#Cloud-Native Application Development

[kasparlavik]

Serverless computing is the future. Early adopters are already reaping the benefits; get started with a proprietary or open-source serverless platform today.

[rosaliploeger229-blog]

Serverless computing is the future. Early adopters are already reaping the benefits; get started with a proprietary or open-source serverless platform today.

[simoneschroeder777-blog]

Serverless computing is the future. Early adopters are already reaping the benefits; get started with a proprietary or open-source serverless platform today.

[romaincaisse-blog]

Serverless computing is the future. Early adopters are already reaping the benefits; get started with a proprietary or open-source serverless platform today.

[tracycook878-blog]

Serverless computing is the future. Early adopters are already reaping the benefits; get started with a proprietary or open-source serverless platform today.

[enterprise-cloud-services]

Serverless computing is the future. Early adopters are already reaping the benefits; get started with a proprietary or open-source serverless platform today.

[jcmarchi]

Loris Degioanni, Chief Technology Officer & Founder at Sysdig – Interview Series

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/loris-degioanni-chief-technology-officer-founder-at-sysdig-interview-series/

Loris Degioanni, Chief Technology Officer & Founder at Sysdig – Interview Series

Loris Degioanni is the Chief Technology Officer and Founder of Sysdig. He is also the creator of the popular open source troubleshooting tool, sysdig, and the open source container security tool Falco. Prior to founding Sysdig, Loris co-created Wireshark, the open source network analyzer, which today has 20+ million users.

Sysdig is dedicated to ensuring every cloud deployment is secure and reliable. Trusted by innovators worldwide, Sysdig’s cutting-edge solutions and supported open-source projects empower organizations to operate with confidence. As pioneers in cloud-native threat detection and response, Sysdig introduced Falco and Sysdig open source, establishing them as open standards and foundational components of their robust platform.

Can you share the story of founding Sysdig in your backyard and the initial challenges you faced in building a cloud security company from the ground up?

Sysdig is the culmination of a journey that started with my work as a university student in Italy, contributing to the development of Wireshark, an open source network protocol analyzer. After a decade of working on visibility and security, I recognized that the rise of cloud-native infrastructures was creating significant security blind spots. This inspired me to focus on securing software built for the cloud, with runtime insights at the heart of our solution. Starting in my backyard, we faced the usual startup hurdles—building a team, proving our vision, and gaining industry trust. Our open source foundation played an important role in overcoming them.

You transitioned from CEO to CTO. What drove this decision, and how has it allowed you to shape Sysdig’s technical vision?

Entrepreneurship has always been a passion of mine, but technology is an even deeper one. Transitioning to CTO allowed me to focus on what I truly excel at—shaping Sysdig’s technical vision and driving innovation. By bringing in a CEO who complements my skills, I was able to double down on advancing our technology and I let my CEO partner focus on building a sustainable business.

Sysdig has contributed significantly to open-source projects like Falco and Wireshark. Why was adopting an open-source approach central to your strategy from the beginning?

In cybersecurity, collaboration is essential for success. We believe that the “good guys” have a fighting chance only by working together as a community, leveraging shared tools and open standards. This conviction drives our commitment to open source projects like Falco and Wireshark, which have become industry staples and embody our ethos of community-driven security, and Stratoshark, the newest addition to our open source ecosystem that brings the power and depth of Wireshark to cloud visibility.

What inspired the creation of Agentic AI at Sysdig, and how does it differ from using a single AI agent in terms of precision and scalability?

Cloud security is challenging for many reasons, much of which is complicated by how many layers and separate domains are involved. Agentic AI was born out of a need to overcome the limitations of single, individually prompted AI agents. By creating multiple assistants, each trained for specific domains and working collaboratively, we’ve enabled more precise and scalable problem-solving. It’s similar to forming a team of specialists to tackle a complex challenge—each assistant brings expertise, collectively providing better support for the user.

How does Agentic AI enhance the productivity of security teams, and what measures were taken to ensure the accuracy of its recommendations?

Our AI, Sysdig Sage, acts as a true extension of your security team, engaging in proactive and interactive support across multiple domains. By understanding user intent and facilitating conversational interactions, Sysdig Sage boosts productivity by streamlining complex workflows and accelerating human response. To ensure accuracy, we’ve implemented rigorous training and validation processes, using real-world scenarios to refine its recommendations.

Beyond security, how do you envision the Agentic AI approach being applied to other domains within the cloud or technology sectors?

Agentic AI is a natural fit for any domain requiring complex problem-solving. Just as teams of people collaborate to tackle challenges, AI agents can be organized to address non-trivial tasks in fields like DevOps, application development, or even financial technology. We believe this multi-agent approach will become the default for leveraging AI in complex environments.

