The Ultimate Guide on How to find a Low code/no code Platform for your Business

The Ultimate Guide on How to Find a Low code/No code Platform for your Business

With low-code and no-code development platforms, developers and non-technical users can create applications more quickly and cheaper than with traditional programming methods. See how to select the right low code or no code tool for the job.

With today’s low-code and no-code development platforms, teams of developers – and even non-programmers – can deliver, support, and develop a wide range of applications. They are used to build mobile apps, deliver customer experiences, streamline workflows, modernize legacy apps, automate data integrations, and support data visualizations, to name the most common uses.

The main selling points of low code development tools and no code are that they can be used successfully by less qualified developers and “users”; and that they can produce apps faster than using native SDKs ; and that they can produce apps for less money.

No-Code offers game-changing benefits

There are many benefits to a No-Code solution, the main one being that it allows a user to develop a complete application independent of other parts. It is important to understand all the benefits associated with a No-Code approach and examine how this solution can provide business users with security and increase productivity.

 

  • No waiting for developer resources

 

With no-code development, business users can handle many common applications on their own or with little IT support. Now, they no longer have to wait for the availability of developer resources.

 

  • Faster development at lower cost

 

No-Code allows you to reduce development time even more, to a couple of days in most cases. By not requiring the involvement of developers or a project manager, enterprise developers can iterate and build their own applications very quickly. Studies show that development time can be reduced by up to 80% with codeless development.

 

  • Update applications at the speed of business

 

As business requirements change, applications can quickly become obsolete as business needs evolve. Making even small functional changes to an existing application is complex and time-consuming in traditional development. A No-Code platform makes these changes quick and easy, allowing applications to evolve as fast as your business.

 

  • Replace shadow IT with enterprise IT

 

No-Code offers IT the ability to bring structure and sensible standards to the development of business users. When a company does not adopt a No-Code standard, business users will be tempted to introduce multiple SaaS solutions to help them manage their business processes. 

This can lead to an explosion of tools within the enterprise, problems with application security, and general difficulties in tracking data from multiple applications. Providing a platform that can be used to build the most common business applications helps eliminate the appearance of a shadow IT environment.

 

  • One product, multiple applications

 

Achieve significant cost savings by investing in a single product that will allow your organization to deploy multiple applications. You’ll also gain efficiency with single sign-on, sharing data between applications, and providing a consistent user interface while allowing divisions and departments to have their own branding.

 

Top low code and no-code development platforms

There were more than 400 no-code and low-code development vendors than the last time it was checked. Many of the vendors and some of the products cover several of the category definitions.

We’ve selected the following seven low-code and no-code development vendors as examples and listed them alphabetically. Please note that inclusion in this list is not a recommendation and exclusion is not a condemnation.

  • Alpha Software: Alpha Anywhere is an end-to-end, low code , rapid application development tool for desktop, web and hybrid mobile application development that is database oriented and can be used by developers with a variety of skills. Alpha TransForm is a low code tool ready for mobile forms development with offline features that include automatic synchronization when the connection is restarted.
  • Appian: Appian provides a codeless visual designer and low code tools for mobile and web application development with codeless enterprise data integration. Appian separately offers an automation platform for business process management (BPM) and robotic process automation (RPA)
  • Claris: Claris FileMaker is a low code development system for desktop, web and mobile application development that includes its own database. It features built-in templates, drag-and-drop design and an intuitive graphical user interface. Claris Connect is an automation platform built on the same core as FileMaker.
  • Mendix: Mendix Studio is a WYSIWYG browser- based development environment for user developers. Mendix Studio Pro is a desktop-based development environment that includes all the features needed for software development, including the ability to add custom code when needed. Mendix also offers an automation platform and a data hub.
  • Microsoft: Microsoft PowerApps is a low code app creator for Windows 10 that uses templates, drag-and-drop design, and PowerFx , an Excel-like programming language. Power Apps includes a language template that can generate PowerFx code from natural language descriptions. Professional developers can extend Power Apps with Azure roles and custom connectors. 
  • OutSystems: OutSystems lets you drag and drop visuals to create UIs , business processes, business logic and data models for your mobile and web apps and customize them with code as needed. It offers about 70 pre-built templates and patterns. OutSystems Forge contains thousands of pre-built code modules that you can place into your application and extend in the IDE (Integrated Development Environment) if you wish.
  • Salesforce: Salesforce Lightning is a low code drag and drop application development platform for the Salesforce platform. It can also connect to other applications and data. The Lightning App Builder allows business users to create applications and the Lightning web components help developers create reusable elements.

Final thoughts

We believe that large organizations should use both a Low-Code and a No-Code platform in their environment, as each addresses a different need and user group. Small and medium-sized businesses should, at a minimum, adopt a No-Code platform.

While there are many Low-Code/No-Code solutions available to businesses, No-Code solutions that enable business application development are hard to come by. Tigersheet was born out of that need. Our product offers a No-Code solution that enables users to develop enterprise grade applications in a simple and friendly way.

 

November 23, 2021 LCNC No comments yet
5 Important Metrics to Measure the ROI of Low-Code

5 Important Metrics to Measure the ROI of Low-Code

Low-code/No-Code development platforms make a lot of promises; lower costs, faster development, and fewer errors are just at the top of the list. However, once companies decide to move forward with a particular platform, they often forget to measure if these tall claims are true. Often, the success of an LCNC  platform is determined more by the gut feeling of IT leaders rather than hard data.

When people mention ROI, their thoughts first go to money. But while there can be a great direct financial benefit of a low-code/no-code platform, the larger advantages are only linked tangentially to money.

The good news is that promises made by low-code/no-code platforms make are mostly real and not over-inflated — that’s assuming you pick the right one, and use it carefully. Just because it’s hard to make a clean financial line, IT leaders often don’t carefully research and share the benefits.

And that could be a big mistake.

Picking the Right Platform

Before you start counting up the numbers for your low-code platform, there are different types of platforms out there. Choosing the wrong one will quickly land you in negative financial figures. There are three main categories of low-code development platforms.

The first: general-purpose platforms, which enable teams to create apps that can do basically anything they can imagine, and be deployed on any operating system. These tools are favorites of seasoned developers, who appreciate enhanced superpowers that shave time off development cycles by letting them quickly deploy and edit new applications.

Second: mobile app development platforms, which are mostly geared toward creating mobile apps alone. Again, the functionality of the application can be pretty wide, but instead of deploying anywhere, MADPs are used mostly for churning out apps that will live on a phone. Some low-code tools help mobile developers work faster, while others make it less scary for non-programmers to try their hand at app creation.

Third: business process platforms. These create separate applications that help automate regular business processes such as purchase requests, time-off approvals, and travel reimbursements. Automated business processes take a set of data through a specific sequence of steps or approvals to complete the process. They create a smooth-flowing infrastructure that can handle large numbers of requests running through the system.

Identifying Core Goals

All the low-code/no-code development platforms out there fall into one of two groups.

Some exist to make development easier for programmers. Others exist to make it easier for non-programmers to make applications.

It’s rare (practically impossible) to find a single platform that does both very well.

Before you start to measure the success of the platform, be very clear about which goal is more important for you. If you aim to help out programmers, look for metrics that talk about improving the quality and output of the IT team. If you want to involve non-programmers (or citizen developers), look for indicators that talk about digital transformation and explosive growth.

So how can CIOs and other IT leaders see and demonstrate the real value they get from low-code?

Here are five metrics you can use to measure the ROI of your low-code platform.

  1. IT Expenditure

This is the most direct financial metric you can use to calculate the ROI of a low-code/no-code platform. There are two major areas where low-code can reduce IT spending significantly. The first is the cost of hiring new developers. If you want your existing developers to be twice as productive on low-code, it should directly result in fewer developers needing to hire. Most developers come at a significant cost, usually more than the cost of the platform, which may be reason enough to try low-code.

The second way that low-code reduces IT spending is by reducing the number of single-point solutions the company uses. Most organizations have licenses to dozens of software tools, many of which only help a single department. By leveraging low-code, you can create your own applications and automated processes and reduce dependency on multiple 3rd-party vendors for many single-point solutions.

  1. Digital Transformation Progress

For most IT leaders, digital transformation is a major focus and priority; low-code platforms can help get you there faster. Whether it means your developers are building more homegrown solutions that bring departments into the digital fold one at a time, or that you are unleashing the power of business process management onto your entire organization, low-code can give you a huge boost in reaching your goals. 

  1. Reducing IT Backlog

Most IT teams face a long list of priorities they need to tackle. And every day, the list grows.

With a low-code/no-code platform, the IT backlog can be tremendously reduced. If programmers are equipped with an efficient solution, they might be able to knock out the biggest projects in a fraction of the time it usually takes them. Or, if business leaders are capable of creating their own solutions to their IT requests, you can watch as an entire wave of projects vanishes from the IT queue as citizen developers take on their own priorities.

  1. Increasing IT Output

IT output is always high in the minds of IT leaders. A low-code/no-code platform not only means that your developers can do more projects, but also that they can work on higher quality and more mission-critical projects. How? Because they won’t have to deal with creating lots of simple applications that business leaders can build for themselves. Tracking and calculating the output of completed projects, both in terms of number and impact, is a great way to judge a low-code platform’s value.

  1. Reducing Stress Factors

One of the most overlooked metrics is the general health and level of chaos that is tolerated within an organization. Are teams constantly at each other’s throats? When you give a business leader a timeline for completing a project, do they drop their jaw in disillusionment, or are they satisfied with the pace of work? How often are issues escalating to IT leaders? While seemingly intangible, these benefits might be the most useful for an organization to show how low-code is making a difference.

Whether you are a large enterprise or an emerging SMB, a low-code platform can provide lots of dividends. Armed with new metrics, you can experiment with new low-code solutions to see which one is right.

Identifying your primary success metrics is the best place to start. Are you primarily looking for a tool for decreasing the IT backlog? Reducing stress? Advancing digital transformation?

A Look at Tigersheet

Tigersheet is a great place to start your low-code/no-code exploration. It is the ideal tool if you want to open up process application creation to everyone in your organization. Tigersheet goes beyond no-code and provides a completely code-free environment that anyone in your organization can use to create an automated process. And with a per-user pricing plan, it is one of the most affordable options as well.

For a free trial of Tigersheet to see if it is right for you, go to https://tigersheet.com/

 

November 9, 2021 LCNC No comments yet
8 Essential Factors of Low-code/No code Software

8 Essential Factors of Low-code/No code Software

Everyone is talking about low-code development. There are many different platforms, allowing software more quickly and effectively than with traditional development methods to create.  

Forrester’s John Rymer wrote that low code has the potential to “make software development up to ten times faster than traditional methods.” When creating software, time to market can become one of the most important benefits for you.  

Regardless of the platform, you choose to use, there are a few rules that will help your company get the most out of low-code development. 

10 key elements to consider while opting for low code software : 

1. Get to know the platform and its possibilities. 

After you’ve decided on a low-code platform, make sure you and your team spend time learning about the platform. It is best to allow all team members, including business analysts and product owners, to invest time in exploring the platform. The time spent on this is not lost – it is well invested as it later increases the value of the solution. 

An example of this is when we gave our customers the opportunity to create a mobile app from a web application. Since the web application was built using responsive web design (RWD), it generated a hybrid mobile app that was usable with just a single click on Android and iOS. The customer was satisfied because the solution is used by more potential customers and the costs were very low. 

2. Avoid unnecessary personalization. 

One of the main advantages of low-code platforms is the predefined components. 

They are designed to be universal, but of course, not all of them will meet your business needs. In this case, you will need to customize or create your own components. This is probably time for development costs. If you are familiar with the predefined components, you can use these and shorten development time. In addition, the components can give you more value than you yourself at the beginning could imagine.   

