The BaaS features you must know about

This article will cover the basic BaaS – Backend as a Service features and provide a comprehensive explanation of the characteristics of this cloud model. 

This guide will comprehensively present all basic and advanced features of Backend as a Service. 

We live in a digital era where mobile and web applications are being developed and released on a daily basis.

Allied Market Research claims through a recent report that the mobile application market will reach 777.4 billion USD by 2032.

This figure was 208.5 billion USD in 2022. It means the significance of the mobile application industry is snowballing. 

However, dev teams and businesses can only capture this opportunity if they efficiently build, deploy and release applications. In this regard, using MBaaS or BaaS platforms could be ideal.

Yes, Backend as a Service (BaaS) is a form of cloud computing that assists developers and businesses in quickly creating and deploying mobile and web applications. 

Hereof, you can focus on core competencies and writing frontend scripts, and BaaS will handle all of your server-side operations.

This approach supplies ready-to-use functionalities to deal with server activities, including hosting, authentication, database management and storage. 

List of the most common BaaS Features

The majority of BaaS vendors offer backend infrastructure and work very hard to deliver phenomenal features to their customers.

These properties promise fast development, scalability, easy customization and less time-to-market.

Similarly, you can effectively host, manage and develop applications with these backend services. 

Therefore, let’s delve into the core characteristics of BaaS:

Real-time Database

Real-time database support is one of the most fascinating BaaS features. Providers typically follow a cloud-centric NoSQL or SQL database that enables developers to query, backlog and sync data in the meantime.

Mainly, the cross-platform functionality of real-time databases authorizes you to handle data on multiple operating systems and devices efficiently. 

Additionally, if you are offline or incapable of building a network with a server, data is backlogged and supplied through SDKs.

In this regard, offline data is connected with the server spontaneously when your device gets internet access again.   

REST API

It is straightforward for developers to reach the backend with automatically created APIs with BaaS.

Especially with the support of SDKs – Software Development Kits, REST API has the ability to transform a coded or codeless logic into an application programming interface. 

Then, you can view your REST endpoints for server-side tasks. Moreover, REST APIs are platform-independent, so that you can apply them to any programming language.

High scalability, efficiency and compatibility with multiple data formats are also engaging benefits of using REST APIs. 

Please read the article How to build a REST API using a backend as a service for more information about this topic.

GraphQL API

GraphQL is an advanced runtime environment and query language used to build APIs. BaaS platforms offer GraphQL APIs to address the problems REST APIs couldn’t handle.

Indeed, its flexible nature decreases API requests and rectifies the issues like under-fetching and over-fetching. 

Thus, skilful data fetching aids in improving the performance of an application. Similarly, GraphQL provides cost-efficiency through infrastructure and DB automation.  

Please read the article How to create a GraphQL API using a backend as a service for more information on this topic.

Serverless Functions

This BaaS feature authorizes you to drive JS-based backend scripts in reaction to events automatically occurring by HTTPS requests, SDKs, and backside practices.

Likewise, cloud code functions could be activated by modifying a real-time database, conversations, registration of new users, etc. 

In this regard, codes are backlogged and carried in a secure and entirely administered Node.js environment.

Howbeit, to set up these codes to servers, CSPs conduct one to two commands. Interestingly, this BaaS property fulfills the computing needs of applications promptly.

It also frees you from the pain of setting up IT infrastructure, server configuration and SSH authorization. 

Please read the article How to build serverless functions using a backend as a service for more information on this topic.

User Authentication

One of the features of BaaS is authentication. User authentication and management are other exciting properties of backend services. Most of the popular BaaS providers come with built-in user management systems.

Indeed, MBaaS vendors take responsibility for user registrations and logins.

Hereof, backend solutions don’t only provide readymade sign-up templates but also investigate email legitimacy, encrypt passwords, control the sessions, and much more.

They enable application logins through several social media IDs, phone numbers and email accounts.  

