An evolutionary approach to software engineering Pritesh Pattni Evolution. The gradual development of something to make it even better. It’s this approach that underpins the low code software development revolution, and that drives the progression of market leader OutSystems, one of the most respected low code platforms in use today. What is low code? Software development has seen significant changes in recent years, and rather than relying on traditional coding for every project, developers and businesses have been looking for more accessible, cost-effective and efficient methods. The main alternative to traditional coding is low code, which has emerged as people look for ways to get to the same development goals without the challenges of traditional coding – high costs, protracted development cycles and the need for highly skilled developers, for example. Low code still requires development expertise and experience, but its drag-and-drop nature helps to reduce project timescales, eliminate common errors and speed up time to market. Part of the low code ‘revolution’ is the fact that it allows developers to have an ongoing relationship with an application or programme. This allows changes, updates and improvements to be made quickly, affordably and with usability in mind – helping organisations to always deliver the best experience to their users. The key benefits of low code development include: Speedier, more agile development – low code platforms simplify complex development tasks. Drag-and-drop interfaces allow developers to build applications quickly, reducing long project timescales and delivering faster time to market.   Integration capability – low code development promotes good integration across systems including varied data sources, APIs and existing systems. This helps to build new applications that reduce downtime and business disruption, thereby reducing costs. AI and automation – like it or loathe it, AI and machine learning are important developments that will change the way we do things. Today’s leading low code platforms understand this, and have space for these capabilities to be introduced. From automating common tasks to improving decision making, ow code development can help organisations to take advantage of these opportunities. Scalability – many organisations need software applications that can change and grow with them. This means scalability and adaptability – something that low code development offers as a matter of course. Why is OutSystems a leader in this field? There are some big players in the low code market – and many smaller companies too. If you are looking for low code development, you’ll probably start by researching the various platforms available and evaluating which might be best for your needs. In fact, that’s exactly what our team did when we wanted to take advantage of low code development for our own market-leading software product. We chose OutSystems. And now we’re a proud OutSystems partner. So what can we share with you about why we think OutSystems is the platform of choice? To start with, we’re not the only ones. In fact, in 2023, OutSystems was as a market leader for Enterprise level low code application platforms by the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ report. It’s the ‘enterprise’ element of this that is important to us. This means that the platform is set up to support a wider range of scenarios than just ‘building something faster’. Another crucial aspect that sets OutSystems apart is their ‘no lock-in’ policy. This means that you can feel confident knowing that you have the flexibility to separate your code from the platform, all while keeping your application running smoothly and without any disruptions. This freedom empowers you to make strategic decisions for your business, ensuring that you are always in control of your software and ready to adapt to changing needs, knowing that your application is not tied down to any specific platform. OutSystems recommends that you cover at least the following areas when you are evaluating platforms – and these help to identify whether the platform can truly support enterprise-level projects: High quality omnichannel experiences Breadth of app types you can build Security automation and built-in DevSecOps Licensing clarity and predictability Reusability, composability and governed innovation Platform engineering and DevOps integration Of course, there are many aspects to compare in each of these areas, so your evaluation criteria should include: Is the provider an established leader in its field? Is the platform scalable, so solutions can support your growth plans? Can you easily deploy your apps in leading app stores? Does the platform support multi-experience user journeys? Can you use the platform without having to expand your current tech stack? Can the platform integrate with your existing business workflow and systems? Does your provider support security mechanisms and allow your team to scan for vulnerabilities? Is the pricing model realistic, transparent and suitable for your needs? Is the platform designed to help your team build to best practice guidelines? Can the platform co-exist successfully with traditional coding teams? OutSystems ticks all these boxes and more. But what does that mean for you? It means that your application is being built to give you the best outcome at the best price, without compromising technical good practice, and with a focus on ensuring it works with other systems in your business, now and in the future. What do you get if you unite great design, coding and development? You get an application that’s completely fit for today’s purpose while also being ready to update for tomorrow. This evolutionary approach to software engineering results in better products that are ready faster and with a lower budget. It means access to quality software without the huge investment or lumbering timescales often associated with development. It means you get to market faster, with a secure, advanced product that can easily adapt to meeting your users’ changing needs. It’s why we chose OutSystems – and it’s why we believe it’s the best choice for your next project. Why not get in touch with us today to find out more. Recommended Posts​ How to choose a low code platform partner How to choose a low code platform partner Pritesh Pattni