Can you elaborate on the role of runtime insights in bridging shift-left and shield-right security approaches, as highlighted in your recent white paper?

What we’ve found is that effective cloud security requires shifting left—moving security responsibilities upstream into development proactively—while also shielding right—detecting and responding to threats in production. Unfortunately, adopting shift-left often drowns organizations in vulnerabilities and excessive permissions, leaving them exposed at runtime. With runtime insights, the knowledge of what’s actually in use in production applications, Sysdig helps security teams prioritize real risk and cut vulnerability noise by 95%. In essence, Sysdig helps customers spend less time on security and more time building software.

How does Sysdig use runtime insights to identify and address threats in real-time, particularly in complex environments like Kubernetes and multi-cloud deployments?

We know that cloud attacks unfold in 10 minutes or less. Sysdig continuously monitors the live activity of applications within Kubernetes and multi-cloud environments, leveraging the open-source Falco detection engine to detect suspicious behaviors in real time. This enables security teams to quickly identify threats and respond in alignment with the 5/5/5 Benchmark. By leveraging contextual data—such as active vulnerabilities, permissions, and system interactions—they can effectively prioritize risks and detect potential attacks across complex deployments.

Could you share more details about Sysdig’s forthcoming open-source security project for the cloud? How does it build on your existing contributions like Falco?

Sysdig, Falco, and Wireshark were born from a shared need to make sense of complex, real-time data for better security and operational insights. Wireshark offers unprecedented visibility into network behavior—however, as cloud-native environments and containerized systems emerged, traditional tools could not fully address the challenges of runtime visibility and security monitoring. This gap led to the creation of Sysdig OSS and Falco, open source tools designed to provide the same depth of insight into containers and cloud security as Wireshark did for networks. Stratoshark builds on this legacy, promising Wireshark-like granularity for analyzing cloud system calls and logs in modern, distributed environments, making it an essential tool for today’s engineers and analysts.

How do you see the role of AI evolving in cloud security over the next 5-10 years, and where do you see Sysdig’s place in this landscape?

AI will fundamentally transform how we interact with and consume cloud security software over the next decade. Cloud security’s complexity, multi-domain nature, and high signal volume make it ideal for AI-driven solutions. In the next few years, conversational interfaces will likely become a primary interaction model for cloud security platforms. Sysdig is pioneering this shift, and I expect our innovations to influence the industry broadly.

Thank you for the great interview, readers who wish to learn more should visit Sysdig. 

[cloudnativedeployment]

Optimizing Applications with Cloud Native Deployment

Cloud-native deployment has revolutionized the way applications are built, deployed, and managed. By leveraging cloud-native technologies such as containerization, microservices, and DevOps automation, businesses can enhance application performance, scalability, and reliability. This article explores key strategies for optimizing applications through cloud-native deployment.

1. Adopting a Microservices Architecture

Traditional monolithic applications can become complex and difficult to scale. By adopting a microservices architecture, applications are broken down into smaller, independent services that can be deployed, updated, and scaled separately.

Key Benefits

Improved scalability and fault tolerance

Faster development cycles and deployments

Better resource utilization by scaling specific services as needed

Best Practices

Design microservices with clear boundaries using domain-driven design

Use lightweight communication protocols such as REST or gRPC

Implement service discovery and load balancing for better efficiency

2. Leveraging Containerization for Portability

Containers provide a consistent runtime environment across different cloud platforms, making deployment faster and more efficient. Using container orchestration tools like Kubernetes ensures seamless management of containerized applications.

Key Benefits

Portability across multiple cloud environments

Faster deployment and rollback capabilities

Efficient resource allocation and utilization

Best Practices

Use lightweight base images to improve security and performance

Automate container builds using CI/CD pipelines

Implement resource limits and quotas to prevent resource exhaustion

3. Automating Deployment with CI/CD Pipelines

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) streamline application delivery by automating testing, building, and deployment processes. This ensures faster and more reliable releases.

Key Benefits

Reduces manual errors and deployment time

Enables faster feature rollouts

Improves overall software quality through automated testing

Best Practices

Use tools like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or GitLab CI/CD

Implement blue-green deployments or canary releases for smooth rollouts

Automate rollback mechanisms to handle failed deployments

4. Ensuring High Availability with Load Balancing and Auto-scaling

To maintain application performance under varying workloads, implementing load balancing and auto-scaling is essential. Cloud providers offer built-in services for distributing traffic and adjusting resources dynamically.

