4 Common Low-Code Pitfalls

Low-code technologies have been disrupting the world of IT for years and are only gaining more traction. However, many question whether there is a place at the low-code table for ISVs and enterprise teams looking to build and modernize complex applications. To answer that, we have to look at the four key functionality gaps found in low-code development and how to address them.

1. UX Freedom

Let’s start with an important but often forgotten aspect of choosing a low-code platform: The user experience. Too often we pick systems that may have a technical fit, without considering the front-end functionality. If your app needs additional customization, is it easy for developers to add/adapt the experience to meet your business goal? For example, can a low-code provide contextual and personalized navigation? Does the UI builder provide a robust event model for all components such as, focus gain/loss, data changes and more. Are end-users able to complete multiple tasks in parallel? Most importantly, will this be a program that your team or your customers enjoy using every day?

2. Data Composition/Analysis and Intricate Logic

Complex applications add value by turning disparate data sources into knowledge, insight and action. While many low-code platforms will pull data from a few sources and provide a certain degree of read/write capabilities, users of business-critical applications expect to be able to retrieve data from a variety of sources, blend it seamlessly, perform robust analysis, and most important – take critical action. Servoy allows you to mix data from virtually any source and navigate complex relationships in just a few clicks.

A low-code for complex apps should provide sophisticated business objects, which not only give better UX, but also bind directly to the connected data sources. Your developers need to be able to quickly model relationships between data sources, create data driven lists and grids, and easily calculate derived values and aggregates. A robust low-code platform will not only provide a rich layer of events for the UI, but also data interactions. This will provide the “hooks” for app builders to implement intricate logic.

Now, because we’re talking low-code and not no-code, we need to address two things that most low-code platforms do wrong. First, when they quickly need to escape to a low-level language to provide a plug-in, they quickly implement some kind of proprietary macro language. A well rounded low-code platform must provide a productive way to implement custom logic. Servoy’s platform makes taking that leap easy, empowering users to create complex custom logic with as much or little code as needed.

3. Build Once, Deploy Everywhere

As the world turns more towards cloud-based solutions, modern enterprise applications and SaaS products must be able to reach customers where they are. Developers expect to deliver to browsers, desktops, and mobile devices seamlessly, including interactions with devices and local, custom hardware integrations. Business-critical applications should move seamlessly between landing zones: on-premise and cloud, public and private, multi-tenant or multi-instance. Even per-tenant customizations should be fluid within a comprehensive DevOps pipeline. When choosing a low-code, consider a platform which confirms to a heterogeneous landscape and can handle all the touch points

4. Scalability

While most low-code platforms offer small-scale solutions, what happens when you need to scale up? The biggest challenge most low-code solutions face is their inability to increase its capacity and functionality based on the users’ demand. If your software is unable to be elastic on handling load given more allocated resources when the volume of requests increases, your software is not scalable.

A robust low-code platform, like Servoy, will remain stable while adapting to changes, updates, overhauls, and resource reduction. The more adaptive and reactive your software becomes to changes on the backend, the quicker you will be able to take advantage of the latest trends and influx of demand. Likewise your business will also benefit in the long run with lower maintenance costs, higher agility, and cheaper upgrade expenses.

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