What Is Low Code Automation and What Are its Benefits?

In a world where digital presence is on the rise, companies are always on the lookout for opportunities to optimize their performance and provide their customers with the best possible experiences. Low-code automation is becoming the technology of the future that will help organizations meet these objectives. 

Due to the reduced emphasis on the manual coding of applications, low-code platforms enable both IT personnel and business individuals to create applications in a shorter period. Let’s understand more about low-code automation and why it is important for businesses that are looking for an efficient and simplified way to build their own applications. 

What is Low-Code Automation?

Low-code automation is the implementation of business process automation by developing applications or platforms using pre-built components. The low-code software enables businesses to build their own applications or workflow processes through drag-and-drop functionality and a little programming to customize the functionalities.

It streamlines the software development process, allowing users to focus on business logic and governance. It increases productivity, improves collaboration between IT teams and businesses, and reduces development time. 

The Evolution of Low-Code Technology

Today, the term low-code technology has transformed drastically in the last decade, depending on the increasing demand for more rapid application development. Traditional methods used in software development are usually time-consuming and cumbersome, and the creation of complex software entails the use of many lines of code by highly skilled personnel. 

Low-code platforms mitigate these challenges because they offer a more effective and efficient way of developing applications. 

The developments in cloud computing, AI, and ML have largely driven the emergence of low-code automation. These advancements have further improved the functionality and flexibility of low-code platforms, increasing their effectiveness and adaptability.

1. Cloud Computing

Cloud computing offers the required platform to support large and miniaturized developing platforms and to enable them to carry out their work more efficiently.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI and ML enhance the capabilities of low-code application development by adding smart features that can perform complex tasks automatically while improving user interfaces. This allows users to design advanced applications with reduced coding.

These developments have made each low-code platform into an essential tool for any organization that wants to remain relevant in the modern market. It provides the flexibility that is crucial in achieving a rapid response to market and technological needs and requirements.

Key Features of Low-Code Automation Platforms

Low-code automation platforms provide GUI, solution extensibility, connectivity, AI-powered features, and agile development tools and cycles, which can be useful for creating applications for multiple purposes in businesses. Here are some of the key features of low-code automation platforms:

1. Visual Development Interface

One of the distinguishing characteristics of low-code automation platforms is the graphical editor used for application development. This platform also provides users with an application interface where they can create applications using icons and other tools without coding. It speeds up the creation of applications so that business users can be more involved in the development process and not solely dependent on IT departments for application development.

2. Pre-Built Components

Low-code automation testing tools, on the other hand, come with a collection of pre-constructed components that can be incorporated into different applications. These components include authentication, data storage and retrieval, and complex workflows. These pre-built functional components allow users to easily assemble applications, thus cutting down the time and effort needed for their development.

3. Integration Capabilities

Integrating the solution with existing systems and with third-party applications should also be seamless. New applications developed on low-code platforms provide excellent features for integration that enable new applications to interact with other existing software’s. This ensures that users can build on the IT infrastructure that they currently have and, at the same time, improve their overall business processes.

4. Process Automation

Low-code automation platforms are particularly effective at process automation in complex business environments. They allow organizations to have a clear plan for developing and implementing work processes and ensuring their efficiency. Automating processes reduces the need for manual intervention, decreases errors, and improves productivity—all important aspects of low-code platforms.

5. Scalability and Flexibility

The low-code platforms are built to support future requirements that organizations might require. These platforms can scale up or down according to traffic and volume, meaning that they can accommodate growth without having to slow down. This scalability is important for the enterprise, especially when it seeks to remain relevant in emerging markets.

Low-Code vs. No-Code

Low-code platforms provide pre-built components that can be used to create applications. The pre-built components can be customized with little coding to change the way a component looks or works according to business requirements. 

However, a no-code application requires no coding. It has drag-and-drop functionality, through which users can easily pick up a feature, drop it, and place it where they want in their application. The pre-designed components cannot be customized. 

Here’s a table differentiating low-code and no-code platforms: 

Why is Low-Code Automation Important?

Here are some of the major benefits of low-code automation:

1. Accelerated Development

Low-code automation introduces an effective development method since it offers a quick and streamlined way of developing and implementing applications. Low-code platforms require a limited amount of coding, thus allowing for the rapid creation of prototypes and their modifications. Such flexibility helps businesses adapt to market conditions quickly, which is beneficial in the struggle with rivals.

2. Cost Efficiency

Low-code platforms help minimize the requirement for advanced coding expertise and time-consuming development activities, thereby cutting down operational expenses. Also, when business processes are automated, companies can cut operational costs since manual interferences will be eliminated.

