In today's article, we'll show you how and where to apply low code development platforms and dive into the many benefits they bring to businesses.
S-PRO experts will share their insights on using low-code tools and bust the myth that developers hate working with them.
What Is a Low-Code Platform?
A low code platform is a software development platform that uses graphical user interfaces to create IT solutions with minimum coding effort. With drag-and-drop components and model-driven logic, even non-tech users can build applications.
Examples of low code development platforms include Microsoft Power Apps, Mendix, Appian, and Google AppSheet. They allow you to choose a web or mobile app template, add custom modules, connect databases, and automate processes.
What Problems Can Low-Code Development Solve?
When adopting low code development platforms for your business, make your decision based on the particular use case.
However, there are some basic cases where you can apply them regardless of project size and complexity. You can use them to:
Digitize Internal Business Processes
You can build internal applications to manage new members' onboarding, employee timesheets, or request tracking. The low-code approach will allow non-tech people to customize and adjust these tools according to their needs.
Fulfill Basic IT-Related Tasks
Low-code tools let you produce simple websites with basic functionality even without having coding skills. Besides, you can create landing pages, contact forms, appointment scheduling, and lead generation forms.
Automate Repetitive Tasks
Engineers can automate routine tasks without effort using ready-made templates and drag-and-drop visual low-coding interfaces. They quickly build data entry or report generation components and allocate their effort to solving more creative problems.
Before deciding, it's essential to consider your unique needs and carefully weigh the benefits of low code development platforms.
Low-code development platforms are best suited for medium-sized projects without too much complex logic. Simpler tools like website constructors or spreadsheets may suffice for projects with small amounts of data. However, for relatively large and complex ones, low-code solutions may not provide enough customization or power. Thus, you can turn to custom software development services.
What Do Programmers Think Of Low Code Development Platforms?
Most programmers adore low-code platforms for their potential to increase productivity and assist with routine tasks. Engineers using them claim to have more time left for more creative, complicated work and higher-level tasks.
However, some specialists are openly pessimistic about using low-code platforms. Let us explain to you several reasons why developers hate low code platforms. They are:
Taking Over Engineering Jobs
Engineers may see them as a threat to their jobs, as such platforms allow non-technical users to build software applications without involving developers.
Additionally, some developers may find low code platforms limiting in terms of customization and control over the code. They dislike oversimplifying the development process and want enough depth for complex projects.
Lack of Control Over Code
Developers may find it challenging to achieve the desired level of customization and control over low-code solutions. That is why they prefer to create certain components from scratch.
Hidden Additional Work
Some software engineers dislike the oversimplification of the development process with low-code tools and are concerned that adding more complex logic on top of a low-code solution may later require significant additional effort. They want to sacrifice neither the quality of the final solution nor development time and effort.
Benefits Of Low Code Development Platforms
Businesses can get many advantages by using low code development platforms:
Faster Development Process
With pre-built components and drag-and-drop interfaces, low-code platforms help developers build applications much faster than traditional methods.
Improved Collaboration
Low-code platforms let business stakeholders and developers talk the same language, leading to more effective solutions that better meet the needs of the business.
Rapid Prototyping and Experimentation
Low code platforms make it easy to quickly prototype and experiment with new ideas, enabling businesses to test concepts and get feedback from stakeholders before committing to development.
More Rational Human Resource Allocation
With low code development platforms, developers can quickly cope with routine and focus solely on complex engineering tasks to achieve more.
Why Not Use Low-Code Application Development In The Enterprise?
Low-code platforms are great for rapidly prototyping and testing new ideas. Yet, their limitations make them mostly unsuitable for enterprise-level projects.
Lack of Customization
Both businesses and developers love low-code platforms for their visual interfaces and easy-to-use templates. But for enterprise projects with complex workflows, it sometimes happens when there is simply no suitable template.
Security Constraints
Using third-party tools for development raises potential privacy and security risks, as you may deal with sensitive data. However, enterprise-level projects will not accept that level of risk.
