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Low-code platforms: Means low code low quality?

by | Aug 21, 2018 | Development

Why the quality of the platforms is much better than their reputation and why they play a key role in the digitization of business processes.

The name “low-code platform” appropriately means that business applications can be created with little handwritten code. Unfortunately, it also allows the assumption that the quality of the applications is lower. However, this is not the case. On the contrary.

As the demands on software have increased with technical progress and it is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to keep up with the rapid development in IT, many companies today depend on it to get along without long development and test phases. Low-code platforms offer decisive advantages over individual software development or the purchase of standard software packages that cannot be individually adapted.

Individual software development with standard modules: Is that possible?

Low-code platforms pursue a completely different way of developing software for individual needs: Applications are assembled or configured by providing ready-made software modules and an application designer for graphical user interface design. It is no longer necessary to rewrite every line of code.

Simple operation eliminates the need for extensive training for the users of the platforms. This saves time and costs, ensures high acceptance and motivation. In addition, the modules that have already been tested run without errors, so that projects can be completed more quickly and successfully. The customer receives a stable application that can withstand its high quality requirements, because even relatively complex business processes can be mapped, but the user-friendliness does not suffer. The configuration can also be extended at any time by individual code.

Who benefits from low-code platforms?

Low-code technologies are suitable for the smallest applications as well as for large projects. Computer scientists and configurators or power users (IT experts who can program something or employees who cannot program but have been trained for configuration) can work together with the same platform. If a company’s IT department does not have sufficient free capacity, the specific ideas of individual departments can be implemented directly by the department itself, independently of the IT center.

In addition, the possibility of running the construction of a complete development environment via cloud servers simplifies the entry. Application Platform as a Service (aPaaS) offers all options that smaller applications need for the entire life cycle. Large projects, on the other hand, are better installed than on-premise solutions in customers’ data centers.

The platforms also offer another advantage over handwritten code: They offer many functionalities that would be far too expensive to develop in individual cases and have interfaces to other technologies. Data from different applications can be integrated in this way, which avoids duplication of work, while the included features provide additional convenience.

To sum up, low-code kits offer high-quality development opportunities and are even ahead of conventional software development in some respects. For this reason, it will be impossible to imagine a company IT without them in the near future.

Benefits at a glance:

  • Quick development and publication of apps possible (16 to 20 weeks)
  • Easily customizable in hours or days
  • Advanced interactivity and ease of use
  • Increased data security
  • Connection of interfaces to existing technologies
  • Problem-free data integration possible
  • Easily scalable
  • Cloud storage for development environments possible
  • Shared use by computer scientists, configurators and administrators

Low Code Platform – What is it and what do you need it for?

by | Apr 17, 2018 | Development

Definition of Low Code Plattform

A low code platform is a software development environment that uses graphical editors to build an application from building blocks using drag and drop. The difference to the typical methods of software development is that it manages without code. Using a low code platform can save time, resources, and the cost of creating applications. In addition, the quality of applications is also improved, since already tested components are used.
Low Code Plattform

The history of Low Code Plattform

The history of the low code platform began in 1989. Since this year the founders of the company GEDYS IntraWare questioned all existing methods for the development of individual software solutions. They developed alternatives that would save customers money in software development. This concept has been continuously developed over the years and matured into the low code platform.
The naming for the “low-code platform” first came in 2014 and was introduced by Forrester Research for this particular type of software development.

“Some companies are turning to new ‘low-code’ application platforms that accelerate the delivery of apps by dramatically reducing the amount of hand coding required.” (Forrester Research, June 2014)

Which aims has a Low Code Plattform?

Strengthen agility

As customer requirements change, and also the requirements of the market change quickly,
low code platforms have the advantage of providing a “shell” for applications.

Ensure fast learning

Learning a programming language takes months to years.
Opposite a low code platform you can build complete applications after a few days.

Allow comfortable working

What you see is what you get. Therefore, low code platforms provide the ability to instantly see how customizations affect the application.

Save resources and costs

With a low code platform, applications can be quickly adapted to the individual needs of customers. As a consequence, man-days in the development of new applications can be saved. Especialy costs of programming can be saved and the company has more budget for other things.

Ensure quality

The use of tested modules reduces the error rate. As a result, trust and thus user acceptance are increased.

Achieve fast ROI

In addition, applications based on low code platforms help deliver faster revenue through faster processes and optimization, and increase competitiveness.

What are the typical features of a low code platform?

Cloud or On Premise

Low code applications provide the flexibility to deploy applications in both the favored cloud and on their own servers.

Model-based development

Visual methods can be used to design data models, business logic, user interfaces, and more.

Reusability

By using templates already created solutions can be reused and easily adapted.

