Low code and no code are software solutions have created a major shift in the modernization landscape. They have enabled companies to develop applications and enhancements to functionalities faster. The question arises is that have they reduced the need for highly skilled engineers that build and evolve digital platforms? & has low-code no-code been so transformative altogether?

Rise of low-code platforms

Companies adopting low-code platform are achieving or are atleast expecting to achieve accelerated time to market because the low code – no code platforms speed up application development and deployment time (predicted as less than three months, compared to three to six months)

Of course, it does bring in automation to streamline workflows (majorly manual processes) and business user enablement towards functionality development which solve real-time business problems. But, in this time global talent shortage, companies are using these platforms to reduce IT backlogs and close the gap between business demands and scare IT resources. Others are hoping to reduce investments in developer and data engineering expertise.

Democratized Programming: The major advantage for Low code No Code has been the democratization of programming. It has allowed individuals with less formal training to develop tech functionalities, thus enabling more people to participate in app development. It is very close to how cloud created democratized computing power and made it available as per demand and per appetite.

The needs and wants of businesses: The effort of democratized programming and reduce the dependence on engineering skills is not new. Businesses always wanted to be on this trajectory. The initial attempt was to either automate code or generate it through data models. Case technology was the ability which built robust tight data and then generate code for functionality. This solution was picking up but was soon shelved because of the time-consumption on building data models. Also, the code generated was brittle.

Object oriented programming replaced this model, and this is what is in use today. This has allowed programmers to rebuild and reuse objects generating considerable productivity from it. But the results have turned out to be modest in terms of democratization. Although, companies can reuse components, they had to create much of it bespoke; so, the hope of object being easily interlinked has never emerged. The next stage was automated code writers in 2014.

Today, the solutions for low code no code are the iterations of democratized programming. Low-code platforms that emerged early on were underdeveloped but now they strong and robust to support broad adoption. These platforms are more promising than object-oriented programming. They scale faster and achieve results quicker.

Low Code No Code the Phenomena like ‘the cloud’

The low code market has ramped up well and the solutions are used widely in almost all the industries. The research has suggested that Outsystems, Mendix, Salesforce and ServiceNow are the major players in the segment. Of course, there are low-code players on cloud with AWS, Google, IBM and Microsoft. The low code no code platforms are poised to play a dramatic role in evolution of democratized programming. In fact, Low code no code is the next cloud phenomena, and it will be rocketing digital transformation to the next level.

Understanding the impact of low code, no code solution and platforms

The part that is evident, these platforms will for sure assist in AI development. They would enable improved productivity and enhance application functionalities which would in turn foster innovation. Even if this is the situation, it would not replace the heavy-duty engineering skills as these platforms will reconcile ideology of modernization or transformative technology growth.

Companies that are in the phase of digital transformation and are in the right direction for the same, will have to build their solutions through next generation low code, no code platforms but, will also need to have heavy engineering skills to adapt with innovation and core functionality/ideation development. To state this perfectly, low code is going to play a pivotal role in building prototypes and functionalities but, heavy-duty engineering skills would be required to build code components that drive high transactions and rigor.

Thus, Low code becomes a part of the tech stack but not necessarily wars against it!

The change of dynamics for companies

The days of fortress mentality have long passed. The part of IT departments dictating business community are already over. Technology is now too important and are embedded in how business is run. The more these companies use platforms to compete, the more it increases users’ vital interest in participating in functionality. The low code, no code platforms have opened an opportunity for the business teams to participate in technology and functionality development.

Companies need to create a right mix of low code, no code platforms and heavy-duty engineering platforms. This would create the right governance and guidelines for adding scaled components and right codes.

We are at a definitive situation where it’s defined that low code, no code solutions and platforms are the foreseeable future. They are going to play an important role in digital transformation and tech stacks.

Kunal Sonawala
BU Head
OmnePresent Technologies