What Is Cloud App Development?
For a business that requires an application or software with sophisticated customization, robust scalability, and simple server interaction, cloud app development is a great option. You can store data and programs in cloud storage, working with them online and without loading your computer’s hard drives.
Cloud software is convenient if:
- You need to increase your IT capacity while decreasing capital and operating costs.
- Your on-premises IT infrastructure has to be expanded in the cloud.
- You must deploy your application both locally and on the cloud (create hybrid applications)
Types of cloud services
Cloud app development services are more opportunities for companies without the need to use their own servers. They can be of various types: from CRM systems to databases.
A unique solution can be created from scratch using cloud application services, as well as existing systems being migrated to the cloud. Additionally, you can combine your application with other cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services.
Cloud services can be divided into certain types. Let’s consider the main ones in more detail:
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). It provides an IT environment as a service. These can be servers, secure data storage, or software.
- PaaS (Platform as a Service). This type offers a platform for the company’s activities: a ready-made environment and settings. For instance, tools for testing and development or a database management system.
- SaaS (Software as a Service). There are various online services available. For example, the popular Google Docs word processing service.
- DRaaS (Disaster Recovery as a Service). This is a solution to reduce the risk of emergency situations. The provider of such a service provides the opportunity to copy all data and programs to its site. In the event of a failure of the customer’s main services, they are restarted already in the cloud and you can continue working with them.
As a customer, cloud solutions allow you to delegate a lot of responsibility to third-party vendors. Local software development necessitates independent management of the OS, storage, networking, middleware, servers, runtime, application, and virtualization data.
But if you opt for the SaaS business model, all of this will be handled by your service providers. You may delegate everything with PaaS except for applications and data. In contrast, if you use the IaaS strategy, you merely outsource networking, servers, and storage.
Stages of creating cloud services
In the development of cloud services, the following stages can be distinguished:
- Product analysis. It is necessary to determine the business requirements of the product: the target audience and the goals of the product.
- Development of technical specifications. We develop terms of reference (specification) with sufficiently detailed descriptions of the functionality and requirements for the cloud service. It is important to know what the initial development requirements are.
- Software implementation. We start creating the product after the final approval of the terms of reference. We design the architecture, prepare prototypes and designs, then write the code.
- Testing. Before launching, we examine the operation of the service manually and on automatic programs: we identify and eliminate possible errors in the service, preventing new ones.
- Launch. We set up and launch the project. If necessary, we do one more stage of testing after launch.
- Support and development of the project. We are ready to support the service: by developing new modules and modifying existing ones.
Work models
When creating a cloud application, there are 2 options for working:
- Fixed Price: the cost and deadlines of the work are clearly set from the very beginning. In this scheme of cooperation, a detailed TOR is developed, in which all the nuances of the work are recorded.
- Time&Materials: a system of work that does not require a clear specification, and the main details are specified in the process of creating a product. The cost is calculated from the hours of work spent by the team of specialists to complete the task.
Benefits of cloud application development
Let’s list the main advantages by which you should choose cloud application development:
- Scalability. Cloud solutions are highly scalable and easily adapt to fluctuating workloads.
- Easy to manage. It is easier for the customer to manage cloud solutions than traditional on-premises solutions.
- Good for data. Cloud applications are easily integrated with the database, data is easily restored.
- Availability. Cloud solutions can be accessed from anywhere at any time.
- Reliability. Cloud applications are designed to handle heavy data loads.
- Safety. These solutions are reliable if they are built correctly and all the rules are followed.
Conclusion
Cloud application development is the cornerstone of digital transformation and innovation today. Companies that have embarked on cloud application development have seen first-hand how efficiency has increased, scalability has improved, and productivity has increased, while customers have enriched their user experience.