Support for the entire product life cycle

A low code platform supports the entire product lifecycle from creation, deployment and maintenance to eventual resumption of projects.

Business App – an example of a low code platform

Business App is one of the most advanced and powerful low code platforms. It provides a set of tables, screens, views, navigation, permissions, and more with the designer by configuring the applications. The special feature of Business App: there are templates for different application scenarios. For example, a basic application for managing contacts, companies, objects, or documents, Project Reporter for project reporting, Reference Manager for creating reference stories, or Talent Manager for HR Development. These can be adapted to individual requirements simply, flexibly and without programming.

More information about the low code platform

Visit the webinar to get to know the Business App.

Less software bugs. More relaxed business.

by | Mar 12, 2018 | Development

What effects software bugs can have and how you can handle it

Software bugs are just making life hard for developers: it all begins with the eternal search for the offender. If you didn’t write the code on your own, you have to fight through the jungle like Mowgli once did. Software bugs are often due to minimal misentrys, and that is what makes debugging so time-consuming.
After several peeves and a total damage, the bug is finally found and fixed.
What effects software bugs can have and how should they be avoided from the outset?
Softwarefehler minimieren

Small software bugs. Great impacts.

Some of the world’s famous disasters can be traced back to software bugs, as the following examples show:
A sign error had an acrobatic effect on the US computer-controlled fighter aircraft F-16. The software bug was noticeable during overflying the equator: the F-16 turned upside down for no apparent reason…

Or this one: A supposedly open air valve at the USS Yorktown paralyzed the entire ship in 1997. The attempt to fix the software bug caused the entire drive system to fail. After the one billion dollar expensive ship was towed, the error could be fixed in the port. These examples show very clearly how fatal software bugs can be.

Software buga in daily work – this could be expensive.

In everyday business they all annoy us in a variety of ways. Users become frustrated if software bugs make their work more hard instead of easier. In the last resort bugs can ensure that entire departments can‘t work for hours. Understandable, if soon no one has any more desire to use the appropriate applications. Aside from that, software bugs can be expensive for companies.

Avoid software bugs – the secret weapon.

You shouldn’t let that happen. The future secret weapon against software bugs is the following one: modular software. The new construction kit for business applications Business App offers the solution for the previous one or another sleepless night.
Applications can be configured simply by drag and drop from tested building blocks.
That means: there is no code needed to build these applications so that software bugs will no longer have a chance. And our precious time is saved in a variety of ways: when creating new applications (no logical problems, not testing the code) and using them in the enterprise (no annoying delays or failures). Sounds to good to be true? Have a look.
Goodbye software bugs.

Software Prototypes

by | Dec 12, 2017 | Development, Features to fall in love

Software Prototypes: Revolutionary fast without code

Software Prototypes are a not to be underestimated success factor for successful applications. All experienced craftsmen and engineers create prototypes of their work before they build anything: architects create paper models or virtual reality tools. Software and web designers create Software Prototypes of how users interact with their designs. Now there is a tool that revolutionizes software prototyping.
Software Prototyping

Do you actually need Software Prototypes?

Software Prototypes, together with subsequent usability testing, is an integral part of a user-centered design process. Software prototyping creates a design as the first version of a product through an agile approach. This design serves for the early visualization and iterative optimization of a user interface and its interaction possibilities. In this process, all project participants, such as usability experts, designers, developers and customers right down to the actual users are involved. In this way, early feedback can be obtained to correct and improve concepts, resulting in a user-friendly, optimal application. Yes, you need Software Prototypes.

What benefits do Software Prototypes have?

A key feature in the development of a prototype is that valuable time and resources can be saved. Because a prototype makes it possible to obtain early feedback from the client (s) and to ensure the desired functionality. Ease of use and design problems are quickly found and turned off before making significant investments.

Internal project participants also benefit from the advantages of Software Prototypes. Not only does this guarantee the same idea of ​​the system to be developed, it also encourages collaboration and makes the team more efficient overall.

Software Prototypes can also be very helpful with pitches. Especially with very skeptical and questioning customers, prototypes can lead to the profit of the pitch. Experiencing interactions from a website or app helps and convinces customers more than a simple description in the form of a concept booklet or a few mockups with notes.

The high art of creating Software Prototypes

The challenge in prototype production is not to spend too much time in the prototypes, as this only has a design character. It should be clearly defined which user problems should be solved or which tasks should be improved with the design in the Software Prototypes. In addition, you risk creating features or features that can not be implemented later, so blasting the time and budget constraints seems inevitable.
So how do you create efficient prototypes without producing code for the ton?

