Enterprises Are Extending The Value Of Low-Code Development
Low-code is being used by an increasing number of organizations to develop business applications cost-effectively, without the need for a team of specialized programmers. However, when they want to use low-code to develop larger and more complex business-critical applications, there is only one category of low-code that is suitable: low-code for core business applications.
From recent market forecasts, it is apparent that the share of low-code for business software development in 2024 will be higher than 65 percent. Furthermore, at that time it is expected that around 66 percent of large organizations will be using at least four low-code platforms. These figures are difficult to ignore. Without a doubt, the use of low-code is the winning strategy for the future. The question now is which development platform are you going to deploy? Or more to the point: which type of platform are you going to deploy? Recent research from the independent research agency Forrester focused on low-code for core applications, a specialized low-code category. Only a few development platforms belong to this category, including Thinkwise.
Modernizing strategic core applications
In the research, Forrester further indicated that at this time, “About 15 percent of Application Delivery & Development (AD&D) professionals using low-code development platforms say they use them to deliver new core business applications, including systems for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). And 30% of AD&D pros using low-code report delivering apps at scale across their entire enterprises.”
Organizations that want to deploy low-code on such a business-critical level, are in my opinion visionary companies. They no longer see low-code as a solution for a specific application or as an addition to their existing core systems. On the contrary, they see it as a fundamental and strategic means of building software, with which they can facilitate the core of their business activities. It is faster and more efficient than with any other traditional development methodology and just as flexible as customized software, while still retaining all enterprise functionality in areas such as scalability, integration, reliability and security.
This enterprise functionality is however far from being available in every low-code platform. Forrester explains that it is immensely important for the development of core systems that AD&D teams closely review and evaluate the technological architecture of the platform. Is it possible to easily carry out major modifications in the software? Is it suitable for business-critical applications? And can you modernize existing applications with this platform, whether or not in phases? And even more important: does the platform enable you to implement new technology such as automated machine learning or Internet of Things? These fundamental questions are crucial to be able to select the right low-code platform for core applications.
The future is now
What are the primary reasons why organizations deploy a low-code development platform for their core-business applications? According to Forrester, they want to accelerate the delivery of software that is crucial for their business. This shorter time-to-market supports continuous improvement and innovation. Also, low-code reduces the costs and risks of enterprise core-application projects, certainly when compared to those incurred during the modification and configuration of existing ERP suites or the (re)development of customization with traditional development tools.
This combination of efficiency and cost and risk management makes it possible for organizations to align their core systems to their unique working methods, products and requirements. And ultimately these organizations opt for low-code so that they can react faster and better to technological change. You surely want to be able to easily modernize and expand the software and implement the latest technology? This is often extremely difficult and almost impossible to maintain for core applications in the form of packaged software.
A low-code platform for core applications enables organizations to create an integrated landscape with business-critical applications that are sustainable and can be continuously improved.
Do you want to know more? Read the complete Forrester report here: ‘When And How To Modernize Core Applications Using Low-Code Platforms’