Next generation applications should be cloud-native. These should also use microservices. Cloud-native is when you build applications that are designed to take full advantage of cloud delivery. It is not just virtualizing whatever application you have so that it could run in the cloud.
Cloud-native applications require the use of containers, continuous integration and continuous deployment, microservices, and Dev-Ops. As you can just guess, these involve strenuous steps that deal with an ecosystem of technologies and services, which are necessary to schedule, orchestrate, network, maintain, and deploy these apps.
But why bother?
Being cloud-native is now a differentiator when it comes to enterprise applications. In fact, IT decision makers will be looking only at cloud-native apps that use microservices, and these factors will play heavily into their decisions.
Gone are the days of having a monolithic software where every feature, component, and functionality are treated as a single object. Think Microsoft Word. Everything you need to install, run, and use this program would need to be in your computer for the word processor to work. If it missed on a feature, you would need to wait a long time for that functionality to be added in. There are also security vulnerabilities and fixing bugs, which can sometimes be challenging.
Today, most software providers are using microservices, a set of service that you can use for your apps. Each microservice has its own job. Each one can also interact with other microservices.
What benefits are microservices giving applications and its users?
There are four main advantages to using microservices with your applications.
- Agility and speed. Unlike before, you don’t have to wait too long for software to get released.
- You can now pay only for what you are using. You can add or subtract capacity to deal with whatever requirements you have. The added capacity does not affect other components. What’s more, you do not need to go through another human to get the added capacity when you need it.
- You no longer have to wait too long for new functionality or feature to get released. Not only that, you get the latest technologies too. Need machine learning or artificial intelligence? No problem!
- Unlike old applications, microservices are designed to be automatically and easily replaced. If you are using one that goes offline, you can instantly swap to another microservice that does the same functions without having to take the system offline.
But it’s not going to be easy
As you can see, you stand to have a lot of benefits when you go for cloud-native applications that use microservices. But it is not easy to transition from building monolithic apps and start with cloud-native software.
The IDC forecasts that only a third, or 35 percent of all apps, will be cloud-native by 2022. Thankfully, you have Oracle to back you up. For instance, those who are in the monetization sector, they can rely on Oracle’s Monetization Cloud. This solution helps businesses to creatively bring in customers by differentiated pricing models, tiered services, bundles, or discounts.
The Oracle Monetization Cloud works on a microservices architecture: the Oracle Gen2 Cloud Infrastructure. It can deliver the benefits: innovation, agility, availability, and scalability.
Curious as to how Oracle can help you with your next generation apps? Call Four Cornerstone now at +1 (817) 377-1144. Let’s talk.
Photo courtesy of Oracle.
