Practical Guide to Low-Code Development
Digital transformation is no longer something businesses discuss as a goal in some distant future. With the ferocity of today’s competition and the lightning pace of change in markets and customer demands, teams need ways to innovate and streamline processes today. Finding quick, effective, and budget-friendly solutions is an essential goal. This is where low-code development shines brightly. Giving businesses the ability to pivot quickly – to scale, and adapt, and change the way we perceive and implement technology.
What is low-code?
Low-code is a modern approach to development that lets users build business applications, automate processes, and create digital portals and experiences with visual guidance and intuitive drag-and-drop tools. Because low-code platforms automate much of the process on the backend, only minimal coding is required. This lets professional developers build and deploy innovations at warp speed, so companies can transform quickly, continuously, and economically.
Top 5 benefits of low-code development
1
Faster development
Thanks to visual modeling tools, reusable components, and one-click deployment capabilities, developers can automate processes and build and deploy engaging apps much faster. In fact, 55% of respondents in a recent IDC survey said low-code platforms allowed them to build complex applications that otherwise would have been too slow, expensive, or complicated to tackle.
2
Democratized app development
Professional developers are in short supply. In a recent report, IDC Research found that 48% of companies don’t have enough developers to meet demand. A low-code approach empowers departments outside of IT to do some of the heavy lifting for building different app types, reducing the overall reliance on professional developers and IT so they can focus on the tasks that only they can do.
3
Lower costs
Some of the key advantages of low-code development – namely faster development, greater productivity, and the need for hiring fewer professional developers – all translate into significant cost savings.
4
Infinite scalability
Cloud-based, low-code platforms provide an environment for building scalable apps that are easier to maintain. They facilitate quick changes so that teams can make updates and innovate continuously, not just at set release intervals.
5
Fusion development
The best low-code development platforms include built-in collaboration tools to help citizen developers or business experts work hand-in-glove with professional developers – or bring them in when needed. These “fusion teams” can speed up problem-solving and development, reduce re-work, and ultimately produce better apps.
Low-code platform features
Low-code application platforms (LCAPs) are broad in scope, catering to both professional and citizen developers. All users benefit from core capabilities, such as:
Visual modeling tools: Common visual features that speed up development include drag-and-drop functionality, libraries of customizable themes, and reusable components like modules and logic – all accessed in an intuitive user interface. Developers, IT users, and even business experts can wield these visual building blocks to design apps and workflows, and then have the platform automatically generate the code. Prototypes can be quickly generated and shared for feedback, and developers can use their expertise to enhance the code or add more sophisticated features instead of spending time on mundane tasks like configuration, integration, and testing.
Integration and APIs: Developers can use preconfigured connectors, wizards, and prebuilt and custom APIs to integrate to third-party apps in a codeless way. This allows teams to develop the sophisticated and personalized set of tools they need, while adhering to compliant and well-governed IT protocols.
Collaboration tools: Tools such as feedback loops, revision tracking, and messaging make it easy for fusion teams to communicate, compose, and share reusable components.
Artificial intelligence: With easy integration to AI capabilities, users can enhance apps and workflows with chatbots and digital assistants, personalized user experiences, intelligent RPA, predictive analytics, image recognition, and more.
Security and governance: Platforms that provide enterprise-grade security and centralized governance out of the box not only protect apps and data, but they can also keep shadow IT in check. Teams can stay on top of key governance activities, such as creating user roles and managing access rights, setting up approval processes, and monitoring usage – in a transparent and compliant way.
Application lifecycle management: With centralized lifecycle tools, teams can fast-track the management of projects and requirements, including version control, testing, one-click deployment, and maintenance.
Although specific features can vary across low-code platforms, the most effective ones should include most, if not all, of the above.
Low-code use cases
From fostering agility and innovation to streamlining operations, low-code development supports a variety of use cases. Here are three of the most common:
Low-code app development
Visual tools in low-code platforms support rapid development of a wide range of apps, from cloud and mobile to web and IoT. Low-code app development can be used by any department. HR might use it to create a cloud-based employee feedback system, for example – while marketing teams might develop a mobile app to gather consumer insights.
Low-code automation
Processes and routine tasks that once required cumbersome manual inputs can now be automated effortlessly using low-code platforms. Think about automating invoice processing in finance or lead assignment in sales, all achieved with minimal coding.
Low-code portal creation
Engaging and intuitive portals for customers and employees alike can be crafted with ease, thanks to drag-and-drop functionalities in low-code platforms. For businesses, this means faster time-to-market and improved user experiences.
Low code vs. no code
Both low-code and no-code development approaches make use of visual guidance and drag-and-drop tools. However, there is a clear distinction: Low-code platforms still offer the option for manual coding to fine-tune or add complex features, making them versatile for developers and non-technical users alike. No-code platforms, on the other hand, are primarily used by business users who lack any real coding experience – making these tools suitable for simpler projects. When it comes to building business applications, especially those requiring advanced capabilities or deep integration with core systems, low-code often emerges as the better choice. It ensures a balanced blend of simplicity and expertise – and doesn’t put limits on innovation.
AI and the future of low-code development
Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly in its generative capacity, is set to redefine the low-code landscape. Imagine a future where developers merely need to articulate a high-level application requirement, and AI-powered platforms generate the base code or even multimedia components. Such advancements hint at a future where the phrase “build me an app that does X and Y” isn’t just wishful thinking but a tangible reality – with, of course, human developers guiding and refining the process.
Why SAP for low-code software solutions
SAP Build delivers powerful low-code solutions for app development, process automation, and portal creation. Built on SAP Business Technology Platform, this suite of solutions offers highly visual, enterprise-grade tools for citizen developers and seasoned pros alike – with built-in features for integration, security, governance, and more.