How to choose a low code platform partner Pritesh Pattni If you have a technology project or digital transformation programme, you are probably considering a low code solution. Low code offers a range of benefits when compared with traditional hand coding. These benefits include speed of development, cost-effectiveness and easier maintenance. If low code is the option you choose, you’ll need to find a partner to work with, and you’ll want to know as much as you can about which low code platform they use and why.  What is a low code platform? In recent years, the Low Code revolution has transformed the way applications, software and solutions are developed. The first thing to understand is that Low code development is platform based. The number of low code platforms on the market is increasing, with both well-known brand names and new entrants vying to offer the best solution for development teams. The most common low code platforms are: OutSystems Quickbase Airtable Appian Caspio In addition, well-known tech brands like Microsoft and Salesforce have developed their own low code platforms, and there are plenty of other suppliers out there. Like all technology platforms, this competition means that it can be quite tricky to decide which platform will be best for your needs. When you approach a potential development partner, they will have a set of questions for you, to help determine the scope of your project and so that they can tell you how they can design and build your software using low code. How to prepare to choose a low code platform partner In order to make the process as easy as possible, it’s best to be prepared for the questions your target suppliers might ask. This means you need to take a step back from ‘I need to hire a development team’ to think about questions like ‘What do we want the software to achieve?’ This consideration takes two forms: the practical things you need from the software, and the relationship and service you need from your supplier. So here are some things to think about: How to choose the right low code software for your business Are you replacing existing technology?  For example, a company may have a critical process that is currently managed via a complex Excel spreadsheet. Spreadsheets have their place, but they are not the best technology for many agile processes, so the company might want to introduce an app instead.  If you’re replacing existing technology, don’t forget that you need to think further than how your current process works today – you need to think about how it might be able to accommodate your business growth, or work across multiple locations, or manage changes in teams. Do you know who your users are?  Developments often fail because no one has thought about the end user. But if you want your software to promote collaboration, open communication and efficiency, you need to have a really clear idea of who will be using it, including their technical capabilities and how it fits with their current work environment and processes. Have you already mapped out the functionalities you want your project to deliver? If your planning is not far beyond “we need a new solution”, then part of the development phase should involve thorough planning. Otherwise, if you go straight into choosing platforms and development without truly knowing your requirements, you could end up needing to do more work (with additional costs) later on.  Does low code meet your needs?  Very complex or bespoke software might be better approached through hand coding. This takes longer – and is therefore more expensive – but it can deliver a completely specialised result. Low code platforms can meet the needs of most process automation, app development, integration and digital transformation projects, but a professional development partner will want to make sure that it will meet your needs. How to choose the right Low Code Development Partner Which low code platform will your developer use?  This is a key question, because not all low code offerings are equal. Platforms that offer good integration, flexibility and scalability are likely to be best for your business if you are looking for reliable technology that will support your business as it grows. There are plenty of online articles about low code platforms – do some research and list the platforms that seem to offer the features you need. Who will own the technology?  Depending on the type of software you are developing, you need to make sure that you will own the technology once it is complete. There are various licensing options available, so it’s worth understanding what these are and working out what is best for your business. How will they support you?  We’ve already said that you will want your technology to scale with your business. So how will that work with your development partner? Will your technology be easy to scale and how will your developer manage new features that become available after your project is finished? These are just some of the things to consider when choosing a low code development partner. Be clear about what you want the software to achieve, and what you want from a partnership and then arrange to chat to a few development teams that have the experience and expertise you need. As an OutSystems partner, we have years of experience in using low code technology to deliver digital transformation solutions to businesses around the world.  Our team has even used OutSystems to build our own commercial waste management software, Waste & Recycling One. So we’re always happy to talk about your project to see if OutSystems and our development approach is right for you – why not give us a call to find out more? Contact us today to find out more. Recommended Posts​ What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? November 22, 2023 What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? Pritesh Pattni The demand

What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? Pritesh Pattni The demand for new and upgraded technology isn’t going anywhere. The human race continues to adopt new technologies to replace either existing non- or low-tech solutions, or look for new ways to make our lives easier, more collaborative and more connected. This means we need to find creative ways of meeting that demand.   So, when clients ask us ‘what is low code technology’ we tell them that it’s a creative, cost-effective and reliable way to get technology projects done faster, making the most efficient use of development time and expertise. In fact, you could call recent advances in this technology, the low code development revolution.  What has caused the spike in demand for low code solutions?Well, the IDC FutureScape Worldwide Developer and DevOps 2021 Predictions stated that the shortage of full-time developers will reach 20% by 2025. That’s just a couple of years away. There simply aren’t enough developers out there to meet the demand for new technology. So, rather than slow down the pace of change and adoption, the industry has been adopting new ways of working. Low code – older than you think You may have only just started to hear about low code development. In fact, low code has been around in one form or another for the past 10 years or so. According to TechRadar, we are already in the third generation of low code. The first generation was built not for commercial use, but to give hand coding developers the option of a few shortcuts and allowing them to look at better ways of developing. However, this generation of low code technology wasn’t flexible enough to develop quickly, or to be consistent, and it often caused problems in the development cycle, rather than making life easier. The second generation of low code was designed largely for a non-developer audience. This is easier to identify with if you ever built your own website by dragging and dropping the elements you needed to build a home page, for example. It allowed businesses to take control of their own IT to a certain extent, and helped to speed up time to market. But these low code platforms were really just for performing a straightforward task – they didn’t have the ability to grow with the business and some