Solving Business Problems with Technology: What is Heroku?
By: Ryan Francis / November 8, 2024
The Business Case for Building Software with Heroku
Businesses are constantly challenged to find the right technology solutions that address immediate needs and are primed to scale as they grow. Off-the-shelf software often provides a quick fix for set business use cases. However, many companies have nuanced demands requiring a more bespoke solution. That’s where custom software shines—offering the flexibility and precision needed to overcome specific business challenges, from operational inefficiencies to disconnected systems. To remain viable and compete, whoever ships products to market first wins. Enter Heroku.
In this blog, we’ll dive into what Heroku is, why the platform is a game-changer for software development, and how it can give your business a competitive edge.
What Is Heroku?
Historically, building custom software has been a complex process, particularly when managing the infrastructure necessary to host, secure, and scale applications. That’s where Heroku comes in.
Heroku is a cloud-based Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) that simplifies the deployment and management of custom software. Instead of getting bogged down with the technical complexities of infrastructure (think server configurations, container orchestration, or monitoring), Heroku abstracts these tasks away. This allows businesses to focus on building and delivering software solutions quickly.
While platforms like AWS or Google Cloud require significant management of underlying infrastructure, Heroku’s value is in its simplicity. It automates much of the process, making it easier for teams to move from concept to deployment in a fraction of the time.
What Heroku is Used For
Heroku operates as a value-added layer on top of traditional cloud services like AWS, simplifying the entire development-to-deployment process. Here’s how it works:
- Write Your Code: Use popular languages like Node.js, Ruby, Python, or Java.
- Deploy with Ease: Push your code to Heroku, and it handles everything from server configuration to security.
- Manage & Scale: Heroku provides built-in tools to monitor performance, scale based on traffic, and ensure your app remains responsive.
This streamlined workflow reduces the time and effort needed to bring custom applications to market, allowing you to focus on building solutions that drive business outcomes.
5 Advantages of Building Software with Heroku
There are several benefits of building software with Heroku. Leveraging the platform can deliver returns advantageous for business operations and returns. We’ve outlined five key advantages that deliver business outcomes below.
1. Infrastructure Simplification
Managing infrastructure can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of custom software development. Heroku simplifies this by:
- Automatic DevOps: With a single command, you can deploy an app, and Heroku takes care of the rest—managing scaling, deployment, and monitoring.
- Security Management: Heroku ensures your application meets industry-standard security protocols, reducing the overhead of securing your infrastructure.
- Continuous Maintenance: The platform is continuously updated, so you don’t have to worry about server maintenance or runtime environments.
2. Streamlined Deployment and Operations
Deploying an application on traditional platforms often requires a manual, multi-step process. Heroku’s streamlined workflow makes it easy:
- Develop Your Code: Focus on building features that matter.
- Deploy in Seconds: Push your code with simple commands, and Heroku automatically handles the rest.
- Automatic Scaling: As traffic increases, Heroku adjusts resources in real-time, ensuring your app stays performant without downtime.
3. Seamless Scalability
As your business grows, your software should scale with it. Heroku automates scaling based on demand, allowing your app to handle increases in traffic without requiring manual intervention or additional setup. This flexibility is ideal for businesses that experience seasonal surges or need to scale rapidly.
4. Faster Innovation
In today’s market, speed matters. Heroku allows businesses to move quickly from development to deployment, reducing the time spent managing infrastructure. This means your team can focus on innovation, delivering new features, and improving user experiences without the delays of traditional DevOps processes.
5. Heroku’s Business Value
The benefits of Heroku aren’t just technical; they translate into real business outcomes. Forrester studies show that businesses using Heroku experience:
- 40% Increase in Developer Productivity: Teams can spend more time coding and less time managing infrastructure.
- 30% Reduction in DevOps Costs: By eliminating the need for dedicated DevOps resources, businesses can save significantly.
- 285% Return on Investment (ROI): Faster deployments, quicker time-to-market, and increased customer satisfaction contribute to a high ROI.
Ship Products to Market Fast with Heroku
Building software is often the best way to solve unique business challenges, but managing the infrastructure that supports these applications can be daunting. Heroku takes the complexity out of infrastructure management, enabling businesses to focus on what matters most—innovation and growth.
By leveraging Heroku, your business can build, deploy, and scale custom solutions quickly and efficiently, reducing costs and freeing up resources to focus on what truly drives success. If you’re ready to solve your business’s technology challenges, Heroku is the platform that will give you the competitive edge you need.
Interested in how Heroku can support your custom software development? Let’s chat about how this platform can help you drive meaningful business outcomes and stay ahead of the competition.
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