Mobile Backend as Service MBaaS Benefits and Use Cases
The advent of smartphones in the last decade made mobile technology the dominant platform for personal computing. This trend led to the emergence of the mobile app industry, which continues to grow steadily over the years. According to Statista website, there were 204 billion app downloads in 2019, this number is expected to increase to 258 billion in 2022. No wonder businesses and developers are paying more attention to mobile technology these days.
With the shift to mobile computing comes the increased demand to develop new apps and update existing ones. Consequently, developers came under pressure to create, test, and upgrade apps for clients faster than ever. Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to adopt an agile, swift, and efficient approach to app development.
Mobile Backend as a Service (mBaaS) emerged as a viable solution to help developers overcome the pressing challenge. This article delves into the value that MBaaS brings to app development, and how you can leverage them to create modern apps with minimal efforts.
How Does MBaaS work?
MBaaS refers to a cloud service that offers developers top-notch server infrastructure and other backend resources for creating apps. In essence, developers using MBaaS would not have to bother about setting up or managing an app backend.
MBaaS providers also offer developers quick access to app functions such as authentication, push notifications, cloud storage, data management, geofencing, APIs, and lots more. This approach towards app development gives developers more time to focus on creating the app frontend and getting the job done faster than ever.
Benefits of Mobile Backend as a Service
From the discussions above, it should be evident that MBaaS helps solve pressing app development challenges. Here are three main avenues where developers benefit from using Mobile Backend as a Service:
- Expedite app development
- Reduces app development costs
- Enables enhanced App UI and UX
- Facilitates hassle-free server management
How to Leverage the Power of MBaaS
MBaaS providers take care of all backend tasks, including infrastructure, security, database, storage, scaling, and many more. So, you gain more time to focus on other assignments that add value to your app development projects. Here are some ways developers can leverage MBaaS in their development projects.
Focus on top-notch features
It is essential to note that app users only interact with the app frontend, which is commonly called the user interface. So, frontend features can make or break an app development project. Since MBaaS providers are handing the backend, developers can focus on creating top-notch frontend app functions that would impress users.
Enhance app user interface and user experience
Developers can leverage the additional productivity time to create attractive app frontends, enhanced navigation, and other features that improve user experience.
Add modern app features
MBaaS providers offer ready-made codes for features such as multi-factor authentication, push notifications, social media integrations, and much more. Developers can integrate these modern features into their apps without hassle.
Update apps faster
Since a MBaaS provider speeds up the app development process, developers can now focus on fixing bugs, adding user-requested features, and publishing app updates faster than before.
Who Can Use a Mobile Backend as a Service?
MBaaS platforms are created with developers in mind. Therefore, computer users with zero development skills would find it challenging to use such platforms. That being said, here are specific scenarios where MBaaS would be exceptionally useful:
- Small businesses—the cost of app development would be excessively high if small businesses were to acquire server infrastructure and hire backend developers. With MBaaS, small companies can create apps at reasonable costs. All they need is to subscribe to an MBaaS platform and employ a frontend developer.
- Development companies—application development companies can leverage MBaaS to create and update apps for their customers faster than ever. Moreover, since the MBaaS company would handle the backend side, app development companies can maintain a smaller development team, thereby saving costs.
- Freelancers—MBaaS enable freelancers to handle app development projects that are otherwise impossible within their limited skills. For instance, a frontend developer can create an app with modern features without learning backend development.
A Final Note
MBaaS brings value to application development by offering infrastructure and backend resources that expedite and simplify app development projects. Developers and businesses are leveraging this technology to create modern apps at reasonable costs.