Key Benefits

Ensures application availability during high traffic loads

Optimizes resource utilization and reduces costs

Minimizes downtime and improves fault tolerance

Best Practices

Use cloud-based load balancers such as AWS ELB, Azure Load Balancer, or Nginx

Implement Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) in Kubernetes for dynamic scaling

Distribute applications across multiple availability zones for resilience

5. Implementing Observability for Proactive Monitoring

Monitoring cloud-native applications is crucial for identifying performance bottlenecks and ensuring smooth operations. Observability tools provide real-time insights into application behavior.

Key Benefits

Early detection of issues before they impact users

Better decision-making through real-time performance metrics

Enhanced security and compliance monitoring

Best Practices

Use Prometheus and Grafana for monitoring and visualization

Implement centralized logging with Elasticsearch, Fluentd, and Kibana (EFK Stack)

Enable distributed tracing with OpenTelemetry to track requests across services

6. Strengthening Security in Cloud-Native Environments

Security must be integrated at every stage of the application lifecycle. By following DevSecOps practices, organizations can embed security into development and deployment processes.

Key Benefits

Prevents vulnerabilities and security breaches

Ensures compliance with industry regulations

Enhances application integrity and data protection

Best Practices

Scan container images for vulnerabilities before deployment

Enforce Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to limit permissions

Encrypt sensitive data in transit and at rest

7. Optimizing Costs with Cloud-Native Strategies

Efficient cost management is essential for cloud-native applications. By optimizing resource usage and adopting cost-effective deployment models, organizations can reduce expenses without compromising performance.

Key Benefits

Lower infrastructure costs through auto-scaling

Improved cost transparency and budgeting

Better efficiency in cloud resource allocation

Best Practices

Use serverless computing for event-driven applications

Implement spot instances and reserved instances to save costs

Monitor cloud spending with FinOps practices and tools

Conclusion

Cloud-native deployment enables businesses to optimize applications for performance, scalability, and cost efficiency. By adopting microservices, leveraging containerization, automating deployments, and implementing robust monitoring and security measures, organizations can fully harness the benefits of cloud-native computing.

By following these best practices, businesses can accelerate innovation, improve application reliability, and stay competitive in a fast-evolving digital landscape. Now is the time to embrace cloud-native deployment and take your applications to the next level.

[fusiondynamics]

Available Cloud Computing Services at Fusion Dynamics

We Fuel The Digital Transformation Of Next-Gen Enterprises!

Fusion Dynamics provides future-ready IT and computing infrastructure that delivers high performance while being cost-efficient and sustainable. We envision, plan and build next-gen data and computing centers in close collaboration with our customers, addressing their business’s specific needs. Our turnkey solutions deliver best-in-class performance for all advanced computing applications such as HPC, Edge/Telco, Cloud Computing, and AI.

With over two decades of expertise in IT infrastructure implementation and an agile approach that matches the lightning-fast pace of new-age technology, we deliver future-proof solutions tailored to the niche requirements of various industries.

Our Services

We decode and optimise the end-to-end design and deployment of new-age data centers with our industry-vetted services.

System Design

When designing a cutting-edge data center from scratch, we follow a systematic and comprehensive approach. First, our front-end team connects with you to draw a set of requirements based on your intended application, workload, and physical space. Following that, our engineering team defines the architecture of your system and deep dives into component selection to meet all your computing, storage, and networking requirements. With our highly configurable solutions, we help you formulate a system design with the best CPU-GPU configurations to match the desired performance, power consumption, and footprint of your data center.

Why Choose Us

We bring a potent combination of over two decades of experience in IT solutions and a dynamic approach to continuously evolve with the latest data storage, computing, and networking technology. Our team constitutes domain experts who liaise with you throughout the end-to-end journey of setting up and operating an advanced data center.

With a profound understanding of modern digital requirements, backed by decades of industry experience, we work closely with your organisation to design the most efficient systems to catalyse innovation. From sourcing cutting-edge components from leading global technology providers to seamlessly integrating them for rapid deployment, we deliver state-of-the-art computing infrastructures to drive your growth!

What We Offer The Fusion Dynamics Advantage!

At Fusion Dynamics, we believe that our responsibility goes beyond providing a computing solution to help you build a high-performance, efficient, and sustainable digital-first business. Our offerings are carefully configured to not only fulfil your current organisational requirements but to future-proof your technology infrastructure as well, with an emphasis on the following parameters –

Performance density

Rather than focusing solely on absolute processing power and storage, we strive to achieve the best performance-to-space ratio for your application. Our next-generation processors outrival the competition on processing as well as storage metrics.

Flexibility

Our solutions are configurable at practically every design layer, even down to the choice of processor architecture – ARM or x86. Our subject matter experts are here to assist you in designing the most streamlined and efficient configuration for your specific needs.

Scalability

We prioritise your current needs with an eye on your future targets. Deploying a scalable solution ensures operational efficiency as well as smooth and cost-effective infrastructure upgrades as you scale up.

