For years, low-code and no-code platforms have been synonymous with quick app development, allowing businesses to build applications with minimal coding effort. However, their true potential goes far beyond app creation. Today, enterprises leverage low-code and no-code process automation to streamline workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce IT bottlenecks.
With rising demands for insurance digital transformation and operational agility, businesses are shifting from traditional, IT-dependent automation models to low-code BPM (Business Process Management). This approach enables business users to design and deploy workflows without writing a single line of code. The result is greater agility, scalability, and operational resilience.
The shift from application development to process automation
Organizations are increasingly embracing automation with low-code to improve efficiency and minimize IT dependency. Initially viewed as tools for building no-code business applications, today’s platforms now support end-to-end low-code process automation for enterprise workflows.
The evolution of application development
In traditional application development, organizations relied heavily on IT teams to build custom applications. These projects required extensive coding, were expensive, and often took months or even years to implement. IT backlogs grew as demand for business applications increased, and process owners had to wait for solutions aligned with their operational needs.
Modern low-code BPM platforms have changed this landscape. Instead of waiting for IT, business users and process owners can create automated workflows, integrate data, and optimize processes in real-time. These platforms provide drag-and-drop workflow automation, pre-built templates, and integration capabilities that reduce development time and cost.
The shift
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Aspect
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Traditional approach
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Modern approach with low-code BPM
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Who builds
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IT teams
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Business users and process owners
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Development speed
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Slow and time-consuming
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Real-time process automation
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Cost
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High development costs and resource-intensive
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Businesses reduce costs by building applications faster.
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IT Dependency
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Heavy reliance on IT, leading to backlogs
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Minimal IT involvement, reducing bottlenecks
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Innovation
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Slowed down due to IT constraints
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Faster iteration and optimization
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Gartner predicts that by 2025, 70% of new applications enterprises develop will use low-code or no-code technologies to accelerate efficiency and scalability.
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Businesses are adapting to use low-code and no-code platforms to automate approval workflows, document processing, and system integrations without heavy coding. These solutions streamline decision-making by reducing manual intervention, creating digital repositories that ensure compliance, and integrating regulatory systems to automate audits. They also improve customer service by optimizing request handling and support workflows. These platforms enable faster application deployment for enterprises dealing with IT backlogs, reducing reliance on IT teams.
Why process automation is critical for enterprises
Process automation has become a critical priority for enterprises seeking to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain competitiveness. Key factors driving this shift include:
Operational inefficiencies: Manual, repetitive tasks often decrease productivity and increase human errors. For instance, a study found that 52% of businesses reported fewer manual errors after implementing automation, leading to more accurate operations.
IT bottlenecks: Traditional IT-driven automation projects can be slow and resource-intensive, causing delays in process improvements and innovation. Nearly half of large enterprises still rely on manual processes for key tasks, highlighting the need for more efficient automation solutions.
Scalability challenges: As businesses grow, they require agile and scalable automation solutions to remain competitive. Automation can potentially raise global productivity growth by 0.8% to 1.4% annually, underscoring its role in effectively scaling operations.
Regulatory compliance: Automating workflows ensures auditability and adherence to industry regulations, reducing non-compliance risk. For example, in Germany, bureaucratic inefficiencies cost the economy approximately €146 billion annually, or about 3.5% of GDP, emphasizing the need for streamlined processes.
Incorporating process automation is no longer optional but essential for enterprises aiming to optimize operations, reduce errors, and stay competitive in the marketplace.
How low-code and no-code platforms drive process automation
Modern enterprises are turning to low-code and no-code platforms to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce reliance on IT teams. These platforms offer intuitive tools that allow business users to automate workflows, integrate systems, and scale automation without deep technical expertise.
1. Drag-and-drop workflow automation
Low-code and no-code platforms allow business users to design, modify, and deploy automated workflows using visual interfaces instead of coding. This eliminates the need for IT intervention and accelerates process automation.
Example:
A finance team digitizes invoice approvals using a low-code workflow automation tool. Instead of manually routing invoices for approval, employees can set up a workflow that automatically sends invoices to the right stakeholders, reducing approval times from days to minutes.
