What are the benefits of low-code app development platforms?

Bianca Visagie
8 December 2022

Low-code app development is gaining a lot of traction right now due to the rapidly changing market conditions of the modern world. Low-code app development platforms have started to rise up to meet the needs of enterprises and help accelerate business processes.

At Integrove, our goal is to deliver unique, high-value, complex enterprise applications. We’ve partnered with Outsystems to create innovative applications with low-code. Let us show you what’s possible with low-code app development platforms.

The benefits of low-code app development platforms

Low-code app development platforms have reduced the need to rely on custom scripts, making it quicker to develop and test an application. While there are drawbacks to some of the low-code app development platforms, such as limitations on customization and shadow IT, the benefits far outweigh them.

Decreased Costs

Low-code apps reduce the need for large development teams. Developers are usually in short supply, and their talents are often split between too many projects. Low-code platform tools enable developers to spend less time coding, allowing for faster innovation and development that saves money and increases ROI (return on investment).

Low-code also offers the added benefit of not having to purchase new software. IT can use a low-code platform to develop a custom solution that will serve your exact needs at a relatively low cost.

Speed

Low-code app development platforms can potentially reduce development time by up to 90%. Low-code’s ability to speed up the delivery of new applications cannot be understated. Nearly half of all IT projects overrun their go-live date, but with the help of low-code those development times can be cut down.

Legacy Integration

Legacy integrations can often be a business’ biggest nightmare if done incorrectly. Low-code platforms can increase agility in app development, making the integration of legacy systems and new systems run much smoother.

Reduces Shadow IT

Due to IT’s long turn around times, business teams have developed a habit of implementing and managing software solutions without IT’s consent or knowledge. By using low-code to deploy new process and applications rapidly

Bigger focus on business development

Similar to website builders, low-code will allow people to build simple apps without having to know how to write complex code. However, there is a learning curve if you don’t have some development / coding knowledge. But low-code makes it easier for people with no coding experience to quickly develop the skills to be able to automate simple, repetitive business processes, leaving people with more time to focus on business development.

Accomplish more with existing skills

App development is constantly changing and requires new skills. Many businesses face an IT skills gap. Low-code platforms can bridge the gap by bringing existing skills into new platforms.

Use Case: OutSystems Low-Code Development in Action for the Mining Sector

Background: A leading mining company was grappling with data integration issues across their multiple excavation sites. The sheer volume of data being generated from different locations, each with its own legacy data system, made it challenging to optimise operations and forecast resource allocation.

The Challenge:

Legacy Systems Fragmentation: Multiple excavation sites were operating on older, isolated data systems, making centralized data analysis a challenge.
Demand for Real-time Reporting: To optimise extraction and transportation operations, real-time data was crucial.
Limited IT Infrastructure: The remote nature of mining sites made it hard to establish a unified, robust IT solution without excessive costs.

Solution with OutSystems:

Swift Deployment: Harnessing the power of OutSystems’ low-code platform, we can rapidly build a unified data management system that integrates all of a mine’s excavation sites.
Seamless Legacy Integration: The new system integrates seamlessly with legacy databases, ensuring uninterrupted data flow and zero downtime.
Cost-efficient: With OutSystems, there is no need to heavily invest in extensive IT infrastructure or hire a big team.
Remote Management & Training: We can provide the tools to manage the application remotely. This reduces the dependency on continuous on-site IT support and allows mines to control and adapt the application as needed.

Outcome:

This system provides a holistic view of operations across all excavation sites. Mines can now make real-time decisions, optimise machinery allocation, workforce management, and transportation logistics. This unified data approach can result in higher operational efficiency, increased resource optimisation, and a significant reduction in operational costs.

Conclusion:

For industries like mining, where operations span vast geographies and robust real-time data is crucial, low-code app development is a game-changer. With Integrove’s expertise and OutSystems’ powerful platform, mining enterprises can leapfrog into the next era of operational excellence.

Low-code at Integrove

At Integrove we can turn your big ideas into enterprise applications. As an Enterprise Application Development capability, we connect the dots across UI/UX, Data Analytics, Integration & other capabilities to build custom applications for enterprises. Through our experience, expertise, and Outsystems partnership, we offer architecturally sound, configurable and low-maintenance solutions.