Wake-up call: Thinkwise gives the business software world a huge wake-up call
Organizations can nowadays no longer operate without business software. However, the software that supports the core of the operations is often cumbersome, inflexible and outdated. It costs a lot of money to modernize this business software and involves high risks. Thinkwise believes that this no longer suits the demands of our rapidly changing world The company offers flexible, future-proof software that adapts together with your organisation.
Traditional business software – whether it concerns standard packages or customized development – has a number of problems. It is dependent on the underlying technology upon which it was developed. “At the moment new technology is introduced the application often no longer works or works less well”, says Robert van der Linden, Thinkwise CEO. Apart from this technological ageing, the flexibility of software is also an issue.
“Software is configured during the implementation when it is completely tuned for the customer using numerous parameters. At first glance this appears extremely flexible, but you cannot, for example, suddenly switch from an inventory-driven to customer-driven strategy. To achieve this you must do a new implementation and that again incurs all kinds of risks.”
Complexity of software
Furthermore, modifying software is difficult, because the translation from the specifications to the program code often takes place in the head of the developer and at a later time is nowhere to be found. Not to mention the complexity of software. “Companies change increasingly faster and new technology is regularly introduced, but organizations have software that is linked to specific technology and for which the functionality cannot be modified.”
Modeling instead of programming
This can all be done differently. Thinkwise separates the functionality of software from the underlying technology with their low code development platform, the Thinkwise Suite. The company builds business software in the same way an architect designs an apartment building. “They do not immediately start laying bricks and then afterwards check whether the building remains standing.” The customer’s processes are first identified and entered into a digital blueprint. The software is subsequently modeled on the basis of this blueprint. “The advantage of this is that we can test and if necessary modify the virtual models prior to the actual construction.” Thinkwise thereby ensures that the company strategy of the customer is rapidly converted into high-quality business software.
An endless lifespan
Nobody can look into the future, but current developments are moving fast. It is therefore crucial that business software is flexible and has an endless functional and technological lifespan. Van der Linden: “Customers have become too dependent on large software companies. Modifying existing software or implementing new applications not only costs a lot money, but it also incurs many risks. That is why people do not dare take these risks. However, if you ensure that the business software continues to fit the functional requirements of the organisation and remains technologically up-to-date, then you never need to purchase anything else.”