In an era marked by the rapid transformation of industries through technology, cloud-based applications stand out as a symbol of innovation. These applications enable both organizations and individuals to enhance operational efficiency and interact with software in unique ways.
Hence, the creation of cloud-based applications is crucial as it permits accessibility from any location, effortlessly scales with user requirements, ensures reliability, minimizes costs & facilitates smooth collaboration.
The cloud offers worldwide accessibility, significant growth potential, and streamlined development processes. Opting for cloud integration is a strategic decision in the realm of app development.
According to Statista, more than 60% of corporate data is now stored in the cloud. The increasing use of cloud computing services is leading to a continuous surge in the utilization of cloud-based data storage.
Also, by the year 2025, the market for cloud applications is estimated to reach USD 168.6 billion reflecting a significant surge. The exponential growth of mobile app migration to cloud services is offering numerous benefits to diverse businesses.
In this guide, we will delve into the realm of cloud-based apps and walk you through the process of developing one.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Cloud-based Apps
Cloud-based applications allow product owners to distribute their solutions worldwide, adjust services to meet the needs of their target audience and minimize the risk associated with server data breaches.
By engaging in cloud application development, you will experience the advantages mentioned below:
Cost Savings
According to Oracle, users can save 30-50% by migrating their database to its cloud infrastructure.
Another statistic by Nucleus research indicates that cloud-based solutions offer an ROI that is 1.7 times higher than other options.
One way cloud-based app development saves costs is by eliminating the need to purchase, maintain or upgrade physical servers.
Additionally, cloud service providers provide a pay-as-you-use pricing model, ensuring that you are charged only for the specific infrastructure resources you use.
Security
Cloud providers heavily invest in security technologies & infrastructure to ensure high-level data safety.
For example, Microsoft invests $4 billion annually in cybersecurity for its infrastructure establishing itself as one of the most secure cloud hosting service providers.
Cloud application development provides users with various features including access controls, encryption, firewalls etc.
Users can make business decisions by utilizing the diverse range of options at their disposal.
Efficient Data Management
Cloud-based applications possess several attributes that enhance effective data management.
Firstly, it centralizes data storage making it easier to organize, manage and access information.
Cloud-based architectures also include analytical tools like Amazon Athena.
This is an interactive query tool that assists AWS users in analyzing stored data using standard SQL. It is quick and user-friendly.
Scalability & Flexibility
Cloud-based applications can efficiently expand their capabilities since they are built on a flexible and dynamic architecture enabling them to adapt to changing demands and workloads.
Virtualization enables the creation of a scalable cloud architecture.
Cloud servers provide remarkable flexibility in contrast to conventional physical servers as they do not have fixed performance and resource allocations. The ability to adapt is derived from the simultaneous use of multiple servers by the majority of cloud service providers.
As a result, they offer application administrators a variety of choices to transition to larger servers as required.
Let’s move on to the next.
Accessibility
Anyone with an internet-enabled device can access cloud-based applications. Accessibility in this context refers to the capability to access data from any internet-enabled device. Users can collaborate and retrieve identical dataset from any location worldwide even when working remotely.
Types of Cloud-based Applications
In this section, we will explore the three types of cloud-based applications:
1. Software As A Service(SaaS)
Software as a Service (SaaS) serves as an online distribution channel for software programs, often termed as web services. Users can utilize any computer or mobile device with internet connectivity to access SaaS applications & services. Through the SaaS model, users gain entry to application software & databases. A prime example of a SaaS program is Microsoft 365, providing productivity & email services.
2. Platform As A Service (PaaS)
In the PaaS architecture, development tools, including cloud application modernization tools, are hosted on the infrastructures of cloud service providers. Users can use online tools through gateway software, web portals or APIs. PaaS is employed for the general development of software & many PaaS firms provide hosting services for the created software. Google App Engine, AWS Elastic Beanstalk and Salesforce’s Lightning Platform exemplify widely-used Platform as a Service (PaaS) products for cloud application development.
3. Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS)
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) offer application programming interfaces (APIs) that make it easy to move workloads onto virtual machines (VMs). This represents a significant advancement in cloud application technology. Also, these providers supply users with virtual server instances & storage resources allowing them to initiate, halt, access & modify these elements according to their requirements. Users are assigned a designated amount of storage space.
Step-by-Step Guide for Building Cloud-based Applications
In this guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of creating a cloud application.
1. Comprehensive Market Research
Before initiating the development of a cloud-based application it is crucial to conduct market research.
Furthermore, this process involves understanding customer needs, identifying competitors and researching current market trends & demands.
Collecting valuable information allows businesses to understand the specific needs of users. For example, dedicating time to exploring comparable cloud-based applications can inspire the identification of distinctive features or functionalities that will distinguish your app.
2. Engage a Skilled Development Team
Developing a successful cloud app alone is impractical. You require a team equipped with expertise in cloud technologies, programming languages & app development frameworks to achieve success in creating a cloud application.
Furthermore, for the project’s success, it is advisable to engage professionals who specialize in user experience (UX) design, cloud application development as well as both backend & frontend development.
3. Define the Cloud App Architecture
Cloud-hosted applications showcase a variety of architectures, such as microservices or serverless designed to cater to specific user needs and scalability requirements.
Moreover, it is essential to develop the app’s features and functionalities in alignment with user needs and current market trends.
For example, in the creation of a cloud-based project management application, it is essential to consider features like task management, document sharing and team collaboration.
4. Select the Right Tech Stack
Selecting the correct technologies & frameworks is essential for the development of cloud applications. A suitable tech stack should include cloud infrastructure options such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure, programming languages like Python or Node.js and frameworks like Flask or Express.js. Additionally, it should incorporate databases like Amazon DynamoDB or MongoDB Atlas.
When choosing a cloud development tool consulting with experts is important. They can assist you in choosing the most suitable tech stack for your application taking into account requirements, features & design elements.
You should also consider the scalability of the application to ensure it stays updated.
5. Prioritize Product Testing
Testing is necessary in various domains including functionality, usability, performance and security.
It is necessary to implement automated testing processes, perform user acceptance testing and address any application bugs.
For example, load testing can identify bottlenecks and guarantee the application can manage substantial loads.
6. Launch & Ongoing Updates
Throughout the lifecycle of the cloud-based app, it is crucial to prioritize security and uphold the integrity of the app following thorough testing.
The app’s executables, scripts and software components may be digitally signed using a code-signing certificate.
A code signing certificate should be applied to the executable files & installation packages of the app during its launch phase.
Users are assured of the app’s integrity and trustworthiness through the cryptographic signature which confirms that it has not been tampered with during distribution.
Users can build trust and confidence in the app by verifying its signature and ensuring its authenticity.
What is the Cost Associated With Running an App in the Cloud?
Creating an application comes with its expenses. While investing in the best development yields long-term benefits, it does come with a price tag. Establishing a robust foundation and adhering to best practices will give you a stable platform to grow your business. Opting for mobile app development with cloud solutions is a quick and simple process. The key advantage of cloud solutions lies in their independence from setting up server hardware or connecting mobile devices. The expenses associated with cloud web application development services are generally included in the licensing fee.
On average, the setup expenses for a cloud-based solution typically range from 2 to 5% of the total cost. Basic installation may be required to ensure compatibility with the current system, a consideration that extends to deployment & integration processes. Moreover, 3 to 5% of the overall costs can be attributed to components such as a continuous integration environment, development tools, build systems or any internal infrastructure software.
The license fee includes most of the costs associated with cloud services including maintenance, servers, devices and other expenses related to acquiring hardware.
How Can HashStudioz Help You in Cloud Application Development?
HashStudioz Technologies stands as a leading cloud app development company renowned for its proficiency in various domains including cloud computing, AI/ML, DevOps, UI/UX design and web development.
We possess a strong team of experts capable of crafting solutions customized to meet both your business and technical requirements.
We can help you create an optimal business model and develop the required code to build the cloud application that will support it.
You can engage our services and hire cloud application developers to address any skillset gaps within your team.
Amit Kumar