Serverless computing is real and can provide businesses with multiple benefits. Let’s take a look. 

What is Serverless Computing? 

Serverless computing is a method cloud providers use to deliver backend services to customers on an as-used basis. Backend services include the portions of a website or application invisible to users. The backend includes the files and databases that provide functionality to apps and make them valuable to users.  

With serverless computing, developers don’t need to be concerned with the backend of their apps and can concentrate on polishing the front-end and enhancing the user experience.  

Servers are involved in the serverless computing model. Physical or virtual servers are deployed by the cloud provider as they are needed by a customer. The serverless term comes from the fact that the customer doesn’t need to manage or administer the backend servers. 

What are the Benefits of Serverless Computing? 

Companies that opt to take advantage of the serverless computing cloud model can expect to enjoy multiple benefits. Following are some of the most impactful benefits of serverless computing. 

• Lower costs - Serverless computing reduces development costs by outsourcing the management of backend services and minimizing the computing power a customer purchases. Customers only pay for the computing resources they use with utilization automatically optimized by the provider.  

• Faster deployment and time to market - Eliminating the operational overhead associated with building and provisioning servers, teams can streamline the development process and deliver apps quickly to take advantage of market trends. 

• Promoting greener computing - Serverless computing eliminates the need for servers to constantly run and waste energy when not in use. The serverless model fits nicely with companies trying to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. 

• Enhanced scalability - A serverless architecture can grow along with your application. If more computing power is required, it is easily provisioned by the cloud vendor.  

• Improved integration - The components used in a serverless architecture have integration capabilities built-in, reducing the time spent on configuration.  

• Decreased latency - In a serverless architecture, code can be run anywhere. This enables functions that affect response time to be run closer to the user and reduce latency, improving the app’s usability. 

• Focus on the user experience - Eliminating the concerns over backend infrastructure provides developers with additional time to improve an app’s interface and give users a better experience.  

Conclusion 

Not all applications lend themselves to the serverless model. Long-running workloads can be more costly to execute in a serverless architecture and may benefit from dedicated cloud servers. You also are relying on your provider who can make changes that impact your application.  

Developers should investigate the serverless options available and determine if they are right for their project. If they are, the benefits of going serverless can be substantial and companies should take advantage of them.