The market size of cloud-based apps is forecast to reach around 162 billion U.S. dollars by 2023 (source: Statista). That’s a massive number since cloud solutions are comparatively new in the software development industry. But they saw widespread adoption across industries. This is mainly due to the flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness cloud solutions offer.
These benefits, combined with other factors, have enabled cloud hosting providers to achieve rapid growth. Now, cloud-native is becoming the next buzzword among companies that rely heavily on software infrastructure. According to an estimate made by Gartner, 28 percent of key IT spending of enterprises will shift to the cloud by 2022.
Striking business benefits like scalability and affordability has made cloud-native apps increasingly popular among enterprises. With cloud-native becoming dominant across all categories of mobile app development, the future seems to belong to the cloud. Let’s dive deeper.
Cloud-native app development
Cloud-native apps are built in a cloud environment. Unlike conventional apps, they’re not stored in an internal server. Hence, cloud-native apps can be defined as a set of virtually independent solutions that are deployed in a cloud environment. The cloud-native approach makes app development faster, more scalable, and cost-efficient. It also reduces risks of data loss and makes the replacement of flawed components easier. Whether you choose managed AWS cloud hosting or other cloud services, the cloud-native approach gives impressive dividends.
The cloud-native development architecture
Cloud-native app development processes rely on four key elements: microservice architecture, containers, APIs, and DevOps. All these elements play critical roles in defining the build and the functionality of a cloud-native app. While choosing a cloud solution provider, you must thoroughly discuss these elements.
1.Microservice architecture
Cloud-native app developers build an app using a collection of services called microservices. Microservices are highly maintainable, independently deployable, and organized around specific business capabilities. Hence different developers can use microservices for writing functionalities in different apps.
2.Containers
A container-based infrastructure enables developers to isolate apps into lightweights and small execution environments. These environments share the kernel of operating systems. A developer can run a container in a virtual environment to isolate an app from its real environment.
3.APIs for communication
Cloud-native microservices use REST APIs or similar protocols to expose functionalities of the app. This helps to avoid the risks of direct linking, direct datastore accessibility, or shared memory models. For the communication of internal services, binary protocols are preferred. This helps to enhance the performance of the app.
4.The cloud-native DevOps process
The cloud-native development approach enables developers to create a separate life cycle for every service. Unlike the monolithic approach, DevOps creates an ecosystem for the ongoing development cycles of an app. The microservices, containers, and other elements of the cloud-native app development are governed by the principles of DevOps processes. The cloud-native apps let you use advanced DevOps services to your advantage.
Business Benefits of Choosing Cloud-Native App Development
From scalability to efficient app management to impressive cost-effectiveness, cloud-native apps offer a host of benefits.
1.Limitless scalability
Apps built on a cloud environment are immensely scalable. Developers can apply auto-scaling for specific parts at the time of coding. The parts enabled with auto-scaling will scale up automatically when the need arises. The upscaling doesn’t require any manual effort.
2.Seamless app management
With the availability of an array of cloud-native app management tools, performance optimization, and monitoring has become much easier. You can easily use tools like DataDog and AppDynamic to monitor microservices and containers. Quick debugging tools are also available. Platforms like Zipkin and Open Tracing enables efficient app debugging.
3.Productive collaborations
Cloud-native apps allow you to collaborate with a diverse range of technology providers and business partners. These include cloud hosting providers, tech partners, and design agencies, among others. With a cloud-native app min place, your team doesn’t need to worry about the technology infrastructure. They can focus on deliverables instead. This makes business partnerships and tech collaborations more result-oriented and profitable.
4.A reliable & secure infrastructure
The cloud-native architecture makes apps more tolerant of minor glitches. During a failure, the app processing moves to a new data center. Besides, the ability of cloud-native apps to handle outages dramatically reduces downtime. Most processes associated with the functionality of a cloud-native app could be automated. It saves your time, effort, and money.
The cloud environment makes your apps more reliable, reducing the risks of data loss. With the right security measures, you can create a risk-proof application for your business.
5.Cost reduction
You can use a range of monitoring and management tools for your cloud-native app. This reduces the cost of maintaining the technology infrastructure. Besides, serverless hosting and other capabilities add to the reduction in operating costs. You can scale up or down the cloud usage according to the changing needs of your business.
Conclusion
The cloud-native app development approach allows you to build and release apps faster. This helps you to stay ahead of competitors. You can also quickly analyze the performance of your app and make the necessary changes. This dynamism of the app development process is significantly useful in terms of consistent app performance.
As digital transformation and tech adoption speed up during and after the pandemic, cloud-native apps are likely to become mainstream. The cloud-based approach liberates apps from an on-premise infrastructure while ensuring security. Whether you use managed AWS cloud hosting or other cloud services, cloud-based apps always benefit your business.
At OrangeMantra, a leading AWS cloud service provider, we encourage clients to prefer cloud-native apps for making their business futuristic. With an experienced team of cloud computing specialists, app developers, and testers, we build flawless cloud solutions for all kinds of businesses.
FAQs
Q. What is cloud-native app development?
Cloud-native app development is a way to build and run responsive, scalable, and fault-tolerant apps in public, private, or hybrid clouds. The cloud-native approach enables you to speed up app development, optimize performance, and improve the accessibility of the app.
Q. What is the difference between cloud-based and cloud-native?
Cloud-based development means application development executed by using a browser that points to a cloud-based infrastructure. Whereas cloud-native development refers more specifically to application development grounded in containers, microservices, and dynamic orchestration.
Q. What is managed cloud hosting?
Managed cloud hosting is a process in which organizations share and access cloud-based resources. These include databases and software tools applications spread across a remote network via multiple servers.
Q. What are AWS fully managed services?
AWS Managed Services automates common activities, such as change requests, monitoring, patch management, security, and backup services. The managed cloud services provide full-lifecycle services to provision, run, and support a business’s cloud infrastructure.
