The low-code: 5 questions about this business tech trend

The low-code has facilitated the creation of business applications. This simplified development approach has allowed the design and development of applications to be reduced from several months to a few weeks. The secret? No traditional coding.

More than that, the low-code also opens the door to novice programmers. Its simplicity appeals to many businesses who are now looking to turn employees into citizen developers.Here are some key pointers to help you understand the benefits the low-code brings to a business:

1. What is low-code?

The low-code (which also includes the no-code) is a visual development strategy which facilitates the creation of web or mobile applications. The graphic interface makes it possible to bring the writing of codes to a minimum. Users can simply drag and drop elements to build an application; instead of writing lines or code to create your application, you draw it. By offering this feature, the low-code allows programmers of different levels to create an application by reducing deployment time.

2. Can I really use the low-code even if I know nothing about programming?

The impact of low-code, which would have democratized programming, is often praised. In fact, by limiting code writing, the task becomes easier for non-technical developers. As a result, more inquisitive people are creating applications with the help of these platforms. You have never done programming and would like to test your application idea? You should be able to get started on a low-code platform with just a few hours of training. Our team offers free one-day training sessions to introduce you to the Power Apps platforms. While low-code facilitates access for beginners, other parameters have to be considered to create a sustainable application. Guidance is often necessary to avoid security and maintenance problems.

3. What is a citizen developer?

Citizen developers are users who create applications under the supervision of their IT department. These applications generally aim to optimize business processes. Although they are not initially trained in IT, these users have the advantage of being familiar with the daily routine of their company.

An example from the court:

Lawyers and judges have a better understanding of the day-to-day functioning of the courts than developers. Therefore, they could assist in the development of an application for the justice community. Paired with a team of professional developers, citizen developers bring the expertise of the community. They can thus work together to create quality applications adapted to the reality of users.

4. Can I create quality professional applications using the low-code?

Absolutely. The user simplicity of the low-code does not translate to reduced quality in the result of the application. This technology is used by professional teams of developers. These developers save themselves time on the long infrastructure work required for the development of an application. The simplicity of low-code allows them to quickly implement a solution. In fact, this speed of execution is particularly useful for responding to a crisis with agility.  In addition, low-code platforms allow the creation of a wide range of applications.

5. What benefits does the low-code bring to my company?

These days, many companies are looking for tailored technological services that will pair with their business processes. The traditional practice of implementing customized technological tools has resulted in long production lead times and high costs. However, low-code platforms make it possible to achieve this in less time and at a lower cost. The simplicity of these platforms allows the users to be involved in the development of the application which will better reflect the realities of the field.

In short there are 3 incentives to using the low-code:

• Reduce costs
• Reduce deployment time
• Facilitating access to application design

To conclude, the low-code is a development approach that is accessible to professionals with no programming experience. You would like to become a citizen developer for your company? Taking certain precautions will avoid bad surprises. We will discuss this in our next article. Want to learn more about Microsoft Power Platform tools? Or would you like to find out about training and coaching opportunities for your team or your specific situation? Talk to one of our experts, who will offer you personalized advice. This article has been made possible by the commitment of our expert Éric Sauvé, Power Platform Practice Lead.