The business world is increasingly powered by apps. And as companies continue to use prefabricated third-party software, they are now more often looking to adapt existing applications to their specific needs, or to create individual applications for specific purpose.
The problem is, this process is time consuming and cost-intensive-and it also requires an adequate supply of IT specialists with the time and the right knowledge.
Unfortunately, that’s what a lot of IT businesses do today don’t have. A study from the end of last year shows that 67% of senior technology decision makers say a lack of skills is preventing their companies from keeping pace with the pace of change.
That is, companies that want to go digital and develop their own apps need another solution. Low-code is the way forward.
Programming without Python, Java or C#
Low-code platforms are unique because they are unskilled developers-called citizen developers-as well as professionals.
These citizen developers require little experience or knowledge in using the platforms, as they offer visual modules and automated code generation that allow users to quickly and easily build app to represent, optimize and automate day-to-day processes-requires little or no manual coding. For employees with programming experience and other ‘real pro-coders’, they develop “by hand” on low-code platforms, making more complex apps or coding interfaces if required.
The beauty of it is that it means low-code is for everyone. Employees from all departments – from HR to sales – can create applications without writing a single line of code or even having heard of Python, Java or C#, while IT specialists can can use technology to create complex applications faster.
It is noteworthy that IT remains in control of the process at all times: advanced low-code platforms with a central management console enable ongoing management, and IT teams can also determine exactly which users are allowed to build or deploy apps, what capabilities are available. , and which developers work together.
Achieve more with less
These benefits can have a really visible impact on businesses. In other words, with low code, fewer employees can achieve more.
With low code, software development can be performed in a fraction of the time, not only because anyone can do it, but because the platforms offer simple, fast and intuitive handling due to the common modules offered and the ease of use. eliminating complex coding.
The knock-on effect is that current IT specialists can use their capacities elsewhere, meaning less demand for professional programmers who are scarce. In other words, with low code, fewer employees can achieve more. That, in turn, means significant cost savings.
For individual business functions, low code also means they can get solutions that exactly match their workflows and their needs, rather than an inappropriate overall solution, because, ideally , the end users themselves design the apps. them, which also leads to faster optimization and execution of the process.
With all these benefits in mind, the promise of low code is overwhelming. In fact, Gartner estimates that by 2024, 80% of technology products worldwide will be made by Citizen Developers outside of the IT department.
How to make low code generation correct
Of course, there are some ground-rules to know to get the most out of low code. To be successful, low-code platforms must offer the following features:
- A mobile user experience: Low-code platforms designed for mobile devices provide a better user experience, as it prevents the reduction of design and functionality issues; and more, many users are intuitively comfortable with mobile devices.
- Development Tools: A complete set of app development tools helps create really effective apps quickly and on a large scale. The larger the tool suite, the greater the possibilities.
- Integrated Applications: Pre-built integrations must be present to allow common business applications to easily connect the platform to any other systems and data sources.
- Integrated notification services: This ensures that any important changes or issues are flagged to supervisors who can respond accordingly.
- Smart Orchestration: Advanced low-code platforms can predict problems before they arise and facilitate decision making using built-in AI and intelligent orchestration.
- Security: Business applications often contain potentially sensitive data – both corporate and personal – and so security is an important factor in development. Automatic code scanning can guarantee predefined security standards by default. It reduces risks associated with data, operational impact, business continuity, operational performance and more.
Preparing teams for a low code world
It covers the technical requirements for low code. But how should teams prepare themselves?
Companies can actually train interested employees to become Citizen Developers fairly quickly. All it takes is a healthy level of enthusiasm for technology, and an interest in implementing workflows digitally.
The main goal is for employees to play a leading role not only in the initial development of the app, but also in its maintenance and further development. They must accompany the project from the beginning and be experts for their respective applications; meanwhile, managers have a duty to explain the importance of new skills to these employees and encourage them to build a close relationship with IT from the very beginning.
The next step is practice. Low-code training programs and workbooks should be an integral part of every larger company, teaching Citizen Developers the necessary skills and, above all, the logic behind low code. After initial training, the focus should shift to actual application and implementation, allowing Citizen Developers to put their theoretical knowledge into practice.
Finally, collaboration with the IT department is essential for the success of a Citizen Developer. Efficient and clear communication between both parties is essential to avoid the so-called ‘Shadow IT’ and ensure optimal development.
This makes a central platform of collaboration essential to good citizen development, as it allows all departments to work together on a solution, guarantees easy visibility for all stakeholders, and ensures that IT can participate. anytime to meet challenges or complex questions.
A business that gets low code correctly
The multinational life sciences company Bayer is an example of a business that uses the benefits of low code.
The company used low-code technology to build a self-service platform for its legal and compliance department. The platform aims to standardize and centralize a system that previously covered over 1000 legal and compliance experts covering 100+ countries.
Bayer has partnered with ServiceNow and partner smartvokat GmbH to develop the ‘LPC Express’ platform architecture and low -code service applications, using ServiceNow’s App Engine product. This low-code approach is critical to an effective development process-enabling enhanced customization and bringing truly agile progress to Bayer’s legal role.
The result? Nearly 30,000 requests have been handled through the LPC platform since it launched last year, with automation rates as high as 80% for some processes. By freeing up legal and keeping professionals from the usual, repetitive manual processes, there is more room to focus on other worthwhile tasks-which have seen cost savings increase by up to 30 %.
Low-code-the future of digital transformation
Low code has shown us that development is not rocket science-and that, increasingly, we all have the tools to advance digital transformation. We just need to go up and start using them.
To learn about how your business can reap the rewards of low -code technology, learn more here.
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