3. Focus on the project’s business needs. 

Do you understand the general requirements to start a project? Discuss these with the team and try to identify similarities across the system, e.g. 30% of the application is a list view with a search function and a filter, etc. This way you can start the app development with a carefully chosen component that can be reused. 

4. Don’t overdo it with UX / Visual Design.  

Low-code platforms offer prepared UI libraries that can be used quickly and easily in projects. Their great advantage is that all of their components are consistent. 

From our experience, UX specialists and visual designers have a high priority at the beginning of the project, when the processes are defined in the software and when we discuss the first elements of the user interface. Over time, the support for these roles decreases significantly. After the first phase of the project, the low-code development team should already be familiar with the UX and visual design guidelines for the rest of the area and meet these requirements. 

There may be a situation later in the project where UX and visual design support is required. In this case, these experts can be asked to make a contribution.  

5. Product owners should be constantly engaged. 

Discuss this with your product Owner at the beginning of the project to emphasize how important their availability will be. 

Remember that communication between the development team and stakeholders must run smoothly in order to ensure success.

6. Get the solution tested as soon as possible. 

With the development speed of low-code, you can create functions very quickly. Normally, you have to present a demo of the completed work to your stakeholders. 

Occasionally, after testing, you have a list of changes that need to be implemented – and remember that the faster you can implement them, the more time-efficient your project will be. Nobody likes having to take into account changes during the user acceptance test phase at the end of the project, as this also entails other changes (domino effect). 

7. Ask for help from the low-code community

If you get stuck with your development, you can always ask for help on community pages. People who are active on such sites are enthusiastic about low-code platforms which means they may already have solved your problem and are ready to share the results. The low-code community also creates components that can be used to meet certain business needs. 

8. Remain positive.

If you have never tried the software with a low-code platform to develop, it can be a big change for you, your team, your customers and for the entire organization. Hence, you need to invest some time to get used to it first.

 Summary 

Market demand for software development will grow at least five times faster than IT in 2021. Low-code platforms were created to help companies increase the efficiency of development. However, to achieve its full potential, you need to be well prepared. Our toolkit is designed to help companies plan their software development strategies in advance and leverage best practices with little code, thereby reducing time to market. 

November 1, 2021 LCNC No comments yet
T he Best No-code Apps for Website Development

The Best No-code Apps for Website Development

According to estimates in this Forrester report, the global no-code business will grow to $ 21.2 billion by 2022.

Codeless platforms are a category of tools that level the playing field for everyone. Making it possible for freelance creators, artists, and entrepreneurs to build things they could only have dreamed of in the past.

The high cost of web development and the ever-greater need to be visible online has led to the creation of various tools for the rapid development of applications and websites. 

Being able to create your website, API, or mobile application without coding is an old promise. Today, this promise has become a reality thanks to the best no-code apps available on the market. In this article, we will define what characterizes these new no-code tools.

A new generation of website creation software: no code tools

The emergence of no-code tools

Developing traditional software is expensive, time-consuming, and requires ongoing maintenance. Projects often go over budget or experience delays for various reasons. For small businesses that work on tight budgets, this way of operating is simply unrealistic.

No code tools appeared as a solution, offering advantages of speed, affordability, and, above all, accessibility to the general public. Software like Wix, Jimdo, Shopify, Weebly, or Strikingly are no-code tools dedicated to website creation. 

Today, these players are no longer alone on the market: there are many no-code tools, each with a very specific objective.

Some characteristics of no-code website builder apps

Here are the main features associated with this new generation of website creation software:

  • Good momentum with growing market shares. Some – not all – older website builders like Weebly are losing ground. 
  • A very intuitive and visual interface (building the site in blocks)
  • Often very good templates. Integration of the latest trends in web design (minimalism design, etc.)
  • Interesting customization options. These new tools give you ultra-deep design control, which lets you control how your site looks down to the pixel. Webflow also allows you to create animated and visual interactions very easily to energize your site.
  • Functionality is often amazing. Bubble, for example, allows you to work in collaboration with up to 40 people on your sites and applications.
  • A (small) layer of artificial intelligence. Weblium, in particular, has an “AI Design Supervisor” which controls any punctuation errors, the size of your content, and visual consistency.
  • Design Responsive & Mobile Friendly

 Zoom on 5 no-code tools to create a website

Webflow 

Webflow, founded by two brothers in 2013, is a somewhat special CMS. 

It allows you to create websites without deep code knowledge. But unlike other no-code tools on the market, Webflow is primarily aimed at web designers. The great strength of Webflow, in addition to its intuitive interface, is that it allows you to create sites with an ultra-personalized design.

Because of its great functional richness, particularly concerning the customization of the design, Webflow is perhaps not intended for “great beginners.” The target of this CMS is web designers or, more generally, all people who want to create a website while having total control over design aspects – without being code aces.

The Webflow editing interface is a mix between a classic interface like Wix and Photoshop. We find the very intuitive side: the interface is WYSIWYG. You can modify any element of the content of your page by clicking on it with the mouse. But besides that, Webflow offers very advanced features for customizing styles, fonts, formats, colors, etc.

Webflow has been adopted to date by tens of thousands of users – demanding individuals, freelancers, web designers, agencies, startups. More than 500,000 sites have been created using this editor. Webflow counts among its customer’s large accounts like Groupon, Hewlett-Packard, Pinterest, MTV, IBM.

Offers & Prices

If you can build a website for free, the lowest price to get it live is $ 12 per month under Webflow’s “Basic” plan. This formula is suitable for simple sites that only need a few standard elements, such as image galleries, contact forms, or menus. The CMS plan focuses on blogging and content-driven sites, while the Business plan is, unsurprisingly, aimed at businesses looking to market and grow.

Webflow’s e-commerce plans range from selling a few products (standard plan) to effective wholesale (Plus plan), marketing, and managing your products to a global audience (Advanced plan). Webflow also offers a business plan, which is available on a quote basis. This is where Webflow will help you build your site and support you throughout the process. It’s a great service, but it’s only really suitable if you’re a large company.

Bubble.io started in 2012 in New York over a coffee between the co-founders Joshua Haas and Emmanuel Straschnov. Without outside investment and with the help of a few beta clients, the two men created Bubble in three years. From day one, they’ve been focused on building a business that delivers real value. Their goal is to build the best possible platform for their customers to build powerful web applications without writing code.

 

Today, Bubble has nearly 450,000 users and raised $ 6 million in 2019 to become the benchmark business creation platform. In the world of tools, no code Bubble is more than a simple product. She has created a strong community of builders and entrepreneurs who are united by the belief that everyone should have access to technology.

Therefore, a bubble is a tool for developing mobile and web applications without coding, without tedious HTML or CSS programming. The solution allows users to create and customize applications through a user-friendly interface using the technique of drag and drop. It makes coding obsolete and democratizes the creation of innovative applications. Bubble allows you to benefit from the following features:

  • Shared hosting
  • WYSIWYG Editor
  • Custom brand
  • Application models
  • Workflow
  • Data migration
  • Data synchronization
  • Data security
  • Customizations
  • HTML input

Offers & Prices

Bubble’s price list is based on 4 offers, one of which is free. All are billed monthly as part of an annual subscription.

  • Hobby: Free. Benefit from all the main functionalities of the platform with limitations in terms of personalization: domain and branding in particular. Storage is limited to 2GB. In our opinion a great way to experience Bubble.
  • Personal: $ 25 / month. Suitable for a freelance activity, for example. 10GB maximum storage and dedicated e-mail support.
  • Professional: $ 115 / month. Suitable for small business use. Increase the capacity of your server and up to 20GB of storage for 2 possible users.
  • Production: $ 475 / month. Includes the ability to get 10 additional servers, two-factor authentication, and up to 15 users.

Adalo

Adalo is a no-code tool that allows you to create websites and applications without having technical knowledge. Adalo is similar to Bubble and other no-code platforms in line with this new type of no-code tool. Its goal is to provide a platform to design and host websites and applications that include databases, workflow actions, and integrations. Adalo is compatible with Android and iOS, creating native mobile apps. This app builder tool makes the process fast, transparent, and cost-effective for creators. It allows users to build your websites and apps by simply dragging and dropping the specialized design components.

Adalo users are small and medium-sized businesses, freelancers, hobbyists, and startups. People interested in building a code-free mobile app or new to web development and developing their own app or site may be interested in Adalo. The tool automatically adds interactions and configures all databases without using any codes. If you already have an API, Adalo can integrate with it.

Adalo offers the following features:

  • Mobile development
  • Test management
  • Version control
  • Web development
  • Workflow management
  • Drag & Drop Builder
  • Application integrations
  • Manage integrations

Offers & Prices

Adalo’s pricing plans start with a free plan, limiting you to 50 data lines per app and requiring you to publish with the Adalo brand on an Adalo domain.

The next level up is the Pro Plan, at $ 50 / month, which allows you to publish to the Apple and Google app stores, access outside API integrations, create a custom domain, and get 5 GB of data storage.

Users who wish to build their website in collaboration with multiple team members should use the Business Plan, at $ 200 / month, which gives you 4 additional “spots” in your team, 20 GB of storage, and a manager. dedicated account.

Weblium

Weblium is an extremely easy-to-use, no-code website builder. The tool is designed to help people build quality websites that are mostly single pages. The platform is ideal for those looking for out-of-the-box models that work well on all types of devices. Additionally, Weblium can be a good solution for users who want to build and publish their sites from scratch.

The system also has an AI design supervisor to help you build a website using their blocks. Weblium offers several paid plans, although it does not offer an e-commerce module or improved integration capabilities, which is bad news for those who want to launch a complex digital store and manage their products online. When it comes to business portfolios, blogs, or small business websites, Weblium is a really good piece of software.

Offers & Prices

You have 3 main options:

  • The free plan allows you to test the main features as well as the Weblium builder.
  • The “Pro” plan costs $ 8.25 / month. Weblium will offer you a domain name for one year, and you can modify the code or have Google Analytics integration.
  • Finally, you have the “Landing Pro” package at the single price of $ 196. You will have access to the same features as with the Pro plan, without unlimited storage space and the free domain for the first year. It is still a very advantageous rate because it only has to be paid once.

WoCode

Wocode is an np code website builder software created by Muse-theme, a template editor for Adobe Muse. Adobe, having abandoned Muse in 2018, Muse-theme took the opportunity to launch its own site builder. As its name suggests – “Wocode” or “Without Code” – the software is one of the no-code tools offered on the market today.

The tool, therefore, relies on muse themes design skills with more than 150 templates available. As well as on the functional aspect to offer you an all-in-one platform allowing you to design your showcase and e-commerce sites. In terms of specific features, here is what you can expect from Wocode:

  • CMS edition by your customers. Wocode allows you to give more or less limited access to your customers so that they can make changes on their own.
  • Pop-Ups. Target visitors and collect leads using pop-ups and personalized notifications.
  • Integration of social networks. Post comments on Facebook and other social platforms.
  • Site statistics.  Analyze statistics about your visitors and how they interact with the website.

To enrich your site, you can use the following widgets:

  • Data: Googles sheets
  • Videos: Vimeo and Youtube
  • Calendar: Google Calendar
  • Instagram

The sites designed using Wocode are hosted by AWS (Amazon Web Service).

Offers & Prices

WoCode offers 3 formulas. Note that you will have to add hosting costs to each of them.

  • Basic: Free. Limited to 3 sites and the forum for support. However, you will benefit from unlimited storage capacity.
  • Professional: $ 99 / year. An unlimited number of sites, e-mail support, and access to all the features of the CMS for the personalization of your sites.
  • Enterprise : $ 499 / year. All the options of the previous plan plus chat support and a dedicated account manager.

You can also create your e-commerce site with WoCode: for $ 190 / year up to 100 products and $ 360 / year for an unlimited number of products.

