5 Steps To Building A Cloud-Ready Application Architecture

Cloud Computing: Clearly Something To Plan Around Today

Cloud computing was already trending toward market domination in professional atmospheres where technology is core to operations. Now, that’s more the case than ever owing to the fallout from 2020’s pandemic. Decentralization has forced businesses into remote operational infrastructure solutions such as BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device.

That trend will increase even when things either return to “normal”, or succumb to the dreaded “new normal” so many people think is coming. Whatever the ultimate case, even SMBs are looking at cloud computing options. Small or large, it’s wise for you to consider this reality as well.

Part of it will involve cloud based application architecture for your business. In this writing we’ll briefly cover five steps worth taking toward a positive outcome. By no means are these steps comprehensive, but they should help you at minimum get an idea of the scope of such an undertaking.

1. Run Projections To Simulate Scaling Needs

How big is your business, and how big is it going to get? Will you double in the next five years, or will you only get 10% larger? Even 1% expansion can be exceptionally expensive for some enterprises. You need to run analyses of what costs will be for cloud upgrade and application preparation. The larger and more public your application, the higher the cost.

Accordingly, simulate scaling out at expected thresholds, then simultaneously run analyses for under-performance and over-performance. Pick the central number and give yourself a financial margin for error. Once you’ve done these things, you’ll know just the sort of cloud solutions your business will need for best results overall.

2. Specify Applications To Embrace And To Avoid

Generally, you should avoid using any third-party applications on your cloud infrastructure. However, sometimes for reasons of profitability or accessibility, this isn’t possible. Accordingly, what you want to do is determine what your overall needs will be regarding applications. Consultation can help, your tech team likely has some idea what to look out for.

Before you fully effect cloud-ready application architecture, you need to know these things. Maybe you’re building a proprietary app on the cloud, maybe you’re using certain apps to run your business—app architecture can mean different things to different operations depending on their central focus. So get this area of optimization strategically determined in advance.

3. Determine Which Information Is Or Isn’t Cloud-Accessible

You may want to keep some information off the cloud entirely. Sometimes it’s better to host internalized applications on your own on-site server array. Sometimes you’re looking for a hybridized option such as a Windows VPS. A Virtual Private Server affords cost-effective utility and security; but it’s integral to assure this is the best choice for your operation.

4. Forward Strategy And Security Must Be Carefully Planned

Sometimes cloud-based apps design more apps. Sometimes they just function in an infrastructural capacity that doesn’t create anything new. Maybe you’re scaling out, maybe you’re downsizing. Regardless, it’s imperative to know the end game for your business. Where are you going? What are your plans? What, ideally, should the future hold?

To be sure you are able to most effectively meet your goals in this regard, it’s also important to design security solutions that match business needs. Again, consultation can be considerable here, as all businesses differ. However, there is good news. With application architecture on the cloud, security has a reputation for being very good.

5. Assure Comprehensive Accessibility Of All Relevant Logging

It’s paramount to log application development as comprehensively as possible. But it’s not good having all the logs in the world if you can’t access them. So in terms of logging, be comprehensive both in the scope of the logging, and its accessibility for DevOps teams across your operational infrastructure.

Making A Cloud Migration As Seamlessly As Is Feasible

Accessibility of logs, forward strategy, security, scaling, what information is cloud accessible, and applications to avoid or embrace all pertain to preparation for cloud-based app architecture. Consultation is key in getting the balance right, as is research. Plan in advance, and don’t make any choices too quickly. You want to know what you’re dealing with.