The secret of creating Software Prototypes revolutionary fast

The low-code platform “Business App” offers a completely new approach to create Software Prototypes fast and easily: With the Business App Kit, concrete ideas and concepts can be converted individually, within hours and without programming knowledge, into working applications without having to write any code (= Low code principle).
The kit provides ready-made elements that are easy to assemble into business applications of all kinds. Even completely individual tables, masks, views and relations are created with just a few clicks and assembled into functional prototypes. Change requests are also built in with just a few clicks and can be tested immediately for everyone without writing a single line of code. Thus, the prototype gradually becomes the final application without wasting resources and time.
Faster prototyping – try it now!

Low Code Platforms

by | Sep 14, 2017 | Development, News

Low Code Platforms – Building applications without programming skills?

Low Code Platforms – a trend concept that is currently engaged in the development scene.
Who does not know it – constantly changing requirements from the specialist areas?
These should be implemented as quickly as possible. The customer is impatient…

The effort for the implementation of required functions – including development, test, quality assurance and documentation – often takes many workdays.
With so-called low code platforms, there are now new tools available that should speed up the development and deliver fast solutions.

Low Code Plattformen

How does a Low Code Platforms Work?

A low code platform bundles the latest technologies for the automation of development, testing, versioning, build and deployment together in an easy to use platform to create business applications.
Applications are assembled in graphical editors, rather than from code (“low code”). This applies to masks, tables, relations as well as logics.
Example: You want to create a contact with the fields “Name”, “Phone” and “E-mail”. The mask can be easily created by drag & drop using these elements.
Linking data sets, e.g. a contact and a company also works by drag & drop

What differentiates Low Code platforms from integrated development environments?

An integrated development environment (IDE) unifies different tools and classes. A real low code platform, on the other hand, provides a set of templates with prefabricated solutions.
For example, you no longer have to build a contact from individual fields, because it exists as a ready-to-use basic data record.

With Low Code Platforms, will developers become obsolete?

Usually, no programming skills are required to implement new functions, because no code has to be written.
With a low code platform, development no longer starts in an empty editor, but with easy customizable templates.
Developers finally have the opportunity to focus on the logics, instead of having to write code for every detail.
They profit from more agility, flexibility, fast deployment and fast prototypes. This means a fast coordination with clients; to fit their requirements becomes so much easier. Changes are possible at any time, without writing any unnecessary code. Tested standardized elements also minimize the effort for testing and troubleshooting, to create a more user friendly and productive application.

Choosing a Low Code Platform – how to separate the wheat from the chaff?

Key questions in the selection of the right low code platform for your company are:

  • Is it possible to add custom code for high-level requirements?
    If this is not possible, important business cases cannot be created.
  • Is the code stored with an upgrade capability, or does it have to be reworked for each upgrade?
  • How is the application provided: is it possible to work online and offline?
  • Is architecture open? How easily can different data sources be connected via interfaces?
  • How intuitive are the interfaces and the provided learning tools (e.g. videos, manuals) to enable a short learning curve?
  • Which databases are supported? (even those already used in the business?)
  • Are the generated applications automatically implemented in a responsive layout so that they can be used on different devices?
  • How far does the platform cover scalability and multilingualism when the applications are to be used internationally?

Learn more about the Features of Low Code Platforms

Application Designer

by | Sep 7, 2016 | Development, Features to fall in love, General

“Programming for non-developers” with the Application Designer:

Programming and generating applications can be very time-consuming. Complex processes and chunks of code are required. It is normally the case that a whole team of developers works for several months on a typical application.

What exactly happens during programming?

Programs are formulated (“coded”) with so-called programming languages, for example C++, Java and so on. The necessary requirements and algorithms are translated by programmers into one of these programming languages. Today programmers can call on the support of code generators, which are able to generate part of the required code automatically. The testing and documentation of the software is also part of the job of the programmer.
In most cases the design and the creation of the programme run in parallel. In bigger projects the design and the programming (often called implementation) follow one another. But even in this case, the programmer turns the design requirements into program code.
Despite the vast amount of code, programming remains a creative act. Although the design specifies a certain functionality, there are many different ways to implement it. Even the ability to imagine how the code is going to look later, requires creativity.

Creativity instead of long lines of code

Using Business App also requires creativity, but here you can achieve what you want without any programming – thanks to the Application Designer. Business App gives you a drag & drop editor for generating the application. From settings, to the tables, forms and views right through to modules, security and languages, you can put it all together quite simply. Without any knowledge of programming and without a single line of code.

Use and modify ready-made applications

And in case you are still unsure how to proceed, the Application Designer offers a number of ready applications which you can adapt to fit your precise needs. For example, applications for managing contacts, machines, correspondence, property, contracts and much more.
Your creativity knows no bounds, even if you have never studied computing science.

Too good to be true? Let us show you!