Going serverless has recently become extremely popular, with some companies seeing many cost benefits of using this new technology. Is your company considering a change to serverless computing? If so, there are a few things to keep in mind when deciding if this is the best choice for your business.

We’ve put together some information to help you make the decision for or against serverless technology. In this article, we’ll take a look at what serverless technology is, how it differs from the classic server system, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these systems.

What is Serverless Computing?

Serverless computing is where the service provider makes allocations on computer resources and storage and then charges on an as-used basis for the service. The service provider is responsible for managing and maintaining the servers. This means a business doesn’t have to worry about where the server is located or what they’re able to handle.

On the other hand, with a classic server system, your own network runs 24/7 and is constantly available for requests and ready to carry them out at any time. In this scenario, the server is located on your premises, though it could also be at a third-party data centre.

Serverless computing takes place in the cloud, with servers at external locations. Rather than being dedicated only for your company’s use, the servers provide an on-demand resource. There’s no need to focus on the hardware or the operating system, as these are managed by the service provider.

Your own developers can still write code; they just won’t have to deal with the site network. This makes operations more streamlined, efficient, and cost-effective. However, this is not always an advantage.

The Advantages of Serverless Computing

The most significant advantage of using serverless computing is the cost savings. That’s because the service provide only charges for actual computing time used on the serverless system. So, no monthly fee is involved because you pay for the time used.

This fact makes a serverless computing system cheaper than a traditional server system.

Another advantage is that with serverless computing, you won’t have to manage physical servers. In addition, computing processes and applications don’t need to run in the background, which means the system is more straightforward than a traditional server system.

There’s no question that physical servers are expensive to buy, maintain and manage. It’s also necessary to have an entire IT team to manage the network. And we can’t forget the software, licenses, and other costs involved with running a classic server system.

What’s more, your in-house IT team can be more productive because they don’t have to spend time monitoring and maintaining an in-house network. Your company may also run with fewer IT staff members, which also works to lower expenses involved with an IT network.

The Disadvantages of Serverless Computer

Just as there are certain advantages that go with serverless computing, there are also disadvantages to consider.

One of the main disadvantages of using serverless computing is the security and control of the network. With a traditional system, you have entire control over the servers, plus a dedicated team who constantly monitors the servers.

What’s more, you can also choose the software and the OS you want, which can make the traditional server system more flexible and easier to adjust as your business changes.

However, with a serverless system, you must depend on the provider to work with you on the platform they share with you.

Security is another issue. While serverless computing systems can be secure and reliable, some companies find it more comfortable to store sensitive customer data on their own site. However, no matter which system you choose, it will have to manage data carefully and follow procedures that reduce the risk of security breaches.

In addition, serverless code can take several seconds to activate, and it can be more challenging to forecast regular plans and costs when you only pay for what you use.

These are the major disadvantages to consider with a serverless computing system. However, there are additional disadvantages to think about before making a final decision to go with serverless computing.

Additional Disadvantages to Consider

Here are some other disadvantages to consider before you make the final decision on going with a serverless computing system:

1). Debugging & Monitoring are More Challenging

Debugging & monitoring are more challenging with a serverless system because the environment does not run locally. When debugging across a network, new techniques and tools may be required to code and inspect values. In addition, some functions may not always be available at a specific time, depending on how they’re managed by the service provider. The more functions in an application, for instance, the greater the challenge will be.

2). Lack of Standards

The market currently lacks independent standards, which means there are increased risks for serverless networks. What’s more, another issue is vendor lock-in, which means companies can find it more challenging to switch provides. This also reduces the number of developers a business can choose from.

3). Not Efficient for Long-Running Applications

Tasks using a long-running application can turn out to be more expensive on a serverless network. Running the same applications on a traditional system can be more cost-effective.

4). Multi-tenancy

In order to more effectively use resources, a service provider may run software for several different customers on the same physical server.

This can cause bugs, as well as major security problems if working with sensitive data. In addition, these bugs in one company’s application could affect the performance or availability of other companies on the same server.

Summing It Up

While serverless computing has plenty of advantages and disadvantages, it may be the right move for your company. Serverless systems can offer a fast, easy way to streamline the process and modernise their network without a huge upfront investment.

If you’re not sure whether a traditional or serverless system is better for your business, contact us today with your questions. We’ll be happy to provide the advice and guidance you need to make the best choice for your company!