Comparison of Low-Code Development Platforms

What are Low Code Platforms?

Low code platforms are software solutions that allow applications to be developed quickly and with minimal programming effort. These platforms target developers, business users, and organizations that need software solutions but do not have the extensive technical skills or resources required for traditional software development. Low code platforms provide a visual development environment where users can create applications through drag-and-drop functions, predefined templates, and modular building blocks.

These solutions are used in a variety of areas, including business process management, application development, database management, and customer relationship management. They enable businesses to accelerate their digital transformation by reducing the time and cost of developing applications, while simultaneously increasing flexibility and adaptability. Low code platforms are particularly suitable for projects requiring rapid deployment and for situations where requirements can change quickly.

Features of Low Code Platforms

Visual Development Environment

The visual development environment is the heart of a low code platform. It allows users to create applications by dragging and dropping elements and visually configuring user interfaces, workflows, and data models. This environment significantly accelerates the development process, replacing complex coding tasks with intuitive interactions. Users can see in real time what their applications will look and function like, reducing the need for extensive testing and shortening time to market.

Reusable Components

Reusable components are pre-built building blocks that can be used in various applications within the platform. These can include simple UI elements such as buttons and text fields, but also complex functional units such as form generators or report tools. The use of these components facilitates rapid development and maintenance of applications by reducing the need to build frequently used functions from scratch.

Integrations

Integrations are crucial for low code platforms as they allow applications to communicate with external systems, databases, and APIs. This significantly extends the functionality of the created applications by being able to retrieve, edit, and synchronize data from various sources. Support for webhooks, RESTful APIs, and specific provider integrations (such as CRM systems, databases, or cloud services) is standard in many low code platforms.

Customizability and Extensibility

Despite the focus on low-code development, many platforms offer opportunities for customization and extension through traditional coding. This allows developers to add custom logic, integrations, or components that go beyond the standard features of the platform. This flexibility is crucial for businesses that have specific requirements that are not fully covered by the pre-configured components and features.

Management and Deployment

Effective management and deployment are key features a low code platform must offer. These include tools for managing the entire lifecycle of an application, from development to testing, deployment, and updates. Automated test and deployment processes ensure that applications can be published quickly and reliably in production environments. Versioning and rollback features contribute to security and stability by allowing you to revert to previous versions of an application in case of errors.

Who uses Low Code Platforms?

Business Users

Business users, often also referred to as citizen developers, are one of the main target groups of low code platforms. They typically have little or no technical expertise, but are experts in their respective business areas. Low code platforms enable these users to quickly turn their ideas into working applications, without having to wait for the IT department. This can include developing internal tools, managing business processes, or automating recurring tasks. By empowering business users to develop solutions themselves, companies can relieve their IT resources and accelerate digital transformation at the same time.

IT Professionals and Developers

While low code platforms are particularly known for their accessibility to non-developers, they also provide significant value to IT professionals and developers. This target group uses low code platforms to shorten development times, quickly create prototypes, and maintain applications efficiently. IT professionals can focus on more complex aspects of application development, such as integration with existing systems, security, and performance optimization, while simplifying routine tasks through the platform's automation features. Moreover, low code platforms enable better collaboration between IT and business areas by providing a shared platform for development and deployment.

Project Managers and Team Leaders

Project managers and team leaders use low code platforms to increase the efficiency and productivity of their teams. They benefit from the ability to quickly create tailored solutions for project management tasks, resource planning, and communication needs. By developing specific applications that are precisely tailored to their team's requirements, they can optimize workflows and improve collaboration. Low code platforms also support this target group in better responding to changes and flexibly adapting projects as modifications and extensions of applications are possible without extensive development cycles.

Educational Institutions and Teachers

Educational institutions and teachers represent a special target group for low code platforms. They use this technology to develop learning management systems, student information systems, and other educational applications. By easily creating custom applications, teachers and administrative staff can meet the specific requirements of their institutions, be it by automating administrative tasks or providing innovative learning tools. Moreover, low code platforms offer an excellent opportunity to introduce students to software development by allowing practical experiences in application development without the need for in-depth programming knowledge.

