With the growing need for application development and the scarcity of programmers, we have seen more and more no-code and low-code tools emerge to help businesses develop solutions with little or no need for coding. And thanks to advancements in low-code application development, companies can now develop websites, e-commerce tools, mobile apps, business process management tools, and workflow automation tools, all without any existing coding experience.
What is low-code development and why is it important?
Low-code is a way for businesses to create completely custom websites, apps, and other digital tools without having to input a ton of original code. Low-code application development platforms provide a beginner-friendly, drag-and-drop interface where users can select from pre-coded features that include pre-configured modules, design templates, and automation enhancements. This eliminates the need for high-tech coding experience and makes original app development much more accessible to everyday users.
Unlike no-code app development, low-code integration tools do leave room for additional coding if so desired. For example, users can tack on original coding to extend the utility of certain features or further optimize the UI for their needs.
How do digital transformation leaders use our enterprise low-code platform?
Our clients treat the WEBCON BPS low-code application development platform as their basic environment to create and run business applications. It is mainly the client who decides what specific applications do and how they work, and this largely depends on their industry and business model. This is universal: when a customer cannot find a ready-made (box) solution on the market or for some reason does not want to build a dedicated ‘module’ around another system (e.g. ERP) or develop a dedicated application, they can build such a solution on our low-code platform. These range from pretty simple, standard applications (such as a digital workflow for invoices or holiday requests) to highly advanced and complex systems (e.g. processing loan applications, the process of opening new showrooms, and new market launches), often of key or even strategic importance for the business.
Can you develop business-critical applications with low-code platforms?
Yes. Low-code platforms for serious, corporate use offer levels of scalability, performance, security, and documentation that would be very expensive and time-consuming to provide within a custom application coded from scratch. The platforms offer enterprise-level standards whether you want to build a simple prototype in a few hours or have a large team develop software for many days. Another reason why our clients transfer these critical tools to our low-code platform is the option to add new functionalities and modify their operation in a quick (affordable!), easy and safe way. The slow response to changing requirements is a weakness of many low-code solutions, yet we have addressed this problem with our unique InstantChange™ technology.
Can you really build applications without coding?
Yes, you can. Basic apps for simple business scenarios can be built even with no-code tools such as Excel (which allows VBA scripts to be added). With the WEBCON BPS low-code development platform, the use of .NET code is needed only in extremely rare cases. However, code elements are often key to delivering projects with the same platform regardless of the complexity of business requirements. This helps IT departments deliver the vast majority of business applications (about 90% according to our customers) with a single application platform, one set of competencies, one infrastructure and within one end-user interface.
What new possibilities come with low-code?
Above all, low-code tools let you quickly build applications in the Minimum Viable Product model. The Rapid Prototyping concept is becoming increasingly popular with our customers. You can build prototypes with low-code, and if they work well, there is no need to ‘rewrite’ them into final products. A good low-code development platform enables iterative development and cuts the workload for change management to a minimum. New business applications can be developed even when requirements are not yet fully specified or will see dynamic changes. The IT department would rather not undertake such projects without having highly flexible tools like these.
Short-term benefits of utilizing a low-code platform include:
- Faster, more streamlined developments
- Less need for highly technical coders on staff
- Reduced workload for the IT team
- Built-in automation and intuitive UI
- Ability to keep up with evolving technological needs
What are the long-term benefits of low-code development platforms?
Businesses and management have changed their view of IT departments and CIOs. Projects are now launched almost immediately (without the phases of supplier selection, bidding, contract negotiations, etc.), are created in DevOps teams, with significant, direct involvement of the business and end-users, quickly implemented in the production environment, and changes and modifications are notified in a timely manner. IT has thus become a valued business partner and the driving force behind digital transformation.
Put low-code application development tools to work for your business
With low-code tools from WEBCON, every person in your organization gets what they need to create completely custom development solutions. Learn more, and sign up today for a free demo of the WEBCON low-code BPS platform and discover firsthand what it can do.