2. AI-powered decision making
AI and machine learning capabilities embedded within low-code platforms help automate decision-making based on real-time data. These intelligent workflows enable businesses to analyze patterns, detect anomalies, and optimize processes with minimal manual intervention.
Example:
A bank integrates AI-powered fraud detection into its workflow automation. The system instantly flags suspicious transactions and triggers alerts, preventing fraudulent activities before they escalate.
3. Smooth integration with existing systems
Low-code platforms connect seamlessly with enterprise software such as ERP, CRM, and HR systems using APIs and pre-built connectors. This ensures that data flows smoothly across various business applications without requiring complex custom development.
Example:
A no-code HR automation tool integrates with payroll software to automatically process salary adjustments, tax calculations, and employee benefits, eliminating manual payroll errors.
4. Scalability and adaptability
Low-code and no-code platforms provide scalable automation solutions that grow with an organization. Businesses can deploy automated workflows across multiple teams and locations without overhauling their existing IT infrastructure.
Example:
A global manufacturing company automates quality control workflows across its plants. Each facility can customize its automation without disrupting operations, ensuring consistency in quality standards worldwide.
5. Enabling ctizen developers
Low-code platforms enable non-technical users, such as business analysts and process owners, to create and deploy automation solutions without waiting for IT teams. This democratizes automation and accelerates digital transformation.
Example:
A finance department builds a compliance reporting dashboard using a drag-and-drop workflow automation tool. Instead of relying on IT, they create custom reports and automate compliance checks, ensuring timely regulatory submissions.
Real-world use cases of no-code and low-code process automation
No-code and low-code platforms are transforming industries by automating critical processes, reducing manual workloads, and improving efficiency. Organizations across banking, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing are leveraging these platforms to optimize workflows and enhance service delivery.
Banking & finance
Financial institutions handle large volumes of transactions, regulatory requirements, and customer requests. Automating key processes with low-code and no-code platforms helps them operate more efficiently.
- Loan approvals: Automating the verification and approval process speeds up loan disbursements by eliminating manual document checks and approvals.
- KYC compliance: Streamlining identity verification workflows ensures faster customer onboarding while maintaining compliance with regulations.
- Fraud detection: AI-driven anomaly detection workflows analyze transaction patterns in real time to flag suspicious activities and prevent fraud.
Healthcare
Hospitals and healthcare providers deal with administrative tasks that can be automated to improve patient care and reduce paperwork.
- Patient onboarding: Automating appointment scheduling and medical record processing reduces wait times and enhances patient experience.
- Medical claims processing: Insurance claim submissions can be processed more quickly by eliminating manual data entry and verification, ensuring faster reimbursements.
Retail & e-commerce
Retailers and e-commerce businesses rely on process automation to manage high transaction volumes and supply chain operations.
- Order processing: Automating order fulfillment and return management ensures that customers receive their purchases faster and with fewer errors.
- Inventory tracking: Automated stock monitoring and purchase order workflows help businesses maintain optimal inventory levels and prevent stock shortages.
Manufacturing
Manufacturers use automation to improve operational efficiency and maintain production quality.
- Supply chain automation: Automating vendor communication and shipment tracking improves logistics efficiency and reduces delays.
- Quality control workflows: Standardizing production oversight through automated checks helps maintain consistency in product quality.
Kissflow for low-code process automation
Kissflow empowers enterprises to move beyond traditional app development and embrace full-scale low-code process automation. With drag-and-drop builders, seamless integrations, and a low-code BPM engine, Kissflow enables businesses to automate faster and scale smarter. Its intuitive interface supports no-code business applications, AI-assisted workflows, and compliance tracking, allowing teams to digitize processes without heavy IT dependence. Whether managing approvals, handling audits, or scaling enterprise-wide automation, Kissflow is built to meet complex process needs with flexibility and power.
Discover how Kissflow can revolutionize process automation in your enterprise. Try Kissflow’s process automation software today!