Integration Obstacles
You can get the code from low code development platforms, but linking it to other solutions in your digital ecosystem may be challenging. Prior to applying low-code tools, check the integrations they support. Custom software development may be a better choice if you need your solution to work well with legacy systems.
Scalability Limitations
Certain tools may only be capable of handling a limited number or type of modules, which can block the growth and expansion of a project.
To sum up, the decision to use a low-code platform will depend on each organization's specific needs and resources available. Low-code platforms can serve as a great temporary solution. Complex or highly customized projects require a more comprehensive approach in the long run.
Examples of Low-Code Development
Many businesses already enjoy the perks of low-code development and encourage others with their success stories. Here are some examples.
Starbucks
Starbucks used a low-code approach for their app, reducing the required time and effort for the development. In this case, low-code development platforms helped to decrease the time-to-market for the new features.
US Air Force
The fitness app for the US Air Force, allowing their employees to track their sports progress, also benefited from low-code tools. In particular, the creators relied on AgilePoint, a business process management and automation platform, to cut development costs.
Why Developers Dislike Low-Code Development Platforms
While low-code development platforms boast quick development, cost efficiency, and increased time to market, some developers are skeptical about them because they usually limit the developer’s flexibility and freedom to create complex and customized functionality.
Here are some of the reasons, why some developers dislike low-code development tools.
- Limited customization
The market changes at lightning speed, as do client requirements. That’s why it's crucial to consider customization opportunities when developing a product. Low-code platforms usually have limited customization features, and as a product grows, it risks outgrowing the development platform, potentially leading to scalability issues.
- Scalability challenges
Usually, low-code platforms support scalability to some extent. However, as traffic grows, you may need to switch to another resource-intensive solution because low-code platforms may not be able to process the number of operations you need. Moreover, most scalability limitations are difficult to forecast, and the platform may become obsolete only after investing a large amount of time and resources into it.
- Security concerns
No-code platforms may often be non-compliant with some industry standards (especially if you develop an application for the healthcare or fintech industry), as they usually have limited options for customizing security settings.
- Team collaboration challenges
Low-code platforms usually lack some rules for change reviews, which may lead to conflicts in code writing structure.
Top 5 Best Low-Code Development Platforms in 2024
Let’s review the top 5 low-code development platforms, their prices, and functionality.
Appian offers a low-code development platform for building products fast and deploying them across any device or web browser. Its main features include:
- Automating development processes by easily integrating AI
- Data unification across systems and building powerful applications with DataFabric
- Case management tools
Pricing - from $2 per user per month
A fast and easy low-code platform for developing smart applications and tackling complexity. Its main features are:
- AI-powered development
- Complete cloud choice
- Governance tools
- Data consistency and security across all projects and teams
Pricing - from $60/month
A low-code development platform for building multi-user apps, workflows, and dashboards. Main features:
- Best technology stack with advanced technologies like AWS and Microsoft SQL
- 24/7 support
- Unlimited app users
- Enterprise cloud infrastructure
Pricing - from $27 per month
A full-stack AI-powered low-code development platform with a rapid application development model. Its features include:
- Native capabilities control
- Full customization
- Accessible UI components
- Backend support
Pricing - from $1513
A visual website builder for creating everything from fully custom layouts to complex animations.
- Fully customizable website structure
- Content-rich pages
- Ability to synchronize with external design systems
Pricing - from $23per month
Conclusions: Is Low Code the Right Choice For You?
Low code development platforms can be an excellent fit for digitizing business processes, automating repetitive tasks, or creating basic websites. Yet, they may not be sufficient for more complex projects requiring extensive customization or specialized functionality.
If your business requires a solution that should work well with legacy systems or have advanced security, go for custom software development. At S-PRO, we offer full-cycle development services for projects of any size and complexity. Reach out, and we will grow your business together.
FAQ
What to look for in a low-code platform?
We suggest you look for such aspects as:
- rich template libraries,
- visual workflows,
- compliance with industry standards,
- detailed documentation,
- customer support.
Why not use a low-code platform?
Low-code platforms may not be a good choice for large enterprise projects or projects with a high level of customization and complex technology stack due to scalability, integration, and security constraints they create.
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