Sustainability

Our focus on future-proofing your data center infrastructure includes the responsibility to manage its environmental impact. Our power- and space-efficient compute elements offer the highest core density and performance/watt ratios. Furthermore, our direct liquid cooling solutions help you minimise your energy expenditure. Therefore, our solutions allow rapid expansion of businesses without compromising on environmental footprint, helping you meet your sustainability goals.

Stability

Your compute and data infrastructure must operate at optimal performance levels irrespective of fluctuations in data payloads. We design systems that can withstand extreme fluctuations in workloads to guarantee operational stability for your data center.

Leverage our prowess in every aspect of computing technology to build a modern data center. Choose us as your technology partner to ride the next wave of digital evolution!

[agiledock]

Harnessing Containerization in Web Development: A Path to Scalability

Explore the transformative impact of containerization in web development. This article delves into the benefits of containerization, microservices architecture, and how Docker for web apps facilitates scalable and efficient applications in today’s cloud-native environment.

[grey-space-computing]

Why Cloud Technology is Essential for Scalable Mobile Apps

1. Introduction

As mobile applications continue to evolve and grow in popularity, ensuring their scalability becomes more critical than ever. The capacity to handle increasing loads and provide a seamless user experience is no longer just a technical challenge; it’s a business imperative. Cloud technology has emerged as a key solution to these challenges, offering the flexibility and resources necessary for scalable mobile app development. In this article, we’ll explore why cloud technology is essential for scalable mobile app development, with a focus on custom mobile app development in Saudi Arabia.

2. Understanding Cloud Technology

Cloud technology involves utilizing remote servers accessed online to store, manage, and process data, instead of depending on local servers or personal devices. It has revolutionized the way mobile applications are developed, offering a range of services that cater to the needs of developers and businesses alike.

2.1 Types of Cloud Services

Three primary cloud service models exist:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Offers virtual computing resources delivered over the internet. Developers can rent virtual machines, storage, and networks, allowing them to scale resources up or down as needed.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): Offers a platform for developers to build, deploy, and manage applications, easing the scaling process without the need to manage the underlying infrastructure.

Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers software applications online on a subscription model. Users can access these applications via the web without managing the infrastructure or platform.

2.2 Benefits of Cloud Technology

Cloud technology offers numerous benefits that make it indispensable for modern mobile app development:

Scalability: Cloud services can quickly scale to accommodate increasing traffic or data loads, ensuring that apps remain responsive and efficient.

Flexibility: Developers can deploy and manage apps across multiple regions and platforms, providing users with consistent experiences regardless of location.

Cost-Efficiency: With pay-as-you-go pricing models, businesses can optimize costs by paying only for the resources they use, avoiding the need for significant upfront investments.

3. Importance of Scalability

Scalability is the ability of a mobile app to handle a growing number of users and transactions without compromising performance. In markets like Saudi Arabia, where mobile app usage is on the rise, scalability is crucial for maintaining user satisfaction and ensuring long-term success.

3.1 Challenges in Traditional Scaling

Traditional scaling methods, such as adding more physical servers or upgrading existing hardware, can be both expensive and time-consuming. They also often fail to provide the flexibility needed to adapt to sudden changes in demand, leading to performance issues and potential downtime.

4. Cloud Technology for Mobile App Scalability

Cloud technology addresses the limitations of traditional scaling by offering advanced tools and services that make it easier to scale mobile apps efficiently.

4.1 Elasticity and Auto-Scaling

Elasticity is a key feature of cloud computing, allowing resources to be automatically scaled up or down based on current demand. Auto-scaling ensures that mobile apps can handle traffic spikes without compromising performance, providing a seamless user experience.

4.2 Load Balancing and Traffic Management

Cloud-based load balancing distributes incoming traffic across multiple servers, preventing any single server from becoming overwhelmed. This not only improves app performance but also enhances its reliability and availability.

4.3 Data Management and Storage

Cloud services offer scalable data storage solutions that can accommodate vast amounts of data generated by mobile apps. These solutions are designed to be both secure and accessible, ensuring that app data is managed efficiently.

5. Custom Mobile App Development in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid growth in mobile app usage, driven by a tech-savvy population and a strong economy. Custom mobile app development is essential for businesses looking to meet the specific needs of Saudi users and gain a competitive edge in the market.

5.1 Market Trends and Demands

The Saudi Arabian market is characterized by a high demand for innovative, user-friendly apps that cater to both consumers and businesses. As the government pushes for digital transformation under its Vision 2030 initiative, the demand for custom mobile apps is expected to increase significantly.

