Digital transformation is a need. Now, it's essential to have processes and tools for your business set up in a digital environment. However, developing these apps and resources can be a hassle. If the IT team takes on every request, they'll be overwhelmed, and other aspects of the business will potentially suffer.
That's why we have low-code. Let's look at what low-code platforms are and how they can help companies achieve digital transformation.
What are low-code development platforms?
"Low-code" is what gives it away: Coding is what developers do, but most of us can't. A low-code platform allows mere mortals (aka non-developers) to create something digitally, with little or no coding needed. This means you don't need to know how to write a single line of code to build fully functional apps.
So, basically, "low-code" is an adjective that qualifies the platform as a resource that can be used to develop digital solutions with very little or no coding involved.
Platforms like this have highly visual interfaces and use drag-and-drop builders to enable people to create what they need, in an interactive, intuitive way.
First coined by Forrester in 2014 to refer to resources that help developers and non- developers create technical solutions faster, low-code solutions help teams move forward without relying on heavy coding, which demands time and bandwidth.
The numbers don't lie — low-code is here to stay:
- Gartner predicted in 2021 that low-code development would account for 65% of developing work in the coming years.
- For 2023, Gartner says that the use of these platforms is expected to grow by 25%.
- Low-code is also featured as one of the tech trends for the coming years, along with automation, on several lists, like this one at BizTech.
How does low-code development work?
You know when you want to order food online and, instead of going for the version on the menu, you decide to create your own combination? And all you need to do is click the options you want and send it off? Low-code works about the same way, but instead of clicking, you drag and drop elements you want.
On low-code development platforms, the most common lines of code come hidden behind useful functions, ready to be used, in the form of components that non-developers want to see in their solution.
Want to see it put in a simple example? To turn a piece of text into bold, youd press the "B" button in your text editor, right? This button hides the code for you. In addition to the library of components, there may also be templates or prebuilt models of whatever it is you're trying to build.
So low-code development can make general users and even developers' lives easier, as it makes developing faster, therefore optimizing both the work rhythm and the company's digital transformation process.
Low-code benefits
Well, you got to this point of the article, so we believe you are aware of these, but we think it can help if we put the advantages of using low-code in a simpler list, to make sure it's clear.
1. Optimize time when developing tech solutions
If development isn't entirely on the IT team, even if not from scratch, the delivery of apps and resources tailored for the company's needs ends up being faster, right?
By optimizing time, teams can focus on other tasks, which leads to more productivity as well.
2. Team autonomy
Low-code allows non-developers to create digital solutions, basic applications and resources for their work. This means autonomy.
Take Qntrl, for example - teams can develop customized workflows for their business processes without having to write a single line of code. And, after this is done, they can even automate some of the tasks by themselves.
3. Easy integration with other platforms
A good solution allows you resources beyond those that it creates; in other words, integrating what was created with other platforms will give you a boost. If you create, say, a landing page, it can be integrated with your leads database.
We mentioned that these solutions come with component libraries: Using the landing page example, the components can be "create a form", 'insert a button", "launch a pop-up", among others. But this library is limited, as it needs to have a certain number of ready-to-use resources for those who can't code.
This means that integrating your low-code solution with other resources can be the key to success. Using Qntrl as an example, you can integrate platforms and even build extensions, to power up your workflows.
4. Flexibility
One of the issues with tech resources and platforms is that they're almost always difficult or impossible to customize. This is something else that low-code can solve for your company: as it's meant to be used by everyone, the end-user team can adjust the final product as they wish.
And even if access is only given to IT or developers, it's still worth it, as low-code platforms enable them to work faster.
5. Secure scalability
Serious low-code platforms are created taking into account the non-tech user, which means it's vital to offer the business a platform that already takes into account security items the IT team's used to.
If the end user creating a solution with low-code isn't familiar with those requirements, the platform needs to be ready, even in terms of security. Thankfully, things like databases usually come with the platform, ensuring security issues are covered.
And, as we said previously, this means more flexibility, as the low-code system can adapt to scaling up and adjust security requirements with little or no effort.
Is it clear now what low-code means? To sum it up:
- It's a platform that enables everyone to create technical solutions, such as apps, websites and workflows, even if the person isn't a developer and can't code.
- This kind of solution can also be used by IT teams to make development faster and optimize time.
- Companies can catch up on their digital transformation process, as solutions are being built in less time.
We hope this article helped! And, if it did, how about sharing it with your colleagues or through social media? Low-code is here to stay, and it's important that everyone grasps the concept.
