A Quick Guide to Cloud Application Development
How to approach cloud application development: Benefits, Types, and 6-step process
Overview
Cloud computing has revolutionised the way businesses operate, innovate, and evolve in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. Exactly what is the “cloud”? To put it simply, the cloud is a network of remote servers hosted on the internet that store, manage, and process data. Businesses can now rely less on personal devices or local servers thanks to cloud computing which offers a flexible, scalable, cost-effective alternative.
In this guide, we will explore what cloud application development is, different types of cloud applications, the benefits and challenges of cloud application development and guide you through a simple process on how to build your own cloud application.
What is Cloud Application Development?
Cloud-based application development refers to the process of creating applications on cloud infrastructure as opposed to traditional on-premises systems and software. They make use of cloud-based resources including computing power, storage, networking, which makes these applications scalable and easily accessible through the internet.
For this, developers utilise various cloud-based application tools in platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP) among others. These tools help to build tailor-made cloud application solutions for a range of purposes.
Types of Cloud-Based Applications
There are three main types of cloud-based applications that differ based on use cases and benefits provided:
1. Software as a Service (SaaS): These are fully functional programs that can be used without any specialised knowledge of cloud computing. They are entirely managed by the service provider and can be accessed by users via the internet. The service provider also handles the maintenance, security, and updates of the software. Examples of such cloud application tools include CRM systems like Salesforce, Website Builders like WordPress or Shopify, Google Workspace etc.
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS provides a platform or an environment for developers to build, test, and deploy applications without being concerned about any underlying infrastructure, mobile app development tools or even operating systems. Popular examples include Windows Azure, Openshift, Google App Engine and AWS Elastic Beanstalk allow developers to focus on coding and application logic while the cloud service provider handles the server management, networking, and storage side.
3. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Businesses opt for IaaS cloud services to allow businesses to contact a cloud service provider to manage the entire business infrastructure including the network, storage, server, and visualisation components. The cloud service provider ensures that the services are functioning, regularly upgrades them, and maintains data security of your application. Examples of such cloud application development tools include Amazon EC2 and Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines.
The Benefits of Having a Cloud-Based Application
Adopting cloud application development offers a multitude of benefits, including:
Cost-effectiveness: Investing in cloud-based application development can save you money in the long run as there is no need to spend on maintaining expensive hardware and local servers. Likewise, users can use pay-as-you-go options to only gain access to resources that are necessary.
Scalability: Cloud-based applications can easily scale up or down based on demand. Developing applications on cloud ensures optimal performance during peak usage times and saves costs during low-traffic periods.
Lower Device Requirements: Cloud-based solutions rose to popularity among the tech community because they require a low processing power allowing these applications to run smoothly on various devices. Cloud applications reduce the need for local servers, allowing users to store data and files remotely.
Flexibility: Cloud applications are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, providing teams with the flexibility to work remotely and collaborate seamlessly.
High compatibility and Integrations: Most cloud applications do not depend on any specific operating system. As such, with a low investment, cloud applications can be developed for a larger audience. Businesses can also integrate third–party services to provide a robust application to users.
Automatic Updates: Cloud service providers handle all software and security updates, ensuring that your application runs on the latest and most secure version without manual intervention.
Building a Cloud Application in 6 Steps
Building cloud applications can seem daunting. For this, we have broken down the process of developing cloud-based applications into six manageable steps:
Step 1: Do your research to understand your customer
It is important to understand your audience and identify their pain points before moving ahead with the actual application development process. This helps to provide a business solution that adds value by solving a problem of your consumer and helps businesses to derive a specific niche for the application.
Besides this, businesses must conduct market research to identify the competitors for this application, key features sought by users and figure out what apps can be used to transfer this application development process to cloud.
Step 2: Building a team to develop the application
Businesses can start by arranging a team of professionals to develop their cloud-based application with. This could be done by contacting freelancers, sourcing an in-house team, or through an outsourced agency. Outsourcing to a tech agency to handle cloud application development is the best option as it reduces the cost of development, and the entire workflow is managed by experts in the field.