5.2 Considerations for Local Developers

Developers targeting the Saudi market must consider local preferences, cultural nuances, and regulatory requirements. Additionally, they must ensure that their apps are scalable to handle the growing number of users in the region.

6. Case Studies and Success Stories

To understand the impact of cloud technology on scalable mobile app development, we can look at successful case studies from around the world and within Saudi Arabia.

6.1 Global Case Study

An example of a global mobile app that successfully leveraged cloud technology for scalability is Netflix. By utilizing cloud services, Netflix can stream content to millions of users simultaneously, without interruptions or performance issues.

6.2 Saudi Arabian Case Study

In Saudi Arabia, the ride-hailing app Careem has become a success story by utilizing cloud technology to scale its operations. Careem’s cloud-based infrastructure allows it to handle millions of rides across the region, ensuring a smooth experience for both drivers and passengers.

7. Future Trends in Cloud and Mobile App Development

The future of mobile app development will be shaped by emerging trends in cloud technology, with a focus on enhancing scalability and user experience.

7.1 AI and Machine Learning in Cloud

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are becoming increasingly integrated into cloud services, offering predictive analytics, personalized experiences, and improved decision-making capabilities. These technologies will play a critical role in enhancing the scalability of mobile apps.

7.2 The Rise of Edge Computing

Edge computing, which involves processing data closer to the source of data generation, is expected to revolutionize mobile app development. By reducing latency and improving real-time data processing, edge computing will enhance the scalability and performance of mobile apps.

8. Best Practices for Cloud Implementation

Successfully implementing cloud technology demands thorough planning and adherence to best practices, especially regarding scalability.

8.1 Security and Compliance

Ensuring data security and compliance with local regulations is paramount when using cloud services. Developers should implement robust security measures, such as encryption and multi-factor authentication, to protect app data.

8.2 Cost Management Strategies

Managing costs is a key concern for businesses using cloud services. By optimizing resource usage, leveraging cost management tools, and choosing the right pricing models, businesses can keep costs under control while scaling their apps.

9. Conclusion

Cloud technology has become essential for scalable mobile app development, offering the flexibility, efficiency, and resources needed to meet the demands of a growing user base. For businesses in Saudi Arabia, leveraging cloud services is key to staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market. By understanding the benefits and best practices associated with cloud technology, developers can create mobile apps that not only meet current demands but are also poised for future growth.

10. FAQs

Q1: What is cloud technology in mobile app development?Cloud technology involves utilizing remote servers accessed through the internet to store, manage, and process data. This enables mobile apps to scale efficiently and manage growing user demands.

Q2: Why is scalability important for mobile apps?Scalability ensures that a mobile app can handle an increasing number of users and transactions without compromising performance, which is crucial for maintaining a positive user experience.

Q3: How does cloud technology enhance app scalability?Cloud technology provides features like elasticity, auto-scaling, and load balancing, which allow mobile apps to scale dynamically in response to changing demand.

Q4: What are some challenges of traditional scaling methods? Traditional scaling methods, such as adding more physical servers, can be costly, time-consuming, and inflexible, making them less effective for modern mobile apps. Q5: What are the key considerations for developing custom mobile apps in Saudi Arabia? Developers should consider local market trends, user preferences, cultural nuances, and regulatory requirements, as well as ensuring their apps are scalable to handle growing demand.

[mearastec]

Navigating CLOUD acceleration with Mearas Technologies 

grow on the cloud, be sure to book a consultation with us today. The popularity cloud applications have been gaining is not new news. Gartner has predicted that by 2025, 85% of organizations worldwide will have adapted to cloud solutions in some way. This number signifies how great the impact of exploring and taking steps towards cloud enhancement plays. Working on building a cloud ecosystem that aligns with your needs is what will set your business apart in terms of operational efficiency in the coming years. Not only is the number of organizations migrating to the cloud high, but as per the same study, it is also stated that over 95% of the new-age digital workloads will be deployed on cloud-native platforms which is a huge jump from the previous 30% in 2021. Cloud native applications utilize microservices as opposed to single-block structures. These applications bring with them cost-saving benefits as hardware is not to be acquired and only licensing, maintenance, and storage costs are to be considered. 

[metaficco]

12-Factor App Methodology: Essential Web Development Best Practices for Modern Apps

Explore the 12-Factor App Methodology and uncover web development best practices that enhance scalability and maintainability. This comprehensive guide delves into 12-Factor App Principles, offering insights into effective software development methodologies and their impact on cloud-native applications.

[softweb-solutions]

A complete guide on cloud-based applications for technology leaders

As a software engineer, cloud engineer, DevOps engineer, SRE engineer, or tech leader, you’re likely familiar with the terms ‘cloud-based applications’ and ‘cloud-native applications.’ But what do these terms really mean, and how can they transform your organization’s product development and management? This article is not just about buzzwords. It is a comprehensive guide that will equip you with the knowledge to enhance scalability, high availability, and speed up your solutions delivery.

