What is Backend as a Service (BaaS)?

What is Backend as a Service (BaaS)? Backend as a Service is a service that gives the developers the access to a development environment in the browser. Usually, these Backend as a Service (BaaS) is simultaneously connected with a cloud. The purpose of these services is the creation of backend for apps to simplify the mobile websites in the browser and with the help of modeling. Most offer these services with user management, social network integration and Push Notification with different pre-installed features. The interfaces to the services are using SDKs – you can read What is SDK and why SDKs are distributed.

Basics of Backend as a Service (BaaS)

Backend as a Service (BaaS) is not yet widely used as a service. The first startups those offered BaaS, were founded in 2011. The global BaaS market has a current estimated value of $ 216.5 million (as of 2012). Backend as a Service is a new level of abstraction in application development.

Infrastructure and software are provided on the “as a Service” business model for a monthly fee. Backend as a Service (BaaS) comprises of automated creation and hosting a backend as well as its configuration by the user via a web browser. Depending on the provider and the package chosen, functions differ, so as service level agreements , location of the server and price. A backend with different modules to create, requires a lot of time and money. But many things, such as database and user management are similar for each backend, this area can also be outsourced. It is being used in BaaS. The service offers a backend, which can be extended with various modules. A generated SDK provides the connection to this backend. These are available for the platforms such as Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Windows Phone. For other platforms an API is available that can be addressed from different programming languages.

Purpose of Backend as a Service (BaaS) and Providers

Each BaaS provider provides various features. The tools generally are:

1. Push notifications
2. Integrating Social Networks
3. Cloud Storage
4. Chat and Messaging
5. User Management
6. Business logic , object-oriented program structures
7. Usage Analysis

bassbox.com is a typical protype Backend as a Service (BaaS) provider.