platforms weren’t as architecturally strong or robust as they could have been. So, what is low code technology today? It’s certainly come a long way – today’s low code platforms are sophisticated, able to integrate with other software, allow for commercial scalability and help development teams to complete projects faster and more cost-effectively. Low code technology is reducing pressure, reducing cost, reducing time These are the three central benefits of choosing low code technology for your next project. IT leaders have been under pressure for many years – not just with the complex process of general digital transformation, but also with managing the challenges of home and remote working. Looking for secure, affordable solutions means that more IT departments are evaluating low code vs traditional coding, and seeing that in many cases, low code is the better option. That’s because it offers: Faster time to market Lower in-house development team costs Reduced pressure on existing IT resources Wider company involvement in digital development Reliable application outcomes Plus, you can use low code technology to develop software for a wide range of applications. Our partner low code platform, OutSystems, lists some of these in its blog, What Can You Really Build with Low-Code? Business process automation solutions Web apps Workflow management Data visualization and reporting OutSystems expands this list, however, because at first glance it looks like fairly standard, non-complex software. However, low code can handle complexity. So a ‘web app’ could easily be a secure banking app used by millions of customers. A ‘workflow management’ app could be targeted at internal teams across a global business. A ‘business process automation solution’ could take several linked processes that are currently managed across different software platforms and bring them into a single digital process that saves the organisation significant time and money. Learn more about the benefits of using a low code app builder. Why consider low code technology? If you have any sort of software or digitalisation project on the horizon, you should be looking at the benefits of low code technology. Not only can it handle most commercial requirements, it is scalable, easier to maintain and update than hand-coded software, and delivers a faster, cheaper outcome. And the fastest and most efficient way to get a successful low code project delivered, is to work with expert consultants who have delivered many projects like this before. That’s where ISB Smart Solutions comes in. Learn more in our blog How to Choose the right Low Code Development partner.  We’re a proud partner of OutSystems – one of the most highly-rated low code technology platforms on the market today. Learn more about why we choose OutSystems as our low code platform. So, Why not get in touch to see how low code could transform your next project? Contact us today to find out more. Recommended Posts​ How to choose a low code platform partner How to choose a low code platform partner Pritesh Pattni If you have a technology project or digital transformation programme, you are probably considering a low code solution. Low code offers a range… Read More What does it mean to work with an OutSystems Partner? What does it mean to work with an OutSystems Partner? Pritesh Pattni What does it mean to work with an OutSystems partner? When you’re planning a software project, you want to look for a development… Read More The OutSystems low code platform guide – an introduction The OutSystems low code platform guide – an introduction Pritesh Pattni If you’re considering using a low code solution for your next software project, you’ll want to know all about the various… Read More

What does it mean to work with an OutSystems Partner? Pritesh Pattni What does it mean to work with an OutSystems partner? When you’re planning a software project, you want to look for a development team that has your project’s best interests at heart. You will need to stick to timescale and budget so that you can get your software either out to market at the right time, or set up and running internally to bring more efficiency to your business. And if you’re considering low code development options, such as OutSystems, partner developers may turn out to be the best match for your project. Why choose an Outsystems partner? There are lots of developers out there, although there is a growing shortage of expert developers, particularly if you think you need your project to be hand coded. This more traditional approach to developing software usually requires more developers and more time – and of course, that means more cost.  There are certainly projects where this is still your best option, but for many commercial software projects, you can look at working with a low code development team. Low code is a less time-consuming way to design and build your software, and it can handle a wide range of applications and complexities.  Learn more about Low Code vs. Traditional Development.  But this is your money and your time – so you want to be sure that you’re working with experts who not only understand the technology but have a track record of delivering great software on time and on budget. That’s why it’s worth taking the time to find a platform partner – a business that is trusted by the platform to deliver quality work. At ISB Global, we are an OutSystems partner, using it not just for commercial client applications, but as a pillar of our own software offering, Waste & Recycling One Waste Management Software. What does this mean for you? First, OutSystems is globally recognised as one of the leading low code platforms on the market. Working with developers for more than 20 years, it has a sound track record of delivering high quality solutions. ISB Global has a team of highly experienced OutSystems developers – they know what works well, and what doesn’t. We’ve chosen to work with OutSystems because we know it has the capability and flexibility we need to develop agile, scalable applications that help organisations perform at a higher level. The main benefits that this partnership between OutSystems & ISB Global provides are: Business innovation and application modernisation – because low code software development is faster, we can devote the right amount of time to experimenting, collaborating and iterating. This helps us to develop smarter software that improves user experience and software performance.  Process automation –  low code is a great solution for organisations that want to automate processes to gain efficiencies. OutSystems has easy-to-use visual workflow tools, and these allow us to set up automation for repetitive processes quickly and easily.   Development lifecycle support – OutSystems has been designed to support the entire development process, from initial strategy to version control. This results in smooth project management, more manageable project timescales and the ability to maintain the software after initial release.   