Summary

Programmers and non-programmers rely on codeless development platforms to create software because of their efficiency. Consequently, you don’t need coding skills to develop websites.

As we come to the end of this article, we hope you now have a better understanding of this ever-changing ecosystem and choose the best app for building your website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 19, 2021 LCNC No comments yet
7 Reasons Why Low code is the Ideal Solution for Business

7 Reasons Why Low code is the Ideal Solution for Business

No-code/low-code technologies enable anyone, from non-technical users to IT experts, to develop or modify applications quickly and easily using functions, drag-and-drop, or other visual tools.

Businesses that use low-code have the advantage of implementing new processes or applications very quickly. This advantage allows them to stay ahead of the competition by anticipating market demands.

So here are seven reasons why any organization should care about low-code:

1. Shortage of developers

According to a Gartner study, by 2021, the market demand for application development will be five times the capacity of IT departments. 

In order to face this lack of IT skills, adopting low-code application development platforms is proving to be a good solution. They are faster and cheaper to customize in-house, and they don’t require a multitude of programmers. 

As mentioned above, they allow all the employees of the company, whatever their functions and whatever their level of technical knowledge, to become a “developer-citizen”. How? ‘Or’ What? Quite simply by providing a set of visual development tools.

Thus, each function can design and optimize specific applications necessary for the development of their activity. This way of working finally allows real collaboration between the business lines and IT.

2. Boost your productivity with low-code development

Low-code platforms help empower non-development teams within large companies to meet their own need for business applications without relying on or waiting for IT to deal with it. 

With these capabilities, employees without development skills or information science experience can build functional business applications with modern user interfaces that can be integrated into their core business systems. At the same time, these platforms allow IT developers to complete complex tasks faster and more efficiently, thus increasing productivity.

3. Low-code promotes continuous innovation

The adoption of a low-code platform and the agile method makes it possible to involve each employee in the entire development cycle.

Low-code even establishes a new digital development environment that encourages collaboration. This new collaborative mode is not only at the heart of the continuous development of applications but is above all a driving force for innovation.

4. Co-design of applications

A question arises: How to get IT departments  and “developer-citizens” to work together without coding? Quite simply by relying on visual models. Low-code platforms have easy-to-understand language and visuals that don’t require any technical knowledge. Thus the end user can directly enter their needs, make updates and integrate feedback in real time.

5. Reuse and scalability

Low-code applications evolve according to your business needs and with your digital transformation. They are always up to date, ready for deployment, and easily editable. By involving your business teams in the development process, the low-code approach eliminates

shadow IT risks and helps IT development teams ensure compliant application innovation and optimization. 

This operational scalability is all the more flexible as agile cloud-based platforms offer:

  • the choice of the cloud platform,
  • the possibility of switching from one cloud to another,
  • the use of a hybrid cloud.

6. Rapid deployment across all channels and devices

If you are developing an enterprise app, you will likely need to deploy it through different channels, such as the web, a mobile app, a chatbot, or an online self-service portal.

In such a context, the possibility of “reuse” of applications has undeniable and relevant advantages. This contributes to the productivity and consistency of the applications developed, ultimately facilitating meeting the expectations of the users. 

By combining a single, open and flexible low-code platform with an agile and iterative approach, companies can design fluid, coherent applications capable of operating across channels and devices quickly and consistently.

7. Your competitors have probably already adopted low-code

A recent survey by Frost & Sullivan found that 81% of companies surveyed already use a visual or low-code approach.

However, there is low-code and low-code! Some platforms still offer disparate environments that perpetuate a slide development approach, where business and IT departments continue to operate separately.

Others, on the other hand, offer new generation development environments that focus on providing tools adapted to the roles of each within the company. They combine visual and intuitive design experiences of the low-code type intended for “developer-citizens”.

Conclusion

Slow, expensive, and inefficient development methods are a thing of the past. Encourage your teams to collaborate and quickly build apps with low-code development platforms like Tigersheet and help your business excel at a faster rate.

 

 

September 21, 2021 LCNC No comments yet
Nocode vs COTS: Breaking down the Pros and Cons

Nocode vs COTS: Breaking down the Pros and Cons

One of the most typical issues firms confront, is whether to purchase commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or construct custom solutions. 

If buying was the apparent choice in the past, the increasing drive for better customer experience and operational efficiency has prompted many firms to prefer software that fully adapts to their organization’s quirks.

Of course, not everything needs to be totally personalized, so despite the trend away from off-the-shelf software, it continues to play an important role in many firms’ digital strategies. In reality, prominent digital organizations are combining buying (or renting) software with producing it as part of a new set of rules for procuring, renewing, and operating digital assets.

While the conflict between low-code platforms and customized softwares might not have the heritage of Coke vs. Pepsi, Apple vs. Samsung, or Star Trek vs. Star Wars, it’s definitely a comparison worth examining for organisations deciding to construct their own custom software solution.

Many teams and employees are fed up with the inconveniences of COTS software.

We’ve got a second option in place for 2021 and beyond.

Defining COTS software and its limitations

COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) software refers to software applications and products that are ready-made and sold in the commercial market. 

It’s like “one-size-fits-all” software because it’s pre-made, and it can’t possibly match every possible customer’s demands completely unless customised, yet most COTS software has limited modification choices.

Sure, a few COTS providers may offer customization beyond what is offered in the product as a paid service, but it will come at a high price. Businesses also pay a significant cost since customisation is required because the software does not always fit the customer’s demands as-is.

IT is constantly overburdened as more individuals work from home, and software developers are in short supply. COTS software is also a dangerous option in the face of widespread digital disruption because enterprises can’t afford to limit their operational capabilities because of what COTS software provides. 

Furthermore, COTS customisation necessitates time, which no organisation can afford to lose.

What is No-Code?

No-code is an ideal solution for many business owners. It’s a recent innovation, as development began around the same time as lowcode. 

Users can create apps and use specific software without any coding knowledge. 

Users need to apply some form of coding logic, but no-code development simplifies the logic and process of making these developments accessible to everyone.

You can use No Code to create many apps like Low Code. Most platforms optimize no-code for business use. Instead of paying professional developers to create apps, companies can get inexperienced coders to develop apps in less time than normally needed.

Users don’t need any prior coding experience to create apps using no-code.

You can quickly construct applications in minutes or hours to automate and manage all your tedious activities. 

Therefore, companies facing difficulties in automation and streamlining IT procedures can consider utilizing no-code software. 

No-code development platforms (NCDPs) are becoming the preferred tool for app development, and companies often choose no-code over COTS. 

NCDP may have some limitations, but providers are increasing their no-code use cases every day. A no-code development platform is an overwhelmingly easy-to-use solution. But is no-code better than COTS?

No-code vs COTS software: Comparison

 

  • Clutter in the IT Department

One COTS for each business case, such as CRM, Help Desk, Accounting Software, Expense Management, and so on, can lead to software clutter, resulting in data redundancy and maintenance concerns.

When used for general-purpose automation, a no-code software platform can be used to automate processes and construct applications for all departments in the firm on a single platform, removing the risk of software clutter and data redundancy.

 

  • Skills

Customization options for COTS products are restricted. 

Any customization that goes beyond what the product offers must be done by the vendor himself. 

Business users and the central IT team are powerless to help. Professional developers are required for such efforts, even if IT is authorized to customize the COTS product.

Building software with no code, on the other hand, takes no skills or even basic programming experience. Apps can be developed and customized by anyone from any department or by the user.

No-code app creation also makes it easier to make changes and upgrades. 

For customization beyond what is provided in the product, COTS apps necessitate the intervention of programmers.

 

  • Time

In most cases, COTS software is set up and deployed in a matter of minutes.

No-code apps can be produced and deployed in a matter of minutes to days, depending on what is being built. 

Many no-code software platforms offer ready-to-use building pieces for fast developing and deploying software. Delays and debugging are also no longer a source of concern.

 

  • Cost

Costs are very high since COTS software development involves weeks or months of development effort from qualified professional developers. 

They can be purchased for a set price plus an annual maintenance fee, or they can be purchased as a SaaS subscription that is paid monthly or annually.

No-code platforms, on the other hand, are far less expensive than COTS software. 

These are often given as a SaaS subscription that is paid on a monthly or annual basis and may be used to solve different business challenges and build multiple solutions with the same subscription.

 

  • Agility

One of the most significant drawbacks of COTS software is its lack of agility. 

There are only a few customising options available. Any customization beyond what is included in the product is either impossible or requires the vendor’s involvement. 

This might lead to a negative customer experience and frustration.

No-code apps are extremely adaptable, allowing for quick modifications without disrupting the user experience. 

In fact, they make it better by allowing users to add features based on their needs and feedback.

 

  • Complexity

There is commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software available to solve complicated business challenges. 

However, the few customising possibilities they offer continue to be a major drawback.

In this situation, though, No-code has been filled with myths. 

Many users assume that no-code development is only appropriate for simple applications. The truth is that there are a variety of advanced no-code platforms available that allow you to create everything from simple to complex enterprise-grade apps. COTS, on the other hand, may have limited capabilities in this area. As a result, you must be cautious during your evaluation.

 

  • Integration

Integration options are available in most common COTS software, but they may be limited.

Integration is possible with no-code platforms thanks to APIs and ready-to-use plugins and adapters.

However, as a customer, you must first verify the integration capability before making a decision.

 

  • Innovation

No-code software platforms give customers the tools they need to create and invent new.

solutions to their problems. They also free up time and provide you the freedom to think and act at the same time.

COTS software, on the other hand, does not allow for much innovation because it cannot be changed by the end users.

 

  • Reusability

No-code development also has the benefit of reusability in the workplace and pre-configured modules and functionality for apps. 

These modules typically contain all the basic and core functionality required by various programmes, and they may be quickly and readily utilized for multiple alternative solutions.

When using COTS software, this is usually not possible.

 

Conclusion

Both custom software and no-code solutions offer their own set of benefits. 

The advantages of each are mostly determined by the needs of the firm that will be employing the software, as well as the organization’s infrastructure. It may be worthwhile for a company with 500 users in a niche with complicated, highly customized software needs to custom-make their own software.

Whereas, a company that requires customized but common business applications (CRM, expense management, inventory monitoring, and so on) may choose the low-tech, DIY aspect of no-code platforms.

 

 

 

 

 

August 3, 2021 LCNC No comments yet
Top-5-benefits-of-using-No-code-for-Workflow-Automation

Top 5 benefits of using No-code for Workflow Automation

With the introduction and proliferation of rapid application development platforms, the problem-solving capacity of custom-built software is now well within anyone’s reach.

No-code application builders have made it possible that anyone can develop custom software to manage every kind of workflow, tasks, and conversation—instead of subscribing to expensive, single-duty enterprise apps which can easily cause two headaches for every one cured.
The key to success with no-code application builders is asking questions and experimenting with the tools available to see what solutions will work best for your team. In this blog, we will look at the top 5 benefits of using no-code for workflow automation.

Workflow evaluation and faster problem-solving

The biggest USP of workflows is to strengthen the effectiveness of processes and to make sure that the right results are achieved with the elimination of error-prone manual processes. Business automation is done to improve the efficacy of the process in the first place. However, a few bottlenecks are bound to arise even in this case. Software applications require constant changes to add new features, squash bugs, and so on. Worry not, since no-code business automation tools prove to be extremely useful in this case. 

There is no requirement for any assistance from the IT department, as the business user is empowered to fix any issue that arises and fix the workflow. No-code not only allows for simplified resolution of issues, but it also ensures that precious time is saved as otherwise, the process would have taken weeks to resolve.

Consolidate Your Software onto One Platform

Apps built in a no-code environment are perfectly capable of replacing many expensive third-party, single-duty applications. CRM, messaging apps and email, HR functions, scheduling, and many more enterprise-grade apps can all be consolidated into one system for a seamless workflow experience. 

