Mobile backend as a service (MBaaS)
Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS) can be defined as a cloud computing paradigm designed to simplify and streamline mobile application development. It offers developers a comprehensive platform to construct, release, and oversee the server-side elements of mobile apps. MBaaS solutions abstract the intricacies of server infrastructure, database management, and backend coding, freeing developers to concentrate on implementing core application functionality.
With MBaaS, developers are relieved of the burdensome tasks associated with server setup, maintenance, and scalability. This approach allows them to channel their energy and creativity into designing user-friendly interfaces, implementing advanced app features, and ensuring optimal app performance. MBaaS enables rapid and efficient mobile app development, making it an invaluable resource for businesses and development teams seeking to deliver innovative and user-centric mobile solutions.
Services offered by MBaaS
The following illustration gives an overview of features or services offered by MBaaS:
The details of each service are given below:
API management
Developers can use MBaaS platforms to create and oversee application programming interfaces (APIs) for mobile applications. These APIs facilitate seamless communication between frontend applications and backend services. Moreover, mobile apps frequently require integration with diverse third-party services, including payment gateways, social media platforms, and other APIs. MBaaS providers supply API management tools that simplify managing these integrations, mitigating the intricacies typically associated with the integration process.
Cloud storage
MBaaS lets developers use cloud storage instead of buying and managing their servers. This makes it easier for apps to access the backend. When we have different systems for files, data, and logic, it can cost a lot more. MBaaS brings all these parts together in one place, which can save money.
Infrastructure management
MBaaS providers manage the hosting and maintenance of the server infrastructure necessary for mobile apps. This encompasses servers, storage, and networking resources, ensuring developers don’t have to manually handle these aspects. MBaaS offers and manages the following infrastructure:
Database management
MBaaS providers often provide database services (mostly, but not limited to, NoSQL) and take the responsibility of managing it. Developers can create and interact with databases without worrying about database administration.
User authentication
MBaaS solutions offer robust authentication and authorization features to safeguard user data and control access to backend resources. These encompass functionalities such as user authentication, role-based access control, and support for OAuth protocols.
Third-party integration
MBaaS platforms often support integrations with third-party services and APIs, enabling developers to enhance their apps by seamlessly connecting with external resources. This integration flexibility expands app capabilities without requiring extensive custom development, incorporating services such as payment gateways, social media platforms, and geolocation services.
Analytics
MBaaS platforms have integrated analytics and monitoring tools, offering valuable insights into app usage, performance, and user behavior. This data-driven information and built-in analytical capabilities of MBaaS empower developers to make informed decisions, optimize their applications, and enhance the user experience.
Push notifications
MBaaS offers push notifications for the applications, enabling them to send real-time push notifications to users’ devices. Push notifications are valuable for user engagement, delivering updates, promotions, and pertinent information. MBaaS platforms simplify the creation of a cross-platform push notification system.
Let’s analyze the advantages and disadvantages of MBaaS in the following table:
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Faster development as the backend is developed and managed by MBaaS providers, resulting in reduced time to market the app | Limited customization of the backend due to pre-built backend services |
Reduced costs as there is no need to manage and implement backend infrastructure | Though cost-efficient, it can be costly as the app grows or needs an on-demand infrastructure |
MBaaS are auto scalable, as systems scale according to demand without any manual intervention | Limited control of the backend to resolve performance or downtime issues |
MBaaS providers ensure security for both user access and user data | Aligning your apps with pre-built backend service can introduce complexity to the app’s architecture |
Allow third-party integration without any extensive custom coding | Challenging to switch service providers even if offered cost-effective services by other vendors |
Monitoring and analysis enable the applications to be highly available | Storing sensitive user data on third-party service provider can be risky, introducing security concerns |
MBaaS providers
We’re now equipped with an understanding of the mobile backend as a service. To enter the growing MBaaS market, we’ve curated a list of the leading MBaaS platforms to keep an eye on, as given below:
AWS Amplify, by Amazon Web Services, is a robust platform for mobile app development. It offers an all-in-one solution for creating, launching, and overseeing mobile apps. Thanks to its numerous features, developers can quickly build and release complex mobile apps in just minutes.
Google Firebase is a one-stop platform for app development, offering powerful tools and services. It helps developers create, maintain, and grow their apps with features like real-time database, user authentication, analytics, cloud storage, and more.
Kinvey is a cloud-based MBaaS platform with robust APIs and SDKs, designed for fast and scalable development of mobile and web applications.
Appcelerator, another leading MBaaS provider, helps developers swiftly create, test, deploy, and oversee mobile apps. Their cloud-based platform offers a complete solution for building and managing mobile applications, covering everything from the user interface to the backend.
Many other options are available that provide MBaaS, and we need to explore them independently to understand and opt for them according to our requirements.
Conclusion
In summary, MBaaS streamlines mobile app development, cuts development expenses, speeds up the time it takes to launch an app, and provides scalability and security advantages. These factors combine to make MBaaS an excellent option for many app projects. It helps by handling the hard stuff on the computer servers, so app creators can spend more time making fun and useful mobile apps without worrying about all the technical stuff in the background, as backend complexities are outsourced to a cloud-based service.
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