Standardised system architecture – one of the things we love about being an OutSystems partner is the fact that the platform promotes best practices. The end result is consistent and maintainable application design and development. OutSystems’ support of non-proprietary technologies enables leveraging of existing technical infrastructure and integration. Security – this should be top of the list for any IT department or organisation investing in new technology. OutSystems prioritises the security and safety of the data held within it, through built-in features such as two-factor authentication, security controls, and data encryption, along with secure data transfer. Seamless integration – this is important across projects of all shapes and sizes. OutSystems has several out-of-the-box integrations, along with prebuilt tools that cater to multiple integration situations. This allows integrations to be rolled out faster, without extensive customised setup. If you think an OutSystems partner might be a good option for your next development project, contact us today to find out more about how we can work together. Contact us today to find out more. Recommended Posts​ How to choose a low code platform partner How to choose a low code platform partner Pritesh Pattni If you have a technology project or digital transformation programme, you are probably considering a low code solution. Low code offers a range… Read More What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? Pritesh Pattni The demand for new and upgraded technology isn’t going anywhere. The human race continues to adopt new technologies to… Read More The OutSystems low code platform guide – an introduction The OutSystems low code platform guide – an introduction Pritesh Pattni If you’re considering using a low code solution for your next software project, you’ll want to know all about the various… Read More Where next? I’m an OutSystems Customer looking for Applications to accelerate my journey → I’m an OutSystems customer looking for patterns & features to accelerate my journey → I’m an OutSystems Customer using SAP and looking for an advanced integration engine → I’m an OutSystems customer and I need additional development support for my team →

The OutSystems low code platform guide – an introduction Pritesh Pattni If you’re considering using a low code solution for your next software project, you’ll want to know all about the various platforms and what they offer. Here, we’ll give an overview of the platform, why we’ve chosen to work with it, and how we use it. ISB Global is a proud OutSystems low code platform partner, using it on our own proprietary waste and recycling software solution as well as helping other organisations develop the applications they need to manage their processes more efficiently. What is OutSystems? Founded in 2001, OutSystems is one of the leading low code platforms. Businesses around the world use OutSystems to develop, digitise and automate processes, with minimal coding required.  Outsystems has more than 400,000 community members, around 350 partners, and customers in almost 90 countries. Why is OutSystems so successful? Founder and CEO, Paulo Rosado, says it’s because the company hasn’t changed its original vision – to enable every company to innovate through the power of software. With around 1500 employees, the company is constantly striving to offer developers and their customers the very best low code experience, allowing them to be innovative and creative without having to spend hundreds of hours hand coding. OutSystems describes its platform as ‘high performance low code’. It says: “This is the low code that enables you to develop serious applications with serious productivity fast – the kind that eliminates waste and overhead so professional developers can get on with the creative business of designing and deploying uniqueness.” Learn the benefits of Low Code vs. Traditional Development Why did we choose OutSystems? Low code platform choices are many and varied. Many of the biggest names in IT and software offer a low code solution – and they are among many more dedicated low code offerings. So, with all this market choice, why did we choose OutSystems? ISB Global’s founder and CEO, Chris Williams says: “OutSystems is an advanced application platform designed to accelerate the development of software applications. It does this while delivering unrivalled levels of flexibility and efficiency. For ISB Global, this means we are able to develop and manage software in a faster, more efficient and cost-effective way. And these benefits can be passed on to our customers in the form of better service at a lower price.” OutSystems is one of three partners that we use for our flagship software, Waste & Recycling One. Alongside global technology leaders SAP and Amazon Web Services, OutSystems gives us an easy-to-use, easy-to-maintain, flexible way to build software for complex use cases.  Being an OutSystems Partner demonstrates that we have high levels of expertise and competence across the platform, and it also gives us access to the exclusive tools and resources that can help us to build successful projects with our clients. We also collaborate with other OutSystems low code platform partners, giving us access to a wide pool of creativity and innovation, contributing to our continual learning and development and allowing us to share our own expertise across the community.  To learn more about how OutSystems works and its benefits, take a look at the OutSystems low code platform website, where there’s a library of useful articles and information to get you started on your low code journey. If you’d like to find out more about how OutSystems low code could help deliver your project faster, with reduced costs and a quicker route to market, why not contact us for a chat today?  Or sign up for a free demo of the OutSystems platform in action. Recommended Posts​ How to choose a low code platform partner How to choose a low code platform partner Pritesh Pattni If you have a technology project or digital transformation programme, you are probably considering a low code solution. Low code offers a range… Read More What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? Pritesh Pattni The demand for new and upgraded technology isn’t going anywhere. The human race continues to adopt new technologies to… Read More What does it mean to work with an OutSystems Partner? What does it mean to work with an OutSystems Partner? Pritesh Pattni What does it mean to work with an OutSystems partner? When you’re planning a software project, you want to look for a development… Read More Where next? I’m an OutSystems Customer looking for Applications to accelerate my journey → I’m an OutSystems customer looking for patterns & features to accelerate my journey → I’m an OutSystems Customer using SAP and looking for an advanced integration engine → I’m an OutSystems customer and I need additional development support for my team →

