Low-code: objection or opportunity?

On 19 April 2018, OutSystems organized its first Digital Transformation Roadshow in Belgium. Developers had the opportunity to get hands-on experience in building apps and to become more productive and better low-coders. IT leaders and architects followed a separate track where they got inspired by stories about how low-code accelerates business innovation.

Being the largest OutSystems partner in Belgium, OutSystems invited us to this Digital Transformation Roadshow to share our insights on the most current objections to and opportunities for low-code.

Four business objections presented on the Digital Transformation Roadshow

1. No need for low-code

Organizations might think that they don’t need a low-code platform as they are on track with their digital transformation. This might be the case but maintaining the status quo is not an option on the long term, as the competition moves forward and applies new technologies to get a competitive advantage. You have to keep your eyes open.

2. Not ready for low-code

Some organizations are convinced that low-code is the future, but their current organization isn’t ready for it yet. Given the company structure and processes, they feel that they won’t be able to use the low-code platform to its full extend.

3. Too good to be true

Agreed, the sales talk sounds almost too good to be true. On the other hand, low-code platforms such as OutSystems, have been around since 2001 and they have fully matured by now.

It’s also a misunderstanding that you can build applications on a low-code platform without any expertise. Low-code makes development easier, but not completely obvious. As of a certain moment, it does require IT expertise. But before that point, there’s a big area where even business people without prior IT education can get started building enterprise applications.

4. Expensive

Initially, a low-code platform costs more compared to conventional programming languages. But the good news is that it achieves better long-term results. It increases business productivity, resulting in cost savings. For example, low-code development shortens time-to-market and requires less maintenance.

Four developer/development objections 

1. No need for another technology

Starting with low-code indeed means introducing another technology at first. But with low-code, you build mobile and web applications with the same platform. So, in the long term, the web and mobile team can step away from their current technology and do everything with low-code.

2. Developers want to write code

There are developers that you will never convince of low-code. They see it as inferior to writing code. Other developers will be open to low-code as rapid application delivery is key to improve business results.

3. Managers don’t want developers to leave

IT managers are afraid that key developers will leave the organization if they implement a low-code platform. However, change is the only constant. But developers who want to leave, will apply for open positions anyway. On the positive side, developers that are tired of investing time in learning new versions of programming language often have the ideal profile to become low-code developers, thanks to their business acumen.

4. Lack of resources

Currently, we have lack of developers to fill all open job positions in the market. Low-code platforms provide organizations the possibility to solve this problem. Besides developers, business professionals are also able to develop low-code applications.

Three business opportunities presented on the Digital Transformation Roadshow

1. Faster time-to-market

An important business advantage of low-code is the fact that you can build and manage apps with higher speed. This helps organizations to respond faster to new business and market changes, resulting in better business results.

2. Reuse of IT resources

Low-code platforms help IT resources with a lack of in-depth traditional programming skills to build applications. Low-code increases the productivity and flexibility of IT resources in the organization.

3. Involvement of non-IT resources

The use of a low-code platform offers an interesting business alternative because a conventional coding background is not required. Business professionals can also develop low-code applications. They only need IT support for the more complex tasks.

Want to know more about the OutSystems platform? Discover it here!

Do you want to know more about the future of coding and improve your bottom line business results with low-code? Get in touch with Providit!