Low-code, which emerged on the technology scene in 2014, has taken the application development market by storm. Enterprises across all industries are rapidly adopting low-code solutions, especially following the unprecedented demand for digitization in 2020 as a result of COVID-19. A recent Gartner survey estimated that by 2024, more than 65% of application development will be done on low-code application development platforms and 75% for both IT application development and citizen development initiatives.
The real question is, beyond achieving their initial digital goals, what else can organizations do with their low-code investment?
Practical Application: Understanding the Scope of Low-Code
Imagine you’ve successfully purchased and implemented a low-code application development solution, investing a significant amount of money and time into achieving your digital goals. What can you do to make sure your success isn’t just a one-time thing?
Especially at a time when most organizations are thinking about cost efficiency and practical efficacy, you must consider ways to scale your low-code application development software and increase your ROI.
While there are countless ways to maximize your investment, here are five proven approaches:
1. Drive standardization through rapid application delivery
The rapid application delivery capabilities of a low-code application platform are integral to large-scale digitization, standardization, and governance. The ability to quickly develop applications enables data access and integrity, privacy, security, integration, and more. By quickly developing applications and updates, you can set a standard model for workflows and execute processes in a uniform way across different parts of the organization. You can even incorporate feedback from current users to develop quick fixes for future projects
2. Optimize results through integration
Avoid building all your applications and workflows natively using your low-code platform. Instead, seamlessly integrate with other tools and technologies to fill business gaps and specific requirements that your low-code solution cannot address. Maximizing external tools enhances the overall productivity of your operations and eliminates the need to expend your resources on building a similar tool internally
3. Use the right mix of technologies
To ensure that you are getting the maximum return on your low-code investment, you must use an appropriate mix of technologies, rather than relying on a single tool. Think of ways to incorporate a variety of new-age technologies into your operations, especially the more complex processes. Strategically augment your low-code solution by implementing robotic process automation, dynamic case management, rules and decisioning engines, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more
4. Capitalize on citizen developers
Tap into your non-IT talent and expand their skillset by training them to use your low-code development tools to create applications and updates. Share the IT team’s workload with your citizen developers, allowing your IT to merely oversee application development and focus on more complex issues. Additionally, commit to creating a community platform, like a developer forum, to quickly collaborate with all types of developers on best practices, ideas, and resources
5. Respond to the unexpected
Quickly respond to unforeseen changes, problems, requirements, and more by leveraging the agility and scalability of your low-code platform. Create a customized solution for any business need, without sacrificing on speed or quality. Deliver results within days, or even hours, rather than waiting months for application and workflow updates
The future is, unequivocally, based on low code. As we continue to navigate the unprecedented in 2021, it is imperative that you optimize your investment and get a bang for your buck!