No-code app builders are more like 3D printing your own blocks that take any shape you want and fit together perfectly. Once you start building your own custom apps to replace the majority of expensive single-duty software solutions, it’s a natural process to identify and eliminate inefficiencies, combine department functions and trim out redundant software.  It’s not necessarily something that happens overnight, but with a bit of buy-in from your team, the benefits will quickly become apparent, and it won’t be long before you’re whipping up apps with ease and canceling your software subscriptions.

Unified communication with In-App conversations


No-code app builders allow for in-app conversations, which allows teams to keep a record of every development and communication that has happened on a specific project. Only people who are a part of the process can view and contribute to these conversations by tagging and replying to their colleagues. These conversations can be referred to in the future, helping team members find solutions quickly and save time.

Get a Better Handle on Metrics and Reporting

No-code can be used to create impactful reports from the data collected by automated workflows, as the records and metrics are accurate and useful. These reports can be generated in real-time, with visual aids and graphics that are easy to understand. Instead of getting lost in a sea of numbers and incomprehensible data, no-code tools can churn out reports that tell you exactly what you need to know. This leads to a strong control over the workflow, and an opportunity to gain insights and to improve on them. There is also greater visibility of the progress in tasks on automated workflows, leading to clear, informed decision-making, transparency, and accountability.

Moreover, when you have the power to adjust your own software to collect any data you want, getting metrics on any corner of the operation doesn’t seem so daunting.

Give Your Team Their Time Back

Once you have all your data, communication, and workflows neatly organized, you and your team will probably start to find yourselves with more time and mental/emotional energy to spend on high-priority tasks. Less time will be given to just managing your data and conversations and instead turned towards discussing what your data means for your business. 

This will give you greater control over the nitty-gritty details of your workflows, tasks, and communication, no-code app builders platforms give you back time in your day. 

Tigersheet is one of those platforms. It will help you and other colleagues of yours who are not technical people to automate all of your processes without the need for codes.

If you and your team are looking for a no-code platform that can drastically improve your workflows, Tigersheet can be a good addition to your overall business strategy.  

Why Choose Tigersheet As Your No Code Business & Workflow Automation Tool

We turn to a lot of software just to help keep up with our productivity and efficiency. And sometimes, because of the very tools we use, our work suffers. But using Tigersheet as your no-code workflow platform will afford you several powerful benefits such as:

Intuitive and easy-to-use. This spreadsheet-inspired platform is easy to use because of its drag-and-drop functionality. Tigersheet also has a range of actions (triggers, reminders) that you can use and configure to build dynamic workflows. Just drag and drop the actions into the flow; no more coding.

Cost-efficient.  Using App Script and hiring a programmer to do the coding and maintain it for you can be costly. But with Tigersheet and other no-code business automation platforms, it’s cheaper while helping boost your ROI.

Wrapping Up

This is just an overview of the most common, straightforward benefits of using a no-code application builder for workflow automation. These powerful tools offer teams the chance to redesign their workflows just the way they want using their own expertise and knowledge. Think of it as democratic self-representation. What you want, you make. The software world is yours for the taking. 





June 23, 2021 LCNC No comments yet
Top-No-Code-Experts-&-Influencers-You-Must-Follow-on-LinkedIn-and-Twitter

Top No Code Experts & Influencers You Must Follow on LinkedIn and Twitter

No-Code platforms are relatively new to the market but everyone in the industry is talking about them. Every business leader is trying to figure out how they can leverage these in their digital transformation journeys. So, it’s no surprise that search engines are swamped with questions and answers on these topics.  

But more often than not, information overload can confuse you rather than providing the right answer. That is where the expert voice comes into the picture.

In this blog, we have come up with a mix of no-code experts, no-code makers, solution pushers, and just great people you can learn from in this industry and stay relevant with all the latest happenings.

Bram Kanstein

Here comes first on our list of no-code expert, Bram Kanstein is a non-technical product builder who also teaches the same to people who are not well-equipped in no-code with an online course called startupstash.com; it has come to be known as the most successful product on Product Hunt ever.

He discovered no-code through Carrd.co and built his websites with it. He then expanded upon his startup with automation using Zapier and managing tasks using Trello. Using all this knowledge, he curated a “stash” of information and tools for startups all over. A startup to help you build startups, startupstash helps democratize and execute ideas by the massive number of people with business starters who cannot code.

Find him here: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bentossell?s=20

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-tossell-70453537/

Issac Sacolick

Moving forward in our list on no code influencer next is Issac Sacolick has more than 13 years of experience in the industry. He is the Founder of StarCIO, a firm helping every business win with digital, product development, data, and great technology. He previously served as CIO for BusinessWeek, Greenwich Associates, and Stafford & Associates.

Quote:

“I think it’s probably the most important technology tool that CIOs need to look at. We do not have enough staff and our staff who are strong at AppDev need to focus on the customer-facing pieces that are going to move the needle. Building tools for dealing with knowledge bases, doing workflows, integrating enterprise data sources into a single utility that can be used for a one-time purpose — these are great use cases for low-code environments to get developers to be more productive and even citizen development programs.” – 

Read Article: CIO playbook: Citizen development is your ‘most important tool.


Read Article: CIO playbook: Citizen development is your ‘most important tool.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nyike?s=20

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacsacolick/

Doc Williams

Doc is a big help when it comes to use cases, tips, and live streams filled with insights and information that this no-coder can provide you with. He has used a single no-code tool to build three businesses, but that’s not the catch. He builds these businesses live!

He does not just talk the talk, he walks the walk and he shows that with actual businesses that you can virtually build with him from concept to finish.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_docwilliams?s=20

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realdocwilliams/

Lacey Kelser

Lacey Kelser is the pinnacle of women’s support in the no-code community. Lacey’s no-code expert team provides all kinds of help to promulgate and assist women’s growth in the world of visual development.

Her journey with no-code arose from a love for visuals and a lack of fondness for coding. She shares her story on her website, podcast, and YouTube channel. With whatever form of content, one likes to consume, she can help one out.

Lacey used to work at a SaaS company as the Head of Product but realized that wasn’t it for her and no-coding was so much more productive and useful. She tweets about the products and software she uses and is always sharing new tools with her followers; which is literally the definition of being a no-code influencer.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacey-kesler-b39a07180/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaceyKesler?s=20

Michael Gill

Michael Gill is a big help to the no-code community and is without a doubt, one of the best no-code influencers out there. 

Anybody who is somewhat of a newbie to no-code must hop on to his newsletter: No-code coffee. Now get this, his daily newsletter introduces one new no-code tool, one new no-coder, and one new no-code product… did I mention “daily” because he puts this out EVERY SINGLE DAY.

And there’s more! Michael also has a workshop and e-book called “The Maker Minions” which guides you in a how-to fashion across the realm of no-code. It is truly the perfect toolkit to get started.

Community development is definitely notable for Michael; he is of the opinion that manpower should not be engaged in activities that do not contribute significantly to the business. People are meant for so much more. He sincerely wants to help them work more meaningfully. His solution? Automate everything else!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gill_works?s=20

Tigersheet

OK – obviously we eat our own food as well. Therefore, please forgive our little self-plug.

At Tigersheet, we aim to share our no coding expertise with others. Either be through our product, support team interactions, and since recently also through our own Low-Code No Code blog. The blog is well updated with news, informative articles on LCNC, latest trends, product updates, and what’s buzzing in the field of software, technology, and automation.

Begin Your No Code Journey with Us…

Tigersheet is a uber-fast modern-day no-code platform that can help streamline business processes in quick and easy steps. The intuitive drag and drop interface allows users with zero coding knowledge to create workflows and share them with their employees.  Follow us on our social media channels Twitter and LinkedIn to get notifications on all updates.

TRY Tigersheet for FREE and witness the change in your organization today!





June 3, 2021 LCNC No comments yet
I S NO CODE VIABLE FOR BUSINESS? Breaking The Benefits of No Code…

IS NO CODE VIABLE FOR BUSINESS? Breaking The Benefits of No Code…

With constant innovations in the technological landscape, there can be confusion about new offerings that are becoming popular. One such new offering is low-code no-code development. To non-technical people, no-code can sound like a dream – being able to create applications with no technical knowledge needed? Amazing.

However, no-code might also sound too good to be true. This is where the question comes in – Is No-Code Viable for your Business?

Below is an infographic where we have broken down the top benefits of no-code and what benefits it can bring to enterprises and entrepreneurs. While moving later we have tried to answer the question if no code is viable for businesses? 

If you would like to brush up some basics on what is low code and no code and how are two different. We would recommend heading to this blog post:https://tigersheet.com/blog/low-code-vs-no-code-whats-the-difference-infographic/

Answering the Question: Is no-code viable for enterprises and entrepreneurs?

Yes, no-code is a viable solution for entrepreneurs and enterprises who are looking for solutions that can provide the above benefits. No-code solutions will be faster to market, easy to maintain, and easier to test than solutions created by a full team of developers. 

Is no-code viable? Yes, and it may have different benefits for different users.

No-code solutions can be perfect for entrepreneurs/business users and enterprises:

For entrepreneurs/business users:
No-code can be helpful for entrepreneurs specifically because they will be able to build and test their business ideas much faster. This method is also very cost-effective, leading to quick solutions at a minimal price. 

  • The entrepreneur will also not have to take on the risk of hiring and managing a team of developers working on creating a solution. 
  • Through no-code, the business user will have the capability to create a program or application that embodies their vision and perfectly fulfills their goals. 
  • Apart from building the MVP with no-code, entrepreneurs can also use no-code to automate their business processes across departments.

For enterprises: No-code platforms can help small and medium enterprises automate processes across different departments on a single platform. Over a period of time, these enterprises can possibly build custom ERPs on no-code platforms. In large enterprises, where an ERP already exists, a no-code platform can help automate processes that the current ERP does not handle and then integrate these new processes with the core ERP.

Summary

No-code development is one of the best tools that an entrepreneur or enterprise could use to transform their idea into an actual digital application or program.

With its numerous benefits, no-code development is the way to go for faster turnaround time, faster time-to-market, better flexibility, and finding innovative solutions to specific problems. Hopefully, this article helped you answer the question ‘is no-code viable for me’?

Tigersheet is a no-code platform that can help you build bespoke applications using our intuitive visual drag-and-drop builder. Experience the benefits and viability of no-code development right now with our free trial!

 


January 25, 2021 LCNC No comments yet
8 Tough Questions to Ask Vendors Before Choosing a LCNC Platform

8 Tough Questions to Ask Vendors Before Choosing an LCNC Platform

A recent podcast published by Forrester revealed that companies are now under immense pressure to produce new products and services but at a lower cost.  They often rely on new generation software and services to get there. 

Low code and no-code platforms are a popular option over enterprise-grade applications for companies looking forward to scaling quickly. Since the infrastructure and building blocks are already pre-built in low code/no-code platforms, they tremendously speed the application development process. However, choosing a low code/no-code platform that meets the long-term needs of organizations can be challenging.

Given the myriad options available and an oversupply of information, the decision process can become challenging. That is why we decided to bring the most basic yet important questions you should consider asking vendors when choosing an LCNC platform for your business.

If you need to learn more about the features of the low-code market and the benefits you can get, take a pause and study one of the articles in our LCNC series “Low Code/No-Code Movement: Top Disruptive Trends to Look Forward in 2020 and Beyond.”

Now, let’s get down to the topic at hand.

1)What type of applications does the platform create? How customizable is the platform?

You need to know whether the applications created on the platform are stand-alone or if they need a subscription to run. Ideally, you want to create applications that can run independently without dependencies on the tool, to ensure they will work even if you move away from the platform.

It is equally important to question the levels of customizability that the apps developed on the platform will offer.

