The answer to whether low-code and no-code can replace developers is that they both can and cannot do it. There are things that low-code/no-code can do that will completely automate some processes. But some things can’t be achieved without an experienced human developer. Meanwhile, you need to remember that developers are also using these technologies in their work.
One thing is for sure, as more companies are embracing digital transformation, the role of AI-based tech in business is growing. Low-code and no-code platforms like Quickbase, AirTable, Mendix, OutSystems, or Unqork can be essential for an enterprise’s digital transformation, and they just need to be applied the right way. That’s the trickiest part because there are many misconceptions about what this approach to development can do. Understanding the actual capabilities of this technology will enable enterprises to use it most efficiently.
Low-Code/No-Code: Expectations Vs. Reality
Forbes calls low-code/no-code the most disruptive trend of 2021. But disruptive for what exactly?
It is undoubtedly disruptive to the existing status quo that settled in many companies and the business sphere in general. However, from the point of view of the evolution of an enterprise, this technological initiative is anything but disruptive. It’s a tool that can facilitate many processes within the business, boosting its overall productivity and profitability.
The COVID-19 pandemic drastically highlighted how important digitization is to any business. Only those with good products capable of delivering top-quality digital experiences made it through the crisis. However, for enterprise-level businesses, the issue goes deeper than that.
It’s imperative to understand that enterprise-level software development is different from consumer software. Due to the complexity of the structure, such organizations now require a high level of digitization to function effectively. This issue is especially prevalent in the pandemic-ridden world and the era of work from home.
Low-code and no-code technologies enable faster digitization by allowing non-professionals to create software products fast. However, you should realize that the capabilities of such platforms are limited in some ways.
On the plus side, there is the fact that no-code automation can relieve some of the workloads of IT departments. For example, marketers can easily create new ways to target segments of the target audience on their own. HR specialists can create new apps for training employees or onboarding. The applications of these technologies in an enterprise are versatile and tied to specific business requirements.
However, for all these advantages, using low-code and no-code cannot meet an enterprise-level business’s needs. These companies require top-grade sophisticated software, which these technologies cannot create.
Real-Life Applications of Low-Code/No-Code for Enterprise-Level Businesses
To decide how to use it best, you need to understand how low-code/no-code ‘development’ works. To do it, you can just imagine a box of lego blocks. The blocks are pieces of code that users of no-code platforms can use to build applications. Therefore, they don’t need to know coding itself or even the principles of tying pieces of code together.
In this scheme, the user simply takes various elements and brings them together to complete the task they need. The platform itself will determine what kind of apps can be built on it.
The user doesn’t need to know any coding. However, they will need to get some training in how to use the specific platform. It’s also important to note that low-code app development must be streamlined to be a practical part of enterprise strategy. Otherwise, people would waste too much time and resources. Therefore, the business won’t be able to increase its productivity by much.
In the context of an enterprise, low-code/no-code platforms can be used within the company for:
- Adding new screens in Salesforce for qualifying leads. The user completely handles the process; no developer involvement needed.
- Creating simple applications for use within the company, for example, training.
- Managing and adding new labels for customer service base management in real-time without involving a developer.
- Customer base management and segmentation for the purposes of customer service or marketing.
- Handling all or most of the enterprise software development in-house, managed by the IT department.
But the main benefit for an enterprise is that low-code/no-code platforms can free up the resources of IT departments. In-house developers can automate much of the coding-related and QA testing work. Therefore, the R&D and IT sectors experts can focus on more complex tasks.
Bottom Line: Will Developers Become Obsolete?
Developers definitely have nothing to fear with the rise of low-code/no-code. This trend might be disruptive, but it certainly won’t replace the need for developers in business. Moreover, developers working with enterprises can benefit from this type of AI-powered technology.
IT businesses themselves are widely adopting low-code/no-code for automation. According to surveys, up to 95% of the Top 500 US-based IT businesses use or plan to start using these tools in the near future. There is no denying that this tech enables developers to work much faster.
So, enterprises today can benefit from low-code/no-code both directly by using these platforms and indirectly by hiring developers that do.
However, one thing remains true, a highly skilled team of creative professionals and software developers is essential for software success. AI-powered platforms can facilitate the development process in many ways, but they are tools. The bulk of work comes from the trained human mind. And the best results can be achieved by combining custom software development experts and the power of AI.
