Exploring the cloud-native app trend: what businesses need to know

There is a new trend in the world of business technology called cloud-native apps. But what are they, exactly? And more importantly, should businesses be investing in them? In this blog post, we will explore the cloud-native approach and answer common questions about them. We will cover what cloud-native applications are, their benefits, and the challenges many organizations might face when implementing them. Plus, we will provide some tips on how to get started with this exciting new technology.

What are cloud-native apps? #

Cloud-native applications are designed specifically to run on cloud computing platforms, such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure. These apps are designed for scalability and flexibility, making them ideal for businesses who need to quickly and easily adjust their operations or add new features without having to manually deploy code. They also provide a secure platform that is continually monitored and backed up, meaning the data is safe at all times. 

It is also important to understand that cloud-native applications are not structured like traditional apps. Instead, there are collections of independent but connected services, which are often referred to as microservices. These services communicate with each other and make up the cloud-native app. This allows businesses to quickly adapt their applications without completely rewriting them, making it faster and easier to launch new products or features.

Business benefits of cloud-native apps #

Cloud-native applications can offer businesses a number of advantages over traditional web applications. They are typically easier to maintain and manage, as they require less manual work and intervention than legacy applications. Additionally, a cloud-native architecture provides improved scalability, allowing businesses to quickly expand their operations without worrying about hardware or infrastructure constraints. Finally, cloud-native applications are easier to integrate with other applications, streamlining the development and deployment process. 

Cloud-native app development - advantages for businesses: #

• Increased scalability and flexibility. Because cloud-native applications are designed for cloud computing platforms, they can quickly scale up or down depending on the demand. This makes them ideal for businesses that experience fluctuating traffic levels.
• Cost savings. Cloud-native apps do not need to be hosted on physical servers, and can take full advantage of on-demand hosting solutions, meaning businesses can save money on resource costs and get the most value out of their hybrid cloud architectures.
• Speed and agility. Cloud-native applications are designed to be deployed quickly, making them perfect for businesses that need to rapidly develop or launch new products and features.
• Security. Cloud-native applications are continually monitored and backed up, which means data is safe at all times. 
• Automated application lifecycle.  Cloud-native development is designed to be managed through a continuous delivery pipeline. Additionally, continuous integration allows for faster and more reliable deployments.
• Serverless architecture. Cloud-native applications are designed to be hosted on serverless platforms, meaning that managing or scaling available resources is handled by the cloud provider, allowing developers to push code to production without worrying about what it will run on.

Challenges posed by cloud-native development #

While there are many benefits to cloud-native application development, it does present some challenges as well. Most of them rear their heads at the implementation stage - cloud-native applications are not straightforward to build, particularly for enterprises with a lot of legacy technology. It is also not easy to choose the right tools and platforms, or to handle sudden change spanning the entire organization.

Cloud-native applications - challenges for organizations:  #

• Dispersion of data and services. As mentioned before, cloud-native applications use microservices to communicate with each other. This means that data can become dispersed across multiple services, which can lead to security and compliance issues if handled incorrectly.
• Difficulty debugging. Because cloud-native applications are composed of multiple services instead of one single codebase, it can be difficult to debug when problems arise.
• Migration costs. Migrating an existing application to a cloud-native platform can be expensive, as it may require rewriting existing code and transitioning existing infrastructure.
• Understanding cloud-native concepts. Benefiting cloud-native technology requires an understanding of the underlying concepts, such as service mesh and containerization. Additionally, it may be challenging to hire talent for cloud-first operations teams.

Are cloud-native apps worth the investment? #

The answer to this question depends on the needs of each organization. If a company needs increased scalability, flexibility, and security, then cloud-native applications could be a great fit. However, if a business lacks the technical expertise or budget required to implement them, then it may not be worth the investment - or it may require a different approach, such as a partnership with a provider like DEVTALENTS.

Who are cloud-native applications for? #

Cloud-native app development is ideal for businesses that need to quickly adjust their operations or add new features without having to manually deploy code. They are also great for organizations that have a lot of data and need the security and scalability offered by cloud computing platforms. Additionally, the cost savings of cloud-native applications make them an attractive option for companies that need to reduce their IT budget - provided that they can handle the initial investment of implementation and optimization.

How to get started with cloud-native apps #

If your organization is considering implementing cloud-native applications, there are a few key steps you should take: 

• Understand the technology. Make sure you fully understand how a cloud-native apps work, including their architecture and components. 
• Choose the right cloud platform. Different cloud providers offer different features and services, so you will need to do your research to determine which one is best for your business. 
• Develop a clear strategy. Before investing in a cloud-native architecture, make sure you have a clear plan of how it will be used in your organization.  
• Consider outsourcing. If you do not have the required technical expertise in-house, an experienced provider like DEVTALENTS can be the perfect partner for you.

There are a few things to consider before getting started. It is important to have an understanding of the technology and the associated cost structure involved. Additionally, make sure to thoroughly research the security measures that are in place currently and what will be required for a cloud environment, as this is a critical component of any successful deployment. Finally, set up monitoring and analytics for the usage of cloud-native applications and use the resulting data for optimization. 

Will your business benefit from a cloud-native architecture #

Cloud-native application development can provide businesses with increased scalability, flexibility, and security. However, they do require an upfront investment of time and resources to set up and maintain. Before diving in, it is important to understand the challenges that come with cloud-native systems and to make sure that your business will benefit from the change. With a bit of research, preparation, and understanding of the technology, a cloud-native architecture can be an invaluable asset for businesses looking to become more agile and efficient.

If cloud-native apps sound like a solution for your organization, but you would like to make sure this is the case or you need advice on how to get started, contact DEVTALENTS. Our experts will be happy to analyze your specific situation and provide valuable insights.