  • Will you be able to change, edit, add or remove steps in the workflow?
  • Will you be able to add or remove fields easily?
  • How fast can you do these customizations and deploy them for use?

Also, check on the possibility of white labeling if it’s important for you.

2) What skills are needed by employees of my company to use the platform

The business case for low-code/no-code software usually boils down to time and money savings. They let you deliver applications in less time, using fewer resources. They reduce the need for coding knowledge in the development process.

However, these benefits only apply if the platform has a low learning curve and doesn’t require additional technical skills.

Therefore, the question: What skills are needed to use the platform? How long will it take to get up and running? What technical knowledge will our developers (or citizen developers) need? These are all important questions to consider when calculating the ROI of the software.

3) Does the platform provide enough ready-made templates?

Be sure to check this out if your goal is to automate business processes. The fact is that ready-made templates and components significantly increase productivity, provide flexibility, and a comfortable development process.

4) How secure is the platform?

This is another important one from the questions CIOs must ask low-code no-code vendors. There has been a lot of debate about application security in low code and no code app development. But, the best ones do not take this for granted and incorporate security controls at every step. So, make sure you ask the vendor to go into the details. Ask about user authentication, secure data transmission, content privacy, user access control, encryption of data, and anti-theft measures. 

5) Does the platform make it easier to create, share, and consume APIs? What are its integration capabilities?

Chances are, you don’t want to create apps that operate independently of your existing systems. Integration is a critical part of any low-code/no-code tool.

This question will give you an insight into whether you can use open APIs to integrate seamlessly and if you can integrate the apps you develop on the platform with other apps on the platform or 3rd party systems. At the end of the day, you don’t want another piece of software working in a silo.

6) Can I use other products in tandem with the platform? Are there any limitations to the types of applications I can create?

The main criterion when selecting an LCNC platform is its flexibility and openness, hence it is equally vital to understand what limitations does the platform offer. You shouldn’t get locked-in or dependent on the platform. A “lock-in” further includes different aspects, from the creation of standalone applications, data access, and control, to open-source or proprietary code generated. When examining the platform, you need to approach the answer to this question from several angles.

7) Are there any hidden costs in the licensing structure? What is the pricing?

One of the main aspects when selecting an LCNC platform is pricing. There is no standard, one-size-fits-all licensing structure, and hidden costs could increase your budgeted cost. To be certain you know what you pay for, you need to know the type of charge by vendors such as the fee for end-user seats, developer seats, run-time, distribution, and maintenance fee. Some platforms also provide standard email support included in the cost.

8) What does the customer support service entail? Is training provided?

It is very important that the low-code platform provides proper technical support. Read reviews about the platform. Here they often mention the quality of the platform’s support. Your employees will learn how to develop applications on this platform. That’s why it’s vital that the platform provides training programs.

Conclusion

When choosing a low-code/no-code vendor, it’s important to:

  • Pay attention to how it has proven itself and whether it has a developed network of partners and integrators.
  • Follow trends in the industry and see what’s suggested about the years to come. Reports from Gartner and Forrester can also be an irreplaceable help. 
  • Explore cutting-edge reports, reviewing authoritative feedback, and taking advantage of the trial period to work with the platform can help. When choosing a suitable low-code development platform, consider the needs of your business. A functionality that is ideal for one company may be useless in another.

These are just a few questions to ask about low-code platforms, but the list could be much longer.

Tigersheet is a no-code platform that helps managers automate business tasks by creating applications at drastically reduced costs and lightning speed.  Start your free trial now and experience the difference yourself.




December 20, 2020 General, LCNC No comments yet
5 Top No Code/ Low Code Podcasts for Non-Technical Users

5 Top No Code/ Low Code Podcasts for Non-Technical Users

Low Code and No-Code Development is an innovation that is slowly changing the landscape when it comes to the coding of applications and websites. There is no surprise if you find every software funding and product announcement to includes some sort of reference to “low code or no-code” platforms or functionality. The frequent callbacks to this ‘buzzy’ term over the last few years reflect a realization that we’re entering a new software era.

While the technology is not fairly new, still it can sometimes get overwhelming to understand for beginners or non-technical readers.  In this blog, we’ll be discussing a good way to get a firm grasp of the basic thought behind low code-no-code without disrupting your busy schedule.

If you wish to know more about no code and low code technology, but don’t have the time to sit and study the concept, consider listening to podcasts! 
Yes, Podcasts may be perfect for you. This new medium is an easy way of gaining knowledge while being engaged in other tasks. On that note, we’ve rounded up (in no particular order) the top low code & no-code podcasts you should follow to stay abreast of the latest happenings in the LCNC sphere!

This is by no means a complete list, and if we’ve missed any needles in the haystack, let us know!

The Makerpad Podcasts

Ranked top in our list of top no-code podcasts, the Makerpad podcasts are hosted by Ben Tossell, the founder of Makerpad. Makerpad is an enlightening destination to learn, share, and work together to create software—without writing code. They provide best-in-class education paired with a supportive community and accountability. Here you find detailed reviews, product demos, how-to guides of an extensive category of no-code tools.

Coming back to Makerpad podcast, Ben Tossell talks to the founders of no-code tools as well as professionals who are using different tools and solutions based on no-code to help grow and expand their businesses.

In each episode, which lasts about 30 to 60 minutes, there’s an in-depth conversation with a professional in the no-code industry regarding how this form of development helped automate workflows, increase overall productivity, and set-up processes to allow for more time and creativity at work. Each individual gets the chance to share their story giving you a chance to see what goes on in the minds of the founders of the best no-code tools.

Listen Here: https://feeds.transistor.fm/makerpad

No Code Podcast by Alex Karpinsky

Do you often find yourself thinking How to learn more about No Code? How do I quickly test no-code tools for my startup? Where should I learn more about this exciting movement in tech? Well, then it’s time to decode the answers.

This is another informative no code podcast that will answer most of your questions around no code. Hosted by a no-code expert and user, Alex Karpinsky, this podcast has 7 episodes of varying lengths currently, including guests like Mark Magnuson, the CTO of Bildr, and Ben Tossell, the CEO of Makerpad.

This podcast is aimed towards giving non-technical individuals a resource to refer to as they journey into the world of no-code.

Listen Here: https://anchor.fm/nocode

The Make / Shift Low Code Podcasts by Mendix

This Mendix podcast series “Make/Shift”, is a detailed and open conversation with peers about how they are delivering success through building solutions that make an impact on their organization. In an open conversation, the Mendix experts sit down with leaders and makers across IT and business to explore how peers adopted low code.

Listen to the podcasts to get a better understanding of why low code is the solution to rapidly digitize processes using existing resources, deliver much-needed solutions to market more quickly, and cut down on the cost of development.

Listen Here: https://share.transistor.fm/s/2d0d681f

No Code No Problem by Ryan Myher

This podcast is hosted by Ryan Myher, the Head of Community at V/One, and aims to help engage creators in conversation regarding the thoughts behind creating applications and websites using no-code.

No-code development doesn’t have to be difficult for newcomers and this podcast could be perfect for you if you want to just test the waters a little. 

  • It will help you understand how no-code tools are changing the technological landscape in terms of development for applications and websites. 
  • No Code No Problem is also a great podcast if you don’t have much time in the day since each episode is for 6 minutes or less. 

Tune in to No Code No Problem, and you will be able to meet potential co-founders, discover tools, meet investors within the No Code Space, and network with other like-minded people.

Listen Here: https://www.nocodepodcast.co/podcast

Indie Hackers by Courtland Allen

This is another awesome podcast that consists of conversations between Courtland Allen, the founder of Indie Hackers, and other individuals who have created profitable online businesses. The platform- Indie Hackers- is a community where founders of successful businesses have a chance to freely share their stories and teachings with motivated entrepreneurs who want to read and learn more from these stories.

With 176 episodes lasting more than an hour each, this podcast can be a great way for you to get some insights into the different ways that people have created their businesses and their motivations behind launching these successful ideas. 

There are in-depth conversations about how these founders have gotten away from the 9-to-5 grind and found innovative business models that have turned into successful online businesses.

Listen Here: feeds.transistor.fm/the-indie-hackers-podcast

Summary

We hope that you like these top no-code podcasts and enter the world of no-code development with a better idea of the minds behind this concept. At Tigersheet, we aim to make no-code development easy and efficient through an intuitive interface and a drag-and-drop builder. We want to make automation easier for you by simplifying and demystifying the process by using no-code tools. Take the first step to automating your workflows and increasing your productivity by contacting us for your free trial!


November 15, 2020 General, LCNC No comments yet
What is the difference between Low Code VS No Code

Low Code vs No Code. What’s the Difference? [Infographic]

You may hear the terms “No Code” and “Low Code” thrown around by developers and entrepreneurs. There’s a lot of ambiguity as to what these terms even mean. To add to the confusion…

At first glance, it’s easy to confuse low-code and no-code. They sound the same for one. Even the big analyst firms seem to have a hard time differentiating them. Gartner views “no-code” application platforms as part of the low-code sphere, lumping them together into its latest Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Low-Code Application Platforms, 2019 (LCAP).

But there are a number of very significant differences between low-code and no-code platforms. If you’re considering moving away from traditional application development, or even just want to try out visual application development, you’ll want to be aware of what you’re getting in each offering.

Low-code vs No-code: Decoding the difference

The key differences between low-code and no-code platforms are their target users and their output capabilities.

  • Low-code platforms primarily target developers, enabling them to rapidly build working front-end prototypes in a matter of days, or even hours.
  • This allows them to get to the most interesting part of software development much faster: customization.
  • Low-code platforms are suitable for the creation of more complex applications and processes that require integration with other application databases or systems.

  • No-code platforms target smaller businesses, those without the budget to outsource development, or hire a developer internally.
  • Using a no-code platform, a citizen developer can create and deploy complete applications without needing to write a single line of code.
  • The downside of this speed, ease, and simplicity, is that no-code platforms are only really capable of developing basic applications that don’t require integration with any other systems. They may help to simplify a manual internal process, but they simply don’t have the capabilities to develop competitive, innovative software.

Low-Code vs. No-Code: When to Use What

Both low-code and no-code platforms are built with the same thing in mind: Agility. And although at a distance they look similar, each is suitable for very different purposes.

Low-code is good for developing sophisticated applications that run important, often mission-critical processes at the core of your business. It’s also good for building standalone mobile and web apps that may or may not require sophisticated integrations. In fact, it can be used for just about anything.

Conversely, no code’s limitations mean it should only be used for front-end use-cases.

Having said this, there’s room for both, or at least a combination of both, in the modern enterprise. And for those embracing DevOps—another methodology designed to create greater agility in development—the combination of low-code and no-code could present the perfect application development environment.

In a world where everything has to happen faster, both low-code and no-code platforms can provide a competitive advantage for developers and the organizations employing them. However, unless you’re developing only the simplest applications, and require little in the way of customization, low-code will always be the better option.

Low-code offers greater flexibility and control, which means you can build more varied, powerful, and responsive apps. Yet, it still has the simplicity to get those apps up and running much faster than if you were to hand-code them. And, since low-code still requires some knowledge of coding, you know the people creating your applications will do so properly, and your new applications won’t saddle you with security risks or compliance issues.

Tigersheet for No Code Development

At Tigersheet, we acknowledge that technology is at the tip of the iceberg. Change is always more significantly more complicated than merely designing a new application or moving to a new infrastructure.
That’s why we do what we, helping organizations get the most of their technology today and tomorrow. Whether you need to replace an accounting system or develop a plan for becoming truly cloud-native,
our experts can help your experts build a plan and move ahead. And,
most importantly, we can help you manage change along the way.


Sign up to Tigersheet For Free and Leave the Rest Upon Us!

