Low-code platforms provide intuitive and visual tools for businesses to optimize their software development process.
Gartner predicted that by 2025, 65% of application development projects would rely on low-code development, and thus far, that statistic seems to be holding true.
Though low-code development antagonizes the norms of traditional software development, low-code platforms clearly remain a worthwhile investment for many business users.
Businesses that wish to scale must look for innovative ways to improve their productivity. Investing in low-code platforms might be a modern solution to this endeavor.
You need to deliver fast and efficiently to keep up with your competitors, so it’s critical that you take advantage of all the different tools at your disposal.
Especially if you think your developers are going to be taking advantage of them, too! Low-code development is by far one of the easiest ways to get your platform out there fast, or to get to developing without what is considered a typical IT team.
To learn more about low-code development and what low-code platforms can best enhance your software projects, continue reading!
If you enjoyed this content, here at Trio, we offer tech market insights, and our developers are 100% focused on assisting you. We also offer specialists who can help you develop quickly, using low-code platforms, while still making sure that you are compliant with industry regulations in niches like fintech, healthcare, and AI!
Are you ready to start your development project?
We have the developers you need to take your development project in the right direction.
Companies are proven to grow their business faster with Trio.
What Is a Low-Code Platform?
Low-code development is a software approach that eases development by offering users drag-and-drop functionality through an easily navigable graphical user interface (GUI).
Though classic programming does not exactly mirror the blobs of green you might have seen in The Matrix, it does tend to be a complex ritual.
A basic software project requires the use of at least one well-suited programming language as well as the application of various software principles, from for-loops to object-oriented programming.
Frameworks, package repositories, and integrated development environments (IDEs) are also often integral pieces to a classic software project.
In contrast, the GUI of a low-code platform is often component-based with pre-defined templates. Instead of typing in a set of brackets, punctuation, and strings of words, you can simply plug the modules that best fit your objective.
That said, low-code development, in particular, does allow for some coding. Minimal coding enables more skilled users on low-code platforms to customize their application a bit more than a no-code platform, where no coding can occur.
Either way, both of these types of software development boost efficiency and save time. And time is money, after all.
However, the most defining aspect of low-code development platforms (LCDPs) is their accessibility. Through low-code platforms, citizen developers — that is, business users with little to no coding experience — can build functional, fully-featured applications.
It’s important to pause for a moment and realize that low-code development and no-code development are far from the same thing. Low-code is faster than conventional coding, but still requires some code. Luckily, this means you can customize your app to some extent.
On the other hand, no-code completely eliminates the need for coding, which makes it very simple but also very limiting. In our experience, low-code is always the better option of the two unless you absolutely cannot afford a developer. You want to be able to set yourself up for future changes at the very least.
You should also be able to find low-code platforms accessible if you have no coding experience, as the coding required is often very basic, or you can collaborate with someone experienced, allowing you to cut costs significantly.
Benefits of Low-Code Development
The most obvious benefit of low-code and no-code development is the ease of access. But with this access comes a number of similarly desirable benefits.
Take a look below at some of the principal benefits of low-code development.
Scalability
Low-code platforms are easy to use, and low-code applications are easy to build. The result is the continuous delivery of clever business solutions without the need for professional developers.
Reducing the complexity of the software development process stimulates increased productivity and decreased costs. Naturally, this means greater potential to scale.
In addition, low-code platforms protect against technology churn, where businesses must replace outdated products and methods to vitalize their growth.
Technology churn is closely related to legacy debt. Overcoming legacy debt is a large issue in information technology (IT) and occurs when technology can no longer support business requirements.
Fortunately, low-code platforms can take on both of these challenges with ease. Needless to say, low-code and no-code platforms do not depend on standard programming languages or methodologies.
Therefore, businesses can find security in modernizing their software development life cycle via low-code application development.
Agility
Low-code platforms empower rapid application development. This means that businesses that employ LCDPs can deliver apps at a rapid pace.
For consumer apps, this speeds up your time-to-market, increasing your return on investment via quicker feedback and faster decision-making.
If you decide to use low-code platforms to build business workflows and custom applications for internal use, you will likewise gain the advantage of agile development, but with far fewer iterations.
The extra time you save can go towards working on more critical tasks and projects to support your business.
Capability
LCDPs and digital transformation go hand-in-hand. Low-code platforms utilize reusable components with a visual approach to circumvent the need for traditional coding.