Technical architecture – what does it mean and why does it matter? Pritesh Pattni Choosing to work with a low-code platform like OutSystems may mean that you save time and money over traditional high-code, but it doesn’t mean you can forget about technical architecture, which must form the solid foundations. In our experience, apps, systems and digital transformations often fail because of a lack of thought and preparation in this area. Organisations often adopt many different types of technologies as they scale, mixing apps and spreadsheets post-it-notes, with on-prem and cloud-based systems. All these technologies will have different security, different user controls, different data models, different integrations, different business process flows. Worse still, similar applications may produce different results. This confused landscape can end up it’s working against the organisation rather than for it, causing significant problems, and high costs. What is technical architecture? According to cio.com, ‘Technical architecture provides a way to describe, evaluate and plan the evolution of the information technology that IT manages and the enterprise relies on.” This is the foundation of the technology you use in your business. And it’s just one part of a wider process. Ideally, technical architecture works alongside enterprise architecture – which is essentially the organisation’s strategic IT approach. This also has to align with the overall business strategy, delivering IT systems and solutions that allow the organisation to meet its targets efficiently and reliably. Having up-to-date technical architecture in place means that any new system being developed for your organisation can be more easily scoped, designed and built – because you know exactly how it is going to fit in, where it needs to integrate and how it will be used. The dangers of poor technical architecture How important is good technical architecture – not just to your new projects, but to the overall success of the IT in your organisation? Here are seven ways that poor technical architecture can have an impact: It becomes more difficult to scale. Businesses need to grow. And complex businesses often grow in different directions at different times. Your IT needs to be able to handle this growth, but without good technical foundations, it may hold back progress. Integration is tricky. There’s no one system that can run a complex business by itself. As organisations grow, they inevitably take on several different IT systems and solutions to help them manage day-to-day business. And to do that successfully, all your systems should integrate with each other where necessary. Systems with poor architecture can find it hard to integrate, resulting in process inefficiencies and a lack of visibility. Sub-par performance. Why invest in a system if you can’t get the most out of it? Without good technical architecture, you could find things run more slowly, some operations don’t work at all and users get frustrated. Security worries. Everyone working in and with your business expects you to have strong IT security. However, poor technical architecture can lead to gaps that hackers can exploit, leaving you vulnerable to data loss and potential fines and legal action. Creates inflexibility. Organisations need to be able to adapt to changing circumstances or market trends. Think about how suddenly businesses had to transform their IT during the pandemic. Those with sound technical architecture were much more flexible than those without. Long-term technical debt. Often, the good groundwork needed on technical architecture is forfeited for short-term gains in cost and time. But this can lead to long-term problems, and systems can quickly become redundant or surplus to requirements. Ongoing expense. While technical debt leaves organisations struggling to perform, a lack of focus on technical architecture can also result in financial expense. This is typically because systems have not been properly evaluated or have been a quick fix. Maintenance, fixes and updates then become expensive and time-consuming.   Technical architecture for app development When you are considering a new piece of technology, such as an app, you need to take a structured approach. Whether your app is to replace an internal process or to support your customers or suppliers, it needs to be properly thought through from both a usability and a technical point of view. In order to get the most from your investment, the technical architecture behind your new development must be strong. And that will include looking at your current technical architecture to make sure your app will function to the best of its ability. By focusing on these key areas, you can be sure that the long-term technical performance of your development has been properly thought through, and is a foundational part of your approach: Undertake a requirement analysis to ensure you understand exactly what all your stakeholders want to achieve. Ensure your design and architecture are scalable, in line with your business and IT strategies. Always focus on performance, as this will ensure the best possible user experience, and an efficient overall outcome. Build security in from the start, as this is fundamental to the privacy of your organisation and your users – and to your wider IT systems. Future-proof by choosing to work with technologies that are tried and tested, have good user communities and are respected by professional developers.   A good development team, using a market-leading low-code platform like OutSystems, will make technical architecture a focus of your project. This will give you confidence not just in the functional performance of your project, but in its long-term technical strength. Recommended Posts​ How to choose a low code platform partner How to choose a low code platform partner Pritesh Pattni If you have a technology project or digital transformation programme, you are probably considering a low code solution. Low code offers a range… Read More What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? Pritesh Pattni The demand for new and upgraded technology isn’t going anywhere. The human race continues to adopt new technologies to… Read More What does it mean to

7 benefits of using a low code app builder Pritesh Pattni In the past decade, there has been an explosion in app development – using both hand coding and low code app builder platforms. From games to internal corporate apps, these clever pieces of software govern much of our daily lives. In fact, according to research from Insider Intelligence, US mobile users spend 88% of their daily activity on apps of one sort or another. And with Statista figures suggesting that there are 3.55 million apps on Google Play and 1.6 million on the App Store, this is a technology that’s not going away. So, if you want to build an app, where do you start? Like all technology projects, you start with research – this gives you a clear idea of what you want to achieve, who your app is for, how much money you have and how you want to approach the build. Traditionally, app development has been done by hand coding. This means a team of highly-skilled developers, which can result in long lead times and high costs – even for straightforward apps. But now with the emergence of low-code app builder platforms, such as OutSystems, Microsoft Power Apps and Quickbase, the way that apps are developed has completely transformed. In fact, we’d argue that the low code revolution has begun and is taking over! In this article, we’ll explore the main benefits of a low-code app builder and explain why it could be the right choice for your business.  