August 20, 2020 General, LCNC No comments yet
Top 10 Low Code-No Code Blogs & Resources to Follow in 2020

Top 10 Low Code-No Code Blogs & Resources to Follow in 2020

What is the perfect way to keep a tap on Low Code/No Code (LCNC) news? Follow a Blog, Head to a Digital Tech Magazine or subscribe to newsletters..

It seems like every software funding and product announcement these days includes some sort of reference to “low code or no-code” platforms or functionality. The frequent callbacks to this buzzy term over the last few years reflect a realization that we’re entering a new software era. Low Code- No Code platforms have enabled programmers and non-programmers to build application software by using graphical user interfaces and configuration rather than conventional computer coding.

On that note, We at Tigersheet have curated this list of the best blogs to follow for Low Code/No Code (LCNC) resources and news articles. We hope you can add a few of these LCNC blogs to your reading list.

The Low Code Daily

The Low-code daily is a daily curation of the most important news in the Low-Code industry Curated by Nigel Warren.

If you subscribe to the site, you’ll receive a daily digest of news and articles from “the world’s leading providers of Low-code and no-code application development platforms”.

Therefore, the low-code daily is a highly popular low code resource that regularly pops up on our screens.

http://low-code-daily.com/

The No-Code Journal

The No-Code Journal is a digital magazine that provides resources for anyone interested in learning about No Code, Low Code, Visual Development and Citizen Developer news, insights, and trends. It includes articles written by over a team of No Code enthusiasts who come from varied technology backgrounds and experiences.

https://www.nocodejournal.com/

CIOReview

This one is a popular name, you might be familiar with.  CIOReview is a technology print magazine. It provides the latest technology news, articles, insights from the industry. CIOReview stands out from others by listing articles from top CIO’s CTO’s and CEO’s in the industry. They have a huge number of audiences who read their digital magazines, news, company listing, and so on.

The Good Part: It also has an entire section just for low code relevant topics.  So, you can easily navigate to the category and get access to all the latest news on low code.

https://low-code-platform.cioreview.com

Forrester and Gartner

Ok, so these aren’t classical blog entries like others, but are renowned consulting and research firms that continue to dominate conversations on low code no code space.

Forrester is widely known for its enlightening analysis and evaluation of existing low code platforms. It is interesting to note that Forrester is a pioneer to define the term ‘low code’ in 2014 as a part of establishing it as a distinct category for evaluation.

The Forrester New Wave, a comprehensive industry report, examines the top 13 low-code solution providers in the U.S. market. These reports use a 10-category scoring process, including its user interface development, data management, digital process automation, reporting tools, cloud platform features, and many more such parameters.

On the other hand, Gartner, the second leading name in the low code world is an IT research and advisory firm, offers an in-depth look at low code’s impact on businesses. Every year, Gartner releases its “Magic Quadrant” report, which analyzes the high productivity building of applications, including mobile apps. One thing to be aware of is that Gartner utilizes its own definitions of low code and no-code, meaning its results while sharing some similarities with Forrester’s report, is fundamentally different.

John R. Rymer

Well, we know what you are thinking, he isn’t a blog, CORRECT!

However, John is such a major source of inspiration that he just can’t be left out of this list. John R. Rymer – Vice President at Forrester Research – has been the person inviting the industry and coining the term of Low-Code.

According to his Forrester bio, Rymer is an “authority on the enterprise strategies of IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle and contributes to Forrester’s coverage of low-code application platforms and business rules platforms.” Rymer’s market analysis has been featured in a number of publications including TechRepublic, VentureBeat, TechCrunch, and Fortune. Therefore, we highly recommend following him and his content online.

go.forrester.com go.forrester.com

ADTMag: Application Development Trends

ADTmag.com provides the latest enterprise application news, trends, and best practices to help readers tackle the broad range of issues that enterprises must cope with every day.

Although ADTMag is rather a fully-fledged development magazine, it has a good variety of low-code relevant blog articles in there, too.

ADTMag in general – and its low code section in particular – is definitely a blog we recommend checking regularly for new low code articles.

https://adtmag.com/pages/topic-pages/low-code.aspx

DZone

If you work in the software engineering realm, chances are high that you would be familiar with DZone. DZone is a great platform providing a broad variety of tech-related content.

With more than 70,000 articles overall, DZone has been a great resource for us many times. And while they don’t have a separate low-code section on their site (yes, looking at you, DZone), you’ll find plenty of Low-Code content. Actually, there are more than 70,000 articles alone for the topic of low code.

Simply start a search query yourself.

https://dzone.com

NoCode Tech

This isn’t a regular blog but a curated directory of resources, tools & hacks for non-techs that is purely dedicated to no-code tools, hacks, and members sharing their experiences on building applications using no code.

No Code Tech is a must-read place where you can discover more than 200+ tools and skills used by entrepreneurs, designers, and employees around the world to create the software they need – without coding.

https://www.nocode.tech/

Makerpad

Makerpad is another valuable destination to learn, share, and work together to create software—without writing code. They provide best-in-class education paired with a supportive community and accountability.

Here you find detailed reviews, product demos, how-to guides of an extensive category of no-code tools. To Sum up, Makerpad is a complete educator in the no-code space. Thousands of professionals—working from startups to schools—can use it to learn how to build projects and automation without writing code.

https://www.makerpad.co/

Tigersheet

OK – obviously we eat our own food as well. Therefore, please forgive our little self-plug.

At Tigersheet, we aim to share our low code with no coding expertise with others. Either be through our product, support team interactions and since recently also through our own Low-Code No Code blog. The blog is well updated with news, informative articles on LCNC, latest trends, product updates, and what’s buzzing in the field of software, technology, and automation.

blog – TigerSheet – Custom Software for Business

If you enjoyed this article, you might also find our blog useful.

August 7, 2020 General, LCNC No comments yet
Low-Code-No-Code-Terms

Low Code-No Code Jargon: 10 Key Industry Terms Explained for Everyone! (Not Just for Developers)

If you have ever run a few searches in the domain of organizational digitization, there are high chances that you would have come across low code and no-code platforms. While the technology is booming and seems quite interesting, it can be a bit overwhelming place to start without context and a brief understanding of some of the key low-code no-code terms surrounding this technology.

For those who are curious readers, tech-buffs, or technology enthusiasts without any prior technical background, comprehending the no-code/low-code industry shouldn’t be like cracking a cipher.  On this note, we bring here 10 common terms you should know to help you navigate the no-code/low-code space at ease:

NO-CODE

“No code” or “no-code platforms” are application development platforms that can be built and customized with zero programming experience. No-code platforms often feature intuitive, drag-n-drop interfaces that allow non-coders to quickly build and run business applications. No code and “low code” are often featured together in articles, but refer to platforms with different technical competency requirements.

Read more: Demystifying the Difference: Low Code vs. No Code and How to Decide Which One Is Right for You?

LOW-CODE

“Low code” or “low-code platforms” are application development platforms that require or offer the ability to build new code into the platform as part of creating business applications. These platforms are especially suitable for people who want to go beyond out-of-the-box solutions to create more complex, sophisticated business processes. Both technical-minded business users and developers can utilize a low-code platform (although programming language requirements may vary by platform). Many no-code platforms have built-in low-code capabilities, making them accessible to both non-technical and technical users.

Read More: Dispelling 5 Misconceptions Around Low Code: It’s Time to Let Them Go!

AGILE/AGILE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Agile development is a set of processes for creating software that includes being creative and flexible in software development. This means that the code is kept simple, is tested often, and, instead of waiting for everything to be finished, incremental but functional parts of the software are released as soon as they are ready. These modules are functional and will be able to help users do some work

Why Agile Development is Important in IT?

Businesses today have different needs, and because of the ever-changing demands coming from new technologies and customers, you need to be very flexible in addressing these needs and demands. Agile development allows you to bring a quality and functional product more quickly. And because agile development puts more focus on individuals and their ideas rather than tools and processes, it creates a better understanding between IT and business leaders.

CITIZEN DEVELOPERS

“Citizen developer” is relatively a novice term coined by Gartner, a global research firm that specializes in technology-related research. According to Gartner, “A citizen developer is a user who creates new business applications for consumption by others using development and runtime environments sanctioned by corporate IT.” Specifically for the no-code/low-code sphere, citizen developers are the business users creating business apps for themselves or their company.

More to Know:

“In a general sense, this developer is not a professional developer who is paid to code applications, but an “amateur.”

Citizen developers usually have no formal training or even an educational background in computer science.  Surprisingly, these developers often work in a management or supervisory role — not in the professional developer job role that we would think. Many have limited experience and knowledge outside self-taught application and coding used for specific platforms, but they are savvy computer users.

Over time the meaning has changed and is used in a much broader context. For example, some may use the phrase citizen developer to mean any person (with or without formal developer education and job training) who creates the apps outside traditional workplace IT channels.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

While Gartner did not coin the term digital transformation, their heavy influence in the space of no-code and low-code software has greatly influenced its meaning.

‘Digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to create new — or modify existing — business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements. This reimagining of business in the digital age is digital transformation.’

Digital transformation runs anywhere from the corner shop using mobile payment methods to a new website for an organization that tracks the usage of the customers. It doesn’t need to be of a certain standard, but it is the process in which the focus is turned towards making the customer’s journey easier and how value can be delivered more efficiently. There is space for digital transformation in each business unit of an enterprise and each step of a supply chain, all to make collaboration and efficiency of an organization better. No-code and low-code platforms help encourage making these changes as they make the shift easier, faster, and more affordable.

More to Know: A key element of digital transformation is understanding the potential of your technology. Again, that doesn’t mean asking “How much faster can we do things the same way?” It means asking “What is our technology really capable of, and how can we adapt our business and processes to make the most of our technology investments?”

A Real-Life Example: Before Netflix, people chose movies to rent by going to stores and combing through shelves of tapes and discs in search of something that looked good. Now, libraries of digital content are served upon personal devices, complete with recommendations and reviews based on user preferences.

Streaming subscription-based content directly to people’s TVs, computers, and mobile devices was an obvious disruption to the brick-and-mortar video rental business. Embracing streaming also led to Netflix looking at what else it could do with the available technology. That led to innovations like a content recommendation system driven by artificial intelligence.

BUSINESS PROCESS AUTOMATION (BPA)

It is a technology that streamlines business processes thus eliminating the need to perform repetitive manual tasks. This helps the workforce to restructure time to more important issues when routine work is completed in much lesser time through automation.

Read more: 5 Tedious Business Tasks & Processes You Must Automate in 2020

ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION(RPA)

RPA is an application that automates business processes through structured inputs and logic. It takes care of the routine and repetitive tasks that are usually time-consuming and monotonous e.g. generating insurance premium receipts every time an insurance premium is paid against an insurance policy. With RPA in place, you will be able to focus on other important tasks in the business process.

However, RPA is not a deep-rooted answer. It is a basic fix for repetitive tasks and low-level events that require the use of a mouse or keyboard functions. It only works to get things done faster and save human effort.

CLOUD DEPLOYMENT

Cloud computing is the on-demand availability of computer system resources, especially data storage (cloud storage) and computing power, without direct active management by the user. The data is stored on cloud (public, private, or hybrid) and the vendor takes care of the security and uptime. Businesses do not need to spend on additional infrastructure, resources, or data privacy within their own premises. It is a service that takes care of it all in one shot. You also do not need physical space because everything is on the cloud.

One of the highlights here is that you can get cloud computing solutions specific to your business needs. You won’t be paying extra for space or services that you do not use.

Also Read: The Power of SaaS: How Subscription Software can help you reduce costs and drive value

Why is No-Code/Low-code Development Important?

The digital curve is inevitable in any business. Every organization is feeling the need to up their efficiency and shift to the digital way of life. No-code and low-code platforms allow business users in these functions to unlock the hidden potential, automate processes, and build applications without overburdening the IT department.

