#cloud app developers

Several big-shot players have started ruling the cloud space. Here is how they differentiate their services from each other.

Cloud computing relies on a unique client-server mechanism, where one provides the necessary resources from multiple internet-connected devices. Developers get access to hosted applications easily and with cloud services, one can create web applications without any interference. Here are some of the biggest players in the industry:

Google App Engine

In the field of web development, Google and Amazon are in charge. Google's App Engine has repeatedly helped several developers to build and host web apps on their own servers for quick processing, development and deployment. Google administrates its cloud services with an easy hand and the developers do not have to be aware all the time about the hardware upgrades, patches or backups that Google is affecting to its servers. Now Google manages to handle incessant traffic and huge processing loads. Hence the developers need not worry about how Google will be able to bear the workload through cloud computing. Google App Engine is scalable and flexible in terms of resources, performance and users. Working with the App Engine is free for all developers. With the free cloud service, Google provides 500 MB of storage at no cost along with a whopping 5 million page-views.

Amazon Web Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been providing cloud computing services for developers from many years now. AWS includes Amazon CloudFront which is mostly used for content delivery, Amazon Fulfillment Service which is specially used for ecommerce operations, and Amazon CloudWatch which is used for monitoring cloud service. Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) is mostly used for storage while the Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is perfect for those interested in networking. AWS is free for signing up and you obtain an Access Identifier, for making web service requests.

Codeita

Here is a new and unique cloud-based development platform which is named Codeita. The cloud computing platform allows developers to perform nearly all operations from a cloud perspective, right from design, to the app publishing process. The web technologies which are running in the cloud are the same ones that control the web today. LAMP technologies are used for getting things running. The platform is free to get started and offers flexible cloud storage and in-browser FTP publishing. Developers are provided with 100 MB of space to start out. Users get access to web-based FTP which allows editing and publishing of files.

Here are some different ways, cloud computing and virtualization benefits the users:

1.Cloud Computing Provides Numerous Testing and Staging Servers

Development teams are usually restricted to having one physical server per development and even for staging and production. However but with cloud instances, once can scale the resources up and down and work on unlimited number of servers at a time. One does not have to rely on physical servers for carrying on the work.

2. Agile Development Transforms into Parallel Activity

One might experience delays in especially in getting server instances to work for them but one can provision servers for agile development teams quickly with the help of cloud services.

3. It Boosts Innovation and Experimentation

By being able to create instances as and when needed, development teams can spawn multiple instances quickly for coding purposes and then testing the code out. One does not need to wait for the next build since there are an unlimited number of servers which can be made available. Builds are faster and less painful with agile development thus encouraging developers to experiment every time.

The appealing nature of cloud applications for small businessesSmall businesses focus on growth and improved operations for business success. They strive to be cost-effective always, with the help of cloud apps too.

Small business owners are always in the lookout of ways to improve operations in the toughest economic times. Software programs and networks are out of reach for most small startups who face huge budget restraints for monitoring these applications. With cloud-based apps and platforms, small businesses have got an affordable way to incorporate huge budgeted software programs for their daily operations.

The cloud is just the traditional way how individuals and businesses interact and install software programs. Instead of data and applications stored in desktops or single computer terminals, cloud-based services are accessible through the net just like online banking and shopping while also including e-mail and social networking sites. Most cloud-based service providers have always incorporated stringent security measures for better protection of customer data and its safety.

There are cloud versions of nearly all applications in this age. Here are some of the most popular cloud app types:

Data storage, repository and backup

Document management

Self-scheduling software for service-based businesses

Online payment programs through payment gateways

Accounting and financial software including planners and calculators

Human resources software for screening and judging candidates

Marketing and sales programs with email campaigns

The cloud-based software applications are mostly in view of traditional software packages. The cloud apps are just as effective and robust like the desktop counterparts. Here are some of the benefits offered:

Cost is the biggest benefit of cloud computing application developers since it was the biggest detriment for small businesses to incorporate software platforms as part of their operations. The cloud apps and platforms are generally affordable and according to stringent budgets. There are many options of “pay-as-you-go” policy with negligible monthly fees. The program is monitored and posts regular upgrades and updates thus without outside support and charges.

