Low code development implies very little or at times absolutely no code required to build a software application.
This is achieved by using prebuilt components and services offered by the low code application development platform. An application developer just has to choose the components through drag and drop or clicks of a button and the application is ready to use. If the desired components aren't readily available, it is super easy to build them.
There are some obvious benefits to using Low code development and these are talked about a lot. There are some not so obvious benefits that are more profound but are taken for granted.
Technology as enabler
The biggest benefit of Low code development is that it does not force organizations to learn IT/Software language or even the IT processes. IT for most organizations is an enabler. Organizations should be able to use it to further their business. Technology should not end up being the master of an organization. With Low code, organizations just focus on what they want and get the solution that they can easily use.
Flexibility
Earlier with Waterfall development model there was a lot of emphasis on following processes and getting sign offs. Customer had to sign off requirements and scope before the start of project implementation. For a small organization that does not have
an army of IT professionals following up IT processes is a hindrance to speed of doing business. Agile methodology replaced Waterfall model. However, Agile is also too technical and hence difficult for small and medium businesses. With Low code, changing implementation is easy. Changes are welcome because the effort for completely discarding what has been built and starting anew is very minimal and costs nothing.
Transparency
Low code allows building a software solution incrementally with the customer getting to see how it is being developed. The inbuilt CI/CD is platforms like Atman ensures that an application is always ready to be used. Demonstrating what has been build does not require any extra effort. This ensures that the customer gets to see how the application is shaping up. He is not surprised when a final product is demoed to him at the end of the project implementation. It is not a 'black-box development' approach with low code.
Customer friendly
The usual custom development models are customer led. One would think this is the best way as it is the customer that is paying. But these models assume that the customer 'knows' what she wants. More importantly, such models assume that the customer organization is mature enough to understand all the vendor process mumbo jumbo - sign offs, requirements, load test, change request, UAT etc.
Such approaches often leave small and medium organizations in the lurch. Vendors hide behind the 'approvals' from the customers and do not apply any thought during implementation. There is hardly any effort from vendors to ensure shared success.
The approach with Low code is very different. Engaging with customer and helping her decide is not 'costly' at all. Decisions taken after proper deliberations and advice ensure successful implementations.
Low TCO
People usually talk of fast and inexpensive development using low code platforms. So the cost of development software is low because of reusability. Expensive coders are not required because of ease of use of the low-code platform. Any in-house subject matter expert can double-up as a 'maker' - people who make solutions not necessarily by coding.
Making changes to the software is super easy and does require special expertise or effort. This keeps the cost of making changes to a minimum. Similarly, adding features and enhancing the application is simple. So there is no need to keep a captive team of developer for maintaining or enhancing the application. The over cost of ownership of the application comes down drastically. We have seen our customers save as high as 80% on the cost of development and maintenance of applications.
According to Gartner, 65% of application development will be Low code by 2024.
If you are a business that needs automation and scale of operations but are not sure where to start, we can engage and help with a roadmap for implementation of solutions. With our Low code platform it is possible to start with a problem or a basic idea and then incrementally implement it.
Write to us at info@feldspartech.com
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