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Behind every software application is a comprehensive series of back-end services intended to support the front end you see and use each day. The amount of work involved in creating this back-end technology is never a simple task. Many organizations are choosing to save themselves the time and money it would take to redevelop the wheel by instead using backend as a service (BaaS). This service provides organizations with cloud-based services catering to back-end processing.
BaaS, also known as mobile backend as a service (MBaaS), is a way of connecting mobile apps to cloud-based services. Instead of using mobile middleware, BaaS creates a unified application programming interface (API) and software developer kit (SDK) to connect mobile apps to back-end services like cloud storage platforms. This includes key features like push notifications, social networking integration, location services and user management.
BaaS providers offer a wide range of functionality. These key features appeal to advanced business needs and vary in scope and purpose between providers. Most companies include these basic elements:
Useful BaaS features include visual development, social integration, search functionality, native notifications and mobile app management.
BaaS successfully moves the point of app integration to the cloud. This is a drastic departure from traditional mobile application development, which requires a developer to incorporate each back-end API individually. Developers can connect front- and back-end mobile app elements more seamlessly and with fewer resource requirements.
The use of BaaS eliminates the need for developers to construct their own back-end services. Typical BaaS provides a customizable and ready-made series of features outfitted with common and necessary back-end features. The goal of this service is to shift a developer’s focus away from the complexities of back-end development to invest more in the front-end work users will see and interact with more. Another benefit is scalability, removing the need for mobile app developers to handle increased demand and server storage for traffic. [Related topic: How Cloud Computing Can Benefit Your Small Business]
BaaS offers an abundance of benefits and a few drawbacks.
BaaS offers the following advantages:
Despite the benefits of a comprehensive back end that can easily integrate with most front-end programming, the service does contain minor inherent flaws.
The drawbacks of BaaS are minimal compared to the potential benefits.
BaaS varies from the more traditional mobile middleware through a simple approach to back-end processing or, rather, how the back end connects to the front end of an app. Mobile middleware typically integrates back-end services to the app through an on-premises server, requiring you to purchase and maintain your own hardware. BaaS, however, takes the benefits of the cloud and provides these same services through the use of offsite data centers.
Both enterprise and indie developers often use BaaS. In either case, these individuals seek out this service to ease the complexity of building a mobile app. BaaS solves the headache of cross-platform development and learning the skills needed to create effective back-end processing. If a developer only versed in JavaScript on the client side wanted to create an app, they could easily utilize BaaS to avoid learning how to develop the back-end elements necessary for launch.
Ryan Goodrich contributed to the writing and research in this article.