In today’s economy, companies are constantly trying to do more with less. Core business processes that were typically “endured and ignored” are now gaining visibility as efficiency morphs into a key competitive advantage. When processes run more smoothly, it frees up time for employees to focus on other aspects of the business, creating a chain reaction of sorts where everything is made more effective.
Businesses have traditionally relied on outsourced custom app development to handle the task of streamlining processes, but it can take months or longer to complete and cost thousands of dollars. However, today’s BYOD-inspired workforce is increasingly more comfortable with technical tasks, despite a lack of formal training. Therefore, the business world has seen the emergence of a “low-code revolution,” with numerous tools that now significantly cut the cost and deployment time of apps, allowing for quicker delivery of solutions. As low-code development has given way to rapid application delivery, the focus has shifted to the time in which an app can not only be created, but deployed and put to use.
This “low-code / no-code” revolution has also bolstered the concept of continuous delivery – in other words, producing valuable and reliable software that can be released and rejiggered at any point. What this means is that whenever aspects of the original business problem evolve in any way, the app needs to be updated to adhere to those changes. As was the case with initial app development, this updating process used to be time-consuming and costly. Now, businesses can quickly tinker with and modify these low-code / no-code apps, keeping them as effective and efficient as required.
In this slideshow, QuickBase‘s Karen Devine outlines six of the biggest changes brought about by the emergence of low-code app development platforms.
Low-Code App Development
Click through for six of the biggest changes brought about by the emergence of low-code app development platforms, as identified by Karen Devine, QuickBase.
Business and IT Are on the Same Team
The previously distinct worlds of business users and internal IT are beginning to converge. The line of business is no longer a customer of IT: now, it’s a partner in the process. By relying on the “citizen developers” within their organization, IT can offload some of the app design process to those outside of their department, while playing an active role in the process to ensure governance and security measures are set up effectively.
Everyone Plays to Their Strengths
Since business users are most knowledgeable about the organizational challenges they face, workflow issues, etc., it only makes sense that they are the ones who build out the solution. Using a low-code platform, these individuals can design their own apps and customize everything along the way so they end up with exactly what they need. Meanwhile, IT holds the master key for governance and security, and can serve as a strategic advisor for the business to ensure the apps created are scalable, secure and compliant.
Your Apps Are Done Faster
App development can be a lengthy, nonlinear process. From the initial proof of concept to the actual deployment, a lot can occur, and the objective can change. When IT owns the entire process, a significant amount of time can be spent going back and forth with the business trying to ensure the app truly fits their needs. However, when those individuals who plan to use the app are the ones actually designing it, the “telephone game” between IT and the user is eliminated. This not only speeds the time to deployment, but it increases the likelihood that the app generated will actually be used.
Your IT Team Is Happier
The external pressures placed on IT departments are now higher than ever. With more and more of the business requesting apps and other new technology, IT backlogs can be overwhelming. Low-code rapid application development platforms allow IT to delegate part of the design process to business users (while maintaining control from a governance standpoint), freeing up their time for more strategic projects that help move the business forward.
Your Clients Feel the Results
Business efficiency helps more than just your employees. The benefits can be felt in customer satisfaction as well. Successful applications can speed customer response times, ensure faster product and service deliveries, and even help stay ahead of new trends or customer needs.
Additionally, low-code platforms can be used to develop customer-facing apps. The ease of customization and personalization makes it simple for businesses to delight a client with a custom app, without writing a line of code.
Change Is Not a Challenge
Traditional apps have long release cycles so getting things added or changed can pose a big problem. With no-code platforms, citizen developers can take matters into their own hands and make changes on the fly. As a result, technology can keep pace with the business in a cost-effective and efficient way — all without adding to the IT backlog.
