Definition
An application infrastructure provider (AIP) offers services and tools for developing, launching, and managing applications.
It connects computing resources such as storage or servers and the final app. This enables developers to concentrate on the application’s functionality rather than the infrastructure information.
Application Infrastructure Providers (AIP) History
- Before 1990: Computers were centralized in enormous systems known as mainframes. The widespread use of PCs paved the way for the client-server model. Apps were divided into server-side processes and client-side interfaces.
- In the 1990s: The continuous complexity of network systems led to the development of ‘middleware’ software, which enabled communication among several software components distributed across the network.
- Late 1990s – early 2000s: Internet services became a way for applications to communicate online due to the emergence of the web.
- Late 2000s – date: Cloud services like Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS replaced traditional hosting. These providers also included software and development tools such as Microsoft’s Azure App Services, Google App Engine, and Amazon Web Services’ Elastic Beanstalk.
- Modern trends: AIPs today serve particular requirements, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and smart devices. They are integrating with other services and providing a set of features for developers.
Advantages of Application Infrastructure
- Performance: They improve website and app accessibility, handle many users simultaneously, and load swiftly.
- Simpler development: AIPs automate difficult tasks, making creating and launching apps faster and easier.
- Security: AIPs usually include built-in security tools, including encryption for data in transit and at rest, DDoS protection, and firewalls.
Application Infrastructure Provider Examples
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): AWS offers an extensive array of services, such as content delivery, databases, storage, and computing power. Organizations like Slack, Netflix, and Airbnb depend on AWS to develop, host and scale their apps. AWS’s ample tools and resources make it ideal for several applications, ranging from small web apps to enterprise-level apps.
- Microsoft Azure: Azure is a cloud computing service that provides a vast range of features, managing applications, and infrastructure solutions for building and deploying. It supports many structures and programming languages and offers many services, such as databases, storage, machine learning, analytics, and computing power. Major companies like GE Healthcare, BMW, and ASOS leverage Azure’s capacity for their apps.
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP): GCP is a suite of cloud computing services provided by Google and is designed to support the creation, control, and hosting of apps. It provides customized solutions for various apps, including data processing, online and mobile applications, machine learning, and analytics. GCP offers services like artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, databases, storage, and computing power. Moreover, its clients include big corporations such as Snap Inc. and Spotify.