By Daniel Moussa - Principal Solution Architect at TotalTek
In today’s fast-paced market, where technology is an inseparable part of our economy, digital transformation is a strategic need for enterprises that want to remain competitive. Organizations from various industries are seeking new ways to innovate their IT infrastructure, optimize their processes, and enhance customer experience. However, the conventional software development process takes a long time, costs a lot of money, and relies on skilled developers- creating the barriers to innovation.
Enter the low-code platforms that can assist with this. Low-code revolutionizes application development, allowing organizations to fast-track digital transformation with minimal coding skills. By streamlining development complexity and enhancing agility, low-code platforms enable organizations to accelerate innovation and respond to evolving market needs.
In this blog, we look at how low code platforms play a significant role in the journey of digital transformation and how they are reshaping industries and why businesses should incorporate them into their IT strategy.
What Are Low-Code Platforms?
Low-code platforms offer a visual development interface allowing users to develop applications via drag-and-drop components, model-driven logic, and low coding. They streamline the software development process, making it available to business users, IT specialists, and developers.
One of the main features of low-code platforms is that they enable RAD (rapid application development), automation, and integration with other enterprise systems (SAP, AMS, and digital transformation services for enterprises) without requiring extensive programming knowledge, in contrast to traditional development.
A standard low-code platform consists of:
- Visual Development Tools – An easy-to-use environment for creating applications without hand coding.
- Pre-Configured Templates and Elements – Ready-to-use modules that accelerate development.
- A workflow automation – Automates business processes.
- Integration Capabilities – Connectors facilitate integration with existing enterprise software, including SAP application management services (AMS) and SAP consulting services.
Low-Code Approach to Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is merely taking advantage of technology to enhance productivity, foster innovation, and enhance customer experiences. Low-code platforms are instrumental in this regard in the following manner:
1. Accelerated Development of Applications
Traditional software development cycles are weeks, if not months, to complete. Low-code applications can accelerate development time by as much as 90%, allowing organizations to get their applications up and running more rapidly.
According to a Forrester Research study, companies that use low-code platforms develop applications 10 times faster than with traditional coding methods. This accelerated pace allows companies to adapt to changes in the market, respond to customer needs, and combat competitors.
2. Reducing IT Dependency
The shortage of skilled software developers is one of the biggest challenges businesses are facing. According to Gartner, 70% of new enterprise applications will be developed using low-code or no-code technologies by 2025.
Traditional dev approaches require hand-in-hand cooperation between the business and IT people whereas low-code platforms allow business analysts, project managers, and dev teams who are not necessarily trained in IT to contribute to applications development, resulting in a decreased dependency on IT departments enabling IT teams to focus on higher end initiatives like digital transformation services and project management office (PMO) consulting.
3. Driving Agility and Innovation
Quick innovation is required from businesses to have them do well. With low-code platforms, organizations can quickly roll out prototyping, testing, and deployment over time, leading to faster iterations and improvements.
For instance, low-code solutions can be used in IT services for manufacturing to develop streamlined systems to monitor production, integrate ERP systems, and automate supply chains with minimal development effort.
4. Advanced Business Process Automation
Automation of processes is a prime mover of digital transformation. Low-code platforms enable companies to streamline workflows, remove manual processes, and maintain operational efficiency.
For example, in the domain of logistics IT services, low-code platforms can be utilized to build automated tracking solutions, real-time inventory monitoring, and predictive maintenance travel applications, which can significantly improve supply chain performance.
5. Seamless Integration with Enterprise Systems
Businesses depend on SAP consulting services, AMS, and other IT services to execute core business functions. Low-code platforms have inherent integration features that enable organizations to integrate applications with SAP systems, finance software, CRM systems, and third-party services without any difficulty.
For banks, this translates into quicker deployment of compliance software, risk management software, and automated reporting software without affecting the current infrastructure.
6. Reinforcing Information Technology Governance and Security
One problem with low-code development (sometimes seen as a low-code risk) is security. But contemporary low-code platforms offer enterprise-class security, role-based access control, audit trails, and compliance capabilities.
Low-code platforms facilitate secure and scalable application development with zero compromise on the regulatory compliances which are a pre-requisite for industries such as government IT solutions and defense shipbuilding organizations where security and compliances are the key priorities.
7. Enabling Cost-Effective Digital Transformation
Legacy software development is very costly due to high labor costs and long durations. Low-code platforms significantly lower these costs by minimizing the development effort, automating processes, and eliminating the need for a lot of maintenance.
According to McKinsey & Company, Low Code/No Code platforms allow businesses to reduce time to market by up to 90%.
Moreover, research by Quandary Consulting Group indicates low-code development environments can reduce time to build by up to 50-90% compared to traditional development methods, resulting in huge cost savings.
This enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations to drive digital transformation at a lower cost and faster innovation.
Applications of Low-Code Platforms Across Various Industries
Low-code applications are revolutionizing industries by making digital solutions faster, simpler, and more affordable. Some industry-specific applications are:
Maritime Engineering and Naval Architecture
- Ship Design Services: Low-code platforms can be utilized to support 3D modeling and laser scanning to enhance ship designs.
- Naval Defense Contractors: Document automation, compliance monitoring, and procurement management.
- Commercial Vessel Design: Involves project process optimization and facilitates real-time collaboration between shipbuilders and engineers.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
- It Manufacturing Services: This include designing predictive maintenance platforms, real-time production tracking, and automated supply chain monitoring.
- IT Solutions for Food Production: Establishing quality control programs and monitoring systems for compliance.
Finance and Logistics
- IT Consulting in the Financial Sector: Fraud detection, regulatory reporting, and risk management automation.
- Logistics IT Services: Implementing artificial intelligence-powered route optimization, fleet automation, and real-time tracking solutions.
Government and Defense
- Government IT Solutions: These include the creation of citizen service portals, emergency response management systems, and compliance tracking tools.
- Maritime Defense Technology: Cybersecurity, fleet tracking, and automated reporting development for defense agencies.
Battling the Challenges of Low-Code Adoption
Despite the advantages, organizations may face challenges in implementing low-code platforms. Some of the typical challenges are:
- Integration with Legacy Systems – Companies have to make certain that low-code platforms are integrable with in-place enterprise systems.
- Scalability and Performance – Choosing a platform that can deliver enterprise-level scalability and security is critical.
- Change Management and Training – Training is necessary for the employees to use low-code platforms effectively.
With the assistance of a seasoned technology solutions provider, such as TotalTek, businesses can overcome these issues and achieve the most from low-code development.
Future-Proof Your Digital Transformation with Low-Code
Low-code platforms are transforming digital transformation through speeding up development, cost-saving, and empowering business agility. Be it maritime engineering, manufacturing, finance, or logistics, government IT solutions, or any other, low-code platforms help organizations innovate at speed and respond to industry demands accordingly.
At TotalTek, we specialize in providing end-to-end digital transformation solutions, SAP consulting, application management services, and project management services to help businesses realize the potential of low-code platforms.
Are you ready to simplify your digital transformation with low-code technology? Get in touch with TotalTek today and discover how our end-to-end technology solutions can fuel innovation and growth for your business.
