While many businesses use low code for specific tactical purposes, companies also should view low code from a more strategic perspective.
Many companies consider low code from a tactical perspective. They need more applications developed in a shorter timeframe. They want to extend app development to citizen developers and business units closer to the needs of the customers and the organization. And they want to make the most efficient use of their top-level programmers.
Now, many organizations are finding that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Many analysts are starting to suggest companies also should view low code from a more strategic perspective. Some have noted this high-leveler positioning of the technology: “Low-code as a general social and technological movement is expected to continue growing significantly,” according to Gartner. And others have tried to put low code into perspective in this new role. “Low-code may be the most important technology investment your organization will make over the next few years,” according to KPMG.
There are significant implications (and benefits) for businesses that embrace this shift in thinking about low code from merely a tactical solution to a strategic investment.
What is the strategic angle to low code?
Low code helps companies adapt for the business of the future. By 2024, 80% of technology products and services will be built by those who are not technology professionals, according to Gartner. That development will introduce a fundamental shift in thinking by top-level executives. “Digital business is treated as a team sport by CEOs and no longer the sole domain of the IT department,” said Rajesh Kandaswamy, distinguished research vice president at Gartner. “Growth in digital data, low-code development tools, and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted development are among the many factors that enable the democratization of technology development beyond IT professionals.”
Another benefit from a strategic perspective is the ability to embed corporate best practices and standards throughout the application development process and the organization. Such benefits are particularly found when low code is combined with composability.
Some industry experts believe that by 2023, 60% of mainstream organizations will list composable enterprise as a strategic objective. Through micro-services and containerization, a business can build a less rigid system and allows for continuous innovation. Composable building blocks ensure that companies have the chance to make fast decisions without sacrificing value. And it’s this blend of efficiency and value that gives businesses the one thing they need to survive future global disruption — resilience.
A further benefit comes by offering functional elements (front ends, database access and query capabilities, and more) via composable entities in a low code development environment. In this way, developers across a company all use the same pre-approved, vetted components to build their applications using low code. So, while IT is not directly involved with the application development process, they still can be sure elements work properly, perform well, and are secure.
Additionally, combining low code and composability (especially for things like front ends and query engines) guarantees applications have the same look and feel and offer the same user experience. That would be the case even if different groups in different parts of the organization developed their own applications and never spoke with each other or compared notes.
Opening the door to innovation
Low code helps organizations make use of new technologies. Today, solving complex business problems requires multiple technologies. Low-code makes it easy to connect software siloes together – from legacy mainframe systems to modern technologies like artificial intelligence/machine learning and blockchain – and everything in between.
The bottom line is that low code drives digital transformation by helping organizations create enterprise applications that are engaging, intelligent, and easy to deploy.
Additionally, low code fosters sharing. Individuals and business units in other different departments can be involved in software generation. This improves the transfer of knowledge and the exchange of ideas throughout the organization. So, while many businesses use low code for specific tactical purposes, such knowledge transfer and information sharing bring higher value strategic benefits.
