The IDC reports that over 750 million cloud-native applications will be created globally by 2025. Companies now leverage non-technical business users to quickly and efficiently create cloud-native applications. Low-code/no-code tools have brought citizen development to the fore, allowing employees with limited software development experience to intuitively build enterprise applications at a fraction of the cost and time it used to take previously. No longer do companies need to rely on IT teams for every small software change – citizen development has made development more accessible than ever before!
LCNC(Low-code/No-code) development enables business users to construct custom apps regardless of technical experience, unlocking massive economic gains. Statista forecasts that the low-code/no-code market will be worth 32 billion USD by 2024, driven by enterprises seeking digital transformation.
Digital transformation has become a continuous business objective for almost all organizations, and the future of low-code/no-code is unlimited. Organizations looking to democratize application development should be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of both options.
Low-code vs. No-code Development Platforms
Companies can now leverage non-technical business users to create cloud-native applications quickly and efficiently with the help of low-code and no-code tools. No coding experience is needed when using no-code tools, making app development accessible to all. Low-code platforms offer the same benefits as no-code but need some coding capability for tech-savvy teams.
Benefits of Low-code/No-code
Accelerates App Development
Low-code and no-code platforms can speed up the application development process by a huge margin. Forrester Research reports these tools can increase the software development process by up to 10 times. Business processes, templates, and drag-and-drop functions allow apps to be built in days, which have previously taken weeks or months.
Low-code/no-code technology offers a clear economic advantage for enterprises by enabling them to achieve digital transformation quickly and at significantly lower costs than traditional development approaches.
Ideal for Cash-Strapped Businesses
Most startups and small businesses can’t afford to hire developers because they are expensive. LCNC development tools help these enterprises fill the skill gap. They allow virtually anyone to be a developer. According to Gartner, by 2025, 70 percent of new enterprise applications will use low-code/no-code technologies.
With low-code/no-code, software development is no longer a costly affair. Companies can reduce up to 80 percent of app development costs. There’s no need to hire skilled developers and spend much money.
Empowers Business Users
Low-code and no-code platforms let business users create custom applications quickly with IT oversight. They can tailor apps to fit their exact requirements, eliminating the need for unnecessary features while optimizing their workflow. Since end-users are empowered to build custom apps independently, it quickly solves business needs and boosts employee productivity.
Business Agility
92 percent of C-level executives say organizational agility is critical to business success. Every business must adapt quickly to market shifts and opportunities to beat the competition. Traditional application development doesn’t allow this.
Low-code and no-code are rapid development tools that help organizations prepare for the unexpected with little risk. They can harness the power of machine learning, robotic process automation, and business process management to deploy apps quickly. Shorter development lifecycles allow companies to gain a competitive edge. Also, citizen developers can easily update the software to meet changing requirements without depending on IT.
Increased Productivity and Efficiency
LCNC development tools free employees from mundane tasks, increasing organizational productivity and efficiency. Research shows that companies that build customer-facing apps with low-code platforms increase revenue by 58 percent.
Employees using low-code/no-code tools only need a few resources to produce functional prototypes. This ensures solutions are built when they are needed. Employees have more time to perform work that directly affects the company’s bottom line.
Limitations of Low-code/No-code
Skipping Checks During Development
App development with low-code and no-code tools may appear straightforward, but non-developers should seek the advice of DevOps teams to ensure they don’t miss out on important details. A universal UI design that works for everyone is recommended to accommodate future employees. For better decision-making during development, business users should collaborate with IT.
Vendor Lock-In
Some LCNC vendors make switching to a different vendor so difficult that you’re essentially stuck with them. Some platforms produce clean, standardized code that works everywhere. Applications can be maintained within the platform or elsewhere.
Other platforms generate convoluted code where you can’t maintain applications outside the platform. Some platforms don’t allow users to make changes to their apps once their subscription ends. Evaluate a list of vendors before opting for the one to avoid vendor lock-ins.
Low-code/No-code Is the Future of Software Development
Although the shortage of developers is expected to persist, companies need to accelerate their digital transformation initiatives. Low-code/no-code technology can help bridge the digital skills gap by empowering citizen developers to build applications and democratizing the development process. In fact, nearly 30 percent of enterprise applications are built by individuals with limited technical expertise. It’s advisable to equip your team with a low-code/no-code tool, to prepare for an uncertain future.