This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide on integrating Backand as a backend service with an Ionic app to utilize a MySQL database, highlighting the process of creating a new application instance, setting up a data model, and modifying starter code to connect to a private Backand application. It explains how Backand serves as a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) by offering a RESTful API on top of a MySQL database, thus enabling developers to focus on frontend development without needing to construct a custom server. The tutorial also details how to configure and modify the Ionic app's code, explaining the use of AngularJS, Ionic frameworks, and Backand's SDK to manage data and application states. Additionally, it walks through the setup of services and controllers to handle data interactions, providing a foundational understanding for building cross-platform applications with a consistent user interface facilitated by Ionic and a scalable backend powered by Backand.