Keepit plans to revolutionize SaaS backup with innovative connector approach

In an evolving landscape of SaaS app backup solutions, Keepit, a self-hosted backup service, aims to expand its offerings significantly by 2028. Currently supporting seven applications, Keepit's Chief Technology Officer Jakob Østergaard discusses the intricate challenges of building connectors for a multitude of SaaS apps, such as Miro. These connectors must not only comply with API specifications but also align with specific enterprise requirements to ensure effective backup solutions. This need for a tailored approach complicates the automation of creating new workload support, as many variables and customer needs come into play. To tackle these challenges, Keepit is innovating by using a Domain-Specific Language (DSL) for connector development. Unlike traditional methods requiring extensive coding in general-purpose programming languages, DSL allows for a more declarative way to define relationships involved in the backup processes. Østergaard notes that this method could pave the way for third-party developers to create new connectors more efficiently as their tools and technology mature. The current focus is on minimizing code maintenance and maximizing the flexibility of the execution engine, which would benefit the entire ecosystem of cloud workloads. However, Østergaard emphasizes the complexity inherent in connector development, which cannot be eliminated entirely with automation or simplified coding. Companies like HYCU also venture into similar domains, raising the stakes and competition for effective workload integrations across platforms. Keepit's strategy differentiates itself by possibly enabling a marketplace for connector development in the future, leading to diverse business models. As this sector grows, the competition to enable seamless backups of more than just a handful of SaaS applications will intensify. With an emphasis on tailoring solutions to employee usage patterns and harnessing advanced technologies like AI and DSL, Keepit seeks to stay ahead in the evolving SaaS landscape. Enthusiastic about launching new workloads soon, Keepit acknowledges that substantial groundwork remains before achieving comprehensive support for hundreds of major applications, marking an exciting yet complex journey ahead for their services.