hope now you know what is cloud application development.
Taking advantage of cloud application development is a smart move for any business! With cost-effective, secure and efficient cloud technology, you can reduce IT costs, improve efficiency and customer service, and manage and deploy applications with ease.
Don’t wait any longer to get started! Contact one of the top app development companies today to learn how cloud application development can benefit your business.
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