3. Enhanced Collaboration

Low-code automation enables task resolution with the support of both IT and business departments. Business users can explicitly engage in the development process, thus ensuring that applications reflect business needs and goals. This collaborative approach minimizes the communication gap that may exist between the IT department and other business units, resulting in more effective solutions.

4. Improved Customer Experiences

With the help of a low-code automation platform, customer experience is improved because of the possibility of rapid development of new applications focused on customers. Besides, it empowers businesses to easily introduce new features and improvements and meet the needs of their customers. This responsiveness is important in the current market environment where any company that is able to provide exceptional customer services will have an edge over the competition.

5. Future-Proofing

Another advantage of low-code platforms is their ability to adapt to changing technology, which is crucial for organizations to remain relevant and agile. The adoption of low-code architecture, together with the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, provides a sustainable solution for digital transformation.

Low-Code Automation in Real World

Low-code automation has impacted numerous industries, positively affecting work processes and performance. It has been widely incorporated into various industries, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, and is helping to transform and reinvent how organizations function and create.

1. Banking

Banks can hasten the development and implementation of applications that improve internal business processes, reduce time to market, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. A low-code automation platform can assist in building applications to automate processes like application processing, account opening, and others. These platforms benefit financial institutions because they are compatible with the core banking systems, improving operations and customer satisfaction. 

2. Insurance

Insurance companies leverage low-code automation platforms to streamline underwriting, claims processing, and policy administration. The robust automation and content management capabilities of these platforms ensure accurate and timely handling of insurance processes, reducing turnaround times and operational costs. This efficiency translates to better customer service and higher satisfaction rates.

3. Healthcare

Healthcare providers use low-code automation platforms to build applications that can manage patient records, streamline appointment scheduling, and automate billing processes. These platforms improve operational efficiency and enhance the quality of patient care by providing timely access to critical information. The ability to quickly develop and deploy applications tailored to specific healthcare needs ensures that providers can offer better services and improve patient outcomes.

How to Get Started With Low-Code Automation? 

This section provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing low-code automation for those new to the concept.

1. Identify Use Cases:

Start by identifying the processes that can benefit from automation. Common use cases include repetitive tasks, data entry, and customer service workflows.

2. Choose the Right Platform:

Select a low-code platform, like NewgenONE Platform, that meets your business needs. Consider factors such as rapid application composition, ease of use, unified data management, effortless deployment, integration capabilities, and scalability.

3. Engage Stakeholders:

Involve key stakeholders, including IT and business users, in the development process. Their input is crucial for creating solutions that address real business challenges.

4. Build and Test:

Use the platform’s visual development tools to build your applications. Conduct thorough testing to ensure that the solutions meet quality and performance standards.

5. Deploy and Monitor:

Deploy the applications and monitor their performance. Gather feedback from users and make necessary adjustments to optimize functionality and user experience.

Best Practices for Successful Implementation

Here are some practices that users can follow: 

1. Start Small:

Begin with a pilot project to assess the value of a low-code automation platform. This approach allows you to test the platform’s capabilities and build confidence among stakeholders.

2. Focus on User Experience:

Design applications with the end-user in mind. Ensure that the solutions are intuitive and easy to use, enhancing adoption and satisfaction.

3. Leverage Pre-Built Components:

Accelerate development by leveraging the platform’s pre-built components. These components offer ready-made functionalities that can be easily integrated into your applications.

4. Ensure Security and Compliance:

Implement robust security measures to protect sensitive data. Ensure that your applications comply with relevant regulations and industry standards.

5. Foster Collaboration:

Encourage collaboration between IT and business teams. This approach ensures that the solutions align closely with business objectives and address real-world challenges.

Wrapping up, 

Low-code automation is revolutionizing the way businesses develop and deploy applications. By providing a user-friendly and efficient approach to application development, low-code platforms enable organizations to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. 

As businesses continue to navigate the digital landscape, low-code automation will play a crucial role in driving innovation, ensuring scalability, and maintaining competitiveness. If you are looking to achieve agility and simplify the application development process, then you experiment with NewgenONE’s low-code automation platform. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a low-code automation strategy?

A low-code automation strategy involves using a low-code automation software that offers pre-designed components. The components can be customized to create an application that meets the business requirements and reduces the software development time. 

What is the difference between RPA and low-code?

Both RPA and low-code automation focus on simplifying and streamlining processes, but their purposes are different. Low-code automation aims to simplify the application development process, while RPA focuses on automating repetitive, rule-based tasks. 

What are the four main benefits of low-code automation?

The four main benefits of low-code automation are: 

1. User-friendliness 
2. Lower costs 
3. Improved agility 
4. Speed and efficiency