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In the fast-paced business and tech world, key players like CIOs and Business Technology Partners are always searching for new technologies. Digital transformation has become an unstoppable move for businesses across the world. One technology that's making waves is low-code development. This tool enables businesses to build applications that fit their strategic goals quickly and efficiently.
This blog is a goldmine if you're a forward-thinking business leader interested in strategic innovation or an IT professional dealing with the intricacies of tech implementation. We'll delve into the basics of low-code development, its uses, and how it's changing the business world.
What is low-code?
Low-code is an application development method that minimizes coding by using visual interfaces with basic logic and drag-and-drop functionality. Instead of relying on complex programming languages, you use intuitive tools to build applications and automate processes.
As they are a quick and simple alternative to conventional software development, these platforms have grown in popularity.
By simplifying coding and making app development more accessible, low-code systems empower employees to create solutions while maintaining IT governance, thus reducing the need for shadow IT.
A common myth is that low-code platform are only suitable for simple projects. In reality, they streamline complex, large-scale business operations, making them critical for enterprise-grade solutions.
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What is low-code development?
Low-code empowers developers with a flexible and visual environment to develop simple to complex applications in a graphical interface. With advanced tools like drag-and-drop modelers, pre-built templates, intuitive UI, etc., low-code technology allows developers to design and deploy apps much faster, allowing organizations to scale, be more profitable, and achieve above-average returns.
A low-code approach accelerates the application development platform by enhancing user experience and building apps. It offers essential features like a visual integrated development environment (IDE), pre-built data connectors or APIs, and code templates that benefit novice and professional developers.
Instead of conventional hand-coded computer programming, a low-code development framework offers a programming environment for creating applications via graphical user interfaces and configuration.
"Low-code and no-code tools are a way to mitigate talent shortages because they allow companies to build systems without the need for large teams of developers," says Amitha Pulijala, vice president of product, cloud platform services, CX, API, and AI at Vonage.
Low-code creation frameworks allow IT customers to incorporate building blocks into workflows and apps. These essential elements abstract the code behind actions and orders, allowing IT to create interfaces and business applications without coding them by hand.
What is the future of low-code development (in 2024 & beyond)?
The growth of low-code as a general social and technical phenomenon is anticipated to expand.
- According to Gartner, Inc.’s latest report, the global market for low-code development technologies is expected to be $26.9 billion in 2023 (an increase of 19.6 percent from 2022).
- The low-code global market is expected to be around $65 billion by 2027 and $187 billion by 2030. That’s a CAGR of 31.1 percent between 2020-2030.
- Low-Code Application Platforms (LCAP) are predicted to remain the largest part of the low-code development technology market in 2023. for example, it has already increased by 30 percent since 2020 and generated $5.8 billion in 2022.
Features of low-code development
1. Visual modeling tools
Creating apps using visual approaches and templates takes less time than developing apps using code. Low-code systems, equipped with visual modeling features, use built-in modules to reflect the details in a way everyone may understand – from non-technical enterprise users to advanced developers.
2. Out-of-the-box functionality
OOTB (out-of-the-box) functionality is provided by leading low-code providers, which removes the need to create key components for applications from the start. Some low-code systems, for example, provide data storage or customer-facing app components, such as service management or sales process management.
3. Drag-and-drop interface
Low-code platforms feature a drag-and-drop functionality, which is very critical and valuable in facilitating production. The convenience of drag-and-drop features offered throughout app development supports both citizen and technical developers.
4. Security
A low-code tool that isn’t safe isn’t a sufficient solution, no matter how usable or user-friendly it is. Before you start using your low-code development framework, make sure it has enough protection to secure the applications you’re creating and the platform as a whole.
5. Scalability
Scalability is essential for low-code systems. It should create applications that can accommodate a rise in users as your company expands. It should be able to accommodate twenty as well as twenty thousand employees.
Top benefits of low-code platforms for enterprise businesses
Low-code platforms provide enterprise businesses with a powerful means to enhance productivity, streamline app development, and reduce costs, all while maintaining simplicity and agility. From mitigating the risks of shadow IT to facilitating faster app deployment, these platforms are essential for helping enterprises tackle IT backlogs and accelerate digital transformation initiatives.
1. Increased productivity
Low-code platforms empower business users to create their applications, reducing dependence on IT. As a result, productivity increases because teams can quickly implement their ideas without waiting for developer support. By shortening the gap between concept and execution, low-code platforms enable businesses to innovate more rapidly and efficiently.