Step 3: Choosing app features & architecture based on your business requirement
Once the team is sorted, it’s important to settle on the features that you want to integrate in your application. This process can be done before opting for an app development agency as well. It’s important to understand how different components of an application interact with one another. You can choose several approaches including microservices, serverless functions or the traditional three-tier architecture.
Step 4: Choosing the right tech stack to build highly functional applications
At this step, it is important to identify what development tools can be used to write the code, design features and create the application. Choosing the right tech stack can influence the functionality of the overall application. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to the compatibility of the selected programming languages and frameworks against your cloud service provider. Make sure your tech stack aligns with long-term development goals and potential expansion plans.
Step 5: Develop and test your mobile application
Finally, it’s time to work on building the cloud application. First, get your team to develop an MVP for this application. Your MVP must focus on the core features that address the pain points of the consumer. Once the MVP is designed and approved, you can proceed to develop your application.
The time taken to develop can vary based on several factors such as cloud infrastructure configuration, challenges when integrating, and during scalability planning. Still, giving the necessary time for developers will be worthwhile to get a high functioning application in the end. Lastly, thoroughly test your application to make sure that it meets your standards of security, performance, and usability.
Step 6: Launch your cloud application for users
Now that you are satisfied with your application, it’s time to release your cloud app to the world. Keep an open ear for feedback to help map out the next steps in the development process for your cloud application.
Post-launch, be sure to continuously monitor your app’s performance and optimise as you go. Businesses use analytics and monitoring tools to track usage patterns, identify bottlenecks and make improvements to your cloud-based application.
Conclusion
Cloud application development offers a powerful and all-encompassing solution that allows businesses to innovate, scale and stay ahead competitively in the current digital sphere. Whether you are seeking to create customer-facing applications or internal tools, leveraging the right architecture, tools and expertise is the key to a successful application launch.
How can we help?
At Swivel Tech, we specialise in building customer cloud-based solutions that meet your business needs. Our team of experts can guide you through every step of the process from sourcing requirements to development to ensure that your application is scalable, secure, and optimised solely for success. Get in touch with us and learn more about how we can help you build your dream applications today!
FAQs
1. Can cloud applications be integrated with on-premises systems?
Yes, cloud applications can be integrated with on-premises systems, although it can be complex. Hybrid cloud solutions and middleware can help bridge the gap, allowing data and processes to flow seamlessly between cloud and on-premises environments.
2. How can Swivel help with cloud application development?
At Swivel, we offer end-to-end cloud application development services tailored to your business needs. Our team of experts can help you design, develop, and deploy scalable and secure cloud applications, ensuring a smooth and successful transition to the cloud.
3. How do I choose the best cloud provider for my application?
Choosing the right cloud provider depends on factors like cost, scalability options, security features, the range of development tools offered, and the provider’s reputation for reliability. Comparing providers like AWS, Azure, and GCP can help you decide which one best fits your needs.
4. What are some of the latest cloud computing trends?
There are several interesting developments among the cloud development community:
Quantum Computing
Containerisation
Cloud-based AI services
Cloud Native Applications
5. What are some challenges of cloud computing?
Although big, many advantages are attached to cloud application development. However, looking at some of the challenges one may incur shows that:
Security Concerns: While clouds boast comprehensive security, the providers still must ensure data privacy and compliance, particularly in industries with strict regulatory requirements.
Integration Issues: The integration of cloud applications with on-premises systems or other cloud services could be difficult and may require extra tailoring.
Downtime and Reliability: Even with cloud providers developing systems for high availability, failure can still be experienced. In this regard, a disaster recovery plan and redundancy measures should be put in place.
Skill Gaps: Certain skills are required to develop cloud applications, such as knowledge of cloud architecture, DevOps practices, and cloud security. Considering this, companies may need to invest in training or employ experts to fill skill gaps.