Most small business owners already have an internet connection and hence the software is not confined to a business network here. Anybody can have access to the software even when they are mobile, at home, on the road or anywhere. Most customers and clients can hence access any online services like appointment-scheduling from anywhere.

Efficiency is pivotal to small-business software since many of the guys working in small businesses usually do not have the time to install software applications or even understand how to use them. It is hard for them to grasp at a short notice and if it takes any longer, then a huge amount of productive time is lost for no apparent reason. Cloud applications usually have no installation or download option and generally extremely easy to learn and use.

If small businesses are keen to improve accounting procedures, or even conduct an email campaign, cloud applications are perfect tools to render an assortment of tasks effectively and efficiently. Cloud-based software service providers look after the needs of most small businesses easily and manage to tailor their products keeping in view the demand in the market. There are free trials available which gives the chance for the office staff to try their hands on the software and also judge if they fit the business processes to the tee.

Cloud computing applications can execute and run all sorts of applications if the architecture is strong enough. Moreover it offers a large number of benefits for the average user.

The cloud computing applications can do anything with the right middleware and even run all the programs which a normal computer could usually run. Custom programs, processing solutions, ERP for organizations, almost anything designed for a specific company can be run through a cloud computing system.

But is it really required that another computer system has to run programs and even store critical data. Here is why cloud computing works big time:

Clients can access their applications and critical data even if they are roaming. Any computer which is Internet-linked and runs well can serve as an access point to the company data. Data is not restricted to a single hard drive or a single computer or even a single internal network.

Cloud computing services helps in bringing hardware costs down. Cloud computing systems not required hardware systems which are complex and cost a moon. The fastest computer is not required with the fastest memory since the cloud system can help here. An inexpensive computer terminal would do the trick. The terminal can consist of monitor, keyboard and mouse and just enough to run the middleware. Most information would be stored in the remote computer.

Cloud computing systems gives its clients access to nearly every computer application that you would need. There is absolutely no requirement of software licenses for every employee. A metered fee to the cloud computing company can give you organization-wide access.

There is now absolutely no need to buy physical space and store servers and databases since Cloud computing gives the option of data storage on other hardware removing the need for physical space.

No need for IT support since the provider will take care of these things. Streamlined hardware would in fact have lesser problems than a network of operating systems and machines.

If the cloud computing system's back end includes a grid computing system, then the client has access and advantage of the entire processing power offered by the provider. It is difficult for individual computers to complete tasks assigned by scientists and engineers since the requirement of processing power is huge. On a grid computing system, one can scale up on resources and the cloud system would release the processing power of all available computers on the back end which would help the data to be processed in a trice.

People worry about cloud computing due to two factors: security and privacy. Handing over data and security to a third party appears problematic for some and many executives might hesitate to take advantage offered by a cloud system just because they are apprehensive of keeping company's information under some relatively less secure lock and key.

It benefits a company to take security measures . Cloud computing companies offer advanced techniques for clients' data security. For safeguarding privacy is difficult. Client's privacy could be compromised if data is accessed anywhere. Cloud computing companies are always in the lookout of safeguarding client privacy. Authentication techniques such as user names and passwords are used considerably and even role-based access is provided.

SaaS and cloud computing technologies walk hand in hand. The cloud has been loaded with web apps ever since the recession when companies opted for the low-cost solution for the IT infrastructure.

SaaS (Software as a Service) had almost met its doom in 2001 but it crawled back into contention due to the need of companies to combat with high-cost IT infrastructure. SaaS was revolutionary when it came in, but the expectations were too huge to be fulfilled. SaaS has now managed to smother other new technologies and has several versions in the form of Infrastructure as a service and Platform as a service. SaaS has considerably regained its stature since the dot com bubble burst and has grown in recent years.