Why use a low-code web app builder? There are many reasons why a low code option might be best for your app – whether you’re building a commercial app, a dedicated app for your customers, or an app that helps you manage your business processes better. Faster time-to-market The app space is a competitive one. Whatever type of app you’re building, the sooner you get it out to your audience, the sooner you can reap the rewards. For this reason, choosing a coding option that gives you both reliability and development speed is critical. A low-code app builder gives you exactly that.  Lower development costs Using traditional hand coding takes time – and money. Even businesses with huge budgets to throw at app development are looking for more cost-effective ways to get to the end goal. While low code development still requires development skills, the automated nature of the platforms means you can achieve the same outcome with fewer people and a shorter development cycle – and that all translates to a lower development cost.    Scalability One of the mistakes that many businesses make when they turn to app development is to only think about what the business needs today. This is particularly true for businesses who are adapting current spreadsheet processes into apps. As your business grows, your app should be able to grow with you, supporting you to meet your strategy. Good quality low code app builders can talk to you about your business’s future needs, and build in the features you need to accommodate your growth. Faster development cycle Speed is often a key requirement of app development. Low-code platforms use a ‘drag and drop’ approach for many of the key app elements. This means that once your development team knows what you want, they are able to build faster than traditional hand coding. This means you can reduce the development cycle time, helping your business to stay a step ahead. Easier to maintain Once you’ve paid for your app development, you’ll need to make sure everything is kept up to date and easily accessible for users. This covers everything from load times to security features. Traditionally, you’d need a dedicated support package, and updates may result in downtime for the app – interfering with the seamless experience your audience wants. Low-code web app building is typically easier to maintain and avoids this type of extensive downtime. Better integration Depending on the purpose of your app, it may need to integrate with other software. This could be payment software for commercial apps, or internal software for business solutions. The best low-code platforms have reliable integration capabilities, allowing your users to get the best possible experience – and the app to deliver to your expectations. Lower error count Like many manual processes, hand coding runs the risk of introducing human error. Quite often, these errors are not discovered until the app is in use – even with good-quality testing processes in place. Low code app builder platforms reduce the opportunity for error by automating much of the development process – so you can be more confident about the app’s end performance. We are a proud OutSystems partner – one of the world’s most popular and reliable low-code app building platforms. We have used OutSystems to build our own leading software solution for the waste management and recycling industry, and we also work with clients to develop their own apps. These help them to improve efficiency, boost customer service levels and use technology to drive a competitive edge. You can find out more by contacting us today. Recommended Posts​ How to choose a low code platform partner How to choose a low code platform partner Pritesh Pattni If you have a technology project or digital transformation programme, you are probably considering a low code solution. Low code offers a range… Read More What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? Pritesh Pattni The demand for new and upgraded technology isn’t going anywhere. The human race continues to adopt new technologies to… Read More What does it mean to work with an OutSystems Partner? What does it mean to work with an OutSystems Partner? 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How to adopt a low code digital transformation approach Pritesh Pattni Adopting a low code digital transformation approach Digital transformation is critical to future commercial and organisational success. It updates and streamlines your processes and systems to make your organisation fully customer-driven, using technology to power better experiences for everyone who comes into contact with you.  There’s no argument against the fact that every company should be looking at this – but should you also be looking at a low code digital transformation approach? What is digital transformation? IBM defines digital transformation as an approach that, “… uses AI, automation, hybrid cloud and other digital technologies to leverage data and drive intelligent workflows, faster and smarter decision-making, and real-time response to market disruptions. And ultimately, it changes customer expectations and creates new business opportunities.” Many companies have already embraced digital transformation, or have even built their businesses in a digital-first environment. However, a large number of businesses are still considering the best approach, or have made a start, but are not sure where to go next. Let’s face it, for anything except the simplest business, digital transformation can be complex and time-consuming.  For digital transformation to fully succeed it requires:: detailed analysis and mapping of existing processes and approaches  ensuring you are meeting the relevant regulatory or legislative requirements associated with your business,  adding protections against data theft and other cybersecurity issues researching, testing, assessing and choosing the digital solutions that will form your digital transformation onboarding the new technology, training staff, and managing a cultural process of change. And that’s a lot to consider when your business is also trying to focus on generating new sales, and keeping existing customers happy. So how can you make all of this easier? One area that is gaining popularity is the Low Code approach, so much so that it is already being described as a Revolution. Read our guide on the Low Code Revolution here. What is a Low Code Digital Transformation approach? Whilst Digital Transformation usually involves software and apps that have solutions “out of the box”, most companies will want or need to customise them in some way. A low code development approach is a framework for customised software and app development that has been specifically designed to work without the need for specialist coding knowledge. Think of low code as providing the building blocks of various functions that can then be pieced together to perform a specific task. That way, staff across your business can create, edit and optimise solutions to make their day-to-day work more efficient, without the need for an IT / coding specialist to do it for them. How Low code development enables digital transformation when working with limited resources In many cases, digital transformation is being managed by internal teams – and most often, the IT department. Resources – from personnel to budget – are likely to be limited, and companies want to get the most for every pound, euro or dollar they spend. Add to that the demands of business units, partners, shareholders and customers, and it’s easy to see why companies going through a digital transformation are looking for ways to reduce time and budget while increasing useful output. That’s where low-code digital transformation has a place.  