Recently, the world has seen a surge in demand for cloud-based apps, which has, in turn, increased the demand for cloud application development. Cloud software is beneficial for businesses for several reasons – cost reduction on equipment and performance tops them all. Since business systems are well scalable in clouds, they offer more opportunities to grow.
60% of businesses use cloud technology to store confidential data. For 77% of companies, at least one app – or a portion is hosted in the cloud, as per the statistics. According to Statista, Microsoft Azure is used by 67% of firms, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the primary cloud platform for 80% of businesses. The forecasts for cloud apps are likewise upbeat, with the industry expected to reach 166.83 billion dollars by 2024.
However, cloud app development is still a mystery for many individuals – which we’ll try to clear in this article.
As an app development company, we know the significance of efficient cloud service utilization for all businesses. So, if you’re interested in learning more about cloud computing and cloud-based applications development, how your business can use them, the pros and cons, or perhaps some examples of cloud apps, then this guide is for you.
What Is a Cloud-Based Application?
A cloud application refers to software that is hosted on the cloud rather than a local server or machine. Cloud application development strategies enable teams to create reliable apps that offer seamless experiences for both end-users and backend operations across various IT infrastructures, including physical, virtual, and cloud-based environments.
In the context of cloud applications, different models are commonly employed, including the following three:
Private Cloud
A private cloud infrastructure functions as a private web system. It is used by only one organization; others do not share the resources, and the public does not have access to these systems. IT firms can develop their private cloud infrastructure on-site or have it hosted and maintained by a third-party provider. A private cloud environment functions as a private network, ensuring the security of applications, services, and users.
Public Cloud
Public clouds can provide flexible computing power and data storage capacity at low prices. As opposed to the private cloud, data in the public cloud is available online via any gadget. On-demand computing services are provided to a wide range of customers across industry verticals by businesses that own and manage public cloud infrastructure. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Oracle are three well-known public cloud service providers.
Hybrid Cloud
Public and private clouds are combined into a single environment using API technologies in hybrid cloud setups. A hybrid cloud architecture gives IT departments more options for application deployment and optimization by allowing data and programs to be shared across on-premise servers and third-party, public cloud services.
What Are Different Cloud Application Designs?
A cloud application, in more precise terms, is software that distributes processing and data storage logic between client-side and server-side computing platforms. Processing might happen locally on a desktop or mobile device of an end user, or it can happen on a remote server.
When you develop a cloud application. One significant advantage is that most of the data is stored on a remote server. In other cases, cloud applications can even be designed to use nearly no local device storage. Through a web browser or application programming interface (API), users communicate with cloud applications. These are the basic building blocks of a cloud application, but how client and server-side interactions are handled and how they affect user experience vary.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): This model allows users to access applications over the internet without needing to install or manage them locally. The software is typically centrally hosted and maintained by a provider.
- Do not want to be in charge of maintaining platforms, infrastructure, and software.
- Have difficulties that can be solved with minor adjustment.
- Prefer software subscription models.
Moreover, consumer-facing services like Google Docs and Microsoft Office 365 are examples of SaaS, as are business services that provide integrated development environments (IDEs), CMS, and tools for managing client relationships.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): PaaS offers a platform and environment for developers to build, test, and deploy applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. It provides tools and resources to streamline the development process.
PaaS is an ideal solution for developers and programmers and compromises:
- Building tools
- Middleware
- Operating systems
- Database running infrastructure
Moreover, Windows Azure, Heroku, and OpenShift are well-known PaaS cloud computing platforms.
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS): With IaaS, users can leverage virtualized computing resources, such as virtual machines and storage, delivered over the internet. This allows organizations to scale their infrastructure as needed without managing physical hardware.
IaaS offers a range of services in addition to the infrastructure components, including:
- Security instruments
- Log access
- Tracking
- Clustering
- Load balancing
- Resiliency tools, etc.
As a business owner, you may use the cloud infrastructure services via an API or an admin panel. You may also manage operating systems and programs while a provider like AWS or Microsoft Azure offers resources for cloud-based development.
By understanding these different models and leveraging cloud-based infrastructure, organizations can harness the benefits of cloud applications and optimize their IT operations.
Some Cloud Application Examples
The apps we use daily rely on the cloud in some form. Cloud application development has led to the creation of incredible tools and services like:
Miro: a virtual forum where you may collaborate with other people in a variety of fun and innovative ways.
Figma: a smart cloud-based design app that is quickly gaining popularity due to its collaborative nature.
Slack: a business messaging app that brings people together to work as a unified team.
Google Drive or Dropbox: allows you to quickly save your files in the cloud and make them available to others, no matter where they are.
Salesforce: a popular CRM solution for support, sales, and marketing teams worldwide helping them to engage with partners and potential customers more effectively.
Pros and Cons of Cloud-Based Solutions
Cloud-based application development has several indisputable benefits for businesses that want to employ technology to solve issues and efficiently reach their intended goals. A few of them are discussed below.