Start-ups and Small Businesses

Start-ups and small businesses make up another important target group for low code platforms. Faced with limited resources and the need for rapid market launch, these companies use low code platforms to quickly validate their business models, develop prototypes, and create custom applications that support their specific business processes. Low code platforms enable small teams to adopt agile development practices and respond quickly to market changes, without investing in extensive development resources.

Benefits of Low Code Platforms

Low code platforms offer businesses a range of benefits that have a positive impact on various aspects of business operations. These range from accelerating digital transformation to increasing operational efficiency. The following describes the central benefits from a business perspective in detail.

Accelerated Digital Transformation

In today's fast-paced business world, the ability to adapt quickly and innovate is critical to success. Low code platforms enable companies to accelerate their digital transformation by significantly simplifying and speeding up the development and implementation of applications. With these platforms, companies can rapidly respond to market changes, test new business models, and introduce innovative customer services, without having to start lengthy development projects.

Increased Developer Productivity

By automating routine tasks and providing visual development tools, developers can work more efficiently with low code platforms. This results in a significant reduction in the time needed to develop and maintain applications. Developers can focus on more complex and value-creating tasks, while simple and recurring development processes are automated by the platform. This helps to relieve the IT department and increase overall efficiency.

Reduced Development Costs

The costs of developing software applications can be significant for companies, particularly when they need to be developed from scratch. Low code platforms get these costs down dramatically by shortening the development time and reducing the need for specialized development personnel. Also, further costs can be saved by reusing components and easily modifying existing solutions. This makes low code platforms a cost-effective solution for developing business applications.

Improved Collaboration Between IT and Business Units

The traditional separation between IT departments and business units can lead to delays and misunderstandings in the development of business applications. Low code platforms foster closer collaboration by providing a common platform where both sides can work together. Business users can get their requirements directly into development and even design their own solutions, which can then be refined and scaled by IT. This leads to better-coordinated solutions that support business objectives more effectively.

Flexibility and Scalability

Companies need to be able to adapt their IT infrastructure flexibly to changing business requirements. Low code platforms provide this flexibility by enabling the rapid adjustment and scaling of applications. Changes to business processes or the introduction of new services can be implemented quickly without the need for extensive redevelopment. In addition, applications developed on a low-code platform can be easily scaled to keep pace with the growth of the company.

Selection Process for the Right Software

Creation of a Long List

Needs Analysis

First, conduct a thorough analysis of your business needs. This includes understanding the type of applications to be developed, required integration capabilities, scalability requirements, and any specific industry requirements. The goal is to have a clear picture of what you expect from a low code platform.

Market Research

Next, conduct comprehensive market research to get an overview of the available low code platforms. This research can be done by reading industry reports, product reviews, user feedback in forums, and attending trade conferences. The aim is to create a long list of platforms that could potentially meet the requirements of the company.

Creation of a Short List

Feature Comparison

With the long list of potential platforms in hand, start comparing them based on specific criteria. These include the platform's user-friendly nature, availability of reusable components, integration capabilities, customizability, support, and pricing. This step helps to reduce the list to a manageable number of platforms that are worth closer examination.

Assessment of Technical Suitability

Now assess the technical suitability of the remaining platforms through a deeper analysis. This can involve using trial versions of the platforms, requesting demos, or having technical discussions with providers to check the compatibility with your own systems and requirements.

Conducting Pilot Projects

Selection of Pilot Projects

From the remaining platforms, select one or two to conduct pilot projects. These projects should be representative of the type of applications you want to develop in the long term. The goal is to get a practical understanding of how the platform works under real conditions.

Evaluation of Results

After the pilot projects are completed, evaluate the platforms based on their capabilities, requirements fulfillment, user-friendliness, and support. This step is crucial to understand how well the platform meets the company's needs in practice.

Final Decision

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Before making a final decision, perform a cost-benefit analysis to understand the long-term financial impacts of introducing the respective low code platform. This includes considering licensing costs, savings from accelerated development times, possible productivity increases, and other financial factors.

Decision Making

After all relevant information has been gathered and analyzed, make the final decision based on the platform that best fits the business needs, technical requirements, and financial criteria. It is important that this decision is supported by the company's stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation and utilization of the low code platform.