Serverless – what is it and is it worth implementing in your company?

The technological revolution of the recent pandemic years is not just about the digitalization of the labor market. Many companies are also considering migrating to the Cloud or outsourcing services using cloud technologies. They are primarily tempted by the possibility of remote project management, the ecological aspect of this solution, and the prospect of cost savings. Considering these factors, serverless computing looks particularly attractive.  

What is serverless computing?

Serverless is a programming model based on native cloud technologies. It allows you to build and run applications without the need to manage servers. The code is stored in systems called containers. The routine work associated with provisioning, maintaining, and scaling server infrastructure rests on the shoulders of the Cloud provider and is completely decoupled from the software development process. Once deployed, serverless applications can be scaled on demand, which is part of the outsourced service. Moreover, it is possible to download offline serverless plugins that allow access to key functions from local machines. There are also a number of open-source solutions (such as the Serverless Framework) that allow for flexible configuration. For example, it is possible to create an application consisting of both traditional and serverless components. It is also worth knowing that serverless computing service offerings are usually divided into two groups: Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) and Function-as-a-Service (FaaS). The first option provides developers with access to a wide range of services. For example, a Cloud provider can also handle authentication, additional encryption, or databases. In the case of BaaS, serverless functions are usually invoked via APIs. As for the FaaS model, developers are still responsible for creating custom server-side logic, but it runs within containers that are fully managed by the Cloud provider. Most of them have at least one option of this type of service in their portfolio (e.g., AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, or IBM Cloud Functions).    

Is cloud computing expensive? How much does it cost to implement serverless computing?

Public Cloud providers most often offer on-demand services (the so-called event-driven model), which means that the user only pays for what they are currently using. This is one of the fundamental differences between serverless computing and other Cloud processing options. In the case of the standard model (Infrastructure-as-a-Service), users define and purchase the desired computing capacity in advance. They pay the solution provider for the server elements needed to run specific applications to be active at all times. It is up to the user to scale their capacity according to demand. In contrast, with serverless architecture, applications are only run when needed. When an event triggers the code, the public Cloud provider (e.g., AWS Serverless Computing) automatically allocates resources to it. Once it has been executed, the user stops incurring charges. Various factors will influence how much the implementation of serverless computing will ultimately cost and whether it will prove cheaper than an on-premise solution. For many organizations, however, it is often more cost-effective due to the lack of expenses related to additional hardware and licenses, as well as lower costs for usage, maintenance, electricity, and cooling. It should be noted, however, that a detailed estimation would be necessary to confirm this.    

Advantages of serverless computing

 

• Serverless computing can reduce operating costs and increase developer productivity. Relieved of routine tasks (provisioning servers, applying security patches, scaling and managing capacity, and many others), developers have more time to create and develop applications.
• Serverless also facilitates the implementation of DevOps solutions, as developers do not need to describe the necessary infrastructure in detail.
• In the case of the BaaS model, it is also possible to take advantage of application improvements and other components from provider offerings.
• Finally, in the serverless model, the cloud provider handles physical servers and dynamically allocates resources on behalf of users, who can deploy code directly to the production environment, which means optimizing the software development cycle.

   

Disadvantages of serverless computing

 

• However, the lack of control over your own server (and the logic on its side) can cause difficulties. For example, Cloud providers may have limitations regarding interaction with their components, which in turn will negatively affect flexibility and integration with existing systems.
• In the case of BaaS environments, developers may have no control over the code of the services offered.
• Serverless is also a model that exposes you to vendor lock-in. If you decide to change providers, you will likely have to account for the costs of modernizing systems and adapting them to the new specification.

   

For which projects is it worth using a serverless approach?

Serverless architecture is ideal for asynchronous, stateless applications that can be run instantly. It will also be a good solution for unpredictable (albeit relatively rare) spikes in demand. It will perfectly handle tasks such as batch processing of image files or checking changes entered into a database for quality standards. It will also work well for web applications, chatbots, multi-system integrations, or business process automation. We have particularly extensive experience in the latter, which we are happy to share. We cordially invite you to contact us and have a conversation!