Low-code software - which, as its name suggests, may still require some level of programming skills - is typically used by professional software developers or hybrid business/IT employees to improve their productivity. This greatly expands the population of people who can build software applications within a business. They, too, now offer interfaces that make creating new applications and digital capabilities more of a matter of point-and-click and menu configuration instead of hiring and managing an army of developers. Other examples of LC/NC tools include low-code workflow or case management systems (a modern take on traditional business process management tools) virtual assistants or chatbot tools and function-specific tools in the marketing space. RPA would generally be classified as low-code, but there are “light” versions of the software that are no-code, which are closer to “plug and play” but offer fewer options for customization and scalability.
Some RPA tools offer advanced features that aid discovery of automation opportunities or connectors to AI tools to create what some now call “intelligent” or “augmented” automation. This is excellent for automating back-office administrative processes. Using rules for simple decision-making, it allows users to design automated workflows that can reach into multiple information systems. Robotic process automation (RPA), for example, is one of the fastest-growing categories of LC/NC systems. Few, if any, programming skills are required. The software may also have a conversational or search interface.
With point-and-click or pull-down menu interfaces, users can usually design and implement their individual or departmental systems in a few hours. These applications don’t accomplish these benefits by magic, they turn over development to users instead of professional system developers. Low code/no code (LC/NC) applications can provide a close fit to business requirements, can be implemented quickly, and typically cost much less than systems developed in-house. Today, however, there is a third alternative that is becoming increasingly popular. Sometimes companies can configure these systems, but firms often find it easier to change their business to suit the system than vice-versa. Systems from vendors, like off-the-rack clothing, don’t fit as well but are typically much cheaper and can be installed faster.
But as with custom tailoring of clothing, it typically means higher costs and a long wait. The “build” approach, like a custom suit or dress, offers a close fit to business requirements. They could build a new system using their own developers, or they could buy a system from an external vendor. Department managers should be encouraged to facilitate LC/NC development, and be educated about how the technology works, what tools the organization supports, and the desired relationship between citizen developers and the IT organization.įor several decades, organizations have had two alternatives when they needed new information systems. There are also management challenges to watch out for: the proliferation of applications built by “citizen developers” can create a shadow IT problem, where only one user knows how the system works. To make proper use of them, however, managers need to know how they work and what they’re good for: small business transactions, small-scale automation, analytics, and website developing are all good use cases. Now, however, there’s a third option: Low-code/no-code applications allow organizations to build custom systems without hiring teams of developers or compromising on just close enough software for administrative tools workflow or case management systems (a modern take on traditional business process management tools) virtual assistants or chatbot tools and function-specific tools in the marketing space. It used to be that when companies needed new information systems, they either had to hire a developer or use off-the-shelf software.