No-code for Enterprise: Opportunities and Challenges

Key Points

• Enterprise-level codeless/low-code development platforms are becoming increasingly popular. A recent survey shows that 96% of IT and operations professionals have adopted or planned to adopt such tools. These platforms enable non-programmers to create applications and provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional application development.
• No code platform is especially beneficial for the development of internal applications and prototypes. They can quickly and cost-effectively develop and iterate some of the functional applications, reducing the overall time and cost of the project. This allows for faster feedback and improves success rates throughout the development process.
• Despite the opportunities, there are also security risks for no-code platforms. These include potential vulnerabilities in the platform itself and the risk of leaking sensitive information due to business users’ control over the development and deployment of applications. Mitigation strategies include regular security training for business users, requiring IT security team approval before releasing new applications, and regular review of codeless applications.
• Vendor locking is another challenge for no-code platforms, as most platforms are proprietary and closed, making application migration difficult. Mitigation strategies include thorough supplier assessments that consider factors such as previous experience with large enterprises, funding history, financial stability, and detailed service-level agreements. Despite the challenges, the opportunities offered by codeless platforms, such as reducing development time and costs, are considered to outweigh the risks.

The no-code and low-code development platform allows non-programmers to create applications without writing any or a small amount of code. They usually include a graphical user interface that automatically writes application code in the background.

In the past few years, no-code development has swept the IT industry. According to Gartner, by 2024, 80% of technology products and services will be built outside of the IT department. According to a recent Tonkean survey, 96% of 500 U.S. IT and operations professionals say they have adopted or are about to adopt codeless/low-code tools.

While the concept of empowering business users to build their own applications has been around for a long time, this new wave of products – driven by the injection of large amounts of private capital and the widespread adoption of cloud computing – is becoming A viable alternative to traditional application development. Large companies can benefit greatly from this trend.

Business users in large enterprises have been building and maintaining their own applications for decades. To this end, many business users choose spreadsheets as their primary platform—particularly Microsoft Excel. Users familiar with VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) can also implement more advanced features in Excel and create integrations with other software such as Microsoft Access for data persistence. However, this type of codeless use has been plagued by the inherent limitations of file-based.

The next generation of codeless technology provides a unique opportunity to build applications that are often no different from those built by professional developers for end users.

Creat opportunity for enterprises without code

No code platform can bring huge opportunities to enterprises in the field of application development.

Application development is expensive and time-consuming. This is especially true in large enterprises—and well-reasoned: hasty release of flawed applications can cause very high costs for the enterprise. Therefore, they have cumbersome internal processes in the development, testing and release of applications to ensure they are safe, stable and scalable. This makes the application development lifecycle a time-consuming and expensive process. The development cost of a regular enterprise-grade web application is usually between $100,000 and $1 million. According to a 2016 survey by Enterprise Mobile Exchange, 29% of respondents have an average mobile app development budget of $250,000 to $500,000, and 25% have a budget of more than $1.5 million.

While this is understandable for business-critical, external-oriented applications, there are many other application development needs that are less critical and are for internal use only. However, these requirements are often subject to the same level of scrutiny. Why does an application that only a few internal users take so long and costly to develop?

Usually, business units have built their target applications in Excel, but these applications are not as efficient as web applications. Most corporate CIOs and IT managers have heard these arguments many times. However, they have no other approved solutions other than building traditional applications. A new generation of codeless platforms can change this. Providing an alternative platform for business units to build web applications with minimal dependence on IT departments will be a valuable boon for large enterprises.

What types of applications are most beneficial to no code?

Developing internal applications is probably the best category to benefit from codeless development. These applications are usually smaller in user base. Since all users are internal users, they can be deployed behind an enterprise firewall to ensure compliance with enterprise security standards. Most internal applications are not business-critical, so they can tolerate limited downtime.

This is probably the largest category of application development in the enterprise. Since most of these projects tend to be low-priority and have a limited budget, IT departments often fail to meet or prioritize these support needs. Business departments usually handle these requirements by building applications in Excel, without even submitting them to IT for consideration. This leads to countless different Excel spreadsheets flowing throughout the organization, ultimately becoming a nightmare for corporate security teams.

Migrating these applications to an enterprise-wide codeless platform can solve many of these problems without depriving the business unit of any flexibility.