2. Cost savings
Low-code development significantly reduces the need for highly specialized developers. It cuts down development timelines, saving both time and money. For example, what might take several months with traditional development methods can be done in a fraction of the time using low-code, leading to substantial cost savings when scaled across multiple applications.
3. Mitigates shadow IT
Low-code platforms help mitigate the risk of shadow IT by providing a secure environment where business users can create applications that comply with internal IT standards. Employees often turn to unapproved third-party apps without such platforms, introducing security risks. A low-code platform ensures compliance and reduces the risk of data breaches by offering a governed, internal solution.
4. Faster app development
Traditional app development can take months or even longer, but low-code platforms accelerate the process dramatically. Both experienced developers and non-technical users can quickly build applications using pre-built components and drag-and-drop functionality. This results in fewer bugs, quicker launches, and more agile operations.
5. Easy maintenance
Low-code platforms simplify maintenance using pre-tested, modular components that integrate seamlessly, leading to fewer bugs and smoother updates. Any changes or upgrades can be implemented without causing disruptions to existing functionalities, allowing businesses to stay agile and up-to-date with minimal effort.
Additional benefits for business leaders
Increased agility
Low-code platforms help businesses respond more quickly to changing market demands by enabling rapid app creation and deployment, allowing organizations to be more agile and competitive, adapting to new business needs without the delays associated with traditional IT projects.
Prevents technical debt
By providing a structured and standardized environment for application development, low-code platforms help prevent technical debt. This reduces the risk of inefficient coding practices and ensures that applications are built to scale and are easy to maintain in the long term.
Improved decision-making
Low-code platforms offer integration capabilities that provide access to real-time data and insights, allowing business leaders to make data-driven decisions that can improve overall performance.
Access to new technologies
Low-code platforms facilitate the integration of emerging technologies like AI and machine learning into business applications, allowing enterprises to stay competitive and up-to-date without needing extensive coding or development resources, helping businesses modernize their processes quickly and efficiently.
Who uses low-code?
Low-code platforms are versatile tools that cater to a wide range of users, from business teams to IT professionals. Among the key users are IT leaders and directors, who leverage low-code platforms to accelerate application development, reduce backlogs, and enhance operational efficiency.
IT leaders
Solving IT backlogs
IT leaders often face a significant backlog of internal applications and development projects. Low-code tools solve this by enabling faster application development with pre-built templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and modular components. These features allow IT departments to quickly tackle pending projects, reduce bottlenecks, and ensure timely deployment of business-critical applications. IT leaders can free up valuable resources and focus on more strategic initiatives by streamlining the development process.
Enhancing team productivity
Low-code platforms enable IT leaders to delegate specific development tasks to non-technical team members. IT teams can focus on more complex, high-priority tasks by empowering business users to build and modify their applications, Improving overall team productivity, and fostering greater collaboration between IT and business departments. With the reduced reliance on specialized developers, IT leaders can accelerate process automation and optimize workflows across the organization.
IT directors
Improving operational efficiency
For IT directors, low-code tools are essential for improving operational efficiency. These platforms simplify the development and deployment of applications, allowing IT teams to automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and enhance overall system performance. Low-code tools also offer better collaboration within IT departments, enabling team members to work more efficiently and respond faster to business needs. This results in more agile and responsive IT operations that can scale with the organization's growth.
Low-code application platform (LCAP)
A Low-Code Application Platform (LCAP) enables IT directors to efficiently manage and deploy applications. LCAPs centralize the development, testing, and deployment process, minimizing the need for extensive coding. By using an LCAP, you reduce development time, lower costs, and simplify the management of large-scale applications. LCAPs also ensure compliance by providing strong governance and security features while maintaining operational agility.
How to get started with low-code adoption
1. Define the processes and data
The underlying elements of any application are process data. Start by defining the processes aligning with business needs to get a structured flow. This helps create apps so that the processes are in the right order, and it is easier to achieve the result.
You can also find the most effective path by implementing process simulation and deriving new insights. Once you have a set of defined processes, collecting the right and necessary data becomes more effortless.. Determine the data required to carry out the processes seamlessly from start to end.
2. Create user-friendly forms
Low-code adoption becomes easier if the user experience is seamless and good. Based on the defined process and data and with drag-and-drop features, intuitive forms can be created to collect relevant information. A robust low-code system enables users to build forms dynamically with user-based control and ready-to-use widgets. Creating the perfect form with any field type and functionality helps build apps better.
