Why use low code app development in the enterprise app
Syxtus
July 19th, 2019 • Software development
Even though the hype is huge and the discussion about the contribution and use of low-code platforms in digital transformation has been going on for a long time now, most enterprises are still slow to adopt it. The adoption of low-code platforms to build apps will play an important role in determining which enterprises come out on top, and which ones lag behind.
What is a Low-Code Platform?
In most cases, the ones who are the closest to the problems are business users, not IT professionals. Business users are those who face the problem and think about creative ideas and solutions to fix it. But they often lack technical skills and require help from IT experts to implement the solutions. Why are IT professionals who know very little of business problems and their solutions the ones to create the apps? That is no longer the case since low-code platforms came into the picture. A low-code platform simplifies the application development process by providing visual tools for building apps. You will not use much coding on these platforms. Business professionals can easily use a low-code platform with minimum or no help from IT professionals to create applications. Such platforms use visual programming where users drag and drop blocks to code. Some of these platforms, such as Codejig App Builder, even allow users to switch between block-based coding and text-based programming languages, such as Java and JavaScript, if and when needed.
With rapid application development platforms, development process is fast, has a low cost, and involves business users directly. They provide feedback and recommendations for modifying the prototype in a way that ensures that the final version of the application takes care of their specific business needs.
When new technologies appear, the first group of companies to adopt it are often the smallest percentage, while the rest of the companies are either lukewarm or they reject it totally. The small groups that adopt it first always have the advantage and most often become the leaders in that particular domain.
The competition among industries and the demand for apps that simplify their business processes is rapidly rising. This leaves rapid application development platforms the best option to turn to. One of the deciding factors of the success or failure of a business is how fast they can adjust to the changing environment. Businesses that have applications that permit them to quickly modify or adopt new business processes will definitely emerge as winners in this competition.
Top reasons to use a low-code platform for the enterprise app
It is now clear that low-code development platforms are the go-to platforms to build your apps if you want to succeed in this highly competitive era of digital transformation. Do not waste time on traditional methods of application development while your competitors are far ahead. Now, it is the right time to act. Not only will rapid application development platforms decrease the development time, but they will also ensure better quality, manageability, and security. Here are some reasons why you should turn towards low-code platforms:
Development time
The speed at which sophisticated apps can be built is one of the biggest advantages of visual programming platforms. Traditional methods can take from 6 months to 1 year to develop a working app. Using visual tools, this time can be significantly reduced to days or weeks. This speed is achieved by the usage of integrated app platforms and visual tools.
The main principle behind visual app platforms is to create both the app logic and the user interface visually, instead of using text-based coding. This is done using comprehensive component libraries for UI, integration and backend logic, and drag-and-drop of blocks.
The speed of development also increases because every app of the business built using visual tools decrease the time of development of future apps. This is because all custom-coded extensions can be reused to build other apps. This significantly decreases the time taken to build apps for future projects.
Decreasing the development time of an app from years to weeks and even days will change the way a business manages and evaluates its projects. First, many more projects will be carried out in a short amount of time. Many more business ideas will come to realization because they can be easily tested and implemented. With traditional programming methods, many small business ideas fade away or are shut down because they are not worth the risk, time, and effort. Note that some of these small ideas could be the ones to boost the business to higher heights.
Iteration speed
In the traditional methods of app development, such as the Waterfall model, projects are planned to the tiniest detail before they leap into the development process. This has been the method businesses use when they get their enterprise software from outsourcing development companies. However, now that digital transformation is taking over the business world and technological advancement is picking up the pace, the Waterfall model just doesn’t work. By the time the app is delivered, the environment has already changed and the app is no longer useful or is lacking in so many aspects.
Rapid application development platforms are by far superior to traditional methods of app development when it comes to quick iteration. The first working prototype can be built in a matter of hours. Then it is sent to the field for testing. Employees are able to use the app and give reviews and recommendations which can be implemented immediately. These iterations are made until an app that meets the needs of the business is delivered.
In some way, we could say that the traditional method of app development is holding back the potential of many businesses because of the difficulty of making changes to the apps built. Many companies become stuck with the same business process for a long time while their competitors are adapting to the changing environment and making much more profit.
Risk Management
As we have mentioned before, traditional methods of app development, such as the Waterfall model, plan every single detail and then take a leap of faith, hoping that the final product will serve the needs of the business. Sometimes the plan works, but most often the end-users end up with an app that is of little or no use to them. This is a very big risk to take on the part of those sponsoring the project and business owners, especially when considering the time, energy, and resources used.
With visual tools, it is possible to test many app concepts very fast and make changes using feedback from end-user immediately. This significantly minimizes the risk of project failure. Successful app projects can only be created by rigorous iteration which is only possible when using rapid application development platforms.
Involvement of business users
One of the biggest issues with the traditional method of app development is that apps are created blindly or with little knowledge of the problems to be solved. So, in most cases, the business ends up with an app that solves nothing.
This is not the case with the rapid application development model because business users have an opportunity to be involved in every phase of the app development process. The business users are the ones who face the problems and think about creative ideas to solve them. They will be in the best position to implement the solutions to these problems. Furthermore, they will be able to test the enterprise software and to make changes based on the reviews. This way, the final product will have all the solutions to the problems the business users were facing, thereby simplifying business processes and increasing employee productivity.
Where to find Low-Code Platforms?
With the sudden increase in the demand for quality apps with low cost and short development time, low code platforms have emerged to the surface. The best platforms such as Codejig App Builder let even business users with little to no programming experience create simple and complex apps from scratch or from templates. Rapid application technology used to fuel this platform allows businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.