Discover why everyone is getting started with low-code application platforms

According to research firm Gartner, by 2021 the demand for app development will grow at least 5 times faster than IT's delivery capacity. Traditional development methods clearly cannot keep up with this growing demand and, moreover, don't align well with user needs. This is exactly why low-code application development platforms are becoming increasingly popular. Check out this blog to see what low-code means and discover what these platforms can mean for your business.

Growing demand

Organizations are developing more and more applications for employees, customers, and suppliers, such as expense claim apps, shopping apps, and customer portals. This increasing demand for applications creates pressure to deliver more with the same people in less time. Traditional application development methods don't work fast enough to make this possible. Moreover, these methods don't always involve the right people to be able to deliver good apps at a rapid pace. The video below explains clearly what the problems are with traditional development and also gives you an example of how it can be done differently.

What is a low-code application development platform?

Low-code is a visual way of developing where you can create various mobile and web applications using drag-and-drop techniques and model-driven logic. One of the key differences from traditional development methods is that you have to do little or no manual coding. This allows developers of different experience levels to get started, since they don't need knowledge of programming languages. In addition, IT saves time because repetitive tasks such as setting up infrastructure are no longer necessary. But these platforms are also interesting for experienced developers, since a number of platforms make it possible to write additional script yourself (JavaScript, CSS). This can be useful for, for example, extra styling or functionality. As a result, business and IT can work together in a single low-code application development platform to create, edit, and launch applications in a fraction of the time needed with traditional development methods.

The Mendix platform

Mendix is an example of a low-code application development platform. This platform is unique in offering integrated tools for the entire application lifecycle; from idea and development to testing and management. The Mendix platform is built on 3 pillars: speed, collaboration, and control. These pillars come together in Mendix's strong focus on bringing IT and business together, enabling apps to be developed up to 6 times faster.

The collaboration between IT and business, combined with little to no need for coding, together form the strength behind Mendix. It's no surprise, then, that companies such as ING, Heijmans, KPN, and Eneco use the platform. The main reasons companies use the Mendix platform are to develop applications and portals to work more efficiently, improve the customer experience, replace old systems, and drive innovation. Think, for example, of applications for submitting insurance claims, monitoring your energy usage, managing orders, submitting expense claims, simplifying mobile data entry, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Developing applications with Mendix's low-code development platform brings several advantages, such as:

• Fast and visual application development, including model-driven development
• Scalability with one-click deployments and the use of public and (virtual) private clouds
• The ability to quickly respond to changing needs
• Easy to integrate with current and new systems in the cloud or on-premise
• Templates can be created to safeguard brand guidelines
• Easy to manage and always equipped with all necessary security measures
• Build apps in less time by reusing components (templates, functionalities, widgets, etc.)

Applications for your organization

Traditional development methods and the average capacity of an IT department can't keep up with the demand for applications, which means alternatives need to be considered. If organizations fail to do so, they run the risk of the business making investments without IT's support. For IT and business leaders, it's therefore important to find a platform that fits the organization's needs, not just now but also in the future. When looking at these platforms, it's important to build a collection of use cases and (various) pilot applications to help with decision-making. Curious about the possibilities of applications within your organization? Leave your details below. We'll get in touch with you quickly to tell you more about low-code possibilities and about Mendix.