What is low-code app development?

Traditional app development is a five-stage process that spans from initial research to final application testing. Not only is this process time-consuming, but it also requires skilled developers with knowledge of coding to bring app development projects to fruition.

Substituting the traditional process for one that leverages low-code technologies can offer solutions to the challenges of traditional app development. This PEX Network guide explains what it is and what benefits it brings to organizations, with real-life success stories from Globe Telecom and Aviva.

Contents: 

• Defining low-code app development 
• The benefits of low-code
• Low-code case studies

Defining low-code app development

Low-code and no-code methods of app development have been growing in popularity in recent years. Low-code technology utilizes drag-and-drop features to allow the development of apps with minimal coding experience, enabling the task to be completed by untrained workers, otherwise known as citizen developers.

When considering the time and resource savings organizations can benefit from when they do not have to recruit or train skilled app developers, it comes as no surprise that this technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in organizations across the globe. With Gartner predicting that 75 percent of all app development will be conducted on low-code platforms by 2026, it is clear that its rise will not be slowing any time soon.

The benefits of low-code

Enhancing organizational agility

Given the lengthy process through which organizational apps have historically been developed, it has not always been possible to develop these in response to a particular organizational demand or goal. Low-code app development offers a solution, as the speed with which apps can be developed through it far outstrips that of traditional app development.

It is much quicker and easier to reorient and redesign applications to suit current purposes using the drag-and-drop features, pre-built modules and visual environment that low-code offers. This enhanced speed offers organizations much needed agility and enables them to launch apps up to 20 times faster, meaning targeted applications can be developed to drive time-sensitive organizational goals.

There are a number of key factors to take into account when considering the impact of low-code on organizational agility, ranging from pro-grade development acceleration to continuous integration and delivery. These include: 

• Pro-grade development acceleration. It applies automated features to power modeling-driven, abstraction-oriented and modular development, significantly accelerating the process.
• Supporting business needs. It supports workflows, content management, straight-through transactions, mobile apps, collaboration and customer self-service among other business requirements. 
• Preventing ‘shadow IT’. Due to its central governance, visibility and guardrails, it allows organizations to prevent the development of unnecessary IT systems that have only been designed to work around the central IT system’s shortcomings.
• Enabling continuous integration and delivery. The overall speed of low-code allows for the continuous development and integration of apps to meet business needs, enabling a system of continuous improvement whereby apps are constantly updated and switched out to meet shifting demands and trends.

Saving time and money with low-code

Traditional app development requires skilled workers with knowledge of coding. Recruiting and training workers can be a significant drain on the time and resources of any organization but this has historically been a necessity for any business looking to develop apps.

Its simplified nature oallows the process to be completed by employees through simplified visual features, saving a significant amount of time and money in the quest for internal app development.

Low-code case studies

How Globe Telecom automates business processes with no-code

Telecommunications organization Globe Telecom sought to automate their processes, however while employees were forced to work remotely from home they encountered some challenges. Globe Telecom adopted a no-code approach that was useful in overcoming what they saw as the key barriers to business process automation: business cases, a lack of available resources and tedious approval processes.

The company invited 187 remote participants to join a no-code Hackathon, created more than 50 business applications to address front-line challenges and rolled out no-code application across the entire business.

Watch Globe Telecom’s full story below, presented by Francis Pugeda, head of emerging technologies at Globe Telecom.

Source: PEX Live: Digital Process Automation and Low-Code 2021

How Aviva enhanced automation efforts

UK-based insurance provider Aviva was experiencing issues with disconnected customer data and processes as a result of departmental silos. Customer-care staff had access to 22 different systems to resolve a single customer issue. To counter this, the company implemented a low-code platform that combined all 22 of these systems into single platform that agents could utilize to solve customer issues.

This platform, spanning multiple legacy systems, allows Aviva to unify data engagement across the organization. It enables productivity boosts for customer advisors, allowing them to spend more time dealing with complex customer issues.

The implementation of the platform resulted in a 40 percent reduction in operational costs for customer care and a nine-fold acceleration in customer response times.

Register to hear from experts at All Access: Low Code 2024, taking place April 16-17.