Cost Reduction
Cloud app deployment can be done reasonably quickly with little to no initial investment in IT infrastructure. Organizations save not just on the cost of buying servers and other technology but also on the price of administration, power, air conditioning, and maintenance.
Cloud services also typically have flexible pricing schemes, allowing organizations to pay only for their storage and resources.
Reliability
Cloud service providers’ infrastructure includes quickly accessible backup servers in case of an unanticipated service interruption, high service uptime, and availability for your applications. Besides, if the system malfunctions, your service provider is in charge of fixing the system, not you.
Ease-of-Management
The management of cloud apps and services deployed across various environments may now be streamlined by enterprises using cloud management platform (CMP) technologies.
Data from the entire cloud environment is gathered by CMPs using a wide range of APIs and fed into an integrated system where your IT staff can easily monitor performance, security, and compliance.
However, before deciding to employ cloud-based solutions, you must be aware of the potential risks of adequately managing your organization’s application development in the cloud. Here are some of the cons.
Downtime
When an application is hosted in the cloud, it must be accessed via an internet connection. An unforeseen internet outage could thus create severe business disruption by disrupting access to cloud services. Cloud service providers may also encounter technical failures from time to time, resulting in the inaccessibility of all of your applications and data.
Control
Control is a fundamental trade-off that enterprises pay in exchange for the cost benefits of cloud application deployment. The cloud service provider owns, manages, and operates the infrastructure, so the company has no control over the back-end infrastructure.
As a result, cloud application deployment is appropriate for enterprises that wish to manage only programs, data, and services and not the physical hardware side of their IT.
Security
Every business that employs cloud-based solutions is vulnerable to cyber security threats. As organizations install more cloud apps, it becomes more challenging to monitor the security condition of the IT infrastructure regularly and verify that cloud applications do not have flaws that could be exploited through cyberattacks.
However, cloud management tools like Sumo Logic enable IT firms to gather data from cloud-based apps and utilize it to monitor security risks and vulnerabilities continuously.
Most Used Tools for Cloud Application Development
We’ve already discussed cloud app development and how it differs from traditional app development. It offers a more collaborative and seamless app development process.
To develop a cloud application, the most used tools by cloud developers include:
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS is a popular platform that offers various cloud computing products and services. It allows for building scalable apps while ensuring security and reliability using the latest trending technologies. Such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
Kubernetes
The best cloud development teams use DevOps and tools like Kubernetes. Kubernetes, often known as k8, is a cloud orchestration platform that enables cloud developers to launch, manage, and scale containerized apps. The tool can be used on a private, public, or hybrid cloud architecture, making it ideal for rapidly designing and administering cloud-native apps that require real-time data streaming.
Microsoft Azure
The software development teams often rely on Microsoft Azure, a cloud computing platform with plenty of cloud services. Microsoft Azure is one of the best tools that allow businesses to reach their goals flexibly. It follows a pay-as-you-go model enabling users to pay an amount based on the monthly use of selected cloud resources.
Application Development in the Cloud with Codment
All thanks to app development, it is now possible for businesses and industries of all sorts to develop a cloud-based app. Cloud solutions come with various benefits to help you achieve your goals shortly. So, if you’re thinking of investing in modern yet flexible business software, you should consider cloud app development. Or else, you can get in touch with our tech experts for top-tier software development solutions.
At Codment, we have vast experience creating cloud apps for clients by helping them understand their business models and how cloud services can benefit them in maximizing their goals.
FAQs
What is the difference between web application and cloud application?
A web application runs on a web server and is accessed through a browser, while a cloud application is built and deployed on cloud platforms, utilizing cloud infrastructure and services. Cloud application development leverages cloud technologies for robust and scalable applications. Web applications can be hosted on the cloud, but not all cloud applications are web-based.
What is the most common example of cloud application?
Web-based email services like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo Mail are the most common examples of cloud applications. These applications enable users to access and manage their emails through a web browser without local software installation. Cloud application development has transformed email usage, allowing seamless access from any device with an internet connection. Beyond email, cloud application development encompasses file storage, document collaboration, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, making cloud computing increasingly popular.
Why is cloud computing the future of modern technology?
Cloud computing, including cloud application development, is the future of modern technology. It offers scalability, cost efficiency, and promotes collaboration. Businesses can easily scale resources, eliminate upfront hardware costs, and work from anywhere. Cloud providers ensure reliability and data security, making it an ideal choice for businesses seeking flexibility and innovation. Cloud computing is poised to revolutionize how we operate in the digital age.
What are some latest cloud computing trends for the year 2022?
In 2022, cloud computing trends saw increased adoption of hybrid cloud environments, combining public and private clouds. Serverless computing gained traction, freeing developers from infrastructure management. Edge computing emerged, processing data closer to the source for improved performance. These trends spurred innovation and growth in cloud application development.