Such a novel way of development is sure to make waves in the industry. In fact, it already has.
Other than empowering developers, low-code platforms can better respond to business and consumer needs.
And since low-code tools are widely accessible — literally and figuratively — business information can be shared throughout the company.
On an organizational level, this capacity paves the way for cross-silo collaboration where teams can work horizontally across various business activities.
By lowering technical barriers, you’ll also find you have far faster innovation and iteration cycles, so you can experiment a lot more freely, and respond to changing market conditions at lightning speed!
Top Low-Code Platforms
Now that you have a good background where low-code development is concerned, you might be thinking about investing in a low-code platform yourself.
The following platforms have high ratings amongst various software development circles.
1. Microsoft Power Apps
Microsoft Power Apps is a service for building custom business apps, fast and without complexity.
The functionality of the service is impressive, namely for its inclusion of pre-built artificial intelligence components.
Extensibility is an appealing feature as well, with more than 200 connectors to integrate disparate data and systems.
If you’re already using any of the Microsoft ecosystem, like Office 365 or Azure, then this is a great option, thanks to the integration it offers you.
2. Google AppSheet
Google AppSheet is more of a no-code platform, but it also offers some low-code capabilities. Like Microsoft Power Apps, which offers integration with other components of the Microsoft ecosystem, Google AppSheet lets you create powerful mobile and web apps by integrating with data sources like Google Sheets, Excel, and Forms.
It’s particularly popular for small businesses trying to make quick mobile apps as it offers a free trial as well as a couple of different paid plans, which start very affordably.
3. Mendix
Mendix provides tooling for testing, building, and deploying applications through a low-code software platform.
There are over 4000 companies using Mendix, which was founded in 2005. The platform relies on model-driven engineering (MDE), a mode of development that emphasizes abstract modeling.
We’d recommend Mendix for larger, enterprise-grade solutions that need a lot of customization, balanced with rapid development.
4. OutSystems
OutSystems is an omnichannel low-code platform, meaning enterprises can build applications across a variety of mediums.
Real-time performance dashboards and strong security measures are some of the prized features of the platform, along with the capacity for rapid development.
OutSystems is usually used for very large applications that need large-scale integration with your company software and will need to scale in the future.
5. Appian
Appian is a low-code platform equipped with native deployment tools and integration options with DevOps tools like Jenkins.
Designed for businesses of all sizes, Appian allows users to build business process management (BPM) applications.
Essentially, BPM applications help businesses organize and optimize business processes. By far one of its most popular features is its workflow automation, case management, and recent native AI capabilities.
6. Zoho Creator
Zoho is an Indian multinational technology company that business marketers know well due to its customer relationship management (CRM) tool.
However, Zoho Creator is a minimalist platform with intuitive visual features for low-code/no-code development. It’s a veteran player in the industry.
Thanks to its flexibility and its cross-platform capabilities, it’s great for rapid development and iterations.
7. Oracle APEX
Oracle Application Express (APEX) is designed for building scalable and secure enterprise apps using an Oracle Database core.
If you have some developers or are familiar with SQL and PL/SQL yourself, then this is a great option. APEX is also free if you already have the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, making it the most cost-effective option.
If you have Oracle Cloud and your app is going to be very database-centric, then APEX is probably the best option for you.
8. Salesforce Lightning
Salesforce is another familiar title for marketers. Often, HubSpot vs. Salesforce is compared as two competing CRM platforms.
Alternatively, Salesforce Lightning is a component-based application development framework. The components in this scenario act as low-code visual pieces for app building.
If you are already using Salesforce CRM, then this is a great option to extend its functionality.
9. Nintex
Nintex is a low-code platform for process management and workflow automation. Automation tools can be key to fostering growth in your business, and Nintex works to accelerate digital transformation within your organization.
It’s worth noting that Nintex is highly rated with 10,000+ organizations in diverse industries reporting desirable returns on investment.
It’s a great option if you need complex workflows with a lot of integration capabilities.
10. Quickbase
Quickbase is an LCDP for creating workflows. It’s well-suited for helping teams find solutions to bottlenecks and reform operations.
No-code is also available through Quickbase. Not to mention, strong assets of the platform are its pre-built marketplace and useful third-party integrations.
Quickbase is one of the best options if you need a fair bit of customizability, alongside support for non-technical users.