Social Integration

User authentication is feasible with social media platforms when you use BaaS solutions. Yes, mobile app users find it troublesome to register on a platform using a conventional procedure.

However, it is quick for end users to integrate social accounts like Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Twitter and Apple to start using an application swiftly. 

Correspondingly, dev teams also don’t have to draft new files for registration when social integration is possible. So, third-party integrations surely rescue developers from extra efforts. 

Email Verification

Most web and mobile applications make it mandatory to validate the email address when a user registers on their platform. Otherwise, users can’t access the desired app if they don’t verify their email addresses.  

It signifies email verification has become a necessary aspect of websites and applications. Fortunately, most Backend as a Service (BaaS) providers confer email verification features for free. 

Geolocation

In the beginning, the concept of geolocation was limited to navigation applications like Google Maps, Citymapper, and Waze.

But now businesses want geolocation functionalities for their social, travel, shopping, dating and delivery applications. 

Well, Backend as a Service provider lets developers easily add location data and benefit from geoqueries to grab navigational attributes.

So, you can get traits like routing, geofencing, mapping, POI, tracking and geocoding without compromising user privacy and data safety. 

Hereof, BaaS vendors utilize console-enabling management systems for better supervision of data. This way, you can build highly interactive UIs with advanced location-centric elements. 

Please read the article How to build a Geolocation application for more information on this subject.

Push Notifications

The short popup messages that usually appear on the screens of your smartphones or browsers are called push notifications.

These notifications are used for security updates, civic communication and marketing purposes.

Although it is troublesome for developers to deal with various client notifications, but MBaaS platforms made this process easy.

Yes, MBaaS vendors facilitate you with a chain of central notifications. This feature plays the role of a moderator between server-side message publishers and frontend subscribers.

In addition, MBaaS APIs permit you to convey information to users who have activated Simple Notification Service (SNS). So, apps can accept notifications from different platforms. 

If we talk about benefits, meantime responsiveness, improved UX, high CTR, automated marketing, and more conversions are on the top. 

Please read the article What are push-notifications to know more about this subject.

File Storage

File storage is one of the prominent offerings of Backend as a Service (BaaS) providers. It authorizes the developers to set up storage folders and files on the top of devices or their computers.

This simple storage solution doesn’t demand any script to supply data. Besides, you can scale up and down the storage instances anytime with the file storage characteristic of BaaS. 

Correspondingly, file sharing is very smooth with this feature, mainly if you want to distribute them on LAN.

On the other hand, it confers absolute disaster and data protection services if you have concerns about data security while using cloud-centric file storage.

Storage devices based on Local Area Networks add an extra layer of safety. These LAN-centric devices are also more economical compared to on-premises hardware resources.  

Two Factor Authentication

Security is the primary concern of mobile and web applications. Fortunately, the two-factor authentication feature is able to cure this problem.

2FA upgrades the app’s security by enabling a second layer of protection. With 2FA, users can’t log in by entering passwords only. Yes, they would have to provide fingerprint authorization, phone code or facial scan. 

This advanced feature makes it difficult for an attacker to take control of your device or hack your account.

On the other hand, using 2FA is still beneficial if hackers use phishing or attack an entire password database. 

Third-Party Integrations

Third-party integrations help build connections and enable data exchange between two or more applications assembled on an outer platform.

Enterprises, SMEs and startups need to link with third-party tools like Twilio and Stripe to get messaging and payment services. 

In this regard, backend services offer the finest third-party integration features and utilize advanced storage options and API gateways.

So, businesses can smoothly improve data flows between applications using this trait. High client retention rates and reductions in development duration are further advantages of using third-party integrations. 

Logs

Logs are digital documents that represent the details of an application or IT infrastructure. BaaS platforms are packed with excellent traits of log management.

Indeed, developers can approach the logs by obtaining data from servers. Hereof, BaaS vendors provide all log details from logging requests to time of log to dev teams. 

This feature not only gives you an overview of what is happening in your tech stack but also allows you to identify a problem in your system quickly.

