The buzz around low-code software development platforms is increasing. Look at any report on the software trends; you will likely find low-code platforms named as one of them. Research shows that 65% of the apps will be developed using low-code platforms by 2024.
Low-code platforms like OutSystems have democratized software development. It empowers other business functions within the company to develop software solutions to address specific problems and to innovate with the help of a pre-built interface. It reduces the dependency on the IT teams, enabling others to launch solutions quickly. It is a perfect fit for the world where testing new ideas frequently have become crucial for companies to stay ahead of the competition and become customer-centric. It saves time on writing manual code and enables companies to pivot quickly, especially in unexpected situations such as the pandemic.
Although low-code platforms are beneficial, companies must know certain adoption mistakes that could lead to more challenges for the company. Let’s look at them.
Low-code platforms offer the tools needed to build solutions that serve customers and business needs. However, over-dependency on a specific low-code platform vendor could be dangerous for the company. Sometimes vendors tend to over-promise. Their platforms are likely to have scalability, performance, integrations, security, and usability issues. Sometimes the vendor might not allow migrations of applications built on other platforms or might release upgrades that are not compatible with the company’s applications. If the company has entered into an exclusive agreement with the vendor, these shortcomings will impact them. It could hurt the business.
That’s why companies must avoid relying too much on specific vendors. They must question the vendor about the support they offer, what integrations can be developed by the company, and identify any kind of potential risks that could impact the company at a later stage. In all circumstances, working with a trusted partner to make the right choice is a great strategy.
There's no doubt that low-code platforms will help companies solve their problems quickly and improve process outcomes. However, if a business process is not well-planned, no software would demonstrate any value because it will be hard to define how to use it most effectively. On the contrary, it could complicate the issue further. Hence, it's essential to streamline and improve the process workflow before using a low-code platform to build integrations, create workflows, or new applications. This will help the company leverage the platform's full potential and improve results.
Low-code platforms come with pre-built configurations and connectors. The objective is to just use the configurations and connectors to build an application quickly. This is ideal for building applications that can automate tasks or a solution that’s needed urgently. For example, a company can tweak the application to adhere to a new compliance rule introduced in a country they sell. However, it would be unfair to expect these platforms to help build a fully customized application. Developers need to come in to do some amount of coding to meet the business needs. So, be careful while choosing a low-code platform as well as the partner as you set out to develop applications. If the objective is to build a complex or customized application, take an expert’s help.
One of the common mistakes in low-code adoption is the lack of alignment between businesses and the IT department. Companies often overlook the business users during the initial development process. This can cause issues in business logic, decision rules, reporting, and user experience. In some cases, business users stopped using these applications because it made their work more complicated. A failed outcome would mean that the entire application and processes need to be re-engineered, costing money and wasting time. The only way to avoid this issue is to engage the business users throughout the process to ensure that the application simplifies their work rather than complicating it.
Low-code platforms are perfect for automating operational processes, workflow management, or creating solutions for dynamic needs. They are not ideal for building applications that require cognitive computing or advanced capabilities such as AI or that may call for many complex functions and integrations. The application could stop working midway or fail to orchestrate with multiple systems while gathering or exchanging data. It’s also difficult for developers to customize codes at the source. Companies must have realistic expectations. They must be aware of the challenges they could face if they try to build advanced applications using low-code platforms.
By avoiding the above mistakes and with the right partner in place, companies can build applications at a rapid pace. It can solve the labour shortage concerns, enable companies to produce applications at low cost, and become more agile and responsive to market changes. The opportunities are endless.
Companies should work with expert partners to make the best use of low-code platforms. At Novigo, we help companies to get started on the low-code journey. We also build custom applications that allow specific integrations and customizations using these platforms. We understand the business needs and architect the applications with relevant features to make them user-friendly and deliver them faster.
To build a custom application using a low-code platform, contact us.
