Enterprise cloud solutions can transform the way life science companies operate, innovate, and deliver value. These cutting-edge technologies offer unprecedented scalability and agility, particularly when used for application development, as is the case with cloud-native architecture.
This article will look at the immense potential of cloud-native architecture for life science companies and the key considerations they should think about when adopting the technology.
Cloud-native architecture explained
Cloud-native architecture (CNA) is a modern approach to designing, building, and running applications that capitalize on established cloud services. Along with being usable within private and hybrid cloud environments, CNA is often associated with public cloud providers-Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
At its core, CNA is comprised of the following components:
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Microservices: Loosely coupled building blocks (services) that enable cloud-native software.
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Containers: Stores microservices so development teams can launch cloud-native applications on cloud-based and on-premises operating systems.
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Service meshes: Serves as a software layer that oversees and controls communications among various microservices.
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Application programming interfaces (APIs): Programs used by cloud-native systems to ensure microservices can communicate with each other.
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Immutable infrastructure: A practice where new infrastructure is deployed to sustain applications that need more resources.
By taking full advantage of these cloud architecture components, companies can create applications that are inherently more flexible and resilient than non-cloud-developed applications.
The benefits of cloud-native architecture for life science companies
Life science companies, like other industries, are faced with the growing need to accelerate innovation and achieve more with less. Leveraging cloud-native architecture presents a unique opportunity to meet these demands.
Specifically, the benefits of CNA for life science companies include:
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Increased scalability: Cloud-native architecture allows life science companies to scale their enterprise cloud solutions as needed.
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Enhanced flexibility: SCNA enables rapid adaptation to new regulations, market dynamics, and innovative research methods in the life science industry.
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Cost savings: Cloud-native architecture saves companies money by allowing them to minimize costs related to maintenance, resource usage, and more.
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Rapid innovation: CNA empowers life science companies to quickly prototype and experiment with new ideas and solutions, leading to faster time-to-market for products and services.
What key considerations should life science companies keep in mind when adopting cloud-native architecture?
To fully leverage the benefits of cloud-native architecture, life science companies need to adopt a strategic approach to investments and use cases.
This involves considering the following aspects:
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Organizational buy-in: Talk with your team members to see if they are in the right space to adopt the cloud. If there is any sign of resistance, explain the benefits of CNA and how it will help people with their work.
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Cloud-native application design: Design applications with cloud-native principles to enable modularity, scalability, and efficient deployment. Prioritize automation and continuous integration/delivery for faster innovation.
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Driving innovation: By harnessing the power of cloud-native architecture, how can your organization explore new research methods, develop novel solutions, and improve processes?
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Data governance and compliance: How will enterprise cloud solutions impact your company’s ability to remain compliant with industry regulations?
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Budgets and resources: Determine how cloud-native architecture will factor into your business’s budget. At the same time, consider the resources that will enable you to harness the full capabilities of CNA. Do you have them? Where can you acquire them?
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Disaster recovery and business continuity: Implement robust strategies using distributed infrastructure (e.g., external data centers) and backups to minimize downtime and ensure the availability of critical systems and data.
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System readiness: Assess your IT infrastructure to determine if it is ready to integrate with cloud infrastructure and solutions. Look for legacy technologies and consider what needs to be upgraded.
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Cloud vendors: Research your options for enterprise cloud solutions. Think about questions such as: What providers are there? What, exactly, can they offer life science companies? Is there a risk of vendor lock-in?
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Continuous monitoring and performance optimization: Can your organization proactively monitor its cloud-native applications and architecture? Does your company have the expertise to identify bottlenecks, security threats, and ways to optimize performance?
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Cloud services provider: CNA is complex and requires specialized expertise to navigate successfully. A cloud services provider can support you in your cloud endeavors. When searching for one, consider the provider’s experience, reputation, responsiveness, service offerings, and more.
Obtain enterprise cloud solutions with expert assistance and support
CNA offers the potential for life science companies to design tailored applications that optimize and streamline their daily processes. With the guidance of the cloud experts at BCS365, your organization can gain a thorough understanding of its unique IT requirements, ensuring the ability to navigate the complexities of the cloud confidently.
From efficient configurations to effective data storage management and seamless updates, BCS365 can provide you with a highly optimized cloud-native architecture that will revolutionize your research endeavors while upholding data security.
Contact the team today to discover the transformative potential of enterprise cloud solutions for your organization.