Backend as a Service Pros & Cons

Backend as a Service

A BaaS can be seen as a bridge connecting an application's backend and frontend. BaaS helps developers accelerate the creation of web and mobile applications and simplifies the creation of APIs. Instead of coding the entire backend, the developer uses BaaS to build APIs and connect them to applications.

Why use a BaaS?

Backend-as-a-service (BaaS) is a cloud computing service that serves as middleware. It provides developers with a way to connect their mobile and web applications to cloud services from APIs and SDKs. The link below provides the definition of BaaS provided by Techopedia.

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/29428/backend-as-a-service-baas

BaaS enables mobile and web developers to completely abstract server-side infrastructure. Developers can assemble the necessary building blocks and just write the code that connects them. This allows developers to focus on front end U / X experience rather than dealing with backend infrastructure and coding.

Web and mobile applications require a similar set of features and many repetitive activities. For example, creating a login and Log Out page is present on almost every site and it makes a lot of sense to automate its creation. There are many other examples of common repetitive activities in applications, such as email notification, social network integration, and push notifications. These services typically have their own API and need to be incorporated separately into the application. Creation takes a lot of time and effort and can be automated using a BaaS.

One of BaaS's main goals is to automate repetitive activities and avoid using developers to perform low value-added tasks. In this way, the hours allocated to the development of a software project are restricted to complex and high added value tasks that cannot be automated. The total cost of backend development can be reduced by up to 80% from using a BaaS and backend development time can also be minimized.

The learning time for using a BaaS is relatively small, allowing for smaller systems a Frontend or Mobile developer to build an entire software project (frontend + backend) alone. For larger projects, the backend developer can focus their efforts on high value-added activities.

Benefits

Suppliers - The market is relatively mature and there are numerous reliable suppliers for all types of needs.
Development Effort - A developer can save weeks when creating a backend. A BaaS is a pretty good alternative to speed up system development.
Monetization - Because the time to build an application is much shorter, MVP can be launched very quickly. Consequently, revenue generation starts earlier. Very important, especially for startups.
Scalability - The number of users can scale without interruption or loss of performance.
Security - BaaS companies provide very good security protocols.

Disadvantages

Control - Developers have less control over source code and backend access is more restricted.
Vendor Lock In - The user must be cautious and carefully evaluate suppliers. It is a long-term decision and preference should be given to vendors that allow data migration if needed.
Keywords: BaaS, API, Backend, Parse, Alternative Parse, Firebase, Parse Migration, Backend as a Service, Server, Infrastructure.

Top BaaS Companies

Until early 2016 the largest representative of the BaaS market was Parse.com. The company, which is part of Facebook, has over one million applications installed on its platform, and more than 600,000 users. Parse was acquired by Facebook in 2013, but in early 2016 the social network decided to finalize the company's operations. In 2017 the platform will be discontinued. With this, millions of applications will have to look for alternatives to migration. Some BaaS options are shown below:

Back4app - www.back4app.com - Helps developers and companies migrate applications from Parse. It supports web, mobile and IoT applications and is Open Source.

Firebase - www.firebase.com - Allows data storage, user authentication, static hosting, and more.

AWS Mobile Hub - This is a direct Parse replacement that recently came out of AWS. Although this is in Beta, AWS is a well-respected platform that supports many large companies like Netflix and Yelp. AWS Mobile Hub - Develop, Test, and Launch Mobile Apps


Market

As shown on the Technavio and Marketsandmarkets websites, the BaaS market will grow by over 80% per annum and will reach $ 28 billion by 2020, or about 10 times the current rate by the end of the decade.

Growth will be driven by application-driven economies around the globe and the indispensability of mobile applications in creating economic value. Applications also have a major impact on the industries as a whole and bring disruptive changes in business and processes. The concept of enterprise mobility revolves around applications and virtually every organization is investing in mobile applications to increase mobility.

By 2020 there will be about 20 million developers in the world and this will become one of the fastest-growing professional groups.

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