Mobile users at present are demanding more from their mobile apps over time. From user authentication and push notifications to social network integrations, an application must have these features to have much credibility or to gain much traction as an application.

Application development is becoming an uphill struggle for developers

Therefore, this is becoming an uphill struggle for mobile application developers to build applications quickly with the assurance that users are going to get the best user experience with their applications.

However, to make this possible, it is important to connect applications to effective backend processing capabilities that can help developers for maximum performance and meeting the market demands in the best possible way.

While in this way, Backend as a Service can save them in a more effective way. To know what Backend as a Service solution actually is and how it can help developers in application development processes, let’s have a look at the details given below:

Introduction to Backend as a Service

Every mobile application comes up with the services set that are powered by the backend. Commonly, these services include notification services, cloud storage, social network integration, user authentication, and much more.

Each of these features used to have their own APIs that developers have to incorporate into the application. This is a task which is more often complicated and pretty time consuming for the developers to perform.

However, Backend as a Service also known as BaaS or MBaaS is an emerging cloud-based model that can power and outsource these backend services. BaaS can provide an effective bridge between the backend and frontend of the application through a unified SDK and API.

• BaaS implemented entirely behind the scene processes of an application including everything from user authentication, database management, remote updating, push notifications and much more will be handled by BaaS.
• Also, BaaS will help application developers to focus on just building the application’s frontend. Ultimately, they will be able to save more on their time and money during development processes.

What are some pros and cons of BaaS?

Do you want to know some of the most exciting advantages or disadvantages of BaaS? Let’s have a look at the ones given below:

Pros of Baas

Rapid time to market

With BaaS app developers don’t have to be worried about scalability, database administration, and replication at all. Even when deadlines are hot and your competitors are high on heels, you can have the freedom to focus on just writing the codes that can incorporate exciting functionalities to improve users’ experience with your application with ease.

Fortunately, you can do it all by reducing your apps’ go-to-market time effectively.

Save time on development processes

BaaS is offering a variety of features including user management, data storage, queries, search, and much more. This will save you from hours of struggle required for backend development. It means you can adapt market needs and changes faster, which otherwise may take much time to be implemented.

No server requirements

With BaaS implemented, no backend server is required for your apps. Because the entire infrastructure is managed or hosted in the cloud. This will let your apps run faster and can save your maintenance and hardware costs as well in a more effective way.

Develop feature-rich apps

Baas can provide data storage, search, user authentication and much more. If you are going to choose the right BaaS platform, you can incorporate more features into your apps even by spending less time. This all is just because of the agile functionality of BaaS. This is just like a regular database but with full of superpowers.

No need to hire full-time backend developers

BaaS is easier to learn and requires no additional skills or knowledge. It means with the right BaaS platform; a front-end developer can manage the complete application development process. Ultimately, the need to call a backend developer can be eliminated completely for smaller projects. while in bigger projects they can focus more on core tasks.

Cons of BaaS

Inability to play around with the code 

With BaaS, developers won’t be able to experiment with their codes. So, if you are the one who loves to play around with his code, then BaaS might not be for you.

Less control

When you are going to host your code with a BaaS provider, you will have less control over your app code.

Types of projects suited best for BaaS

With BaaS Apps can be developed faster. BaaS can be a viable solution if your app is containing features like user management, authentication, push notifications, file upload on the cloud. However, understand the fact that every app isn’t utilizing Baas capabilities, but any app can.

Here are some projects that can be powered with an effective BaaS solution:

A smart home application:

A smart home controlling application would need a backend platform to store structured or unstructured data, run data mining queries and data sync between multiple devices. Building such an application required plenty of resources and time. And an effective BaaS solution can offer these functionalities straight out of the box.

A mobile chat application:

Real-time chat applications are highly demanding in terms of backend. Because these have to make multiple API calls including messaging, notifications, cloud storage, search filters, etc. that can be acquired by BaaS effectively.

Community social application

You can’t do everything on Facebook. Various communities are now using their specific niche applications. These apps are letting users post job postings, marketplace offers, and new events. Commonly, these applications are relying on backend features such as user login, registration, messaging, and database management that can be backed by BaaS with ease.

Key features of BaaS

• Data storage, synchronization, and management.
• User access and identity management.
• Social integrations
• Email verification
• Cloud code functions
• CDN and cache
• Geolocation
• Logs
• Infrastructure
• Reporting and analytics

BaaS can benefit application developers in multiple ways. However, it is highly important for them to understand their application’s needs first before choosing a BaaS solution. Because different Baas vendors are offering different features. Therefore, proper homework is necessary for a smart decision.