Let’s get started.

Traditional applications vs. cloud-based applications vs. cloud-native applications

Let’s start with understanding the differences between traditional, cloud-based, and cloud-native applications.

Traditional applications

Architecture: Monolithic, tightly coupled with underlying OS

Development duration: Longer development cycles, released as one package

OS dependency: High dependency on the underlying OS

Scalability: Requires additional hardware and complex processes to scale

Cost model: High upfront costs, requires investment in hardware

Release time: Slower release cycles, updates and bug fixes take longer

Transition: Handoffs between development and operations teams, creating silos

Development / Operations cost: High setup and maintenance costs, less efficient in resource usage

Automation: Limited automation, more manual processes

Downtime: Higher downtime during updates and maintenance

Backup and recovery: Low backup capabilities, manual and error-prone

Modularity: Tightly coupled components, harder to update and scale

Flexibility: Limited flexibility, changes require significant effort

Efficiency: Lower efficiency, manual processes and limited resource optimization

Testability: Manual testing processes, slower feedback cycles

Disposability: Long startup and shutdown times, less robust to failures

User experience: Potentially slower, less responsive, dependent on hardware capacity

Resource allocation: Static resource allocation, often under or over-provisioned

Security: Security managed in-house, potentially higher risk of breaches

Innovation: Slower pace of innovation due to longer development cycles

Cloud-based applications

Architecture: Often migrated from traditional architectures, can be monolithic or modular

Development duration: Faster than traditional due to cloud integration, but slower than cloud-native

OS dependency: Reduced dependency, often uses virtual machines or managed services

Scalability: Easier to scale than traditional, uses cloud resources but may face some limits

Cost model: Pay-as-you-go model, more cost-effective than traditional

Release time: Faster release cycles than traditional, but not as quick as cloud native

Transition: Smoother than traditional, but still may involve some handoffs

Development/Operations cost: Lower costs than traditional, utilizes cloud resources

Automation: More automated than traditional, uses cloud services

Downtime: Reduced downtime compared to traditional, but not as minimal as cloud-native

Backup and recovery: Improved backup capabilities using cloud solutions

Modularity: More modular than traditional, but may still have some monolithic aspects

Flexibility: More flexible than traditional, but less so than cloud-native

Efficiency: Improved efficiency, better resource management with cloud services

Testability: Improved testability with cloud-based tools, but may not be fully automated

Disposability: Improved disposability, but not as fast as cloud-native

User experience: Improved user experience, faster and more responsive than traditional

Resource allocation: Dynamic resource allocation, better utilization of cloud resources

Security: Enhanced security with cloud provider’s tools, but shared responsibility

Innovation: Increased innovation potential, faster deployment of new features

Cloud native applications

Architecture: Microservices, containerized, loosely coupled

Development duration: Faster development with iterative releases using CI/CD pipelines

OS dependency: Abstracted OS layer, allowing flexibility and easier migration

Scalability: Easily scalable, auto-scaling capabilities

Cost model: Pay-as-you-go, cost-effective based on usage

Release time: Rapid release cycles, continuous integration and delivery

Transition: Smooth transition from development to production, DevOps practices

Development / Operations cost: Lower operational costs, only pay for what you use, optimized resource usage

Automation: High level of automation, infrastructure as code

Downtime: Minimal to zero downtime, seamless updates

Backup and recovery: Automated backups, robust disaster recovery mechanisms

Modularity: Highly modular, independent microservices that are easier to update and scale

Flexibility: Highly flexible, easy to deploy and redeploy resources as needed

Efficiency: High efficiency, automated processes, and optimal resource utilization

Testability: Automated testing, continuous integration, and delivery pipelines

Disposability: Fast startup and shutdown, resilient to failures, quick recovery

User experience: Optimal user experience, highly responsive, seamless updates

Resource allocation: Optimal resource allocation, automatic scaling based on demand

Security: Built-in security features, continuous monitoring, and updates

Innovation: High innovation potential, rapid experimentation, and deployment of new features

It is evident that cloud-native applications, with their microservices and CI/CD advantages, are ideal for large enterprises. Mid-sized companies may find cloud-based applications a more manageable and effective step in modernizing their operations.

Cloud-based applications vs. cloud-native applications in the simplest manner

Think of it this way: Cloud-based applications are like moving traditional businesses to modern offices and utilizing new facilities. Cloud-native applications are like designing businesses from scratch to fully exploit the features of the modern office, ensuring optimal efficiency and growth potential.

