Understanding the Types of Low-Code/No-Code Platforms: What’s Right for Your Business?
Last week’s poll revealed a divided opinion on whether all LC/NC tools are the same. 42% of you voted that LC/NC tools cater to specific needs, while 58% said either they’re all the same or want to learn more. If you’re among those who see the differences, congrats—you’re probably ahead of the curve! Here’s my take, and I’d love to hear your thoughts too.
As someone who started working in LC/NC before it was even called that, I’ve watched this space evolve dramatically. Today, we can clearly see the differences and even think of them in terms of “generations.” It reminds me of the early days of search engines, like Yahoo and Google. Yahoo did a bit of everything, but when Google came along and focused solely on search, it redefined the entire landscape. I see a similar evolution happening with LC/NC platforms.
Generational Shift: From Broad to Specialized Focus
First Generation (Gen 1.0): The Horizontal Players
The first generation of LC/NC tools were broad, horizontal platforms designed to handle a wide range of use cases across any business domain or industry. You could build nearly any application—from CRM and product approval apps to insurance quoting systems—regardless of the sector. These tools helped establish LC/NC as a category and demonstrated its potential. Let’s call them "Gen 1.0" tools.
However, as companies began tackling more complex, industry-specific use cases, they found that these horizontal platforms weren’t always enough. The need for more tailored solutions gave rise to the next wave of LC/NC platforms.
Second Generation (Gen 2.0): The Vertical Players
Enter the next generation—Gen 2.0 tools. These platforms are vertically focused, designed specifically for certain industries (e.g., finance, consumer goods, energy, or manufacturing), business domains (like sales, supply chain, or customer service), or particular ecosystems (such as SAP , 甲骨文 , or Salesforce ).
These next-generation tools offer several key benefits:
For e.g: SAP Build is a ecosystem specific tool—designed to work within the SAP ecosystem and capable of addressing a broad range of use-cases across different SAP modules. In contrast, Pillir focuses on manufacturing and supply chain, designed to operate across best-of-breed applications, including SAP. It integrates with other backend systems, leveraging technologies like barcode scanners, RFID, and edge computing for resilient operations.
There are other platforms specialized within ecosystems like Oracle or Salesforce, or that operate within specific domains like finance or supply chain, or specific industries like banking, insurance, or energy. These tools differentiate themselves with built-in integrations, pre-built content, and deep industry or domain expertise.
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Note: The examples mentioned here, like SAP Build and Pillir, are purely for illustrative purposes to explain the differences between LC/NC tools, not to promote any specific platform.
Choosing the Right Platform: It’s All About Fit
When exploring or evaluating LC/NC platforms, it’s crucial to understand these generational differences and determine which type suits your specific needs. In fact, Gartner estimates that most organizations will end up with an average of four LC/NC tools to address different needs across the enterprise.
We are in an age of verticalization, where specialized tools are emerging for particular industries, business domains and ecosystems. This shift means that it's not just about having a low-code/no-code platform, but having the “right” platform tailored to your unique challenges and goals.
Consider the scope of your projects, the complexity of your use cases, and the specific requirements of your industry. Are you seeking a platform for broad, multi-departmental needs, or do you need specialized tools for specific areas like supply chain management, finance, or customer service?
Understanding these nuances will help you make a strategic decision about which platform will deliver the most value to your organization—whether it's a versatile, horizontal tool or a highly specialized, vertical solution.
Looking Ahead: The Future of LC/NC in Business
Understanding the evolving types and generations of LC/NC platforms is just the beginning. As we move further into this era of verticalization, being aware of what each tool offers and how it aligns with your unique needs will be key.
Maybe next time, we can dive deeper into the complexities of pricing models and discuss when it makes sense to go for an LC/NC tool—and when it might be better to stay away. But that’s a topic for another day! ??
I hope this helps you navigate the evolving world of low-code/no-code. Stay tuned for more insights in the next newsletter!
#LowCode #NoCode #SAP #DigitalTransformation #ThoughtLeadership #Innovation #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #pillir
Power People to #Excel@Work
2 个月Very informative Vaidya Aiyer ??. While the approach is powerful, the name low-code marks it literally "lower or lesser". Most people take low-"anything" as if they are getting less than full power. Hence the slow adoption. ?? On the contrary, the original low-code aka #MSExcel remains the pioneering low-code business tool for ~40 years. I believe that the PC revolution would be still a grind if they positioned #Excel as a low-spreadsheet. Keen to hear what you / others think!