What Is Cloud-Native Computing and How Is It Changing Business?

What is Cloud-Native Computing?

Cloud-native computing is a modern approach to building and running applications. Utilizing the benefits of cloud computing increases scalability, flexibility, cost efficiency, and security. Its architecture is optimized for the cloud environment. It often involves using containers, microservices, and Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.

What Are Examples of Cloud-Native?

A cloud native computing solution is designed and developed specifically for taking advantage of cloud computing. For example; delivering computing resources and services over the internet rather than through a local server or personal computer. It allows users to access storage, processing power, and software applications remotely on a pay-as-you-go basis. This also provides businesses with reduced costs associated with maintaining their own IT infrastructure.

These native cloud-based solutions are built using a containerization approach. This allows for easy deployment and scaling of the application on any cloud infrastructure. It follows a microservices architecture, which enables it to be broken down into smaller, independently deployable services. 

The software is made and kept up-to-date using a system called CI/CD. This system automatically takes care of making, checking, and putting the software into use. This way, the team can quickly respond to changes and make updates and releases that are faster and more dependable.

Some tools are widely used in cloud-native environments, including but not limited to:

• Docker: It is a containerization platform that allows for the packaging of an application and its dependencies into a single container. This makes it easy to deploy and scale on any infrastructure.
• Kubernetes: It is an open-source container orchestration system that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.
• Serverless platforms services: AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that allows you to run code without provisioning or managing servers. It also automatically scales your applications in response to incoming requests.

These tools can be used together to build and manage cloud-native applications. Additionally, this type of solution has self-monitoring and self-healing mechanisms. These automatically detect and recover from failures without human intervention. This results in a more resilient and fault-tolerant system.

What Is the Difference Between Cloud and Cloud-Native?

The distinctions between cloud and cloud-native solutions are numerous and diverse. Usually, the cloud refers to the infrastructure and services provided by vendors such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Cloud-native refers to how applications are designed and built to run on that infrastructure. 

Cloud-native applications are built to take advantage of the scalability, flexibility, and automation features of the cloud. This makes them more efficient and easier to manage than traditional applications.

Is Cloud-Native the Same as Microservices?

Cloud-native and microservices are related concepts, but they are not the same thing. Cloud-native is an optimized cloud environment approach to building and running applications. Microservices is an architectural style in which an application is broken down into a collection of small, independent services. These services communicate with each other through APIs. 

Both are often used together in cloud-native environments to achieve greater quality characteristics such as scalability, flexibility, and maintainability. These characteristics ​​are important for software systems to provide a good user experience and meet business needs.

Is Cloud-Native the Same as SaaS?

SaaS refers to a type of cloud-based service delivery model that allows users to access software applications over the internet. These applications are typically hosted on a remote server and are accessed via a web browser. SaaS applications are generally subscription-based and are available to customers on a pay-as-you-go model.

While SaaS is a type of cloud-based service, it's not the only type of service offered on the cloud. Cloud-native can be used to develop and deploy SaaS applications, but it's not limited to SaaS. It can also be used for other services, such as IaaS and PaaS.

They are related in the sense that cloud-native technologies can be used to develop and deploy SaaS applications.

What's The Difference Between Cloud Agnostic and Cloud-Native?

Both concepts are related to the use of cloud computing. However, Cloud agnostic refers to the ability of a system, application, or service to run on multiple cloud providers without modification. Cloud-native refers to the ability of a system, application, or service to benefit from features provided by a cloud provider.

In short, Cloud Agnostic means that a business can easily move its work to (a combination of) different cloud providers. A cloud-native solution is specially made to work on one specific cloud provider and can use all its features.

Why Do We Need Cloud-Native?

Most companies intend to improve operations and customer experiences. One way to do this is by taking advantage of the powerful set of tools and technologies that cloud computing offers. With its focus on scalability, cost efficiency, and agility, the cloud-native-based approach empowers organizations. Comprehensive solutions allow them to better respond to market conditions, achieve business goals, and deliver better user experiences.

Cloud Native Computing Real-World Examples

The following examples illustrate how cloud-native computing brings benefits to organizations in terms of cost efficiency, scalability, and agility. It also shows how cloud-native computing is becoming a standard for modern software development.

1. Netflix

Netflix is one of the most well-known examples of a company that has fully embraced cloud-native computing. By leveraging AWS and microservices architecture, Netflix can scale its streaming service to handle millions of users. This has allowed them to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and deliver a seamless user experience.

2. Uber

Uber is one of the largest ride-hailing companies in the world. Its entire platform is built on top of AWS. Uber leverages Kubernetes and microservice technologies to manage its containerized applications that allow for quick scalability to meet customer demand. It also allows the company to improve the reliability and security of its platform.

3. Spotify

With millions of active users worldwide, Spotify is one of the leading music streaming services. The company uses Kubernetes, an open-source container orchestration system, to manage the deployment and scaling of its microservices-based architecture. This allows Spotify to handle large amounts of traffic generated by its users. Plus, it allows for easy scaling and management of its services.

4. Capital One

Capital One, one of the largest banks in the US, has adopted cloud native computing. Capital One has moved to a microservices architecture to improve customer service and increase agility. It uses Kubernetes and other cloud-native tools to run its applications on AWS. This has allowed it to improve its ability to respond to changing markets.

Netflix, Uber, Spotify, and Capital One are just four examples of organizations that have successfully adopted cloud-native computing. These companies are seeing significant benefits as a result.

Key Takeaways

• Cloud-native computing is a modern approach to building and running applications. Utilizing the benefits of cloud computing increases scalability, flexibility, cost efficiency, and security.
• Cloud refers to the infrastructure and services provided by vendors. Cloud-native refers to how applications are designed and built to run on that infrastructure.
• Cloud computing offers a powerful set of tools and technologies. Companies can use these to improve their operations and better serve their customers.
• Organizations that have already successfully adopted cloud-native computing include Netflix, Uber, Spotify, and Capital One.

About Pixel506

Pixel506, a 10Pearls Company, is a software application development company. We deliver teams with high technical expertise and bilingual capabilities. We offer a variety of services around UI/UX, web design, web development, digital marketing, strategy, and consulting.

Are you looking to make the switch to native cloud computing? Pixel506 can assist. Our experts will help you identify the right cloud-native software for your business and guide you through your journey.

Pixel506 can help you transform your business and smoothly transition to a cloud-based future. Feel free to contact us to learn more about our services.