Exploring low-code/no-code

Most enterprises today (87%) use low-code solutions to enable employees without IT skills to build simple workplace apps¹. And by 2025, Gartner predicts that 75% of enterprise IT apps will be built using low code development². In fact, this kind of development will one day be like electricity in our homes: so ubiquitous, we don’t even think of it as ‘technology’.

So, that’s it then: low-code/no-code for all your application development from now onwards! A simple choice! Not quite. In this article, we’ll explore the brilliant benefits of the low-code/no-code approach – but explain why it’s not always necessarily the right answer.

Unlock your true productivity potential

The low-code/no-code revolution among today’s enterprises is undeniable – and perhaps unsurprising. There are several key benefits that have contributed to its increasing popularity, which have helped transform the way many businesses operate. Here are just some of the most impactful advantages:

• Accelerated development: Low-code/no-code platforms provide visual interfaces, drag-and-drop functionality, and pre-built components, which significantly reduce the time and effort required to build applications. Developers can create functional prototypes and deploy applications much faster compared to traditional coding approaches. This acceleration is particularly useful for organizations that need to quickly develop and iterate on software solutions.
• Increased productivity: With low-code/no-code platforms, developers can spend more time working on higher level business processes, rather than spending time on repetitive and mundane coding tasks. As a result, development teams can be more productive, deliver projects faster, and allocate more time to innovation, problem-solving and moving the business forward.
• Minimized risk of trial and error: It’s okay to fail. A low-code/no-code approach allows for experimentation. You can test things and see if they work well – and if the adoption is low or it transpires that it’s unnecessary to have an application for that particular function, then the losses are minimal. You can move on quickly and try something else.
• Greater business insight: Low-code/no-code offers a fresh approach to traditional application design. A wider group of stakeholders can be brought into the process – removing or reducing the need for technical expertise. Non-technical users, such as citizen developers or business analysts can participate. This provides a greater insight into your business processes and how the application can have tangible benefits. It creates a new prism of working.
• Reduced development costs: Traditional coding often requires hiring and retaining skilled developers, which can be costly. Low-code/no-code platforms enable organizations to achieve more with fewer developers, reducing the overall development costs. Additionally, the faster development cycles and simplified maintenance can result in lower operational expenses over the application's lifecycle.

Multiple journeys need clear pathways

Before you get carried away with the benefits though, hold on a minute. Just because you can build an application with a low-code/no-code approach doesn’t always mean that you should. Each scenario needs careful consideration because there’s no need to have many different apps for the same purpose. Start by taking a step back and take a higher view.

Yes, low-code/no-code can certainly supercharge some existing applications – making them simpler, better, more integrated, and more correlated. But you don’t need to rethink everything from the top to the bottom in order to apply the approach.

Multiple journeys need clear pathways. So, each application should be thought of on a case-by-case basis. The question shouldn’t be: “When should I move to low-code/no-code?”. Remove the “when”. Low-code/no-code can be applied in combination with your existing coding technologies and methodologies. In fact, for most organizations, the foreseeable future will include both. The challenge, therefore, is finding the correct ‘mix’ – and this is where a trusted partner like Sogeti can help.

The need for a trusted partner

“If low-code/no-code is so simple to use, how does a partner bring value?” Well, beyond getting the balance right between existing systems and new applications, there are other considerations to factor in: enabling the business with IT also has a downside. When employees develop applications themselves, it is difficult to keep control of aspects such as security and compliance. It raises an important question: “How do you keep a grip on IT without compromising the speed of response to business changes with low-code solutions?”

This was exactly the challenge faced by Dutch multinational cooperative bank – and it’s why they turned to Sogeti for support.  Together, we carefully implemented a low-code strategy using Microsoft Power Platform, where speed and control go hand in hand. This served as a single company-wide data and app development platform and was the foundation for further digitization.

Indeed, Sogeti have a well-established and strong relationship with Microsoft, which means we can drive maximum value from Power Platform, enabling you to go further, faster. We can integrate Power Platform into other ecosystems seamlessly. And we’re able to help you make the most of its latest features, including things like the Copilot control – a next-generation AI assistant that allows you to build an app, including the data behind it, just by describing what you need through multiple steps of conversation.

Above all, we provide support at every stage of the adoption journey – exactly when you need us. Every organization’s maturity differs, so we can come in at any point to offer the guidance required. Whether it’s understanding when to use a low-code/no-code approach, a traditional methodology, or a mix of the two; helping you manage control, governance and existing capabilities; delivering change management and training; or providing advice on the technical build of more complex use cases – we can help you realize value through technology velocity.