Can you avoid spiraling costs?
In a world where businesses are focused on efficiency and cost savings, auto-scaling of your SaaS applications sounds like a no-brainer. When you choose this option, it feels like you have total control of the resources you need for your operations to run smoothly. But is this strictly true?
Letting your software scale automatically – adding or removing resources as needed – may seem like a great way to ensure SaaS availability for your customers.
But there are some serious downsides to auto-scaling.
Because its strength – automation – is also a vulnerability. Either by accident or malicious intent, it can expose you to unexpected and uncontrolled costs, with the inadvertent triggering of auto-scaling.
Here, we explore some of the problems that could arise when using auto-scaling with your SaaS solution.
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1) What can go wrong with SaaS auto-scaling?
Auto-scaling may seem like an attractive option for SaaS businesses, but it's important to understand the downsides and where things can go wrong. If your costs automatically increase dramatically without bringing in the corresponding ROI, the viability of your business could be at stake.
2) Memory leaks and auto-scaling
Memory leaks occur if memory isn't released to the system after a program has finished using it. For a SaaS business, this can affect efficiency and prove costly.The more memory used, means auto-scaling has to happen, which means the costs will rise.
3) Logs and auto-scaling
Any IT solution needs to create logs for efficient monitoring and operation. The problem comes if the number and size of logs becomes excessive. Efficient housekeeping of log files is essential to avoid log files clogging up your storage and causing inadvertent auto-scaling of your infrastructure.
4) Malicious attacks and auto-scaling
Botnets have enabled a massive increase in DDoS attacks in recent years. This is now a cybersecurity risk for businesses of all sizes. DDoS attacks also mean more traffic, which will trigger auto-scaling, leading to higher costs for businesses.
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