AWS Step Functions serves as a serverless orchestrator, simplifying the process of arranging AWS Lambda functions alongside various AWS services to develop essential business applications. It features a visual interface that allows users to design and execute a series of event-driven workflows with checkpoints, ensuring that the application state is preserved throughout. The subsequent step in the workflow utilizes the output from the previous one, creating a seamless flow dictated by the specified business logic. As each component of your application is executed in the designated order, the orchestration of distinct serverless applications can present challenges, especially with tasks like managing retries and troubleshooting issues. The increasing complexity of distributed applications demands effective management strategies, which can be daunting. However, Step Functions alleviates much of this operational strain through integrated controls that handle sequencing, error management, retry mechanisms, and state maintenance. This functionality allows teams to focus more on innovation rather than the intricacies of application management. Ultimately, AWS Step Functions empowers users to translate business needs into technical solutions rapidly by providing intuitive visual workflows for streamlined development.