In 2021, the usage of cloud computing technology is higher than ever. It is hard to imagine a person that doesn’t use Google Drive, Spotify, or Netflix nowadays. With the rising computing power, the introduction of the 5G internet, and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of cloud apps will only increase. According to Gartner, global spending on cloud services will increase by 23.1% in 2021, to total over $330 billion at the end of the year! Businesses are also tending to use cloud apps more in their processes, to an extent that having a cloud infrastructure is becoming a must. In this article, we will try to figure out the business value of this technology, but for now, let’s start with the basics:
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What is a cloud application?
To put it simply, a cloud app is a software application that is deployed in a cloud environment. There are three main types of cloud-based apps: Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Each of these types is best suited for a particular scenario:
What is the difference between cloud and web-based apps?
Web apps are the ones designed to run in a web browser. This is one of the most popular implementations of cloud applications. To provide you with more information, here is a quick comparison:
Key benefits of using custom cloud apps
For business app implementation, there are some significant advantages of the cloud technology, the most important of them include:
Better performance - Since most work is done on the server-side, rather than on each device, the overall performance of an app will be very high. The user will receive the finest customer experience possible, enjoying fast and responsive software.
Reduced downtime - You won’t need to maintain your own IT infrastructure, so in case of failures, the problem will be removed quickly by a cloud vendor. Usually, it happens very fast without any damage to a reputation of a business being made.
Scalability - If you decide to grow your business fast, with a cloud provider you can easily request more computing resources or storage space when required.
Easy and fast updates - Thanks to cloud technology, you can update the application fast and easily, without any additional hustle of asking your users to manually download the latest version each time.
High level of security - When you maintain your own IT infrastructure, the responsibility for any security issues lies on you. With a top cloud provider, you won’t need to worry about it, as all security concerns will be covered.
"Cloud computing is often far more secure than traditional computing because companies like Google and Amazon can attract and retain cyber-security personnel of a higher quality than many governmental agencies."
- Vivek Kundra, former federal CIO of the United States
The essential steps of the cloud app development process
Based on our experience at SPD Group, the Product Development Process on a high level is quite similar to every software product you build. This case is not an exception, and the main phases you will need to go through include:
Market research - Know your competition. If you operate in industries like retail, for example, where seemingly all the latest ideas for an app had been implemented, you will still find room to innovate and improve existing solutions. Take time for brainstorming and forming a vision of where your app will fit on a specific market.
Partnering with a cloud-based application development company - The cloud application development process requires input from the expert team that is proficient in the latest technologies. The chances are you don’t have such experts in-house. One of the things you can do is to hire a dedicated development team with a proven track record for this project.
Defining features - Now you have a partner, and it's time to move back to planning. Knowing what exact features you need for the first version of your app is crucial for spending your budget wisely and making the shortest timeline possible to deliver the project.
Deciding on the tech stack - If you are not a technical expert, it's better to leave this one to professionals in their field. In case you have certain preferences or technological limitations you can always discuss them with your partner and come up with a solution.
Picking the monetization model - There are three main models to choose from: paid, freemium and in-app purchases. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so take time to investigate and make the right call for your case.
Building an MVP - - It’s a common mistake among businesses to skip the Minimal Viable Product stage and move to the development of a complete product. Creating MVP first can save you from losing time and money, and can help you find a new direction if the initial vision needs further adjustment.
Development of the fully functional app - Here is where all magic happens. With all other steps complete, you can focus on marketing activities, while your development partners will create a final product.
Testing - Full-cycle development companies provide a team of Quality Assurance and QA Automation engineers that will remain with the project for the entire duration of it, which ensures the best results.
Maintenance and support - If you don’t plan big changes and upgrades, it makes sense to hire at least one remote expert that will support your app and deal with possible issues in the future.
The price of the cloud-based application development in different regions
There are multiple factors that influence the final price of an app, which include product features, design, hourly rates for experts, project size, tech stack, complexity, deadline, and the number of team members. Probably the biggest factor is hourly rates for software developers, which depends on the location. So, for remote experts that could handle the cloud application development process the average rates based on the location are:
| Cloud app developers hourly rates | |
|---|---|
| Region | Price |
| North America | $165 |
| Australia | $110 |
| Western Europe and the UK | $70 |
| Eastern Europe | $36 |
| South America | $34 |
| India | $26 |
FAQ
How does cloud application work?
Cloud application stores most of its data and computing powers on the remote servers that are accessed via the internet. On the actual device, there is only minimal information that allows this concept to work. Today a lot of applications need an internet connection, so the amount of required outside computing power defines whether it’s “cloud” or not.
What are the 3 types of cloud applications?
The three most popular types include Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). You may need a specific type for every unique scenario that you might face in your business, so it is hard to determine the most useful among them.
What is an example of a cloud-based application?
One of the most important examples right now is Zoom, which helps the world to spin during the challenging times of the Coronavirus pandemic. Organizations around the globe also find great value in tools by Atlassian named Jira and Trello, which also operate in a cloud.
What are the major cloud platforms?
The top 5 of the biggest cloud services in the world in 2021, look like this:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure
- IBM Cloud
- Google Cloud Platform
- Alibaba Cloud
Conclusion
Leveraging the latest technological advances can help any business to become a leading player on the market. We’re at SPD Group know how to do it right. In one of our cases, we helped our partner for over 15 years to migrate to the cloud and improve business processes. You can also create a cloud infrastructure for your organization, and connect with a trusted company for cloud application development and deployment services. Feel free to ask the experienced developers for a consultation to find out what the proper mobile application can do for your business right now. You may discover that a modern software solution is exactly what you need right now and learn the essential steps and moves to improve your business with a custom mobile application that will change everything. Keep in mind that every success story is unique and requires a custom approach, however with the right partner and a detailed vision in mind, nothing can stop your organization from blooming and breaking new ground.