Low code/No-Code platform is the future of application development for one simple reason- It is a faster, easier, and more efficient use of time.

It doesn’t matter whether developers are on-board with this change or not- it is inevitable because it’s the path of least resistance, and as the demand for low code platforms continues to grow, businesses & developers will find themselves rising to meet it.

Want to Learn More?

Be sure to check out some of the other blogs on Tigersheet if you want to learn more about what you can accomplish using no-code and low-code platforms. If you are ready to take the next step forward in No Code, feel free to take a free trial of Tigersheet here. We have a multitude of features and an ample support system that will help you through the process.

Help Sources:

July 19, 2020 LCNC No comments yet
Low Code/No-Code Movement: Top Disruptive Trends to Look Forward in 2020 and Beyond

[Infographic] Low Code/No-Code Movement: Top Disruptive Trends to Look Forward in 2020 and Beyond

Heraclitus once said, ‘The only constant in life is changing’.

We all face changes every day—whether it’s a simple change in weather or massive disruption in the ways we consume technology. A phenomenal change is brewing within the software industry too similar to the disruption we’ve seen hit other industries like health care and manufacturing.

It only seems like yesterday when Google Docs took the world by storm through free cloud-based software, compelling Microsoft to change its Office 365 business model. And it’s no surprise that Cloud-based software has become a benchmark today!

2020 has paved the way for us to witness another software industry jolt. But, unlike other transformations that destroy existing markets, low-code and no-code software promises to make the software even more ubiquitous than it is today.

Low Code No Code platforms have been rapidly growing in importance over the last few years, particularly among small and midsized businesses (SMB’s). These have enabled programmers and non-programmers to build application software by using graphical user interfaces and configuration rather than conventional computer coding.

With significant half of 2020 ahead of us, let’s take a look at some of the biggest low-code trends that are shaping the industry!

Big Trends. Bigger Challenges and Biggest opportunities

Gartner, a multinational IT, and research firm that offers an in-depth look at low code’s impact on business predicts “that low-code application platforms will account for 65 percent of all app development by 2024.” This directly implies that the majority of apps created in 2024 will be developed using platforms and tools that provide turnkey ways to program.

What Will Be the Implications?

Enterprise software providers like Oracle and SAP Oracle will need to continue to simplify their solutions to allow for greater customization faster. This also means we will encounter an entirely new set of software infrastructure platforms in the coming years oriented to enabling faster development.

As a result of this, gone will be the days of tolerating yearlong enterprise software customizations or hiring a development house to program your application entirely from scratch.

In terms of revenue, Forrester says the low-code market will top $21 billion in spending by 2022. That’s a huge number–and opportunity.

Check out our infographic on low-code trends to see how the industry is growing and its popularity among decision-makers, business professionals, and software developers!


Infographic Transcript:  Low Code Trends 2020

Forrester expects the market for low-code development platforms to increase to $21.2 billion by 2022, up from $1.7 billion in 2017, a CAGR of 41%.

Some of the highest-growth years for the market are expected to be between 2019 and 2021. In 2019, 37% of developers were using or planning to use low-code products. By mid-2020, this is expected to rise to more than 50%.

Nearly 60% of all custom apps are now built outside the IT department, companies report.

Of those, 30% are built by employees with either limited or no technical development skills.

…but professional IT workers are still the ones driving the majority of development, with 69% of businesses using low-code stating IT staff are the primary users.

Gartner estimates that “by 2024, low-code application development will be responsible for more than 65% of application development activity.”

82% of businesses say citizen developers will become more important over the next two years.

72% of low-code developers create applications in three months or less, compared with six months or even years to develop applications using traditional development.

68% of IT developers agree that low-code is viable for the development of mission-critical applications.

…and 80% believe that using low-code can free up developer time to work on higher-level projects.

Citation:

Closing Words

Low code platform is the future of application development for one simple reason- It is a faster, easier, and more efficient use of time.

It doesn’t matter whether developers are on-board with this change or not- it is inevitable because it’s the path of least resistance, and as the demand for low code platforms continues to grow, developers will find themselves rising to meet it.

The old way of doing things will not completely perish, but people and companies who rely on it will be made increasingly redundant as low code programmers outmaneuver them. Those who survive are likely to be those who at least partially adopt the low code methodology to form a hybrid. Otherwise, they’ll be too slow, too cumbersome and too costly. Therefore, as the global low-code development platform market size grows from $4.32 billion in 2017 to the predicted $27.23 billion by 2022, low-code is mainstream, is not going anywhere, and is very much here to stay.

June 27, 2020 LCNC No comments yet
Top 5 Low Code/No Code Influencers You Must Follow on Twitter & LinkedIn

Top 5 Low Code/No Code Influencers You Must Follow on Twitter & LinkedIn

Search for an answer to a question, and Google will give you hundreds of them.

But you don’t need a lot of answers. Do You?

 In an age where information is freely flowing and everyone’s got a glass to share, finding the right answer can seem challenging.

In the past few years, Low-code/ No-Code development (LCNC) has garnered a lot of attention from organizations looking to become more agile and responsive to market dynamics and customer needs. In fact, Forrester predicts low-code as one of the top emerging technologies to watch through 2020.

If you are looking for LCNC News, conference coverage, and groundbreaking innovation, there are experts to watch. From technology leaders, Forbes contributors to eminent founders here are 5 renowned influencers (in no particular order) you should follow to stay abreast of the latest happenings in the LCNC sphere.

Jason Bloomberg

According to Forbes bio, Jason Bloomberg is a leading IT analyst, keynote speaker, Forbes contributor, and a leading expert in the sphere of enterprise technology and digital transformation.

Jason is also the founder of Intellyx, an advisory firm focused on empowering professionals to achieve Agile Digital Transformation.

Mr. Bloomberg’s articles in Forbes have been viewed by more than 100,000 readers. During his career, he has published over 1,500 articles (over 270 for Forbes alone), spoken at over 450 conferences and webinars, and he has been quoted in the press and blogosphere over 2,300 times.

Mr. Bloomberg has also co-authored five books: Low-Code for Dummies (Wiley, 2019), The Agile Architecture Revolution (Wiley, 2013), Service Orient or Be Doomed! How Service Orientation Will Change Your Business (Wiley, 2006), XML and Web Services Unleashed (SAMS Publishing, 2002), and Web Page Scripting Techniques (Hayden Books, 1996).

Quotes:


“As companies proceed with their digital transformations, software becomes increasingly strategic and pervasive – which means they need more of it. Lots more.”


Don’t Let Your Application Backlog Sink Your Digital Transformation


“Because low-code platforms focus on giving professional developers the ability to build applications more quickly while minimizing the need to hand-code, traditional development backlogs become less about features and tasks and more about applications – improving both the productivity and morale of the developers as well as the customer-centricity of the apps themselves.”


Don’t Let Your Application Backlog Sink Your Digital Transformation

Where you can follow him: Twitter, Linkedin

George Westerman

A Senior Lecturer at MIT School of Sloan School of Management and Research Scientist for Workplace Learning in the MIT Jameel World Education Lab, George Westerman has a diverse experience of 17 years working at MIT, where he has worked at the intersection of executive leadership and technology innovation.

He works frequently with senior management teams and industry groups around the world. Prior to earning a Doctorate from Harvard Business School, he gained more than 13 years of experience in product development and technology leadership roles. 

Quotes


“When digital transformation is done right, it’s like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, but when done wrong, all you have is a really fast caterpillar.”


“technology leadership is not just about IT leaders, although they are part it. It’s not just about technical skills, although they’re essential. It’s about merging the skills and perspectives of business and IT leaders so that they drive transformation together.”

George Westerman Quotes Goodreads.com

Where to Follow Him: Twitter, Linkedin

John Rymer

A graduate from Ohio University with a B.S. in journalism, Joh Rymer is a principal analyst at Forrester. Forrester is one of America’s top analyst firms and is recognized for defining much of the low-code industry.

According to his Forrester bio, Rymer is an “authority on the enterprise strategies of IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle and contributes to Forrester’s coverage of low-code application platforms and business rules platforms.” Rymer’s market analysis has been featured in a number of publications including TechRepublic, VentureBeat, TechCrunch, and Fortune.

Quotes

” Just because you can build something doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. Maybe you should reuse something that somebody already built or take something somebody already built and customize it a little bit to meet your needs.”

How To Choose a Low Code Platform: 3 Tips

“Like any product, Low Code has its strengths and weaknesses. In the case of low-code platforms, users can face challenges of scale, while companies must grapple with the possibility of vendor-lock in. While some of the larger players in the low-code space can point to large application deployments — mission-critical products with thousands of global users — not all the companies offering low-code solutions are equipped. “

Low code 101 and the rise of drag-and-drop programming to support scale

Where you can follow him: Twitter, Linkedin

Forester and Gartner

Forrester and Gartner

Ok, so these aren’t human entries like others, but are renowned consulting and research firms that continue to dominate conversations on low code no code space.

Forrester is widely known for its enlightening analysis and evaluation of existing low code platforms. It is interesting to note that Forrester is a pioneer to define the term ‘low code’ in 2014 as a part of establishing it as a distinct category for evaluation.

The Forrester New Wave, a comprehensive industry report, examines the top 13 low-code solution providers in the U.S. market. These reports use a 10-category scoring process, including its user interface development, data management, digital process automation, reporting tools, cloud platform features, and many more such parameters.

On the other hand, Gartner, the second leading name in the low code world is an IT research and advisory firm, offers an in-depth look at low code’s impact on businesses. Every year, Gartner releases its “Magic Quadrant” report, which analyzes the high productivity building of applications, including mobile apps. One thing to be aware of is that Gartner utilizes its own definitions of low code and no-code, meaning its results while sharing some similarities with Forrester’s report, is fundamentally different.

Quotes:

“High-productivity application platform as a service continues to increase its footprint across enterprise IT as businesses juggle the demand for applications, digital business requirements and skill set challenges.”

2018 Magic Quadrant for Enterprise High-Productivity Application Platform as a Service Report

“When business people can’t get the automation they need to carry out their missions, they build software tools and apps themselves. They have been doing so for decades, typically relying on unmanaged spreadsheets, desktop databases, and, more recently, collaboration and website tools. Low-code development platforms for business developers offer a managed and more productive environment for this inevitable software-delivery activity, with tools designed specifically for business experts rather than professional software developers.”

The Forrester New Wave™: Low-Code Platforms For Business Developers, Q4 2017

Where you can follow them:

Forrester: Twitter, LinkedIn 
Gartner: Twitter, Linkedin

Begin Your No Code Journey With Us…

Tigersheet is a uber-fast modern-day no-code platform that can help streamline business processes in quick and easy steps. The intuitive drag and drop interface allows users with zero coding knowledge to create workflows and share them with your employees.  Follow us on our social media channels Twitter and LinkedIn to get notifications on all updates.

TRY Tigersheet for FREE and witness the change in your organization today!

June 12, 2020 LCNC No comments yet
A Look at the Low Code/No Code Development Market- Facts and Numbers Unleashed!

A Look at the Low Code/No Code Development Market- Facts and Numbers Unleashed!

As the Low code/No Code market continues to grow at an impressive rate, we break down some competent resources from leading sources Forrester and Gartner highlighting how companies are using Low Code/No Code

Forrester expects the market for low-code development platforms to increase to $21.2 billion by 2022, up from $3.8 billion in 2017, a CAGR of 41%. Some of the highest-growth years for the market are expected to be between 2019 and 2021, where growth is expected to be over 50%.

Why Low Code/No Code?

The top three answers were:

69% – Accelerate digital transformation

55% – Reduce IT backlog

38% – Reduce dependency on hard-to-hire skills

The Growing Importance of Process to Digital Transformation

Published: 8 May, 2018

Source:  Forrester

While earlier companies would prioritize process automation that was focussed on cost reduction, today they are moving towards digital transformation and better customer experience. As customer experience has become most important, streamlined and efficient processes (both front and backend) become high priorities for businesses.

