What is Application Hosting?
A large number of the population in the world uses a smartphone these days and is likely to download numerous apps and use them. Sometimes we might have thoughts about exactly where all these masses of apps are maintained? How do all people have access to these apps 24/7? And here comes the concept of application hosting.
Application Hosting definition
Application hosting refers to storing and running software applications on a server or cloud to make them accessible online. Hosting an application means you upload all the necessary files and data to a server or cloud service provider. This provider runs your application and makes it accessible to users through their web browsers or other devices. Application hosting allows app creators to make their applications available to a broader audience because users can access them from anywhere with an internet connection.
Why is it important?
Application hosting is essential if you want to get your web app online. In the past, the only choice would have been to host the application on your own servers, but there is considerable cost and risk associated with this. The cost of installing and maintaining this infrastructure is significant. There is also the risk that something as simple as a power cut could take your application offline.
Cloud application hosting is the best choice to deliver a reliable experience that doesn’t cost the earth. The user only pays for the resources that they need, and more resources are always available when needed. So whether you’ve just started your company or you’re getting ready to expand into new markets, you can benefit from the flexibility that cloud application hosting provides.
Benefits of Application Hosting
Application hosting offers numerous benefits to businesses of all sizes. Firstly, it reduces the need for significant upfront investment in IT infrastructure, as the hosting provider handles the hardware and software requirements. This leads to cost savings and allows businesses to allocate resources more effectively.
Secondly, it ensures high availability and reliability, with hosting providers offering robust backup and disaster recovery solutions. This minimizes downtime and ensures that applications are always accessible to users. Thirdly, security is a major advantage, as hosting providers implement advanced security measures to protect against threats.
Additionally, application hosting offers scalability, allowing businesses to easily adjust their hosting plans based on their evolving needs. Finally, by outsourcing the management of applications, businesses can focus on their core operations, enhancing productivity and innovation.
Is Shared or Dedicated Application Hosting Better?
Shared application hosting might be sufficient for a small business, but dedicated application hosting is often a better choice in the long term. While applications might start small, they could quickly outgrow a shared hosting provider, and this would mean migrating to a new host.
It’s far better for businesses to plan for the future and choose flexible and scalable hosting from the start. The benefit of this is that you will only pay for what you need, but there will always be more capacity available to you. This means you can deliver a solid customer experience at every stage of business growth.
Practical Application
A practical example of application hosting is the use of cloud-based project management tools by businesses. These tools, such as Asana, Trello, or Monday.com, are hosted on remote servers managed by third-party providers. Users can access these applications via the Internet from any location, enabling seamless collaboration among team members. The hosting provider ensures that the application is always up-to-date, secure, and available, allowing businesses to focus on managing their projects rather than dealing with IT infrastructure. This model not only improves efficiency but also enhances flexibility and scalability, as businesses can easily adjust their usage based on their needs.
Is Application Hosting right for me?
A hosted application offers the convenience and productivity benefits of cloud accessibility while allowing a company to own its software and maintain control. Users can always move their applications from their hosted environment on-premise, even after their software licenses have aged. Comparatively, true SaaS applications offer less control and become unavailable when you stop paying your subscription which can make transitioning to new platforms difficult.
Each method of going cloud offers benefits and in many cases, a hybrid approach is used. Some larger, more critical applications like Enterprise Resource Planning are best served by dedicated hosting. Others, like creative marketing tools, may be best suited to a SaaS model. The choice will often depend on the security and controllability needs of the business.