Is low code the future or overhyped?
With industry analysts predicting strong growth for low-code platforms, we evaluate the concept and ask: is low code the future or overhyped?
The adoption of low code application platforms (LCAP) has been growing for several years. This is supported by industry analysts with Gartner predicting the market for low-code development technologies will increase to $44.5 billion by 2026.
With 70% of new applications developed by organisations using low-code or no-code technologies by 2025, we evaluate the concept and consider if it’s delivering on its early promise.
First, let’s consider what is low-code/no-code.
What is no code?
No-code is what it sounds like, namely non-technical users (commonly referred to as citizen developers) creating applications to automate business processes without writing code. The focus is on using drag-and-drop tools, industry templates, and pre-built integrations to build interfaces / workflows / applications. Users have limited (if any) ability to edit code. It is possible to go live in weeks with little training.
What is a low code?
Low-code platforms empower users to build digital applications quickly.
Low-code development is aimed at non-technical users (and software developers in IT teams) who take advantage of existing no-code building blocks to create applications in less time.
Crucially, low code offers the flexibility to edit code for greater power and create extensive customisations if required (although coding knowledge is necessary).
What are the main features of a low-code platform?
Some of the most common features of a low-code platform include:
- Pre-built, editable form and workflow templates (e.g., employee onboarding) based on use cases/industries
- WYSIWYG form builder
- Point-and-click process modelling/workflow engine
- Seamless integrations with third-party applications
- Limited (if any) code required
- Suitable for business users, not programmers
LCAPs reduce the complexity and learning curve associated with traditional BPM or no-code platforms, allowing you to be agile in the face of a changing competitive landscape.
Benefits of low code
Accessibility
Low code is accessible to almost everyone thanks to graphical and menu-driven builders for every part of the LCAP such as forms, rules, workflows, and integrations.
Reduce time to market
Low code enables rapid application development allowing business users to create new processes quickly in response to fast-changing business requirements - without professional developers or third-party vendors. In fact, according to Mendix, 72% of users are developing apps with low-code applications in three months or less.
Quickly adapt to change
Another benefit of a low-code platform is the flexibility to change business processes in response to strategic objectives or market trends. Non-technical users can easily alter in-flight processes to meet changing market conditions to stay ahead of the competition. Low code/ no-code platforms have the potential to reduce the development time by 90%.
Lower costs
LCAP can mean less reliance on highly skilled developers and vendors for development, training, and support, leading to lower costs.
Enhance productivity
Low-code platforms allow developers to focus on more valuable projects while non-technical users can deploy digital applications at pace, leading to more free time for other tasks.
Disadvantages of low-code platforms
Despite the excitement, the low-code/no-code movement is not without criticism and Forester have warned buyers that hype haunts low-code platforms. Some of the challenges are outlined below.
Limited customisation
Low code is a great way to build apps quickly but is more restrictive than programming.
It’s almost guaranteed that further down the line you will want to add a new feature that will not be available with pre built templates or needs to be coded by software developers.
Integration
Most businesses today rely on a plethora of applications, information, and services to administer their services.
Some of these tools will be in-house/legacy and the LCAP may not provide an API to connect with them and complete a task.
In such scenarios, you will either need a developer to code the integration or may have to accept limited functionality.
Vendor lock
A commonly cited problem with low-code platforms is getting stuck with a single vendor and becoming too dependent on them.
If you leave the vendor, the time and effort (not to mention investment) spent building applications will not be transferable to another LCAP; you will have to start again.
Beware the ‘citizen developer’ dream
The term citizen developer is commonly used today and refers to business users who build applications to meet a business requirement but beware the dream.
The reality is the role of a citizen developer is an extra task in addition to their actual job as they are unlikely to work in IT. As a non-IT person, do they have the time to build the tools they need to do their job, or would they rather leave it to the experts?
In our opinion, you must have a good level of IT literacy to ensure best practices, security, scalability, and compliance when building apps with low-code platforms. A solid technical background combined with training and vendor support is a must-have for even low code success. This means low-code\no-code might help an IT team build a business process quickly, but it is unlikely to help a non-IT person build something from scratch.
Cloud only
Low-code\no-code platforms are almost exclusively cloud-hosted and subject to subscription-based pricing.
The benefits of the cloud, such as its scalability and elasticity, are well understood. Yet, the drawbacks – chief among them controlling costs and ensuring regulatory compliance – are driving the gradual trend of cloud repatriation.
In addition, you should give some thought to whether the cloud is suitable for:
- Low-frequency use but long-term processes
- Highly regulated organisations and/or sensitive data subject to GDPR
- Public facing anonymous users
Will low code replace developers and vendors?
As we have seen above, low code offers limited customisation options.
At some point, most organisations will require a new feature or integration that may not be possible through the point-and-click tools available. At that point, more advanced technical or development skills may be required, so good-quality developers will always be in high demand. This is especially true as the acceleration of digital transformation initiatives gathers pace.
While low code development has undeniable benefits, do business users have the technical knowledge and crucially the time and desire to build these applications?
Consider the case of an NHS consultant. They might need to capture data from patients enrolling in a clinical trial, but they are required in theatre for surgery. They can quickly describe what information they need to collect but cannot spend their day building an application to capture the data because they have patients to treat.
Another example is the HR Manager who needs to automate routine tasks like employee onboarding. Do they have the time to build a new HR process when faced with recruitment, payroll, annual appraisals, disciplinary meetings, and more?
In both scenarios, we recommend commissioning a vendor to build a low-code solution.
Is low code the future
So, is low code the future or is low code a fad?
The answer is a little more nuanced. Low code platforms have advantages over traditional software development, but they are not the best answer in every scenario.
When to use low code platforms
Low-code platforms are a good option for small departmental processes that require quick solutions with little customisation. SMEs seeking to accelerate digital transformation efforts can also benefit from low-code platforms for simple needs.
In both scenarios above, you must have a good level of technical ability and crucially, the time and desire, to build the solution. Even with good technical skills, we recommend purchasing training and support from the software provider.
If you are a large (or regulated) organisation with complex enterprise-wide processes spanning multiple departments/locations/geographies or need extensive customisation/integration, we recommend partnering with a vendor to achieve the best results.
Low code or vendor
Whatever path you choose, we have the solutions and expertise to support you.
If you have the skills and capacity in place and want to take the low code route, you can get up and running quickly with Process Director, a low code business process automation platform enabling citizen developers to automate manual tasks via drag-and-drop tools, with templates by role/use case, and pre-built connectors.
If required, we can provide training and technical support to your team to empower them to build the solution internally.
But…
…while Process Director is incredibly intuitive, we know that many companies do not always have the time or available resources to achieve what they want.
At ePC, we’re a committed implementer of technology solutions and have a team of skilled developers and process experts available who can build a fully operational bespoke solution for you - including forms, workflows, and interfaces – in a few weeks.
Are you considering adopting low code applications? Book your customised demonstration today here or call us on 03300 100 000.