2 release elements that improve the customer experience
January 8, 2019Platform Release: Beta2 of WEM 4.0 is live!
May 13, 2019Forrester Vice President and Principal Analyst, John Rymer, shares his view about common developer misconceptions regarding low-code/no-code application development platforms. He also explains why low-code/no-code has great viability for complex enterprise applications.
Rymer begins by indicating: “Not everyone is on board with low-code development platforms, even though they are a key part of a strategy to accelerate app delivery”. So, what’s with this push back when it comes to low-code/no-code? Rymer formulates two reasons, from a developer’s perspective:
Low-code will limit the kinds of apps I can build and the scale of the apps.
Low-code will lock me out of open source and APIs and limit flexibility.
However, Rymer also argues low-code/no-code development platforms have viability for complex enterprise applications. And we couldn’t agree more! At WEM, we proudly enable anyone – from seasoned programmers to Citizen Developers – to create complex software. From a “simple” time management application to an “extremely complex” ERP system. And yes, without having to code that is. Hence, time to zoom in on the two aforementioned myths.
1. Build scalable, complex apps with no-code
“Low-code vendors focused on scale and complexity can support the scale of mission-critical app requirements, as evidenced by firsthand accounts from developers who use these platforms”, Rymer counters this first myth on scalability and complexity.
Take the WEM application for Food Safety System Certification, FSSC 22000, for example. With currently 110+ Licensed Certification Bodies and over 1,500 auditors worldwide, FSSCs mission is to provide a trusted brand assurance platform to the consumer goods industry.
The online portal that was built in WEM, which is available in multiple languages, fully supports the FSSC 22000 workflow. “Certifying bodies can upload requirements and data corresponding with specific certificates”, explains Jules Rojer (Technical Manager, FSSC22000). As of yet, 18.000+ organizations over 140 countries are FSSC 22000 certified.
In addition, with no-code development, new functionalities can also always be added to existing enterprise applications. “Future developments of WEM that we are very excited about is the platform will enable us to use the application while being off-line,” Rojer states.
Another example: The implementation of a fully integrated custom ERP system, one of PragmatiQs current projects for Bakerstreet (Spoiler alert! More on this soon). And with WEM, customers tackle new domains like Internet of Things, such as use-measuring bathroom facilities provided by King Nederland/Bunzl.
2. Flexibility: the use of open source, APIs and more
“[…] low-code platforms do incorporate widely used open source components”, Rymer discusses the second myth. “Low-code development platforms are also strong at integrating functions and data drawn from internet services, as well as older systems like the Oracle and SAP ERPs”.
With WEMs point-and click characteristics, anyone can easily integrate their projects with a huge variety of systems. Easy integration decreases the time spent writing code. In addition, pre-coded, bug-free, integration functionalities drastically reduce maintenance requirements and time-to-market of applications.
Rob ten Kroode (Chief Knowledge Officer, WEM) explains: “Integration itself is a highly complex feature. Setting up this functionality from scratch requires tons of technical know-how. WEMs out-of-the-box Integration is available by default for all WEM users. The functionality works immediately without any configuration or modification”.
The WEM Platform supports SOAP, REST, JSON, XML, HTTP and OData to integrate with external systems. And just as easily you can realize single sign-on functionality, by integrating a WEM application with authentication providers, such as Microsoft Active Directory, Google G Suite, Oracle to social systems like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.
The simple truth about no-code’s complexity
From visual modeling, integrations, hierarchy, real-time testing and one-click deployments – No-code development platform WEM simplifies the process of creating complex applications. It’s a matter of creating intuitive, interactive and customized applications as per their business needs – independently how complex.
Rymer states: “The foundations of low-code platforms make them more flexible than most would expect. Not only can you deliver software more quickly, but you can also iterate at a faster pace”. Or as ten Kroode concludes: “Creating complex enterprise grade applications that require all kinds of integration facilities is a breeze with WEM”.