In the constantly changing business landscape, organizations need to keep pace to meet consumer needs. Competitive markets, the need to solve business problems quickly, lack of skilled software developers, and overburdened IT departments are the factors pushing companies to turn to low code no code partners.
Unlike custom development, low code no code development helps companies develop business applications with little to no prior coding experience. It enables business analysts, small-business owners, and others from non-IT backgrounds to build applications. Gartner reports that 41% of employees outside of IT customize or build data or technology solutions.
During the platform’s trial period, there are several vital features that you should pay close attention to when deciding whether this low-code platform suits you or not.
Here are the main characteristics to consider before choosing a low-code platform –
1. User Interface of the Application
Ask yourself whether your customers will be happy with the application’s interface developed using this low-code platform? The user experience of your applications should be intuitive and comfortable to use. Make sure the platform supports this.
2. Configuration Settings and Tools
Ensure the low-code platform provides the necessary configuration settings and visual tools that let your employees manage applications independently. An intuitive interface is not the only thing needed for the application to work. You need access to the database, configure authentication and permissions.
Also, check to what extent you will need to involve professional developers.
3. Customizable Ready-Made Templates
Be sure to check if the tool provides ready-made templates if your goal is to automate business processes. Ready-made templates significantly reduce the risk involved in creating a particular system and save a significant amount of effort.
It increases productivity, provides flexibility, and a convenient development process for your low code no code development team.
4. Mobile-Friendly
Does your application work smoothly on mobile devices? Ensure that your employees do not have to develop anything additional in the application to work well on mobile devices.
5. Functionality
It’s important to note whether the platform provides the functionalities your company needs. Compile all your employees’ tasks, such as processing documents, filling out questionnaires, inputting data in an internal database, etc. The low-code platform or management software must have form designers, electronic signatures, and other essential functionality.
6. Training Programs
Does the platform have a comprehensive training program? Employees will be learning how to develop applications on this platform. Hence, the platform must have a separate lesson plan or training program aside from the main product.
7. Technical Support
How well does technical support work? The low-code platform must provide proper technical support. Read reviews about the platform beforehand.
8. Cloud Infrastructure
Check if you can deploy the platform in the cloud? If the low-code platform supports cloud infrastructure, the application deployment process will be much quicker. It is something worth taking advantage of.
9. Flexibility
What about non-coder IT? Empower IT, not just business users. Not everyone wants to be a professional developer yet would like to be a creator.
Many IT professionals may not be focused on hardcore coding skills, but they can create great apps and solutions with the right platform. Companies can leverage and empower these IT power users by choosing a low-code platform that is flexible enough.
10. Simple Yet Scalable
A low-code platform should enable users to jumpstart simple problems and then increasingly more complex scenarios as they arise. A low code platform can help small to medium-sized companies experiment with new products, features, new integrations, and more by being open to the different skill levels of a company’s workforce.
They can even build entirely new systems for your business from scratch at a fraction of the cost that it would take if one were looking into working with an outside provider.
Originally published here.