Software companies in Sri Lanka rely on cloud service providers for undertaking custom software development projects for their clientele. While this isn’t news per se, it is interesting to note the sheer rate of innovation that cloud computing is experiencing, especially in the wake of remote work environments. As distributed teams become the new normal in terms of workspaces, software development companies need to ensure the right systems and tools are in place for optimum and timely delivery.
AWS solutions and similar cloud computing partners make this possible, thanks to their flexible payment models and hosted infrastructure. However, cloud computing offers massive scope via an infinite range of options for even the most common software development tasks, so it’s no wonder that even the most seasoned software development teams are stumped at times. Subsequently, small businesses that are embarking on custom software development for the first time are bound to feel even more overwhelmed, no doubt.
This is why it is useful to know what cloud services can provide your business, as well as how certain tools can be scaled to suit individual project requirements. In this article, we list everything you need to know about cloud software development, as well as a guide on how your business can get started with its very first cloud-based software project.
Cloud software development refers to custom software development that takes place using cloud-based tools such as virtual infrastructure. Such tools can range from servers and virtual machines that most leading cloud storage providers offer, to low-code alternatives such as Platform as a Service (PaaS) or the more popular variant, Software as a Service (SaaS).
Many commonplace tools that are web-based fall under the SaaS umbrella, and chances are that everyone may be reliant on at least one such platform for their day-to-day needs (think Google Workspace or Slack). However, cloud software development focuses more towards tailor-made applications that businesses aim to build for their own unique needs, so every single aspect of the solution is conveniently customised to meet key objectives or address pain points within the business.
At EFutures, cloud software development is precisely what we specialise in; by hiring the best talent and building dedicated teams for our clientele, our custom software development services revolve around scalable hosted infrastructure, while utilising cloud-based tools to build, share and monitor the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) at every step of progress.
The lack of having to maintain bulky on-premise infrastructure is by and large one of the biggest advantages of moving to the cloud. With cloud computing, businesses have been spared the hassle of buying, configuring, storing, securing and maintaining heavy on-premise infrastructure such as servers. This same advantage also applies to cloud software development, where development teams need only subscribe to the services they need, in order to hit the ground running. While this amps up the convenience quotient, it also speeds up delivery times and reduces the overall time to market.
Cloud service providers don’t just supplant on-premise infrastructure; they are a powerhouse of useful tools that are all easily available under one roof. This means that cloud software development teams need not search among multiple service providers for different tools. Whether it’s configuring simple trigger-based functions or implementing a sophisticated machine learning bot, leading cloud service providers such as AWS and Azure offer these and numerous other services across one flagship subscription.
Flexible payment models are another major advantage of cloud software development, and therefore also responsible for the mass adoption of cloud-based services on a commercial scale. Featuring pay-as-you-go payment models that only charge based on units that are consumed, businesses of all sizes realise the potential for significant savings by moving to the cloud. Such cost efficiency further propels smaller businesses to market faster, thereby helping them gain recognition and stay relevant across a fierce marketplace.
With cloud computing, software development teams need not worry about monitoring on-site servers on a round-the-clock basis; this is all done by the service provider as part of the price that is paid. Whether your cloud software development team is based in-house or is part of an external agency, on-premise infrastructure, if opted for, requires 24/7 surveillance in the interest of maintaining tight security.
With cloud computing, this is now undertaken by the service provider, so software development teams need only to practise good password management principles in order to keep their precious data and accounts safe – while being free to focus on tasks that demand their skills and competencies.
Similar to round-the-clock security monitoring for hosted infrastructure, cloud service providers also maintain geo-redundancy for the purpose of keeping multiple backups of your data. In the event of data loss, your data is sure to remain accessible, thereby offering high rates of uptime. While stringent security can also be maintained privately for on-premise servers, leading cloud service providers execute the very same on a much grander scale – therefore delivering strong protection from external threats and data loss.
Considering the expansive proliferation of cloud computing, it is likely that your business is already performing cloud software development, especially if it has been building and using custom software. However, it is still worthwhile to check in with your software development team every now and then to discuss any possible areas of improvement, either via implementing any innovative tools or by fine-tuning current subscriptions in the interest of maximising savings. This can be done by meeting at least once a month to identify trends in costs and usage while discussing any new or improved tools and the potential these may bring if implemented.
AI-powered workflow automation is a prime example, where bots can offer intelligent recommendations to automate repetitive tasks, parse data and even generate replies to messages so that teams can eliminate any error or downtime that may arise out of manual intervention. Of course, implementing such tools can be done both within your cloud software development process, as well as in the application that is being built, thereby giving businesses a two-pronged advantage.
A roadmap that is built, shared and maintained over a cloud-based platform is an easy and affordable option for businesses of all sizes, in order to ensure optimum transparency across teams. This way, every team member is aware of their roles and responsibilities towards the project, while being aware of deadlines. Convening once again on a regular basis can help project managers or scrum masters shift priorities or re-assign tasks depending on the client’s feedback so that every milestone is geared to meet end business goals and KPIs.
Cloud software development that’s Agile further spearheads the delivery of functionalities that are valuable for user engagement, and therefore lucrative for your business. Whether it’s by using a SaaS project management platform or a variety of hosted services to build and run code, cloud-based services streamline software performance to enable business excellence in terms of CX, usability and subsequently, revenue. With scalability being a key advantage for any kind of cloud service, software development teams and businesses alike now have the autonomy to shift gears by re-calibrating their applications to meet fluctuations in demand, onboard a new product or even move to a completely new domain with incredible speed and precision.
Technical debt is an often overlooked yet crucial aspect of any software development project, as even the smallest of software development endeavours is bound to collect technical debt with the lapse of time. Whether it’s duplicated data or a disparate array of components, technical debt also needs some attention on a regular basis by reorganising and decluttering where needed, so your application, while being presentable to your audiences on the outside, is now also aligned and integrated on the inside. Apart from streamlining the flow of data and alleviating duplication, resolving technical debt also helps reduce costs and improve overall application performance.
Cloud software development welcomes much versatility as well as the autonomy to innovate by implementing emerging trends into your software, so your customers are always on the receiving end of products and services that they find valuable. Heavily impacted by technologies such as AI, cloud software development still stands true to its evergreen advantages, such as the convenience of not having to maintain bulky on-site infrastructure, while paying only for services used on an ad-hoc basis.
So, whether your software development team has already been making use of cloud services to custom-build applications or is still new to the space, your business stands to gain a dynamic advantage thanks to a constant stream of new tools and technologies that are available for adoption.