This Forrester low-code platform report looks at these issues. Among 354 business professionals surveyed:

  • Cost reduction was listed as the top primary motivation for process improvement 2 years ago (32 percent of respondents), but that will slip to 8 percent by 2020.
  • Accelerating business transformation was the primary motivation for only 13 percent 2 years ago, but will become the top motivation by 2020 (49 percent).
  • In 2018, the primary motivation is improving the customer experience (33 percent), and will continue to be important in 2020 (28 percent).

Geneca Report- Doomed From the Start? Why a Majority of Business and IT Teams Anticipate Their Software Development Projects Will Fail”.

Published: 25 January 2017

Source: Geneca

This one lays the foundation for why low-code/no-code is such a big need. Here are some fascinating stats:

  • 75% of respondents admit that their projects are either always or usually “doomed right from the start.”
  • 80% admit they spend at least half their time on rework.
  • 78% feel the business is usually or always out of sync with project requirements and business stakeholders need to be more involved and engaged in the requirements process.
  • Only 55% feel that the business objectives of their projects are clear to them.
  • Less than 20% describe the requirements process as the articulation of business need.
  • Only 23% state they are always in agreement when a project is truly done.

Here is a powerful info-graph on Low Code/No Code platforms that explains why they are such a big need today:



While the software is taking the world by storm, Low Code/No code is the single most disruptive technology that is changing the face of application development today.  As organizations are embracing transformation, it is vital to recognize that LCNC is a viable measure for solving the challenges of transformation.

According to new market research “Low-Code Development Platform Market published by MarketsandMarkets, industries such as healthcare, public sector, and manufacturing and retail are already benefiting from adopting low-code to meet these challenges. Therefore, as the global low-code development platform market size grows from $4.32 billion in 2017 to the predicted $27.23 billion by 2022, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 44.49%, low-code is mainstream and here to stay.  



May 29, 2019 LCNC No comments yet
Demystifying the Difference: Low Code vs. No Code and How to Decide Which One Is Right For You?

Demystifying the Difference: Low Code vs. No Code and How to Decide Which One Is Right For You?

One of the significant movements in IT over recent years has been a trend towards the low code and no code tools and platforms.

Low code application development lets businesses build apps faster with minimum coding. While, it’s been a while for these low code platforms to come into existence, they were initially introduced as auto code generation tools that evolved into enterprise-grade app development platforms covering the entire app delivery.

Present day low-code platforms speed up the entire app delivery process right from requirements to deployment stage.  Some of the critical app delivery areas that get optimized using low code platforms are:

•        Coding gets replaced by visual app building, where the developer creates the entire end-user experience right from the start, using simple drag and drop interface of UI components.

•        Using, Low code platforms the entire artefacts of the project including front/back end coding, executables, configuration files are easily generated based on standard best practices. They also eliminate human errors in coding.

•        Continuous deployment and integration of the app gets simplified.

Uncovering No-code platforms – Is it a new phenomenon?

Off late joining the family of a new breed of platforms, akin to low code platforms, No code platforms have also emerged.

Low code platform tend to have an edge over no code platforms, particularly during the development phase because the former involve a more intuitive visual development approach. A visual development approach allows the app builder to drag and drop predefined out of the box components into the work area.

However, in some scenarios, during app development, there are certain features that require customization.

For example, when building a particular page of an app, your visual designer would have given an innovative clock widget, in his screen mocks based on the company’s’ standardized widget set, and that is not a part of the default UI widget library of the platform.  In this scenario, low-code platforms allows you to extend the platform capabilities by letting you build such a widget and make it available as a drag-n-drop component for future projects. 

However, if the same company employed a team of developers who built an UI widget library based on the company’s approved design template and is made available out-of-the-box in the platform itself.  Then app building becomes a no-code experience. 

Hence, no-code-platforms are more like an evolution of low-code-platforms to particular scenarios, where the coding extensions are taken care of by providing out of the box visual components.  

To put it as final thoughts, no code platforms are no different from low code platforms, rather are a specialized version of the low code platforms where the customization have been taken care of by pre-building all the required visual components.

Low Code Vs. No Code: Making a Choice for Your Organisation

As is the case with many up and coming technology trends, low code and no code are often used together, reflecting on how this innovative technology will change the face of traditional software applications.  But, if you are considering one for your organization, how will you decide which one to choose and when?

Low Code No Code
Used for more complex applications Use for reporting, analytics and tracking apps  
Apps that are foundational in nature or run important business processes Apps that evolve with frequent updates and changes in use-case
Apps with more than 5 years
lifecycle, fewer updates 		Can be integrative or stand
alone  
Can be mission critical Good for self-deploying apps  
Offer Better Developer Control Mobile responsive  

How to get started choosing a low-code/no-code platform?

With so many vendors in space, the decision to determine which platform is the best fit can seem overwhelming for companies. Here are some tips to narrow down the selection:

Determine who is going to work

Broadly speaking, low code/no code platforms fall into two market segments: Those for developers and those for the business side. For developers, low code platforms make it easier to deliver more software in shorter time periods-say weeks instead of months.  On the other hand, for the business side or “citizen developers”, low code lets people without any prior programming experience to create their own software.

Companies must decide which side they need a platform for, and which will fit their purpose best. For instance, let’s say you are trying to empower your business people and you don’t intend to put a tool designed for developers in front of them. It makes things complicated.  On the opposite side, developers will ask for more control than a readymade product that has been given to them.

Chalk out the use cases the company wants to deliver

Each tool offers functions in different areas, including workflow and business process applications. You should select a low-code platform that fits your individual project needs.

Build a strategy that comprises governance

Whether done with or without coding, building and maintaining software is difficult. In order to make the most out of low code platforms, work on building a strategy which includes a portfolio management system, which can help employees keep track of what apps have already been built in the platform. Experts recommend to start small, invest in staff training, and identify a business leader to champion low-code projects.

What are the differences between the profile of a Low Code/ No Code User?

No code platforms are better suited for innovative and problem solving professionals who are aiming for better performance in the competition curve.

With basic spreadsheet skills, business professionals can leverage no code platforms to quickly build custom applications to solve business challenges, securely manage data, view real time reports and accomplish similar tasks without writing a single line of code.  They can use existing templates or drag and drop features to build apps right from scratch. Continuous business improvement also becomes a cakewalk as app admins with access permission can easily update apps and workflows as needed.

On the other hand, Low code platforms are an ideal fit for professional developers and coders who wish to achieve higher productivity and better service to clients by streamlining the application development process. Using declarative tools, these coders can create complex, enterprise grade apps with high-control data permissions. Whether it’s tracking core business process for supply chain inventory or building a complex customer database, low-code platforms allow developers to be on the cutting edge of innovation while reducing project backlogs with self-service tools to support line of businesses.

Final Thoughts

As you disembark on the journey, evaluating low code and no-code platforms, make sure to visualize your end goal. Do you wish to decrease your IT expenditure on traditional software applications that require frequent maintenance and yearly renewals? Or, you are aiming for digital transformation of your company empowering teams, and more technically-minded personnel to create the applications that incorporate the features and workflow they need to be successful.

Then you are in luck: No code and low code platforms can actually help! Once you have determined what you wish to accomplish, move forward evaluating your skill and staff. No-code and low-code application development platforms have a lot to offer and choosing the one right for your needs and goals will go a long way.

May 5, 2019 LCNC No comments yet
Dispelling 5 Misconceptions Around Low Code: It’s Time to Let Them Go!

Dispelling 5 Misconceptions Around Low Code: It’s Time to Let Them Go!

While low code platforms are taking the IT world by storm, the much talked about popularity has also created a room of various perceptions and misconceptions. It is necessary to separate facts from myths in order to know the true capabilities of low-code app development platforms.

Here is a list of some common misconceptions around low code and the supporting arguments to debunk them:

Myth 1: Low Code is a New Trend

While it may seem like, application development using low code platforms is New – the concept has been around for at least 15 years or so starting with the promise of 4GL in the 90s and rapid application development (RAD) tools in 2000.

However, there are definitely differences between the 4GL/RAD tools of the ’90s

and low code platforms today.  These tools created convoluted code and locked enterprise to their platform which is not the case with low code. 

The technologies today make low-code much more intuitive and approachable to a wider range of skill sets within IT. The interesting promise of low-code today is the possibility of providing more “self-service” to users traditionally outside of Enterprise IT which was not possible before.

Myth 2: Low Code is only for Simple Application Development

Many people believe that Low code platforms are only suited for small scale development and cannot be functional for scalable, mission-critical apps.

In reality, from small- to large-sized companies, low-code platforms are a step forward from traditional software development when it comes to building applications for desktop, mobile, and web. According to a study by Forrester, majority of applications built using low code are used across the entire enterprise or multiple departments.  Many organizations that have experienced low-code development are scaling up their rapid development teams to cope with growing demand and are delivering mission-critical enterprise applications. Hence, Low-code is about gain, not pain.

Myth 3: Low-code platforms are only for the build phase of the SDLC.

It is commonly believed that low code platforms are specifically meant for the development phase of the software development life cycle. However, this is not true.

Modern-day low code platforms can efficiently support the entire app delivery life cycle- design, build, deploy, operate, monitor, and iterate

Equipped with visual development tools, these platforms come with added capabilities like agile management, social collaboration, one-click deployment, end-user feedback loops, and many more. In short, a solid low-code platform can act as a one-stop solution for handling all the stages of the application lifecycle.

Myth 4: Low code platforms are meant only for citizen developers and anyone can leverage them to develop apps with ease.

Before going deep into clearing the misconception, it is important to know different types of app builders:

Citizen Developers:  This class comprises of people with no prior coding knowledge who are working in the front line of business areas such as HR, customer service, marketing etc.

Power Builders: These are a class of people working in IT units supporting operations and business units. Though, they do not possess formal coding expertise, yet are familiar with spreadsheets and have a basic knowledge of JavaScript, Script, and Python etc.

Professional Developers: These are professional coders with expertise in programming languages that require formal training to master.

So, which category can use low-code development platforms?

The answer is all of these. All three categories can use low-code platforms but the functionality and complexity of the applications developed will vary.

·    Using a low-code platform, citizen developers can develop very simple applications that can offer basic functionalities.

Power builders can build applications with more functionality than that offered by citizen developers.

Professional developers can deliver complex applications with multiple functionalities and automation processes. A low-code platform lets a professional developer build application swiftly by reducing the amount of manual coding required.

In short, a low-code platform enhances the capabilities of all types of developers by letting them do more than what they are capable of in app development.

Myth 5: Low Code Platforms do not provide scope for customization

Another big misconception around Low code platforms revolves around customization. While it’s undeniably true that low code development favors the idea to achieve as much as possible without code, this does not imply software engineers can’t extend the functionality with the code they desire.

There can be scenarios where business requirements fall outside the skillset of the business developer and scope or capabilities of the platform, in such cases Software engineers can use code to develop reusable code extensions.

With the help of client and server side API’s, engineers can build, package and distribute new functionality such as connectors to external services like machine learning and AI, integrations to internal systems of record, native mobile widgets, and reusable UI components.

Closing Thoughts: Low Code/No Code is No Longer a Myth, But Only Reality

In conclusion, low-code platforms offer the necessary tools for both the business and IT to collaborate and build valuable enterprise apps at speed while maintaining control over the entire application life cycle. These platforms are not only here to stay, but also with expanding business technology, they are making it easy to streamline the development cycle and build applications that can solve the growing business requirements.

No doubt, they have their own strength and weakness but as a still-young concept, there are still a lot of misconceptions and myths that need to be busted to help businesses understand and leverage the true potential of these platforms.

April 29, 2019 LCNC No comments yet