11. Kissflow
Kissflow promotes itself as a ‘unified digital workplace’. Its primary purpose is for workflow and process management.
A rule-based model removes the need for custom coding, letting you add conditions to customize your workflow. This is a mainstay of low-code development, which Kissflow thrives on.
Kissflow is a good option for mid-sized businesses that need internal systems.
Elevate Your Team with Trio AI Talent
Empower Your Projects with Trio’s Elite Tech Teams
Real World Use Cases
There are a number of reasons to use low-code development. Here are some specific examples of what you can build using low-code and no-code platforms.
Banking: Streamlining Loan Processing Systems
Businesses must accept the reality that they exist in a digital-first environment. Most, if not all, consumers are looking for software to meet their needs.
Business-to-consumer (B2C) mobile apps can enhance customer experience and brand awareness across the board.
Of course, mobile app development is no easy task. But low-code development makes it possible.
Using Mendix, a popular low-code platform, insurance provider VGZ Cooperative built a mobile app for its customers.
The banking sector, in particular, has used a bunch of low-code platforms to streamline its loan processing systems. The benefits this critical sector has seen include everything from streamlining loan processing to reducing approval times and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Large financial institutions are also using tools like Appian to automate their workflows, ensure compliance, and even deliver faster services.
Healthcare: Custom Patient Management Applications
Sometimes the biggest problem businesses face isn’t reaching customers, but managing bottlenecks within their own organization.
LCDPs can be helpful when it comes to building internal workflows. The Tennessee Department of Health, for example, used Caspio’s low-code platform to build an IT asset management system.
Now the department manages roughly 20,000 state assets using their own custom application that took only two months to build!
Some healthcare organizations have also built their patient management applications using low-code platforms. This means they can customize each app for their scheduling and tracking needs, giving their patients the best services by being able to operate more efficiently.
Retail: Inventory Tracking Tools
Many monolithic applications are being phased out in favor of microservices. There is a strong case for microservices based on principles such as loose coupling and service orientation.
In 2021, 85% of companies with more than 5,000 employees reported using microservices. But making the transition is hard.
Indeed, low-code platforms can speed up this process exponentially. Within low-code platforms, you can find enterprise features and high-impact functionalities to rebuild the architecture of your application.
In retail, businesses can use low-code platforms to customize their tools for inventory tracking, which helps them with things like stock level visibility, supply chain management, and order fulfillment.
Platforms like OutSystems are probably your best bet in this regard and can help you rapidly deploy logistics and inventory applications.
Data Science and Other Innovative Applications
Data is a bigger part of day-to-day life than people care to admit. It’s the one thing separating a good hunch from highly qualified business intelligence.
Sometimes, generic software isn’t flexible enough to account for whatever data-related operation you must undertake for the sake of your business. And this is where low-code platforms come in.
VisionX is a powerful low-code tool with data engineering capabilities. The LCDP has had some pretty niche applications, from fleet management for ski area vehicles to the configuration and asset management of quantum computers.
Low-code platforms are also increasingly supporting more specialized applications that need customization. This can encompass anything from fleet management and energy optimization to quantum computing, making them more suitable for a wider range of companies.
Emerging Trends in Low-Code Development
As technology has adapted, there have been a couple of new trends emerging in low-code development platforms.
AI has been sweeping through the world, and these platforms are no different. Now it is being used in application building, automation, and even offering predictive insights. Auto-generation is used in basic text predictions, but can even generate entire snippets of code.
This makes it easier than ever to write the code required in low-code platforms and customize your app with minimal technical knowledge.
At the same time, security concerns are growing. A bunch of people outside of your technical team can contribute to your app, but this doesn’t mean they are aware of best practices related to security and data handling. Governments are becoming stricter, so it’s important to evaluate your app regularly.
Finally, all the new capabilities are allowing low-code platforms to be used for more industries and companies. Whereas low-code platforms used to be used only by small companies needing simple tools, even large enterprises can use them now.
This cuts down on development time as a whole, allowing developers to focus on the more creative work or on innovation.
How To Use Low-Code Platforms for Your Business
Finding the right low-code platform for your business can be difficult. Not every platform has the features and functionality that best suit your company’s needs.
This is why companies like Trio specialize in providing the technology, resources, and professionals to get your business where it needs to be.
To learn more about Trio’s expertise with low-code development, contact Trio today!
