What are cloud based applications?

Software as a Service cloud based applications have been around since the late-nineties, evolving from simpler web applications that used technology, like Flash and Java, to provide primitive “desktop-like” functionality in a web browser.

However, cloud based applications have evolved from basic web-hosted services to sophisticated, scalable solutions leveraging advanced cloud computing infrastructure, enabling seamless integration, real-time collaboration, and AI-driven functionalities to enhance desktop or mobile device use. This evolution has been driven by improvements in mobile and internet connectivity, cloud computing technologies, and the growing demand for flexible, cost-effective, and accessible software solutions.

For over 20 years, ServerMania has established itself as a trusted authority in cloud hosting, empowering businesses to develop and deliver cutting-edge cloud-based applications with unparalleled reliability and performance. Our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction ensures that your applications run seamlessly, scale effortlessly, and are hosted on a secure cloud server.

Cloud Applications vs Web Applications: What’s the Difference?

Cloud Applications

Cloud applications are software programs that are hosted and run on cloud infrastructure. They leverage cloud computing resources, such as storage, computing power, and networking, to provide services over the internet. Cloud applications can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, offering flexibility, scalability, and often cost savings compared to traditional on-premises applications.

Key Characteristics of Cloud Applications:

  • Accessibility: Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Scalability: Can scale resources up or down based on demand.
  • Cost-Efficiency: Often use a pay-as-you-go pricing model.
  • Maintenance: Managed and updated by a cloud service provider.

What are some examples of Cloud Applications?

Google Workspace (Google Docs, Sheets, etc.), Office 365, or Dropbox are paradigmatic examples of a cloud based application. To access these cloud services, you need nothing more than a machine capable of running a web browser and an internet connection. The interface and all the functionality of these cloud apps, including data storage, are delivered from remote servers. You can use cloud application servers to host hundreds of different cloud apps for your business, which is one of the many benefits of cloud computing.

See also: What Does the Future of Cloud Computing Look Like Based on Trends

Web Applications

Web applications are software applications that run in a web browser. Unlike traditional desktop applications, they don’t need to be installed on a user’s device. Web applications are developed using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and often make use of server-side languages like Python, PHP, or Ruby.

Key Characteristics of Web Applications:

  • Accessibility: Accessible via a web browser on any device with internet access.
  • Platform Independence: Can run on any operating system with a web browser.
  • Centralized Updates: Updates are applied on the server-side, so users always have access to the latest version.
  • Ease of Deployment: No installation required, easier to deploy updates and new features.
  • Interactive: Can offer interactive features similar to desktop applications.

Differences and Overlap Between Cloud and Web Applications

While all cloud applications can be considered web applications because they are accessed over the internet, not all web applications are cloud applications. The distinction lies in the use of cloud infrastructure:

  • Cloud Applications: Utilize cloud infrastructure and services.
  • Web Applications: Run in a web browser and may or may not use cloud infrastructure.

For instance, a local web application might be hosted on an organization’s private servers and accessed through a web browser, whereas a cloud application would be hosted on cloud servers provided by companies like ServerMania’s AraCloud, AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.

Cloud Applications vs. Native Applications

Google Workspace also provides a useful point of comparison between modern cloud apps and the older native application paradigm hosted on a local device. In the early days of the web, a user’s bandwidth or internet connection was constrained and computers has almost no storage space. It was impossible to deliver feature-rich applications over the internet and provide a good user experience.

For example, an application software platform like Microsoft Office used to be downloaded onto a local device or purchased on disks and installed on multiple devices. All processing and most data storage happened on the local machine.

Desktop applications have some benefits, but in an age of continuous internet connection and cloud application services with far richer functionality than ever before, many choose to take a cloud-first approach to development. Even companies that made their fortunes with desktop apps, like Microsoft, have moved over to cloud and web applications. An example of this is the Microsoft Azure app service and cloud architecture.

Now that cloud services and data center IT infrastructure are becoming more accessible to cloud service providers, more and more companies can leverage cloud computing and cloud apps as part of their core business operations.

Benefits Of Cloud Apps 

Control

If you’ve worked in IT for more than a few years, you’ll remember how complex it was to manage large software deployments, content management systems, and data backup when applications ran on desktop PCs. Remote computing technology and cloud apps solve the problem of large-scale distributed software deployments and data processing.

Because users access cloud applications with a browser that connects to a remote server, there is no need to physically install operating systems, update desktop applications, and access data across every desktop computer or laptop the business owns.

Cloud based solutions offer fine-grained, centralized, data control for multiple users using cloud applications. IT departments can manage who has access to data and what they can do with it via a dedicated control interface, reducing the complexity of business software management.

Security

Cloud computing services are also more secure than desktop applications. Users don’t have the flexibility of installing malware, putting underlying infrastructure and sensitive data at risk. Vulnerabilities in cloud applications can be fixed as soon as they’re discovered and patches delivered to users as soon as they hit the refresh button in their browser, easing and speeding up disaster recovery.

Additionally, cloud applications give companies insight into who is using their resources and how they’re being used.

See also: 9 Steps to a More Secure Cloud Server

Reduced Management Costs

Because cloud applications provide greater control and improved security, the cost of managing essential business applications is reduced. With cloud applications and other software as a service options, companies outsource much of the management burden to cloud service providers, reducing the need for large in-house IT teams.

Reduced Software Licensing Costs

Traditional enterprise software licensing is a large cost-center for many businesses. Vendors loved to lock their customers into applications and charge huge licensing, upgrade, and support fees.

With cloud apps, most of that complexity goes away. Typically, cloud apps are subscription services with simple licenses. Companies pay a fixed amount each month for each user. If they don’t want to use the cloud based apps any more, it’s often straightforward to export data and migrate to a different service provider. Companies only pay for the cloud app resources they use.

Software-as-a-Service cloud applications have now eclipsed traditional software distribution and licensing. The benefits are overwhelming for both developers and users. There are occasions when native applications are preferable, but as new web based application deployments become widely available, cloud deployment further cements app development and delivery strategies.

Types of Cloud Servers

In regards to cloud IT infrastructure, the primary server types are hybrid cloud, private cloud, public cloud, and even dedicated servers used for your own cloud deployment. Each of these cloud computing services are hosted in remote data centers and can be used to deploy a cloud application for your business.

Here are some examples of how cloud native applications can be used on a remote server:

  • Public Cloud: A public cloud is the ideal server type for a cloud application that needs to scale over-time. The benefit is that you can change server resources within seconds in a public cloud environment.
  • Hybrid Cloud: A hybrid cloud combines the server resources of a public cloud with the reduced infrastructure costs and increased processing power of a dedicated server.
  • Private Cloud: A private cloud works in the same way as a public cloud, but the cloud is not shared with any other users, potentially improving cloud app performance and web services.

See also: Cloud Server Pricing Guide

Deploying Your Cloud Services

As a premium cloud provider, ServerMania is equipped with the expertise, infrastructure, and tools required to support any size business in the deployment of cloud computing services. If you’re interested in learning more, consider booking a free expert server consultation with us. We will work with you to understand your server goals and deploy the right cloud services based on your needs and budget.