3. Build fully functional application
Many business process management (BPM) companies have increasingly started adopting low-code solutions due to their novel approach, which emphasizes minimal coding requirements. You also can modify the default code to unlock more advanced features in the app. One of the most significant advantages of a low-code is business-process automation.
With pre-built templates and visual-development features, you can automate repetitive tasks that do not require human intervention. This saves employees' time and effort, which can better be put into business-critical tasks.
4. Execute and test the application
Testing the application is a mandatory step before launching it. This way, any sort of technical issues and glitches can be identified before the application goes live. A faulty application can adversely affect the efficiency and performance of processes.
Low-code systems also provide a testing environment where the built application can be scrutinized and tested multiple times to check its performance and eliminate technical faults. Based on the test results and user feedback, necessary changes can be made before the app is pushed to the live stage.
5. Deploy the application
Low-code offers flexible application deployment. You can install, configure, and set up fully functional applications with just a few clicks. Along with the deployment, low-code systems also provide real-time feature updates, fixes, and updates.
Low-code adoption challenges
Although low-code can offer many benefits, there are also some challenges that organizations should be aware of when implementing this approach.
One of the main challenges of low-code technology is that it can be difficult for non-technical users to understand and navigate the platform. This can make it difficult for business analysts and domain experts to create and test their own apps and make it harder for IT departments to support and maintain those apps.
Another challenge is that low-code solutions can be limiting when it comes to customization and scalability. While the drag-and-drop interface can be intuitive and easy to use, it may not offer the same level of flexibility as traditional coding methods. Creating complex or custom apps that meet an organization's specific needs can be challenging.
What can you build using low-code development?
As organizations exponentially grow, they tend to adopt new technologies to ensure operational efficiency. Low-code is one such robust technology that enables organizations to be digitally progressive. With low-code functionality, you can create flexible solutions such as automating processes, digitizing your operations, managing requests, and building custom applications at speed and scale.
Low-code use cases:
- Employee lifecycle management
- Purchase management
- Expense claim management
- Complaint management
- Marketing budget management
- Sales lead management
- IT bug tracking management
- IT incident management
Low-code related frequently asked questions
Low-code examples
The classic example of a low-code app development is to help citizen developers build simple applications, such as a business analytics dashboard. However, low-code development technology can help professional developers be more efficient with larger tasks.
Kissflow Work Platform is a good example of low-code development use cases. It allows IT developers and business leaders to collaborate and co-develop applications with its widget-rich UI by dragging and dropping components.
Is low-code the future?
With leaders like Gartner predicting that about 50% of enterprises will adopt low-code for app development by 2023 to build about 450 million apps by investing $21.2 billion, low-code is undoubtedly the stepping stone to innovate faster and better.
Even though there is a great market for evolving tech, like automating repetitive tasks, it lacks the flexibility and adaptability of low-code. RPA works well with defined, rule-based processes but struggles with tasks that require decision-making or problem-solving capabilities. Low-code systems can handle complex logic and workflows, making them more suitable for developing sophisticated applications that require customization and scalability.
How can I learn low-code?
To be a low-code developer, you don’t have to be a top-notch developer. All you need to have is a basic understanding of coding. This will help you customize your app besides dragging and dropping the readily available templates.
What is the difference between low-code and low-coder?
Low code is the technology that allows organizations to build custom applications with minimal to zero coding efforts. Low-coders are citizen developers with a basic understanding of coding and can apply business logic to build custom apps using low-code development platforms.
What are low-code databases?
Low-code database solutions allow you to create your own databases, add or remove data, modify fields, and keep track of all your data without having to learn a query language.
It works in the same principle as low-code development systems. You can visually create databases as you would low-code apps. Instead of learning query commands and scripts, the functions you need are already programmed into low-code solutions.
This saves you from having to employ an entire team for database management. Buying low-code databases is much less expensive than constantly having a team on staff.
What is the difference between low-code and high-code?
Low-code systems use drag-and-drop features and less manual coding, ideal for simpler applications. High-code is traditional coding, requiring more expertise but allowing greater customization and complexity.
Why use Kissflow for low-code development?
Kissflow is a unified low-code/no-code platform that bridges the gap between business users and IT to simplify work management and dramatically accelerate digital transformation. Business users can take control of their digital needs while IT leaders can continue providing a secure and scalable platform for digital growth.
Kissflow platform can help your business:
- Automate, customize and streamline processes from start to end.
- Digitize operations across departments and branches
- Manage requests from multiple teams
- Build holistic, custom applications that fit your need
- Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration
If you are looking for a low-code platform that can take you into 2024 and beyond, try Kissflow today.
