Low-Code Or No-Code Platforms Will Disrupt Application Development

The Growth of No-Code Low Code Software Use

Companies are spreading the development of apps around organizations. Low code app development, and no-code app development solutions, allow new types of users to build apps without having to write code. This means people outside of IT departments are now tasked with building applications to solve business problems or do business tasks.

No-code development platforms that help people without a technical background create applications are changing the game. This technology disrupts the traditional way of doing things and gives businesses more control over their app development. 

You don't need to know programming languages, understand business process management systems or be a professional developer to write apps. Friendly user interfaces with drag-and-drop technology or visual development interfaces are here and are disrupting traditional development processes.

Tools like the Alpha TransForm app maker have helped businesses roll out mobile applications quickly. The software helps cut costs while producing apps that provide value to users. Unfortunately, this autonomy doesn’t always sit well with everyone. Just think of all the consultants billing you for hours of developer work!

Building Apps with Innovative Development Tools

According to global research firm Gartner, low-code tools will make up 65% of all app development by 2024. The firm predicts three out of four enterprises will be using at least four rapid application development tools. 

This has implications for businesses of all sizes. Small businesses beginning digital transformation, or large companies improving efficiency can use these tools to make the process quicker, easier, and cheaper. 

Why IT Pushes Back Against No Code and Low Code Software Development

A Forbes article by analyst Jason Bloomberg points to evidence that IT and other forces are trying to hold back no code and low code solutions. He writes that some people view the tools as “too disruptive.”

Chief among those trying to hold back the use of these software development tools, he says, are consultants. He notes, “especially the big system integrators, whose business model depends upon keeping throngs of junior developers busy and billable.” 

If citizen developers can write apps themselves, there’s no need for high-priced consultants. When people without coding skills can build custom apps with drag and drop interfaces or low-code platforms then there’s little need for consultants.

Bloomberg explains that some people in IT departments aren’t happy with the low code solutions, either. He says: “IT departments are also pushing back, often with a vengeance. Not only do the various denizens in IT fear for their jobs, but no code or low code  development approaches  also threaten their credibility. After all, IT has been telling business stakeholders for years that the six-month/million dollar plan is the only way to build enterprise software.”

Despite the pushback from consultants and IT departments, no code or low code platforms can help create the jobs of the future, strengthening enterprise app development teams.

Why No-Code Low-Code Application Development Can’t be Held Back

Digital transformation is fueling change in enterprise app development. 

Businesses need to be agile, quickly embracing the digital transformation, and traditional app development can make this difficult. As ITProPortal notes, the slow speed of transformation, limited capacity of IT departments, and shortage of developers pose real challenges. 

Bloomberg asserts, that businesses “can be even more successful with their digital transformations if they do away with hand-coding altogether, adopting Low-Code No-Code development across their organizations instead.”

Bloomberg’s portrayal of IT is perhaps a little harsh, though. 

As I’ve written in my blog post, “Why IT Should Embrace Citizen Developers,” many IT departments have embraced RMAD. 

One person who has embraced low-code development tools is Isaac Sacolick, global CIO and managing director at Greenwich Associates. In a Computerworld article, he says:

"CIOs should consider deploying a low-code mobile app development platform, creating standard APIs into backend systems for would-be programmers to use, and identifying and establishing agreements with external development partners as needed.”

No Code or Low Code Platforms Can Benefit All Industries

Despite some pushback, these innovative development tools and IT can blend. When they do, the results can be impressive.

Technology plays an intricate part in virtually any business process today. It doesn’t matter what industry you work in, you’re bound to use a suite of applications to improve efficiency and grow your business. 

If an off-the-shelf application works perfectly well for your business then that’s great, but often this isn’t the case. Instead, specialist applications are required to meet your exact needs. 

In the past, this would have meant bringing in a big It consulting company or building out your own IT team, but thanks to no code or low code platforms, you can start building the applications you need more quickly, and without the huge expenses of expanding your team. 

No code or low code platforms mean end users of your application can have big say in how it’s built. Without the need for coding, the process isn’t reliant on IT specialists carrying out the vision of your team, instead, the people who best understand your business processes can play a hands-on role in creating the applications that help solve them.

These Technologies are Now Table Stakes

 No code or low code platforms include capabilities that are going to play a big role in digital transformation. A recent study by 451 Research concludes that these platforms can increase developers’ efficiency by between 50% and 90%. They’re one of the most effective ways to develop enterprise apps, and more and more businesses are recognizing this.

Recall that Gartner predicts more than 65% of app development will be done by citizen developers using these innovative tools. Verified Market Research predicts that this market will grow more than 44% each year through 2026. The majority of companies will be adopting these technologies as part of their technology stack.ologies as part of their technology stack.

The Best Low Code App Builders

Alpha Software Corporation accelerates digital innovation and eliminates the bottleneck traditionally associated with developing business applications. The Company's products enable business users and IT developers to work in parallel to create apps that increase productivity and deliver business value. The Alpha platform is the only low code development product with both “no-code” and “low-code” development environments.

The Alpha Transform no-code app builder enables anyone to build mobile apps in minutes and quickly prove business impact. Business users can take full advantage of all the capabilities of the smartphone to turn any form into a mobile app in minutes. Power users & developers can save time when adding advanced app functionality. For example, they could leverage machine learning using a built-in programming language.

Developers can build sophisticated web and mobile apps faster with the Alpha Anywhere low-code app development platform. The software does routine coding for developers, yet gives them full flexibility they need to add code whenever necessary. This allows collapses the development lifecycle while ensuring that the enterprise apps never hit limits. Developers can add the security, machine learning, artificial intelligence, workflow, and integration power they need to deliver powerful business apps.

Check out our no-code app builder.

Learn More: Who are Citizen Developers?

Citizen developers are disrupting the way we develop enterprise apps. Learn how by downloading the whitepaper, “Democratize App Development by Empowering Citizen Developers.” It offers industry data, techniques, success stories, and actionable advice on how you can improve your enterprise app development.