Another ideal codeless category is low usage external-oriented applications. Such applications are usually used by partners, middlemen, or certain customers. They are not business-critical and can tolerate limited downtime. They also do not process any sensitive data.

In addition, a codeless platform can easily facilitate the construction of prototypes and minimum viable products (MVPs) for business-critical applications. Prototyping is part of the software development process where developers and end users interact on some functional applications to evaluate and iterate business requirements until a final design agreement is reached. This helps finalize the design before the actual development process begins—which in turn reduces the overall time and cost of the project by identifying and eliminating potential changes in advance.

The concept of developing MVP is particularly suitable for startups. The idea is to quickly and at the lowest cost to develop some of the feature versions of your idea and deploy them to a limited user base. The purpose is to collect data from users to understand the feasibility of the product. Ultimately, you will invest in developing a complete product only if the feedback is positive. Otherwise, iterate and improve until you reach the expected feedback level.

Whether it is used for prototyping or building MVPs, a codeless platform can be a big benefit to the enterprise as part of developing business-critical applications. Since they are only used to collect information and iterate results, being able to do this quickly and cost-effectively improves the process of the entire process. It is also important that they are developed by business users, which helps reduce the workload of IT teams. Once the prototype is finalized or the MVP is approved, the IT department can begin to develop in practice, fully understanding the possibility of little or no change of requirements. This ensures a higher success rate throughout the development process.

While these types of applications are perfect for codeless, there are many other types of applications that are perfect for codeless processes. However, these bring higher levels of risks to the organization and must be properly mitigated.

No code security precautions

The security of codeless applications remains the biggest challenge facing enterprises. Authorized business users to build web applications for internal or external users may inadvertently expose network infrastructure to security vulnerabilities. The larger the attack surface, the more vulnerable the enterprise to external attacks.

When evaluating the security of a codeless platform, two types of vulnerabilities should be resolved. First, the security of the codeless platform itself should be carefully checked. Most codeless platforms are cloud-based, meaning customer data will be hosted in third-party facilities, with businesses likely having little or no control over it. The prospect of putting sensitive data on a multi-tenant cloud platform for codeless vendors is a major concern for enterprise security teams.

However, there are ways to mitigate such security risks. Ensuring that the cloud infrastructure of a codeless vendor remains securely certified by third-party auditors is one way to do this. Enterprise security teams can also perform vulnerability scanning and penetration testing on the platform.

Deploying applications and data on a single-tenant cloud infrastructure where the enterprise security team can maintain a certain degree of control is another option. The ideal situation is to host the platform on an infrastructure that is fully controlled by the enterprise. These are some ways in which enterprise security professionals can ensure that the infrastructure around a codeless platform meets its security standards.

The second type of security vulnerability is human factors. While the platform itself can meet enterprise security requirements, it may still expose sensitive information to unauthorized users because business users control the development and deployment of these applications.

One way to mitigate such vulnerabilities is to train business users who develop codeless applications for enterprise security best practices. Restricting the people who can publish the app and ensuring that only those who have security training can participate can participate. However, this requires that the codeless platform include such features.

Another option is to require approval from the IT security team before releasing a new application on the platform. While this may reduce the agility of the development lifecycle, it will certainly help prevent the leakage of sensitive information. These types of approval mechanisms should also be included in the codeless platform. Regular audits of any codeless application by IT teams can also help improve security. Since no-code applications can be updated at any time by business users, previously approved applications may begin to leak sensitive data after updates. Regular audits can help mitigate these risks.

How to mitigate the risk of locking out of code-free vendors?

Most codeless products are proprietary and closed platforms. Once an application is built on a codeless platform, it is difficult to migrate it to another platform. Additionally, most codeless platforms are developed by privately invested startups. There are already many codeless companies with very similar products. At the time of writing, G2 lists 180 products on its codeless development platform software page. Capterra lists 80 products on its codeless platform software page. Another popular no-code website, NoCodeList, lists over 300 tools. As the market matures, some of these startups will not survive. Other companies will turn in other directions, which will make it more difficult for customers who use early-stage products.

When considering a codeless platform, these can pose significant risks to large enterprises. However, most supplier lock-in risks can be mitigated. It all begins with a detailed supplier evaluation process. One of the factors to consider is whether the supplier has prior experience working with other large enterprises. Working with corporate clients is not easy, it has its own unique challenges. Businesses must make sure to contact current corporate customers and understand their experience using the platform.

