Business software needs are always evolving. Most businesses buy apps readily made by vendors. Sometimes these apps need further improvement or customization which involves the services of skilled developers. Other businesses struggle to keep up with IT development trends because of a limited time, understanding, and talent to do the needed work. For other businesses, resources can limit growth when they face lots of operational deficiencies that prevent such a business to stay competitive. This is because custom applications mean higher costs, long implementation time, and testing stages.
However, there is a growing alternative that permits businesses to launch quicker and cost-effectively. Developers are turning to no code and low code development to help their clients get what they need faster and at a fraction of the price custom coding, each project would require.
What is Low Code?
Low code uses a rapid application development or RAD approach that automatically generates codes for its user. Its users can easily design software as well as implement them but without the use of codes. They work with point-and-click, point-and-pull, menu, and drag-and-drop design interfaces that can create software applications for both mobile and web operating systems. Low code may require some basic coding skills from its user especially when the application is complex. Some of the examples of development you can achieve with low code are; website and mobile app development, management software, integrations, plugins, machine learning libraries, and other cross-department tools or cloud-based technologies.
What is No Code?
No Code also uses the Rapid Application Development approach but this time, the user may not have any knowledge of coding. This means that the designer or developer can be of any profession, business analyst, office administrator, small business owner, etc. They will not have any need to know any programming languages or write any codes line by line to be able to create and test a functional application.
How do low-code and no-code work?
Low code and no code work use automatic code generation, visual programming, and create results using models. The use of models ensures that low code development platforms (LCDPs) and No code development platforms (NCDPs) are designed for users who are already familiar with the operational steps of a process. With an existing workflow and no-coding experience, they are able to create an application from scratch but without writing every or any piece of code.
Are there challenges for no-code and low-code platforms?
Flexibility
For organizations that deal with more complex application needs, no or low code platforms may offer limited flexibility to create the desired functionality. It is important to understand the limitations of a platform before opting in.
Security
Security can also be an issue because most users can overlook access points. No, and low code platforms can create a “shadow IT” on their own. But if created with good built-in governance they can ensure that users are unable to create an application that is unsafe in the end.
Learning curve
While users can build software applications without knowledge of code, the platform they choose also needs to be specific to their goals. These platforms need to be studied to ensure that organizations understand the extent of developer resources needed to achieve their goal even while using no-code platforms.
Benefits of no or low code platforms
Ease of Use
Complex development processes are simplified since apps are not built from scratch. This shift allows companies to focus on implementation, marketing, and user improvement than on internal team organization of sourcing and looking for new developers to implement new functionality.
Automation
Every organization has a workflow. Users who understand different workflows can easily design systems because many no or low-code platforms use AI and Machine learning that use provided data sets to suggest automation.
Data integration
Businesses that work with data can easily create applications that collect, process, share, and store information. As opposed to manually processing data, the workflow can be recreated using simple drag and drop processes to automate the workflow. This is better than the conventional use of excel sheets to handle complex and numerous data. This is a huge advantage for small businesses that may not have the resource capacity to hire IT, specialists and developers, for such solutions.
Better customer experience
Using no or low code allows organizations and business owners to focus on what is most important for their business. These platforms make app updates easy with a maintained workflow and responsiveness. Businesses can also use low and no code platforms to quickly understand their customers through surveys which helps them double down on customer loyalty through impeccable customer experience.
Using low and no code for your business requires a lower barrier of entry. Yes, the problem of Shadow IT projects – projects initiated without the consent of the IT team – can raise a red flag. But there are several ways to ensure compliance to ensure strong collaborative effort. A first step is to express your needs with consultants, or experienced people who understand your business needs and can meet them.
At Low Code Road, we do not build your low-code applications for you. We build them with you and ensure that we figure out all you need for a long-lasting solution. All you have to do is reach out to us. We also schedule meetings during the development process to let you in on the development where you can easily request changes if need be.