31 Jan Low Code Platforms: An Emerging Trend Snapshot by InfoTech Consulting Services

What are they?

Low code platforms can develop enterprise applications much quicker then traditional coding mechanisms utilizing mostly resources that do not code. The singular characteristics of low code platforms is using visual tools like drag drop GUI interfaces to help with the app development process. This allows non-coding resources to join in and accelerate development and traditional developers to reach relevant objectives faster. Low code platforms also have a high element of reusability. Access to templates, plugins etc. means no reinventing the wheel, allowing for an agile modular approach to building enterprise apps.  Low code platforms are full lifecycle oriented, meaning the ecosystem supports the entire lifecycle from design to optimize.

Why is this trend happening?

For some time subject matter experts on enterprise applications have been warning that traditional ways of building enterprise applications do not answer all the questions that the digital age poses. Enterprise app development meant following a rigid but safe protocol that took a lot of time and expense to deliver predictable behaving applications. The digital age with its nimble disruptive digital challengers requires a more agile responsive organization. Smart CIO’s realize this is the time that IT becomes a strategy enabler and not a cost center. They not only help gather data that allows organizations to make better decisions they need a way to build products and services faster for business users. Traditional ways of making enterprise applications do not fit this narrative. Speedy low code platforms with short bursts of development and fast cycles do.

What are the benefits?

The biggest benefit we see is that IT and business, which everyone says should work together, but never end up doing it, actually collaborate on low code platforms superbly! Low code platforms work well with business use cases and as they rely on people with low coding or no coding, business users stay far more involved and participatory. Keep in mind most such projects fail because business requirements were not managed correctly. Guess what? No longer the issue. With that the quantified business benefits are impressive: 60-85% time reduction in developing applications, cheaper / faster ROI, faster lifecycle overlal including maintenance and optimization stages and the ability to deliver more without adding expensive IT headcounts because of its low code nature.

What are the challenges?

Compliance can be a challenge in heavily regulated industries and security definitely is. By their nature low code platforms are not hierarchical and governance often can’t keep up with their agility. Despite the name low code platform to truly make it work extensive trainings need to happen on the business side. There are products out there that help deliver simple apps but leave you with the headache of deployment, management and maintenance. Integration and maintenance issues accordingly can drag such initiatives down.