Navigating the Realities and Myths of Scaling with Low Code

Low code development has become a dominating force in SMB and enterprise app development with 77% of organizations using it, according to leading low code platform developer Mendex. This has transformed the SMB and enterprise landscape through the ability to quickly build fully functional applications without coding complexity. 

Low code has democratized app development with its third-party toolkits coupled with drag-and-drop interfaces to speed up visual app development. Although these features and others have led to continual growth in its adoption, some low code myths continue to be pervasive. This article will debunk some of those common myths and shed light on its potential to build scalable solutions for a variety of use cases.

Myth 1: Low Code is Only for Small Projects

It’s a common misconception that low code is only suitable for rapid prototyping and small-scale app development rather than scalable, business-critical apps. Low code can handle the complexity of even large enterprise applications used across the entire organization. 

Every day brings more low code platforms designed specifically for enterprise application development. One example is ServiceNow App Engine Studio (AES) which is designed to empower even citizen developers with the ability to develop feature-rich web applications for information storage, BPA, and other business process challenges.
 

Myth 2: Low Code Sacrifices Customization

The reality is that Low code platforms provide a balance between speed and customization. While they offer pre-built components for efficiency, they also allow developers to extend functionality through custom code, ensuring that solutions can be tailored to specific business requirements. 

Modern application environments use application programming interfaces (APIs) for extraction and exchange of information across applications. APIs and low code can work together to integrate legacy systems, and many low code development platforms can be used to create REST APIs for microservices environment connections.

Myth 3: Scalability is Limited

While scalability is a common concern, modern low code platforms are designed to handle scalability challenges effectively. They offer features like auto-scaling, optimized database handling, and integration with cloud services to ensure solutions can grow to meet demand. 

Low code platforms can be either designed for business or citizen developers while others are designed for professional developers. Professional low code platforms have more sophisticated and powerful tools that enable all aspects of scalability. These are ideal for experienced developers working on larger and more complex applications. Professional low code platforms are built for a microservices architecture model with well-defined REST APIs that maximize scalability. 

Myth 4: Low Code is Not Secure

There is a belief by some business leaders that low-code platforms have inherent security vulnerabilities and lack security protocols. But security is a priority in the best low code platforms as much as in any development process. 

Reputable low code platforms follow best practices for security includes encryption, and authentication mechanisms. These and other security features comply industry standards to protect applications and data. Many low-code development platforms also have advanced security features like vulnerability testing automation and integration with existing security tools. 

Myth 5: Low Code is Only for Citizen Developers

According to Gartner, 70% of new enterprise applications will use low-code or no-code technologies by 2025. That number includes professional developers along with citizen developers since the platforms enable both to essentially speak the same language.

Professional developers often use low-code platforms because they can use custom code for app extension, enable multiple source data integration, build mobile applications, and leverage microservices. Their expertise gives them the broader 
control to go beyond low code visual design and use preferred coding tools to extend application functionalities more quickly.

Myth #6: Low Code is not a Lasting Trend

It’s a common misconception that because low code development has only been around less than a decade, it is a trend that will fade away. In just under a decade, low code platforms have advanced and proliferated in countless ways that have changed the application landscape.

Statista reports that spending on low code/no code will grow to $65 billion by 2027. The ongoing developer shortage has accelerated the use of low code to support IT teams with growing backlogs. The prediction is that 80% of the user base for low code will be outside traditional IT departments by 2026, according to Gartner.

Scenarios Where Low Code Excels

There are countless scenarios where low code can benefit SMBs to enterprises in ways that create more efficient, effective, and innovative applications operations and processes. They can also be capable of opening new markets and business opportunities while improving customer experiences. Just some of the ways that low code excels for businesses include:

App Prototypes and Proof of Concepts

Low code is perfect for quickly creating prototypes to visualize ideas and gather feedback from stakeholders. This allows teams to iterate and refine concepts before investing extensive resources.

The pre-built modules and services integrated into low-code platforms enable faster workflow automation and database manipulation that speeds the prototype process along. These attributes are also indispensable in creation of functional Proof of Concepts (POCs) to demonstrate feasibility without the major time and costs outlays 
for full development.

Time and Cost Savings

Low code platforms can eliminate the major time consumption of developing internal tools, dashboards, and reporting systems that can burden IT teams. The same can be said for low code connectors and integrations with varied systems and API that make it easier to build and integrate applications with streamlined data flows.

Workflow Automation

One of the most valuable aspects of low code application development is the ability to integrate with RPA. This extends automation capabilities in major ways to solve countless automation challenges. The resulting coordinated human-bot workflow can use AI/ML-powered data analytics to broaden holistic automation across the enterprise.

While RPA is ideal for automating structured data processes, Unstructured data like rich media or images need classification intelligence. Many low code platforms include process mining technology that support identification of workflows that are ideal for automation or business process management analytics. These are just a few of the ways low code and RPA can work together to extend the intelligence and speed of process automation and workflows across the enterprise.

Conclusion

Low code development is not just a trend; it's a powerful approach to building scalable solutions that address real business needs. By dispelling myths and understanding the capabilities of modern low code platforms, businesses and developers can leverage this approach to accelerate development, improve collaboration, and create effective solutions for a wide range of scenarios. As technology continues to evolve, low code will remain a valuable tool in the development toolkit, empowering both citizen and professional developers to bring innovative ideas to life.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this article. If these insights resonate with you and you're keen to discuss strategies around low code development, its scalability, or customization potential, I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn. 

If you'd like to go a step further, you can also schedule time with me here for a more in-depth conversation. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or to delve deeper into these topics. Let's work together to make your business not just productive, but also a driving force of innovation and efficiency. Hope to connect with you soon!