2. 1990s – 2000s: Extensibility was easier
when it was your servers
https://www.flickr.com/photos/darkseed/41932055
3.
4. 2006: Cloud and SaaS changed everything
(and brought new challenges)
https://www.azernews.az/media/pictures/data_center_150614.jpg
5. 2007: Webhooks revolutionized the web
"The idea here is to create new
infrastructure. New opportunities. I've
been thinking a lot about the
possibilities of a web hook enabled
web, and it makes me really excited."
Jeff Lindsey
6. The SaaS doesn't have to build the customizations
The doesn't have to host them
Code runs completely isolated and secure from the SaaS and from other
customers
Customers can choose any language / stack to implement
Relatively straightforward to implement*
SaaS
Webhook
Endpoint
Webhook invocation
Webhooks revolutionized Saas Extensibility
Continue
Asynchronously
7.
8.
9. Webhooks also brought pain….to the customer
The customer has to build it. A Webhook is
a service.
The customer has to host it
The customer has to run and monitor it
The customer has to pay for it
11. The customer still has to build it, but Webhooks are much easier to implement
The Serverless provider is the host
The customer has to monitor it
The customer has to pay for it
SaaS
Serverless
Provider
Webhook invocation
Serverless functions are
an evolution for Webhooks
Continue
Asynchronously
12. But for SaaS extensibility,
the costs still inhibit their usage
14. Serverless Extensibility, extensibility from within
Serverless Extensibility
A SaaS product directly invokes a Serverless
platform to handle runtime execution of 3rd party
extensions
16. Serverless Extensibility
Hook points within the product for extensibility
An in-line code editor for creating extensions
Templates for common extensions
A Serverless runtime for securely executing 3rd
party code
22. Serverless Extensibility
Customer Benefits
Quicker ramp up.
More approachable / does not need to be a traditional developer
No need to worry about hosting or signing up for a separate account
The SaaS handles monitoring
They pay little to nothing
23. Serverless Extensibility
SaaS Benefits
All the benefits of Webhooks
Experience can be more tailored to the needs of the customer
Higher retention / stickier customers
Can even enable sales engineers / help closing deals
Greater support visibility
24. Serverless Extensibility
Concerns
Not every customer wants to code
Lack of visibility, code getting scattered (lost), "Dude, where's my
function?"
Versioning
Debugging
Security
Vendor lock-in
25. Serverless Extensibility: https://auth0.com/blog/why-is-serverless-
extensibility-better-than-webhooks
Auth0 Extend:https://auth0.com/extend
ZERO CRM:https://github.com/auth0/extend
Twilio functions: https://www.twilio.com/functions
Stamplay: https://codeblocks.stamplayapp.com
Plexure: http://www.plexure.com
Where to learn more