One technology model that’s gained massive traction in recent years is serverless computing, a cloud-native approach that abstracts traditional server management and lets developers focus on writing code.
At Delta Systems, we help organizations evaluate, implement, and optimize the right technologies for their custom applications. In this post, we explore what serverless computing is, why it matters, and the key advantages and drawbacks to consider before adopting it.
What Is Serverless Computing?
Serverless computing is a cloud execution model where the cloud provider dynamically manages server infrastructure. Developers deploy individual functions or small application components, and the provider handles the rest (auto-scaling, provisioning, load balancing, and even billing) based on actual usage.
The most common serverless platforms include:
- AWS Lambda
- Azure Functions
- Google Cloud Functions
- IBM Cloud Functions
Rather than paying for pre-allocated servers running 24/7, you pay only for the compute time you actually use.
Why Serverless Matters for Custom Applications
Traditional application hosting requires managing servers, patching operating systems, configuring load balancers, and planning for peak capacity. This operational burden can slow development cycles and inflate costs.
Serverless computing abstracts much of this complexity, enabling teams to:
- Deploy faster
- Iterate more frequently
- Respond quickly to variable demand
- Optimize infrastructure costs
But while serverless offers compelling advantages, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Let’s take a deeper look at the pros and cons to help you decide if serverless is right for your custom application needs.
Pros of Serverless Computing
1. Lower Operational Overhead
With serverless, developers aren’t responsible for managing servers or infrastructure. There’s no need to patch operating systems, maintain load balancers, or configure scalability settings. This allows teams to focus squarely on building features, not on infrastructure administration.
2. Cost Efficiency
Traditional hosting models often require provisioning capacity for peak load, even if the system sits idle much of the time. Serverless uses a pay-as-you-go billing model that charges only for actual compute time and memory usage.
3. Automatic Scaling
Serverless platforms scale functions automatically in response to incoming traffic. Whether your application gets 10 requests per day or 10,000 in a minute, the platform adjusts resources automatically.
4. Faster Time-to-Market
Because developers can work at the function level without worrying about infrastructure setup, serverless accelerates the development pipeline. Deployments can be smaller, faster, and more frequent.
5. Integrated with Cloud Services
Serverless functions integrate seamlessly with other cloud offerings such as:
- Managed databases
- Object storage
- API gateways
- Event messaging
This tight integration simplifies building complex applications with minimal custom setup.
Cons of Serverless Computing
1. Cold Start Latency
Serverless functions can experience a delay, called a cold start, when scaling up from zero. This latency can affect response times, particularly for latency-sensitive applications.
2. Limited Control Over Infrastructure
Because the cloud provider manages the underlying infrastructure, developers have less control over:
- Runtime environment
- Networking configurations
- OS-level settings
This can be restrictive for certain specialized workloads.
3. Complexity in Debugging and Monitoring
Serverless applications are inherently distributed. Tracking and debugging issues across multiple functions, triggers, and external services can be more challenging than in a monolithic application.
4. Vendor Lock-In
Serverless functions are often tightly coupled with a specific cloud provider’s services and APIs. Migrating off that provider later can be difficult and costly.
5. Potential Cost Surprises
While serverless can reduce costs for many applications, high volumes of function invocations or poorly optimized workloads can lead to unexpected billing spikes.
Use Cases Where Serverless Shines
Serverless computing is particularly effective for:
- Event-driven applications (e.g., automated workflows)
- Microservices architectures
- APIs and backend services
- Batch processing and scheduled tasks
- Mobile and web application backends
- Data processing pipelines
In these scenarios, serverless enables rapid scaling with minimal infrastructure overhead.
When to Consider Alternative Architectures
Serverless might not be the best fit if your application requires:
- Long-running processes
- Real-time performance guarantees
- Intensive compute workloads
- High infrastructure customization
For these workloads, traditional servers or container orchestration solutions like Kubernetes may be better suited.
Serverless computing offers compelling advantages for building modern, efficient, and scalable custom applications. It enables leaner operations, faster development cycles, and cost-effective scaling. However, it also introduces unique challenges like cold start latency, less infrastructure control, and potential vendor lock-in.
At Delta Systems, we help businesses evaluate, architect, and deploy solutions that align with your application goals. Whether you’re exploring serverless for the first time or looking to optimize existing workloads, our experts are here to guide you through the best approach for your unique needs.
Ready to leverage serverless for your custom applications? Contact Delta Systems today!