Yes, when you have log data for every event, it becomes easy to find the root cause of a problem. 

Furthermore, log management and monitoring strengthen cybersecurity, granting applications better customer experience and transparency. 

Data Management

Smart devices have definite storage capacity, due to which applications depend on third-party solutions to backlog their data.

Furthermore, if you lose your device, there are more chances that a thief will be able to steal your data.

On the other hand, most people demand amalgamated profiles because they use applications on various devices. 

The simple and quick answer to these obstacles is using a secure, extensible and highly available backend service.

Undoubtedly, BaaS providers fulfill all of these data management needs. You can approach data in real-time whether you are online or offline.

Backend vendors seamlessly utilize robust VMs to scrutinize and combine data. 

Similarly, easy synchronization of server-side data with frontend and encrypted storage enhances data safety.

Renowned BaaS platforms confer database abstraction under their DBMS. This approach is constructive for administering and observing data in the JS DataGrid format. 

In short, BaaS vendors employ modern data management practices to store & query data smoothly and deal with it via a central dashboard.

Hereof, quality data management, handling big data, consistency, governance and automation also strengthen this BaaS feature. 

CDN

Content Delivery Network or CDN is a chain of integrated servers that accelerate the page loading speed of data-intensive mobile and web applications.

Typically, when a user opens up the page of a site or application, the loading function takes time according to the distance of its servers.

Likewise, the page will be opened quickly if your website uses a nearby server. Contrarily, if your page depends on a far server, it will take longer to open. 

However, CDN helps applications and websites backlog data to next-door servers across the globe. This property not only reduces the loading duration but also enhances efficiency. Indeed, CDNs improve content delivery with less bandwidth cost. 

That is why CDN is considered a compulsive ingredient for running applications nowadays.

Fortunately, BaaS provides readymade CDN functionality for dynamic and static content. Yes, CDN is a part of the cloud hosting programs of CSPs.  

Caching

A swift data storage layer, which is used to backlog subgroups of data and files, refers to caching. So, when someone requests data, it gets quick access to that information through caching.

This feature is highly significant to improve the server-side performance of an application. Similarly, caching is helpful to lower the hardware cost because of accelerated IOPS.

Thus, caching is an essential part of running applications successfully. Mainly, if you are running media sharing, data-intensive, gaming or social networking apps, caching must be there. To deal with this requirement, BaaS supplies versatile caching features.

Hereof, database, social management, DNS, CDN, integrated and web caching are on the top.

To connect on-premises and cloud environments, renowned BaaS providers also offer the option of caching for hybrid environments. 

Blockchain Storage

The concept of blockchain storage was made public in 2009 after the release of Bitcoin. Businesses usually consider this option as an alternative to cloud storage.

Undoubtedly, this decentralized data storage feature resolves many complications of conventional systems.

This storage approach is based on a decentralized network to backlog data. Hereof, blockchain storage benefits from unutilized hard disk space to gather files.

Benefits like 100% data availability, privacy and smooth integrations make it an appealing choice for backend development.

Fortunately, BaaS platforms like Back4app have this offering. You can quickly find this option under the ‘Database’ category using the Back4app dashboard.

Similarly, Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides clients with more than 70 verified blockchain solutions. Backend vendors like Firebase, Supabase and Azure also offer this feature. 

The technical document Storing data on blockchain will provide further information on this subject.

Data Backup

Data is the critical essence of an application or company. Organizations don’t survive more than six months if they lose their crucial data.

Thus, it is essential to have a data backup to keep your mobile and web applications running.

Conventional backend development needs a complicated backup tool integration with the backend of your application. 

However, the majority of BaaS platforms offer fully automated backup functionalities. Yes, backend services have built-in backup integrations that are cost-efficient compared to traditional offerings.

These CSPs also allow the users to choose weekly, real-time or daily backups according to the requirements of their projects. 

Data Replication & Redundancies

If you are unsatisfied with the data backup features of BaaS technologies, it is better to go with data redundancy and replication.

