Low-Code Becomes The Norm

Note: Let me feed you some info. Coding software from scratch is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Instead, a growing number of software developers are building apps and websites with low-code platforms.

Yes, that's correct. Low-code development platforms allow developers to create applications and websites with minimal or no coding required, using visual interfaces and drag-and-drop components.

These platforms provide a range of tools and services that simplify the development process, such as pre-built templates, workflows, and integrations. This approach allows developers to focus on the core functionality and user experience of the application, while the platform handles the underlying technical details.

Low-code platforms are gaining popularity as they enable businesses to quickly develop and deploy applications with fewer resources and a faster time-to-market. They also provide a more accessible way for non-technical stakeholders to contribute to the development process, such as business analysts and project managers.

However, it's worth noting that low-code platforms may not be suitable for every use case, and there may still be situations where coding from scratch is necessary to achieve specific requirements or performance optimizations.

What technology is used for low-code?

There are various technologies and approaches used for low-code development, and different platforms may use different combinations of these technologies. Some commonly used technologies for low-code development include:

1. Visual interfaces and drag-and-drop components: Low-code platforms typically provide a range of pre-built components that can be easily dragged and dropped onto a canvas to create user interfaces and workflows.
2. Model-driven development: This approach uses models and metadata to define the application's behavior and functionality, rather than writing code.
3. Business process management (BPM): BPM tools allow developers to design, execute, and monitor business processes and workflows, often using visual workflows.
4. Application programming interfaces (APIs): Low-code platforms often provide pre-built APIs that developers can use to integrate with other systems and services.
5. Cloud-based infrastructure: Many low-code platforms are built on cloud-based infrastructure, which provides scalability and flexibility, as well as easy access to data and services.
6. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): Some low-code platforms include AI and ML capabilities that enable developers to build intelligent applications and automate certain tasks.

These technologies and approaches are often used in combination to provide a complete low-code development environment that allows developers to quickly build applications without needing to write extensive code.

How will the use of low-code evolve in the future?

It's likely that the use of low-code development platforms will continue to grow in popularity in the future, as more organizations recognize the benefits of faster, more efficient software development. Here are a few possible ways in which low-code development may evolve:

1. Integration with emerging technologies: As new technologies such as blockchain, IoT, and edge computing continue to evolve, low-code platforms are likely to integrate with these technologies to enable developers to build more complex and innovative applications.
2. Increased focus on collaboration: Low-code platforms are already designed to promote collaboration between developers, business analysts, and other stakeholders. In the future, we may see even more emphasis on collaboration, with tools and features that make it easier for different teams to work together seamlessly.
3. Greater customization and flexibility: While low-code platforms offer pre-built components and templates, they may also become more customizable and flexible to meet the unique needs of different organizations and use cases.
4. Enhanced AI and automation: Low-code platforms may incorporate even more AI and automation capabilities, allowing developers to automate routine tasks and build intelligent applications more easily.
5. More robust security features: With the growing importance of data privacy and security, low-code platforms may evolve to include more robust security features that help developers build secure applications from the ground up.

Overall, low-code development is likely to become an increasingly important part of the software development landscape, providing a faster, more efficient, and more accessible way to build high-quality applications.

Who are the main suppliers of low-code?

There are many low-code development platforms available today, offered by both established technology vendors and newer startups. Here are a few examples of companies that are leading the way in the low-code space:

1. Microsoft Power Platform: This is a suite of low-code tools that includes Power Apps for building custom business applications, Power Automate for automating workflows, and Power BI for data analysis and visualization.
2. Salesforce Lightning Platform: This is a low-code platform for building enterprise-grade applications, with a range of pre-built components and integrations for easy customization and rapid development.
3. Appian: This is a low-code platform that focuses on business process management and workflow automation, with tools for designing, executing, and monitoring complex business processes.
4. Mendix: This is a low-code platform that enables developers to build web and mobile applications without needing to write extensive code, with features such as drag-and-drop components and visual workflows.
5. OutSystems: This is a low-code platform that aims to simplify the entire application development lifecycle, from design to deployment, with pre-built templates, components, and integrations.
6. Google AppSheet: This is a low-code platform that enables users to build custom mobile and web applications without requiring extensive programming knowledge, with a focus on data-driven applications.
7. K2: This is a low-code platform that focuses on automating business processes and workflows, with features such as visual workflows, data integration, and analytics.

These are just a few examples of the many low-code development platforms available today, each with its own unique features and capabilities. The choice of platform will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the organization or developer.

Do you know successful projects where low-code has been used?

Yes, there are many successful projects where low-code development has been used to create high-quality applications quickly and efficiently. Here are a few examples:

1. Siemens: Siemens used a low-code development platform to create a custom application for managing its customer service operations. The application, which integrates with multiple systems and services, enables Siemens to handle customer requests more efficiently and provide better service.
2. Hertz: Hertz used a low-code platform to build a mobile application that allows customers to rent and return cars quickly and easily. The application, which integrates with Hertz's backend systems, has helped to improve customer satisfaction and reduce wait times at rental locations.
3. Unilever: Unilever used a low-code development platform to build a custom application for managing its supply chain operations. The application, which includes features such as real-time inventory tracking and order management, has helped Unilever to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
4. KPMG: KPMG used a low-code platform to build a custom application for managing its auditing and compliance operations. The application, which integrates with KPMG's backend systems, has helped the company to automate routine tasks and improve the accuracy of its auditing processes.
5. USA Today: USA Today used a low-code platform to build a custom content management system that enables its editors to publish articles quickly and easily across multiple platforms. The system, which includes features such as workflow management and content analytics, has helped to streamline USA Today's publishing processes and improve its online presence.

These are just a few examples of the many successful projects that have been built using low-code development platforms. By leveraging the capabilities of these platforms, organizations can build high-quality applications quickly and efficiently, while reducing costs and improving their overall competitiveness.

Are opportunities available for entrepreneurs in low-code?

Yes, there are many opportunities available for entrepreneurs in the low-code development space. Here are a few examples:

1. Developing custom low-code solutions: Entrepreneurs can develop custom low-code solutions tailored to the specific needs of individual organizations. By building solutions that address the unique pain points and requirements of different industries and businesses, entrepreneurs can create high-value offerings that can be sold to customers as a service or licensed as a product.
2. Developing add-ons and integrations: Entrepreneurs can develop add-ons and integrations that extend the functionality of existing low-code platforms. By identifying gaps in the existing offerings and building complementary solutions, entrepreneurs can create products that can be sold to users of the low-code platforms.
3. Consulting and training: Entrepreneurs can offer consulting and training services to help organizations and developers adopt and implement low-code development practices. By providing expertise and guidance on best practices and use cases, entrepreneurs can help organizations to achieve better results with low-code development.
4. Building low-code marketplaces: Entrepreneurs can build low-code marketplaces that bring together developers and organizations looking to buy or sell low-code solutions. By creating a platform that facilitates connections and transactions between buyers and sellers, entrepreneurs can create a valuable marketplace that can generate revenue through transaction fees or subscriptions.
5. Developing low-code tools and libraries: Entrepreneurs can develop low-code tools and libraries that enable developers to build applications more quickly and easily. By identifying common patterns and use cases, entrepreneurs can create reusable components and tools that can be used by developers across a wide range of industries and applications.

These are just a few examples of the many opportunities available for entrepreneurs in the low-code development space. As low-code development continues to gain popularity and evolve, there are likely to be many more opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in this area.

Peter Auwerx, chatting with chatGPT