In short: Cloud-native applications: Built for the cloud, leverage microservices, containers, and CI/CD for maximum scalability and agility. Cloud-based applications: Traditional applications adapted to run in the cloud benefit from cloud infrastructure but do not fully utilize cloud-native features.

Why is cloud-based application development a good way to go for mid-sized companies?

The cloud has undoubtedly changed the way businesses operate. That impact is going to grow with two main reasons:

As more organizations lock on its transformative power, and

As new technologies emerge to deliver even more services and functionality.

How an organization recognizes the cloud’s power is not in anyone’s control. However, how a cloud-based application developer or a SaaS provider integrates emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), or machine learning (ML) into cloud-based solutions is the key differentiator. Such integration drives a new wave of innovation and spawns a host of exciting opportunities in business, for example:

Instead of building a recommendation engine from scratch, e-commerce companies can now easily access and integrate an off-the-shelf engine.

Using readily available video intelligence modules, developers can now extract actionable insights from video files. This eliminates the need to develop their own ML or computer vision models.

Subscribe to modules that provide a fully managed service for connecting, managing, and analyzing data from globally dispersed IoT devices easily and securely. Such modules can support a wide range of services, from developing a system that detects pipeline cracks automatically to sending alerts to maintenance engineers to attend.

Most of these solutions are data-intensive and require massive processing power, making them ideal for the cloud. The cloud acts as a key enabler for building sophisticated new solutions. What matters is how a cloud-based application developer identifies your needs, understands the native capabilities of the cloud, and makes the best of the cloud for you.

Cloud strategy and assessment workshop

The adoption of cloud-based infrastructure by enterprises is increasing greatly. However, a lot of enterprises are still reluctant to adopt a cloud strategy due to lack of skills or knowledge.

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What sets any company apart in cloud application development?

The cloud undoubtedly provides many benefits, but it has cloud migration challenges and risks. From deployment costs to security and operational challenges, the challenges and risks range in nature and scale.

During cloud migration or cloud application development, a company should advise clients on which processes or operations are best suited to migration or cloud app development with reduced risks and which cloud model is most appropriate – private, public, or hybrid.

A company shall take care of the following challenges and risks during cloud migration or cloud application development:

Technology risks:

Implement robust security controls and procedures to safeguard data from cyber attacks. Careful analysis ensures the right aspects of the client’s workload migrate to the cloud for optimal cloud resource use.

Security risks:

Develop comprehensive security strategies for the client’s technology and data since the cloud does not ensure it automatically. Implementing the proper security measures is as crucial as implementing the cloud-based solution.

Operational risks:

Plan meticulously to integrate the client’s current infrastructure with cloud-based solutions to prevent data leakage or loss.

Financial risks:

Proper usage estimation and accurate configuration help avoid costly mistakes in cloud utilization.

Regulatory risks:

Stay vigilant about compliance with data protection laws to avoid financial and reputational risks.

Strategic risks:

Formulate coherent cloud migration strategies to ensure expected ROI and responsibly manage dependence on third-party service providers.

Also read: Which are the best steps for on-premises to cloud migration – step-by-step guide?

Benefits of cloud-based applications across different functions within organizations

Cost savings, security, scalability, flexibility, accessibility, and efficient data management are some of the traditional benefits of cloud-based applications. Since this is a complete guide on cloud-based applications for technology leaders, we have compiled real-world examples of cloud benefits and how they impact different organizational functions.

Product

Accelerated speed to market: By partnering with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Salesforce expanded globally without building its data centers. This partnership also ensured compliance with local data laws, streamlining their international growth.

Enhanced product testing and development: Stanford researchers developed a digital method to test new drug compounds before physical trials. This innovation speeds up the development process and reduces costs associated with physical testing.

Operations

Lower time and process costs: An insurance company processes routine claims automatically using computer vision and text analysis. This approach significantly reduces time and costs compared to manual processing.

Higher return on assets: An industrial conglomerate optimized its wind turbines with IoT and real-time analytics. This adjustment led to a double-digit increase in energy output, maximizing asset efficiency.

Finance

Dynamic pricing: A heavy plant manufacturer uses cloud-based dynamic pricing tools to improve dealer relationships. These tools also help increase profits and sales volume.

Focused allocation of resources: A farm machinery manufacturer allows farmers to apply herbicide only to weeds. This method reduces herbicide usage by up to 85%, cutting costs significantly.

Marketing

Better customer segmentation: A healthcare company analyzes data from various sources to find trends. This detailed analysis improves customer segmentation and targeting.

Extended customer reach: A private equity fund moved cattle auctions online, hosting data in the cloud. They use computer vision to automate health evaluations, expanding their market reach.