Data redundancy is an advanced storage practice that lets you backlog data copies in two or more isolated spaces. 

Backend services offer completely redundant environments with additional layers of security and more uptime.

Thus, businesses can swiftly approach data in case of any disaster. Yes, BaaS vendors usually include data redundancies in their disaster recovery plans. 

By the same token, the procedure involved in drafting duplicate data and backlog them on multiple server locations is known as data replication.

This practice backs on-premises and cloud-centric hosting. Also, it has been seen that modern databases have an in-built feature of data replication. 

Although this feature is part of disaster recovery offerings but, database replication also dwindles the server load and improves performance. 

Auto Scaling

The auto-scaling trait is a big reason companies migrate from custom development to BaaS platforms.

Compared to conventional systems, this cloud computing model enables businesses to expand their app instances in a short period of time. 

CSPs are famous for auto-scaling, where they increase or scale down the memory, CPU and further hardware instances as per the need of the application.

Likewise, vertical scaling permits dev teams to add CPU cores, SSDs and hard disks to strengthen servers.

Horizontal scaling, where you can add numerous nodes or servers to your infrastructure, sounds complicated. 

Another scaling approach that MBaaS platforms offer is diagonal scaling. It is a mixture of both vertical and horizontal scaling. However, the option of manual scaling is also feasible with BaaS solutions. 

DB Optimization

Applications use databases not only to backlog the data of their subscribers but also to store information about their own operations.

Thus, database optimization is crucial for them. DB optimization is basically a combination of multiple practices that are used to overcome the response time of DBMS.

Typically, companies need to hire database designers, analysts and administrators to perform optimization, but luckily, BaaS has this feature.

With numerous optimization solutions, BaaS permits you to conduct data queries efficiently. 

GDPR Privacy Requirements Compliance

If you want to offer an application to UK and EU citizens, you must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) privacy policy.

It is a privacy protection law implemented by the European Union (EU) in 2018. This law ensures the data privacy of people who live in Europe.

In this regard, it binds websites and mobile applications to present their privacy policy for managing users’ data.

Designing and following these privacy compliances could be expensive and time-consuming for startups, mid-sized businesses and enterprises. Yes, you need experts to deal with this matter. 

However, Backend as a Service (BaaS) vendors provide built-in GDPR compliance to their users. Indeed, backend services spend several engineering hours to fulfill the requirements of GDPR.

So, you can simply choose a BaaS platform to build and host entirely GDPR-compliant applications with the data processing requirements of this law.

Backend vendors like Back4app, Amazon Web Services, Firebase and Backendless are GDPR compliant. But we advise you to always check this compliance before choosing a CSP. 

HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Compliance

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a US-based federal legislation implemented in 1996.

However, it has been noticed that it is also broadly practiced in the United Kingdom and EU countries.

Therefore, if your application will process data from US, UK, or EU citizens, ensuring your backend is HIPAA compliant is essential. 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act obliges them not to disclose sensitive health information of patients.

Applications related to health care services, health plans, insurance companies, and clearing houses should be entities covered by HIPAA. 

So, if your app is processing health issues data, it should comply with HIPAA. It seems a complicated task for many startups and novice developers.

Howbeit, there is good news because reliable BaaS vendors offer HIPAA-compliant backends to their clients. 

Withal, it is advised to check whether their legal pages comply with HIPAA. Indeed, not all BaaS vendors abide by this US legislation. 

Please read the article HIPAA Compliant Backend as a Service for more information on this subject.

Conclusion

Backend as a Service vendors grant businesses and dev teams plenty of features to perform server-side tasks conveniently.

This article displays all essential MBaaS features with their benefits and capabilities. This list of BaaS traits would help businesses, startups, SMEs, and developers find the right platform. 

Ensure you visit the official websites of backend services, whether they have these features or not, before employing a BaaS vendor.

However, the BaaS industry is still growing, and we expect several novel and exciting traits in the future.