How Low Code Activates Internal Resources

Is low code the future

With low code, IT bosses can use company-owned resources despite the lack of skilled workers. A webcast of the Computerwoche shows how it works.

The lack of top developers places limits on companies, but low-code helps them activate internal resources. A webcast of the Computerwoche shows how IT bosses approach this. Martin Otten, Regional Vice President Central Europe at Outsystems, talks about the advantages and challenges of this concept. Specialist journalist Heinrich Seeger from Computerwoche moderates the webcast.

Otten sees low-code as an alternative to classic software development."Changes are coming to us faster and more often, "he says. And analysts estimate that Germany will have a shortage of three million skilled workers by 2030. With this, he seems to be breaking open doors for the viewers of the webcast: As an ad-hoc survey shows, 42 percent have already gained experience with low-code software development. Another 53 percent think about the deployment. The respondents expect low-code data to be primarily used for shorter time-to-market (88 percent), intuitive application development options through visual models (64 percent) and to remedy the shortage of skilled workers (52 percent).

"Isn’t that just something for older developers who used to work with Cobol?" Seeger says. Otten added: "There are people who are quickly retrained!" In addition, he knows graduates from economics who are involved in this topic.His conclusion: "This is actually something for everyone." But when it comes to integration scenarios, you still need the "geeks".

2024 two thirds of all software developments are based partly on low-code

The US market researcher Gartner expects that by 2024 about 65 percent of all software development will have included low-code in some way. Otten outlines Outsystems' approach with four key words: customer experience, agility, modern architecture and top talent. Customers can use the provider’s cloud or, for example, MS Azure. According to Otten, Outsystems automates internal processes with regard to customers and employees. Developers often sit down with product owners to quickly create prototypes.

What does the platform look like? 

"The first release was in 2002," explains Otten. The first includes UI, Logic, Process and Data as a full stack. We continue with Part Two, "Integrate & Extend" (REST, SOAP, Openapi and Cloud Services, Enterprise Systems and Databases), Part Three "Full-Lifecycle" (Devops/Continouos Integration) and Part Four "User Experience" (Web, Mobile, Apis, Web Services, Chat, etc., all scalable).

In addition to benefits for busines, shortened time to value and more agility, Otten calls the following IT benefits: Faster and cheaper development (the total costs can be halved), Cloud Infrastructure & Operating Staff included, IT governance and control, Enterprise grade features and security. Outsystems currently serves around 1,200 companies worldwide, including such diverse companies as Axa, Mercedes-Benz, KPMG and Hermes.

It starts with trying

"How do you start after deciding on such a platform?", the moderator wants to know." First try it out!" answers Otten. For this purpose, Outsystems provides a free offer on the website. In a so-called jump start as a training, users can work on a use case together with a solution architect." "Many customers start with a simple application," says Otten. To add immediately: "I always say: start with a more complex, then it works for the simple definitely!"

At the end of the show, the audience has the floor. One question drives several viewers: How can shadow IT and application wildgrowth be prevented if you use low code? Otten said: "We offer a solid architecture and the setting up of processes. It’s not just about technology, it’s also about who does what, and that creates control." He also advocates singlesignons and dashboards for architects.

Last but not least, viewers want to know that the whole thing costs. Otten speaks of a subscription model (payment per year) and of platform license with internal and external users. A basic edition is available starting at 42,000 euros.Then a viewer wants to know: "Is Lowcode an egg-laying woolly sow?" Otten must smile a little. Of course, he is convinced of low-code, but openly says: "There are certainly situations in which a standard solution makes sense!"