SaaS web apps started out as point solutions and the first players in the market included UpShot and SalesNet. These solutions provided services related to specific business needs but did not have a huge customer following even though the idea was new and useful. The features were limited and the resources were limited too at their disposal. The competitors who started out offering SaaS solutions offered better features after the dot com bubble while the originators lost their place of importance and eventually vanished into thin air.

Feasibility of cloud computing and SaaS

The feasibility of cloud computing services has always been undetermined since it is difficult to quantify the benefits as well as its utility in any business context. Business requirements have always mentioned the need for low cost but efficient infrastructure but with no solid and structured cloud computing solution in place, it was difficult for businesses to opt for cloud computing. SaaS proved to be an efficient mode of delivery but it is important to know that the IT setup has evolved well over the years and the security measures are better than they were, years before.

Nowadays, there are businesses that are not wary of offshore software testing because of the fantastic setup of offshore service providers. Most are willing to outsource their non-core IT tasks to offshore locations. The cloud has made it possible to save time and money and set up virtual offices to get their tasks done.

Importance of Cloud computing and SaaS web apps

Cloud computing solutions are great for small businesses since they are scalable according to the needs. Additionally, they can even handle the immense workload at cheap monthly prices.

SaaS has grown to several heights and now has become mission-critical too. It has transitioned well from being a unit silo process to a full-fledged enterprise mode of delivery and the SaaS web apps are used for mission-critical purposes related to ERP solutions.

Cloud computing services consumed from external service providers have taken a huge chunk of the total services offered, according to a Gartner report. The cloud market is preferred today by many with the advent of Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure capitalizing on the surge of interest in people for cloud computing. Many organizations have expressed their desired to get into cloud computing by allocating a part of their IT budget for the same. Many of them plan to allocate budget for cloud computing in the near future.

Cloud computing has risen in stature since most applications are moving from desktop to cloud while there are various providers who provide cloud computing services.

It is necessary for different companies to have a definite infrastructure for meeting their IT needs and there is a definite cost involved on a continual basis. Most of the small and medium scale companies find it difficult to invest in IT by allocating a part of their income in setting it up.

Cloud Computing Technology has paved a way for many such companies to resort to offshore development and virtual working with the help of a remote setup or a cloud setup which could be accessed from varied locations across the world. Cloud Computing Services has been in the news lately since it now boasts of a 10.2 percent rise in spending on external IT services in recent years. Most Cloud Computing Application Development companies are willing to have a part of their services being hosted on the cloud since the expenditure on the IT infrastructure is getting costlier than ever.

Here are some of the advantages of cloud computing for a typical company

There is absolutely no need for high performance computers for all users since the basic software and hardware is targeted here rather than disk space.

Computers in a cloud computing setup boast of good performance there are no extra resources and programs which can bring the performance down.

Low costs are inevitable since cloud computing helps out companies to invest in something which is related to their core business rather than in IT. An efficient cloud infrastructure setup is capable of delivering high performance at low costs.

Maintenance will not be the headache of the vendor since cloud computing helps companies to bring down the overall costs.

Lower Software Costs and Upgrades are a given since most of them are available licenses while upgrades are relatively cheaper too

Unlimited Storage Capacity is a huge plus point for cloud computing

Increased Data Safety and security with a good cloud computing setup helps in lowering data storage problems since information losses are rare in such cases

Easy document collaboration is one of the best aspects of cloud computing

The Cloud Computing Services model is essential for the decommissioning of servers and its location independent features are helpful to set up operations in remote locations.

One can even provide comprehensive LAMP services through the cloud computing setup. Open source technologies are vouched by many and all vendors would be keen to utilize cloud computing for hosting LAMP applications. The cloud can help to document deployment steps and even setup test configuration for checking errors and bugs. The cloud is helpful for innovation and it is easy to weed out performance problems. Evaluation tests can be conducted quite easily too.

Cloud computing and Cloud web Apps are needed by companies who house PHP applications in internal servers whereas the cloud is cheaper to host. It is easy to replicate the user's environment along with the tests that need to be conducted. Developers can build on existing skills for cloud implementation and make use of AWs or Rackspace for cloud computing purposes.