It requires fewer skilled developers and uses dedicated platforms to product technology solutions like web apps and wider software solutions. By using pre-built elements, easy-to-use interfaces and straightforward functionality, it makes building technology faster and easier.  Using low code means you can build strong applications without the long and expensive development cycles often associated with traditional hand coding development. And you are working from pre-existing code libraries that have already been rigorously tested for stability and security.  All of this helps you to manage your digital transformation even with limited resources. Learn more about the differences between low code vs traditional development. Why turn to low-code development? Let’s start with your digital transformation roadmap. This should focus on where you want to be at the end of the process, and the steps you need to take to get there. And it should take into account that there’s no real ‘end’ to this process – it’s all about continuing to give your customers the best possible experience, and making your organisation as efficient as it can be. The reason that increasing numbers of organisations are turning to low code for digital transformation is because it offers the agile, effective solution that they need. Faster development cycles – app development is faster with low code than with traditional hand coding. The nature of low code platforms removes the need for programming, allowing developers to concentrate on getting the user experience right. So not only is your development faster, it’s also more focused. Involve the whole business – historically, development teams have been left alone by other parts of the business because it has been impossible to see what they do. This has hampered collaboration across organisations and meant that expensive technology hasn’t always hit the mark. The easy-to-understand visual nature of low code development means that the IT department can share progress and work with subject specialists, technical experts and business strategists to develop best-in-class applications that deliver to everyone. Your budget goes further – Digital transformation is expensive. So it’s essential that you spend your budget wisely – and have measurable results to show for your spend. Using low code is significantly less expensive than outsourcing to expensive development consultants. You’ll be able to get more functionality, additional advice and better results for your money. Future-proof your business – this kind of transformation is for life, not just for the next year. So any applications you build must be updatable, scalable and able to integrate with the other systems you have now – and anything you might use in the future. The best low code platforms allow integration across a range of other software and technologies, giving you the flexibility you need to ensure your transformation keeps

Fast, reliable low code: OutSystems Pritesh Pattni Why ISB Global builds its low code solutions in OutSystems You may have already decided that a low-code solution is for you. In all but the most complex development projects, you’re right – this is a lower-cost, faster and more effective way to build the application you need. So now, you need to research the various platforms that support quality low code. OutSystems will quickly become a familiar name once you’ve started looking – it’s often at the top of the developer-recommended lists, and in this article, we’ll tell you why. A quick bias disclaimer: We are an OutSystems partner, and we think it’s a powerful platform. We’ve built our own commercial solutions using it – so we’re happy to put our money where our mouth is. What is Outsystems Low Code?  Over the past decade there has been a low-code revolution. Like most other low code solutions out there, OutSystems offers developers a library of code templates, modules and connectors to act as building blocks for the apps and software they want to build. This enables faster time to launch because everything does not need to be developed from scratch. But to better understand why OutSystems is a leader in this market requires a look back at the company’s history.  Introducing OutSystems OutSystems was founded around 20 years ago – so it’s got great market presence and brand awareness. Founder Paulo Rosado started the company because he could see that, not so far in the future, businesses would want to build their software in a different way – a way that was faster, easier and more efficient. As mobile technology has become the way most people run their lives, Rosado’s vision has been justified – once the only company to offer low code, OutSystems started a trend that was adopted by some of the biggest names in the software industry. “While software development used to be done by some elites about 10 or 15 years ago, today every company needs to build their own software,” Rosado told the CUBE Conversation video podcast. “It’s just too much — you need that speed and you don’t have enough talent. More than 65% of new software that’s going to be built in the next three to five years is going to be done with a no-code or low-code platform.” Developing the proof Software developers aren’t traditionally easy to please. They know how good software development works – from initial design to ongoing maintenance – and so when they evaluate low code platforms, they want something that reflects the thought and effort they would put into hand coding, and offers them the flexibility, integration and scalability they know their clients need. Reviews from developers are overwhelmingly positive. Like us, they love working with an intuitive platform that understands they already have skills, and replicates many of the approaches they would take with traditional programming. Apps built using OutSystems have streamlined negotiations in the renewables energy space in Australia, improved a major construction firm’s operations by replacing a packaged ERP and CRM system, speeded up innovation for a Malaysian government agency and delivered an AI-powered claims management solution for Ricoh. So OutSystems can definitely handle complex requirements, and experienced developers like ours love that. Why we low code with OutSystems OutSystems’ low code offering provides a wide range of benefits to a development team like ours, which embraces low code for its extensive features and the clear value it brings to our clients. These include: A huge code library – running into the thousands – of prebuilt templates, connectors and modules. This, alongside other features, allows us to build any type of application, from rebuilding an internal spreadsheet process to producing a complex customer-facing app. A focus on innovation – digital companies can’t afford to stand still. OutSystems works with its partner communities and its internal teams to make sure the platform is always innovative, offering more options and features to help developers build better. A core focus on security and safety – no developer forgets the importance of data and application security. OutSystems focuses on high quality architecture that gives confidence to developers, customers and end users. The company’s security-by-design approach sets it apart from many other platforms. Add to this the fact that applications can be designed, built, tested and released in a fraction of the time of traditional hand coding, and you can see why organisations are increasingly moving towards high-quality low-code. OutSystems is powerful, innovative and highly functional.  