What Can You Do With No-Code and Low-Code Software?
Low-code and no-code platforms are a great way for companies to build applications with little to no coding required. Businesses of all sizes can use these platforms to create custom-made apps specifically tailored to their workflows.
The benefits of these types of platforms include the ability to create apps without hiring a developer, access to a wide range of prebuilt templates fit for purpose, and the ability to get an app up and running in just minutes. That kind of flexibility and adaptability can help solve many problems for business users who have been struggling to build an app or a digital experience.
Here's what a group of experts had to say about no-code and low-code and what problems they can solve.
The Advantages and Benefits of Low-Code and No-Code
No-code and low-code platforms, terms that are often used interchangeably, are a set of tools that can lower the cost and complexity of software development and accelerate time to market. They use visual interfaces and prebuilt, reusable components and connectors to empower non-technical business professionals and citizen developers to build apps and integrate them with existing systems easily. This eliminates the need to hire expensive, specialized developers and the lengthy professional services engagements traditionally required to bring new applications to market.
"No-code accelerates agility and allows enterprises to embrace rapid innovation to keep up with the shifting technology landscape driven by increasing customer expectations," said Anand Chandrasekaran, executive vice president of product management at San Ramon, Calif.-based Five9, a cloud contact center platform.
Also, the amount of code reusability that no-code and low-code tools bring to the table allows for easy use and greater adherence to software building best practices. Plus, software products built using no-code and low-code can be deployed quickly while still allowing for adjustments to meet a businesses' changing environment.
Related Article: How Low-Code and No-Code Development Accelerates Digital Transformation
The Problems No-Code and Low-Code Platforms Solve
Customers are more demanding, more connected and more informed than ever before. They want a faster, smoother experience and expect the same modern digital experience as when they're calling an Uber or ordering a pizza.
Learning Opportunities
They want that availability at their fingertips, and now that demand is being placed on businesses. No-code and low-code platforms have the potential to give both technical and non-technical teams the ability to deliver that convenience.
Here's a rundown on what low-code and no-code can do:
- Enhance Network Security: The use of no-code tools like SecureX allow IT to automate across various security platforms, said Eric Thiel, developer experience director at San Jose-based networking giant Cisco, "allowing security practitioners without automation backgrounds to quickly design workflows that best fit their unique environment and requirements."
- Simplify Software Tooling: No-code tools "simplify the use of tools that aren't required to solve a specific task," said Michael Berthold, CEO at Zurich, Switzerland-based KNIME. "For example, to train a machine learning model the data scientist doesn't need to change the actual algorithm but only supply it with the required parameters."
- Reduce the Amount of Code Required: No-code and low-code "hides the interfacing of every tool that isn't required for the actual job," Berthold said. "For instance, to transform data one would need to write SQL code, but for the subsequent training of a model, one needs to write R or Python code. A no-code environment can abstract from that and enable data scientists to focus on the joining and training rather than the actual code."
- Democratize Software Development: No-code and low-code "is democratizing many innovations that were traditionally only available to large enterprises," said Chandrasekaran, removing the cost and complexity and streamlining development that otherwise would have taken months or years to develop. "With no-code tooling they can now be launched within days or weeks."
- Deliver Greater Integrability: "No-code platforms provide a wide range of integrations that make it easier to leverage existing systems and carry forward customized business processes," Chandrasekaran said. "Additionally, organizations have more control over their applications because they do not need to engage developers or professional services to make updates."
Related Article: Citizen Developers: Some Assembly Required
Why Make the Leap to No-Code and Low-Code?
Simplicity is one of the main reasons to adopt no-code and low-code software building processes, Berthold said. "No-code is aimed at making things simpler for non-experts," he said. "No-code environments make it more intuitive to deal with repetitive, standardized tasks."
Chandrasekaran cited the pandemic as one of the greatest accelerators to adoption. "Businesses need to evolve as quickly as markets and industries are changing," he said. "Organizations that embrace no-code tools can increase business agility, take advantage of continuous innovation, and provide better customer and employee experiences — all while managing costs and streamlining processes."
Because there is little to no coding required to build software products, low-code and no-code allows companies with any size or budget to quickly create a fully functional app. With these customizable and user-friendly tools, there is little cost associated with development and deployment, unlocking businesses' potential and opening the door for democratization of the software industry.
About the Author
Kaya Ismail is a business software journalist and commentator with years of experience in the CMS industry.
Connect with Kaya Ismail:
Featured Research
Buyer's Guide
Read Now
Research Report
Read Now
eBook
Read Now
Research Report
Read Now
White Paper
Read Now
Research Report
Read Now
Guide
Read Now
Guide
Read Now
Related Stories
Entries for the 2023 Reworked IMPACT Awards are now Open