In addition, funding history and financial stability are another important factor in the evaluation process. Decisions on developing platforms are long-term commitments for large enterprises. Promising a platform that may no longer exist within a few years may prove to be a costly mistake.

Detailed service-level agreements are also an important tool to mitigate the risks of supplier lock-in. Corporate legal departments must consider adding terms to their agreements to provide fast and high-quality support, priority problem resolution, business continuity and disaster recovery, price stability and data migration.

No code opportunities outweigh risks

The opportunities provided by no-code platforms outweigh the risks.

There has been a challenge for decades: How can large enterprises provide the flexibility and speed of business-driven tools without spending a lot of time and resources? While no code presents a unique set of challenges for itself, it also provides a viable and very beneficial solution: allowing business users to develop and maintain their own tools. It does not require the introduction of a lot of costs, nor does it require learning the steep learning curve associated with traditional software development. No code can enhance the organization's capabilities by reducing the workload of small development projects with technical resources and enabling the business to move its goals forward.

The no-code platform market is booming, so businesses can choose from a range of powerful toolkits that can meet their business needs. As long as the business is aware of the potential pitfalls, it can quickly and efficiently start integrating any codeless solutions into its day-to-day operations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Opportunities and Challenges for Uncoded Enterprises

What are the main benefits of using a codeless platform in an enterprise environment?

The codeless platform provides a number of benefits for enterprises. First, they greatly reduce the time and resources required to develop and deploy applications. This is because they eliminate the need for complex coding, and even non-technical people can create functional applications. Second, they promote innovation by allowing more people in the organization to contribute ideas and solutions. Finally, they can help reduce costs by minimizing the need for external developers or expensive software.

What are the limitations or challenges related to codeless platforms?

While codeless platforms offer many benefits, they also present some challenges. For example, they may not provide the same level of customization or complexity as traditional coding. This may limit their usefulness for certain types of applications. In addition, there may be data security issues, especially in industries that are strictly regulated. Businesses must thoroughly evaluate any platform before adopting it.

How to choose the right codeless platform for my business?

Selecting the right codeless platform depends on the specific needs of your company. Consider factors such as the ease of use of the platform, the level of customization it allows, its ability to integrate with other systems, and its security features. It is also helpful to read reviews and case studies and try out the free trial platform when it is available.

Can a codeless platform integrate with an existing system?

Yes, many codeless platforms can be integrated with existing systems. This is crucial for businesses because it allows them to leverage their current technology investments. However, the levels of integration capabilities across platforms may vary, so be sure to check this before making a decision.

Is the codeless platform safe?

Security is a key issue for enterprises, and most codeless platforms take this into account. They usually include features such as data encryption, user authentication, and access control. But, like any technology, it is important to conduct a thorough safety assessment before adoption.

Can a codeless platform handle complex business processes?

While codeless platforms are designed to be easy to use and simple, many platforms are able to handle complex business processes as well. They usually include features such as workflow automation, data management, and reporting capabilities. However, the level of complexity they can handle may vary, so this must be evaluated based on the specific needs of your business.

How does a codeless platform promote corporate innovation?

No code platforms can promote innovation by democratizing the application development process. By allowing non-technical people to create applications, they can come up with a wider range of ideas and solutions. This can lead to more innovative and effective solutions to business challenges.

What is the future of a codeless platform in an enterprise environment?

The future of no-code platforms in an enterprise environment looks promising. Demand for these platforms is likely to grow as businesses continue to seek ways to simplify operations and promote innovation. Furthermore, as technology continues to evolve, we expect more powerful and more general code-free solutions to emerge in the future.

Can a codeless platform replace traditional encoding?

While codeless platforms offer many benefits, they are unlikely to completely replace traditional encoding. This is because there are still certain types of applications and features that require the flexibility and power of traditional coding. However, they can certainly complement traditional coding and provide a more accessible way for non-technical personnel to participate in application development.

How to get started with a codeless platform?

Getting started with a codeless platform usually involves choosing a platform, learning how to use it through tutorials or training, and then starting to build an application. Many platforms offer free trials or demos, which is a great way to learn about the platform before making a commitment.

The above is the detailed content of No-code for Enterprise: Opportunities and Challenges. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!