What is Low Code Development?
Low code development platforms provide visual, drag-and-drop tools for application development with little to no code required. This allows both professional and citizen developers to build applications for web and mobile by visually assembling UI components and business logic. With low code tools, developers can build applications up to 10x faster compared to traditional coded approaches.
Low code platforms offer both visual design components and modeling tools to visually design database schemas, business processes and user interfaces through simple drag and drop operations. They also include capabilities for integrating with other systems, implementing business rules and adding basic to advanced programming logic through the use of conditions, loops etc. without having to write a lot of code from scratch.
Rise of Low Code Driven by Demands of Digital Transformation
Many organizations are undergoing digital transformation initiatives to better engage customers, improve business processes and gain competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world. This has resulted in huge demand for applications that can support new digital business models, products and customer experiences across web and mobile.
However, application development through traditional coding approaches has several limitations that make it difficult to quickly build the large number of applications needed in digital transformation initiatives:
– Shortage of developers with requisite coding skills can cause delays. Traditional coding requires specialized skills that are in short supply.
– Time to develop applications is lengthy through coding. It can take months to develop even simple applications using traditional approaches.
– Coding creates brittle, expensive to maintain applications. Coded applications are complex to update and maintain over time as business needs change.
– Difficult for non-technical users to customize applications. Only developers can modify coded applications which creates bottlenecks.
This is where low code platforms have emerged as a game changer. Their intuitive, drag-and-drop tools and components empower both professional developers and non-technical business users to rapidly build custom applications with little to no coding. This vast multiplier effect has transformed how organizations can meet the huge requirements of digital initiatives.
Benefits of Low Code Platforms
There are several compelling benefits driving the adoption of low code development platforms:
Accelerated Application Development
By visualizing processes and building interfaces through simple clicks rather than code, low code tools can develop applications up to 10x faster compared to traditional methods. This rapid pace of development is crucial for digital transformation.
Democratized Development
Low code empowers both professional developers and subject matter experts like business analysts to build applications. This shared ownership model means that people closest to business processes and customer needs can help create solutions, not just developers.
Agility and Flexibility
As business needs change, low code platforms allow non-disruptive, visual updates to applications without rewrites or dependence on scarce developer resources. This helps stay aligned with evolving digital strategies.
Lower Costs and Fewer Resources
Low code platforms drastically reduce resource requirements like developers needed, resulting in substantial savings compared to conventional coding approaches. This improves ROI of digital initiatives.
Better User Experiences
By visually crafting intuitive interfaces, low code facilitates the creation of high quality, engaging experiences across different devices which directly impact customer and employee outcomes.
Integration and Extensibility
Mature low code platforms come with pre-built connectors to integrate seamlessly with various back-end systems, APIs and databases. They also support adding advanced capabilities through programming logic or code when required.
Rise of Citizen Development
With low code, organizations are empowering entire new breeds of “citizen developers” like process owners, business analysts, citizen data scientists etc. to tap their domain expertise and directly shape application experiences without being constrained by limited developer bandwidth.
Low Code is Fuelling Digital Transformation Everywhere
Given the many unique advantages, low code platforms have become a mainstream approach powering application development across industries experiencing digital disruption. Some notable trends include:
– Many Global 2000 companies have adopted low code as their strategic platform for digital initiatives and innovation. Industries like banking, insurance, healthcare and manufacturing are prime beneficiaries.
– Governments worldwide are leveraging low code for mission critical applications across departments to accelerate online services delivery and enhance citizen experiences at lower costs.
– Enterprises are building internal applications rapidly on low code for functions like marketing automation, CRM, ERP workflows and more to optimize critical business processes.
– ISV’s (Independent Software Vendors) are choosing low code for quicker creation of customized software solutions and SaaS products to gain agility over competitors.
– Startups are leveraging low code to validate ideas, evolve constantly and scale up application fleets at low upfront costs. This is transforming how startups are built.
– Digital agencies and consultancies are adopting low code as their primary means to develop custom solutions and platforms for clients across industries at an unprecedented pace.
In Summary, low code development has emerged as the de facto approach powering digital transformation efforts globally. Its unique benefits around agility, accelerated development, collaboration and lower costs now make low code platforms an mainstream technology for both enterprises and organizations of all types and sizes.
*Note:
- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
