Low code makes software development more accessible. The programming languages are easier and the turnaround times shorter. In this article we dive into low code and how it works.
A low code development platform makes software development easier. It provides a platform and tooling on which you develop other applications. This allows you to develop software faster and at lower costs.
You might wonder how that’s possible. Imagine building a house. It starts with a drawing and the construction starts with the foundation. When that’s done you start with the house itself, building each room brick by brick.
Software development works similar to building a house, but with low code you don’t start from scratch. There’s a design and the fundamentals are in place. You build the rest of the software (the house) with blocks that are available or own code.
With our platform MA!N you develop to a large extent with SQL and XML. You do this in a way that’s less complex than coding with the underlying language C#. It requires fewer code, because the basics are provided by the platform.
More flexibility with low code
Standard software indicates its limitations by name. It’s standard and the same for everyone. But not every organization is and operates the same. With a low code platform you connect the software to your organization instead of the other way around. The software follows you and if something changes, you can easily adjust it.
Low code makes you more competitive
When you decide how software works, you become more distinctive.
You have a vision about the development of products and services. A vision that’s different. It’s about the way you make products, how you communicate, analyse data and more. It’s about working differently. To work smarter, so that you become the best in your industry. A low code platform enables that. It lets you translate a vision into software.
Lower costs and shorter lead times
The first two advantages might be possible without a low code platform. You can adapt standard software or opt for building it yourself. Those options have two major drawbacks:
- The costs are often high.
- You don’t benefit from regular feature and security updates.
The development costs of low code software are on average lower. You use a platform and don’t have to develop the core of the software. This saves time, is less complex and therefore cheaper. And the platform comes with standard software updates.
Differentiate through software
A lower threshold for software development is important, because the role of software continues to grow. It increasingly determines whether and how companies compete with each other. You can do this with standard software that the competitor also uses. But what will differentiate you? Another option is custom software that’s developed by or for your organization. That’s where low code comes in. It makes custom software more feasible for many companies.
One of the benefits of a low code platform is that you, as a company, can translate your vision into software. Something that others don’t have and something that generic software doesn’t provide. It makes you stand out from the crowd.
Take credit management software as an example. Almost every tool offers a feature for entering and monitoring a payment plan. A payment plan for sent invoices. But what if you’re an energy supplier and you need plans based on forecasts instead of invoices? This isn’t possible with standard credit management software, but it is with our low code solution. That’s what one of our clients does with MA!N. This reduces their risk and saves time. And even better, it enables them to accept customers who they otherwise would reject because of the risk.
Low code software opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.
Start small
Perhaps you’re already considering low code development. If that’s the case, our advice is: start small. Learn the platform before going all in.
Our customers often start developing a report or window. This teaches them how the concept works and it fuels new ideas. From there, the low code spreads itself more and more.
Are you interested in more? You can read here how MA!N Low-Code works.