Talent and collaboration

Improved employee performance: A US bank uses AI algorithms to give real-time advice to its sales team. This guidance helps them sequence product offers more effectively, boosting sales performance.

Reduced siloes and collaboration barriers: A life sciences company connected its global research departments via cloud data storage. This connection allows seamless collaboration on shared data sets, enhancing research efficiency.

Undoubtedly, the cloud is driving a wave of innovation across various business functions. This transformation revolutionizes businesses. Next, we will explore the impact of cloud-based applications across organizations.

More on the impact of cloud-based applications

For much of its history, many business leaders saw cloud computing as a way to quickly gain new capabilities without having to work with – and be bogged down by – the internal IT department. That’s why they opt for cloud services.

Cloud services enable organizations to hire the computing power they require flexibly without owning or managing the IT infrastructure directly. Below are some examples of how enterprises use cloud-based solutions:

A fast-casual restaurant chain’s online orders surged to 400,000 a day from 50,000. A pleasant surprise? They were able to achieve this by migrating their online ordering system to the cloud.

A biotech company used cloud computing to deliver the first clinical batch of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate for Phase I trials in 42 days. The scalable cloud data storage and cloud collaboration, which facilitate real-time access, editing, and sharing of files, boosted productivity and creativity among team members.

An Automaker uses a common cloud platform to manage data from machines and systems, track logistics, and offer insights on shop floor processes across 124 plants, 500 warehouses, and 1,500 suppliers. This cloud adoption is expected to reduce factory costs by 30% by 2025 while fostering innovation.

With the rise of cloud computing services such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, the Cloud and the cloud applications have become integral to daily life. The cloud extends beyond tech circles into mainstream use. The ubiquity of cloud-based applications is undeniable. Hence, knowing the best steps for building cloud-based applications will be helpful.

Best six steps for building cloud-based applications

Navigating the journey of cloud-based application development can be complex, but it becomes manageable and rewarding with the right approach. Here are the essential steps to ensure your cloud-based applications are robust, efficient, and aligned with your business goals.

1. Build a strong business case

We assist in developing a compelling business case highlighting the benefits of cloud adoption, such as cost savings, increased agility, and improved efficiency. This includes calculating potential ROI and aligning cloud initiatives with business objectives. Additionally, we identify key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success and ensure your investment in cloud technology drives tangible business value.

2. Develop a comprehensive cloud strategy

We help you create a clear cloud strategy aligned with your business goals, identifying the suitable cloud service model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) to meet your needs. This includes evaluating your current infrastructure and planning for future scalability. We also ensure that your strategy consists of a phased migration or cloud app development approach, minimizing disruption and maximizing benefits.

3. Conduct thorough risk management

Our team assesses potential security, operational, financial, and regulatory risks. We implement robust security controls and procedures to protect your data and ensure compliance with relevant laws. We also develop a risk mitigation plan that addresses data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity to safeguard against unexpected challenges.

4. Compose and automate deployment

We help compose your application using a monolithic or modular architecture, ensuring flexibility. Our team automates the deployment process, utilizing CI/CD pipelines to facilitate seamless integration and continuous delivery. This includes setting up automated testing environments and implementing infrastructure as code (IaC) to ensure consistency and repeatability.

5. Test and validate the application

We prioritize thorough testing and validation to ensure your cloud-based application is robust, secure, and performs well. This includes automated testing to quickly identify and address issues, providing a smooth user experience. We also conduct performance benchmarking and load testing to verify that your application can handle peak usage scenarios.

6. Optimize for continuous improvement

Post-launch, we provide ongoing support to monitor application performance and implement updates. Our approach ensures your application evolves with your business needs, maintaining optimal efficiency and growth potential. We leverage analytics and user feedback to drive iterative improvements, ensuring your application remains competitive and aligned with market demands.

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Final reflections

Indeed, over the years, traditional applications have significantly improved how businesses operate. Nonetheless, cloud computing takes this further by enhancing scalability, high availability, and rapid solution delivery, ensuring businesses reach their full potential.

The key takeaway from this guide is the profound impact of cloud-based applications on businesses. Summing it up, the current state of tech space and business demands constant innovation and quick solution delivery, the most significant benefit of cloud-based applications. Traditional apps struggle with modular architecture and automation, slowing feature releases. In contrast, adopting cloud-based applications boosts efficiency and flexibility.

The breakneck pace of business innovation driving digital transformation can no longer be supported by traditional, legacy application development methodologies. Instead, organizations overhaul their strategies and philosophies toward application development to align with a cloud-centric approach.

At last, if you look for a leading cloud app development company or want to hire cloud application developers to address any skillset gaps, we can connect. We are happy to help you address any of your challenges in cloud application development.

Originally published at https://www.softwebsolutions.com on June 7, 2024.

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