Low-code app development has changed the way organizations of all sizes build and deploy custom applications. Gone are the days of needing highly trained, expensive professional developers to code applications. With the rise of low-code platforms, businesses can launch applications quickly and securely by putting app development in the hands of non-coders. Furthermore, the use of AI has significantly affected the speed at which these apps can be implemented because they eliminate the majority of the initial configuration “clicks” required to get to a baseline where 85% of an application is built before a human begins their work..
This democratization of app development means organizations can take advantage of more applications of varied capabilities to discover new efficiencies. Read on to learn all about low-code development and how it’s supporting digital transformation for businesses across industries.
Understanding Low-Code App Development
To grasp the concept of low-code development, it’s important to understand what traditional development entails. Traditional software development requires human developers to draft code to manually create software applications. This method is also known as pro-code development.
By contrast, low-code development lets users develop applications through graphical, visual interfaces that include drop-down menus, checkboxes, templates, and other features. Low-coder and non-coder users are referred to as citizen developers in that they do not have professional coding backgrounds, education, or experiences.
In pro-code models, developing apps can take anywhere from two to eight months, but with low-code models, you can have an app up and running within a month.
The Rise of Low-Code Platforms
Low-code platforms have been on the rise for the last decade and have grown in popularity as organizations have discovered significant efficiencies by enabling citizen developers to create applications. The global low-code platform market is forecast to hit $65 billion by 2027, according to Statista.
Digital transformation has been a major driving factor in the growth of low-code as organizations feel pressure to digitize their operations. Businesses are trying to find ways to do more with less in the digital era — spurring application development across the board. As low-code allows for just about anyone to create applications, organizations have adopted it — as well as rapid application development (RAD) tools — to further their digital transformation.
Benefits of Low-Code Development
There are several ways organizations benefit from embracing low-code app development.
Simpler Development Processes
Citizen developers can create applications within low-code platforms quickly to deploy them across an organization. These platforms allow for a less complicated development process that takes less time and can be done by anyone who can operate the platform.
Speed of Deployment
With more people able to develop applications faster, you’ll greatly reduce the time-to-deployment and be able to start taking advantage of them within weeks or days instead of months.
Cost-effectiveness
Many organizations still choose to leverage the expertise and experience of professional developers, but if they choose not to, they shave those salaries from their budgets. They can save time and resources on app development — both of which contribute to bottom-line profitability — by giving anyone access to low-code platforms
Flexibility and Scalability
Low-code applications are not just easier and faster to create, they are more accessible to change. Since they do not require specialized knowledge to build, it’s easier for non-coders and others to make edits to applications to support organizational growth and scalability.
The Future of Low-Code Development
Research firm Gartner forecasts that “by 2026, developers outside formal IT departments will account for at least 80% of the user base for low-code development tools, up from 60% in 2021.” Low-code app development will continue to have its moment in the spotlight as organizations persistently need ways to stay agile, adjust to market demands, and cut costs. They need to do all this while continuing to digitally transform, and they’ll look to low-code platforms to help them achieve it all.
Explore How Low-Code Development Can Drive Your Digital Transformation
If you’re ready to see what you can achieve through low-code app development, get in touch with All Star. We help organizations of all sizes see greater efficiency, productivity, and profitability through Hyland’s low-code platform.
