Issue 53 | Page 23

GAME CHANGER

Are no-code and low-code technologies a revolution or just hype ?

I

’ m sure you ’ ve all been hearing all the hype lately about no-code and low-code software platforms , so should you be paying attention ? Ian Brown , CEO of Aycliffe Business Park tech firm Excelpoint , has spent over 20 years working in the no-code sector and is ideally positioned to demystify the subject .
Ian explains : “ Although there is hype around the no-code and low-code movement , no-code technology is a revolution .
“ In today ’ s organisations , there are portfolios of software applications deployed for a variety of business purposes .
“ Bespoke developments come with millions of lines of programmers coding , and although you may think that off-the-shelf products do not , very often , code is written to make these products ‘ talk to each other ’ or to fill gaps in functionality that the business needs .
“ From the day the software is deployed , this code becomes a burden , requiring maintenance , additions , and upgrading to meet new challenges , accommodate upgrades and emerging technologies , and enable business strategies .
“ As technology waves come about , often programmers have to redevelop the code to stay current or even continue operating at all . It is a similar case with low-code technologies that still require coding around the edges .
“ This burden is ‘ technical debt ’, a cost lurking in the background that will need addressing at some point . Any software system requiring code is hard to build , flex and maintain and will cost valuable time and resources .
“ In comparison , no-code technologies
enable non-technical people to create powerful software systems without writing a single line of code . Because of this , it is revolutionalising the digital transformation era .
“ No-code provides a solution that delivers measurable and rapid results with lower effort , cost and resource input through software tools with easy to use and understand capabilities allowing you to automate enterprise-wide business processes and workflows with ease .
“ It replaces manual and paper-based work , multiple standalone spreadsheets and can complement or replace outdated legacy systems while providing powerful real-time KPI reporting to drive decision making and continual improvement .
“ All these well-documented benefits are leading IT leaders to embed no-code technology into their digital strategies .”
Ian also addresses the well-publicised shortage of experienced developers .
“ Using no-code technologies enables businesses to overcome the reliance on a highly-skilled role which is currently experiencing a talent gap between supply and demand ,” he says .
“ Organisations can look within and identify individuals with no prior programming skills , simply problem solvers able to apply their skills and knowledge to create powerful applications .
“ Using no-code , they can accelerate the digitalisation of business-critical processes and workflows . These ‘ citizen developers ’ have
For more information about Excelpoint , please visit excelpoint . co . uk or contact 01325 375930 .
always existed but previously have been a burden to the IT department .
“ Now the IT function can leverage these resources while retaining centralised control , governance , security and quality .”
Ian goes on to explain : “ Excelpoint ’ s nocode software offers ease of use and rapid onboarding .
“ With in-depth training and support from our business consultants , admin users quickly gain experience in building business applications and can seamlessly integrate them with other internal information repositories .”
Is there any wonder Gartner is predicting that by 2024 , 65 per cent of software development will include no-code or lowcode platforms ?
So , what does this all mean for businesses based on Aycliffe Business Park ?
Ian adds : “ Many organisations we speak to don ’ t understand no-code technology and how to realise the many benefits while gaining competitive advantage and enhanced user and customer experience .
“ We explain that systems can be configured into any solution required , whether for ERP , logistics , CRM and sales management , customer service , health and safety or training and competency .
“ In truth , it can digitally transform endto-end business processes and workflows to address a wide range of organisational challenges and realises a faster time to value .”
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 23