The creation of business applications using a low-code platform is attaining rapid momentum. It is a new perspective that focuses on simplifying the process of creating quick and intuitive software. Businesses have understood the high potential of the low-code platforms and are opting to actively use them to move towards digitization.
What is a low-code development platform?
Low-code development platforms help to create applications using a drag-and-drop visual interface with no or less coding knowledge. They are also known as RAD (Rapid Action Development) platforms or No-code platforms. This platform eliminates the traditional coding process. One can build an application even without proper programming knowledge. The platform also offers prebuilt applications that can be personalized as per the user requirements.
How to choose a low-code platform?
(A Checklist for Selecting Low-Code Software)
Low-code platforms have proved to be helpful in recent times. The question “Should low-code platforms be used?” does not exist anymore. The appropriate question would be “How to choose a low-code platform?” Let’s learn more about choosing the right low-code platform to obtain benefits.
1. World-class user experience
The platform should be able to provide a high-end experience to the user. It should be able to appeal to the users in terms of the visual design, looks, and yet deliver a seamless performance.
2. Accessible on all mobile devices
The platform should be able to build an application that is supported and accessible on all mobile devices. No further coding should be required to make the application accessible from a different mobile device.
3. Pre-built templates
The platform should provide a variety of pre-built templates. These templates act as a starting point and aids in speeding up the development process of the application. Templates drastically increase productivity and provide a secure and reliable application.
4. Easy to use tools
The development environment of the platforms should be inclusive of intuitive and easy-to-use tools. Drag and drop, wizards and tools with similar features help in speeding up the development process of the application.
5. In-built cloud deployment
It’s very important for the platform to have an inbuilt cloud deployment. It provides higher security, speeds up the development process, and helps in easier transition into deployment.
6. Fully customizable application
The platform should allow customization of the application at any process. The developers should be able to customize the app as per the requirement. It should also allow users to manage and customize the application themselves.
7. Connectivity to databases and internal systems
The platform should be able to provide easy connectivity to databases, various data sources, and internal systems. This should be inclusive and there should be no additional cost for accessing the systems.
8. Training
The platform should provide robust tools and programs for training purposes. These tools and programs in the form of tutorials and videos help in training the new members of the team efficiently. This saves businesses from additional training costs.
9. Exceptional support service
The supplier of the platform should provide exceptional support service to its clients. To ensure this thoroughly scrutinize the SLA document and online reviews to understand the quality of service
10. Enterprise-level security and scalability
Verify that the software includes enterprise-level security. Also, all suppliers do not offer the feature of scalability and flexibility. It’s therefore an important thought to know to what extent are these features an integrated part of the platform’s functionality.
Benefits of implementing a low-code development platform
Let’s have a look at a few benefits of a low-code development platform.
As per the recent studies, it’s been found that the businesses are facing difficulties in keeping up with the constantly changing regulations. In such a scenario, low-code platforms come into the picture. It allows quicker transformation to meet the requirements in time, the advantage of staying ahead of deadlines, enables control of all risk management processes within the main platform. A low-code application development platform can help to reduce the volume of data at risk and safeguarding sensitive information by granting access to teams based on their roles, profiles, etc. Upgrading low-code applications for data security is convenient and time-saving.
The remarkable impact of low-code is the rate at which software development takes place. With the evolving trends of the market, businesses require technology that helps them to keep up with the changing trends. In such circumstances, the low-code platform can be very essential. The ability of this platform to impact the delivery of new software by using pre-existing elements and creating solutions is outstanding. Low-code can help to save valuable hours for the development team. Ultimately, the applications built with low-code platforms will help businesses to become quick-moving. It will help to support the user needs without any hindrance to the process.
Low-code platforms help the development team to become agile by eliminating the tasks that are menial and consume a lot of time. It allows the team to devote more time and attention to the coding aspect, where human skills and imagination are importantly required. It also facilitates business users to go ahead and create their applications. Thus, these users would not need the developer’s intervention to get their request processed. Therefore, it enhances the productivity of business users and saves a significant amount of time for the developers. Consequently, the project delivery will be more efficient, quicker, and of higher excellency.
Low-code platforms facilitate the flexibility of the process. It makes changing applications and them adapting to advanced requirements effortless. Irrespective of the nature of complexity, the users can achieve the desired result without in-depth knowledge of coding. The features on this platform have already gone testing at various levels, during various implementations, thus the chances of bug occurrence and security flaws significantly decrease. The ability to build more applications in less time helps in reducing the cost incurred. It also lowers the demand for new developers, thus reducing the cost of hiring and providing relief to the overly burdened development team.
Applications that can visually attract and appeal to the users help in enhancing the overall experience of the end-user. Customers can obtain an application that is fully functional and in very little time. It helps the team in having the same understanding and responsiveness. Low-code platforms thus help in saving time by avoiding the native means for building the applications. This saved time can be efficiently and effectively used in imparting a top-notch customer experience.
What Can You Build with Low-Code?
There are 4 types of common apps you can build using a low-code platform. Your business will fall into one or more of these categories.
The concept of innovation apps sprouts from the factors of the digital business such as product, business model, channels, etc. These applications help the business to stand out from the rest and grow in its field. Ideas are the main factor of existence for these apps. Therefore, it generally requires a greater extent of involvement from the business aspect throughout the whole process of development. Innovation apps normally take advantage of new technologies like Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, etc. to open up new ways of value learning. Low-code platforms help the businesses to have the “Try and Learn” appeal towards innovation and exploration at a lower cost and in a quicker way. Once the ideas get approved, the businesses can proceed towards enhancing the apps with advanced knowledge and combination, thus letting it focus on quick progression and optimum results.
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Customer-Engagement Applications / Customer-Facing Applications
Customer-Facing applications help customers and partners in interaction, business transactions, enhancing satisfaction, retention, and gains. These applications generally come across with soaring expectations from the users in a matter of functionality, consistency. Though these apps provide the business with a clear-cut idea of themselves, the development process has to undergo various customization. There are various basic operational enhancements needed to provide support to the processes facing the customers. The integration of the systems is also required to support the existing processes. Some examples of customer-facing apps are broker portals, customer portals, application portals like claim management and university’s student service, etc.
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Operational efficiency apps
Operational efficiency apps are the apps designed for the employees or partners to reduce cost by automating/reducing the processes involving manual work. These apps are often steered to avoid costly penalties as per the compliance requirements in certain industries. These apps support processes of various departments, across departments, and even companywide. Operational efficiency applications often integrate with the central systems. The higher the integration with the central systems, the more critical the operation of these apps becomes.
Legacy migration apps are designed to replace the outdated apps that are unable to support newer software or provide the appropriate user experience. The majority of the legacy migration projects are initiated for business transformation purposes. This means the replacement of the legacy apps rather than lifting and shifting of the existing process. Low-code platforms enable organizations to first have a look at the user approach while replacing the legacy systems. It also enables adding new functionality and boosts the user experience. Simultaneously it ensures that it does not create legacy systems of the future.
Final Words
Overall, Low-code development platforms provide an exceptional solution to help businesses outclass the shortfall of coding skillsets and enhance alliance within the development team. With a little planning and foresight, it can help in meeting the requirements of the end-user as well as the businesses.
Source: How to Efficiently Use a Low-code Development Platform?