Why not find out how it can support your project by contacting us today? Learn more about ISB Smart Solutions in our Overview Brochure. Recommended Posts​ How to choose a low code platform partner How to choose a low code platform partner Pritesh Pattni If you have a technology project or digital transformation programme, you are probably considering a low code solution. Low code offers a range… Read More What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? Pritesh Pattni The demand for new and upgraded technology isn’t going anywhere. 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Why choose low code vs traditional development? Pritesh Pattni There was a time when there was only one option available to companies who wanted to build an app – use traditional hand coding.  As a team of experienced developers ourselves, we know that there are significant benefits of using hand coding to build certain types of software. But there can also be drawbacks, and that’s why we have embraced the emergence of low code platforms too. That way, we are able to offer clients the approach that suits them best – advising on whether to choose low code vs traditional development, no matter where they are in their digital transformation journey.  The pros and cons of traditional development Traditional hand coding might sound old fashioned or archaic – it’s anything but. Talented and experienced developers use programming languages such as Python and Java to create software programmes from scratch. Good traditional development results in highly usable and useful software and it has transformed many processes and commercial offerings. So, hand coding is far from unfashionable – it is just better suited to certain types of development projects. These include particularly complex or customised solutions, where developers need to have complete control over every element. Development can be completely bespoke, but with that comes additional time, resources and costs required in order to fully deliver the solution required. These are some of the reasons traditional development might not be right for your project. So it’s always worth considering both sides before you decide on the right approach for you. For example, hand coding takes a long time. When you are asking developers to write code from scratch, you are asking the team to invest a considerable amount of time and effort into your project. This can extend development cycles – particularly if the team is busy, or you have a change of personnel during your project. It can also be expensive – you are paying for highly skilled developers, often with many years of experience behind them. This costs money, and so you should check whether your budget can absorb these types of costs. And finally, as with all human processes, there’s the potential for errors in the coding. If you are hiring a reliable development team, these can often be avoided, but it’s easy to make a mistake in the code – one that you might not find during testing, but can cause trouble for your end users. Considering the low code option Low code development has been increasing in availability and popularity for several years. Don’t confuse this with no code development, though. No code is where all building is done by using pre-created elements. You don’t need any technical expertise to do it, and you might get reduced functionality because of that. It’s always best to have some development experience on your project, to make sure you are getting the best technology for your needs. Why choose low code? There are several reasons, and for us, the benefits at the top of the list are speed, cost and flexibility. Low code platforms have elements that help to minimise the amount of hand building needed for an app or software development project. They allow integration with other platforms, and developers are able to customise the basic elements to meet the project specifications. Significantly reducing the need for traditional coding by introducing drag and drop modules and a range of other features helps to reduce both time and cost. This supports rapid app development, meaning you can meet new business needs faster, and get to market quickly. Both of these support business growth and good customer service.  Along with this time reduction come positive cost implications. Reduced development cycle time also reduces your spend. And because you don’t need a large team of developers, you’re not paying for all that extra expertise and experience. So your bills should be much more manageable on a low code project.  Flexibility is also important – not just during the development period, but once your solution is up and running. Low code allows for collaboration, so you can discuss and update the application quickly and easily. General maintenance is also faster, and you can build in scalability, so the solution grows with your business.  Learn more about how low code can support your digital transformation journey. Low code vs traditional – which is best?  Although low code sounds like an easy option – and it is – if you’re thinking about low code vs traditional development, bear in mind that a good low code option will also include some developer expertise.  Talk to companies who have a strong development team, because they will take the time to understand what you’re looking for, and help you to design a solution that works technically as well as aesthetically.  If possible, choose a company that partners with one of the recognised platforms – for example, we are an OutSystems partner. You can learn more about the benefits of Outsystems here This means that we have excellent knowledge of how to use the platform to its best advantage, whilst also having the development experience to give you the advice you need. Contact us today to find out more. Recommended Posts​ How to choose a low code platform partner How to choose a low code platform partner Pritesh Pattni If you have a technology project or digital transformation programme, you are probably considering a low code solution. Low code offers a range… Read More What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? What is low code technology? And why should you consider it? Pritesh Pattni The demand for new and upgraded technology isn’t going anywhere. The human race continues to adopt new technologies to… Read More What does it mean to work with an OutSystems Partner? What does it mean to work with an OutSystems Partner? Pritesh Pattni What does it mean to work with an OutSystems partner? When you’re planning a software project, you