No-code/low-code development in the cloud: opportunities and risks

While No-code requires no programming knowledge, Low-code allows for a certain degree of customization through code. Most important, it accelerates development while maintaining flexibility.

Low-code applications involves the development of web apps by leveraging configuration tools, avoiding or reducing custom or from-scratch development. Thanks to this approach, it is possible to enable teams that currently lack coding expertise to develop software much more quickly and create applications with a time-to-market at least five times faster than custom development.

Furthermore, this method significantly reduces many risks related to security and data integrity. Low-code development supports a broader use case compared to No-code such as cross platform apps development and automation processes. A well-known example for a Low-code developing platform is Microsoft Power Apps.

Low-code key characteristics are:

• Use of visual tools and drag-and-drop components
• Allowing writing custom code when necessary
• Fast development process
• Less dependence on experienced developers
• Reduced development and maintenance costs

No-code platforms are a specialized subset of low-code cloud platforms. They are designed with visual components tailored to specific industry functions, particular Line of Business (LOB), or a company’s unique corporate branding needs. In contrast, Low-code platforms may require some involvement from in-house developers to make minor adjustments to back-end code, ensuring the new application integrates seamlessly with existing business software.

Potential Risks of No and Low-code approaches

While Low-code and No-code tools offer accessibility and efficiency, they also present several potential pitfalls that organizations should carefully consider:

• Potential loss of oversight: As app creation spreads across various departments, leaders may lose visibility into data usage and exposure. This lack of centralized control can unintentionally foster shadow IT.
• Low customization and scalability: While these new tools offer rapid development capabilities, organizations may find that the applications created through these platforms deliver only basic functionalities, potentially falling short of more complex requirements. In such cases, the initial time savings might be offset by the need to involve experienced programmers to enhance the application’s capabilities, leading to increased dependency on professional developers.
• Risk of misallocating resources: organizations run the risk of wasting resources by applying low-code and no-code solutions to tasks that are ill-suited for these methods. As the number of applications increases, organizations may struggle with effective oversight, maintenance, and testing of these diverse software assets. This mismatch can result in significant waste, both in terms of time and financial resources.

There are many and well-known examples of highly efficient Low-code development platforms, such as Microsoft Power Apps, and No-code platforms, such as Bubble or Softr. Consequently, it is crucial for companies to determine their required level of customization and long-term scalability needs before deciding whether to adopt a traditional coding approach or opt for low-code or no-code solutions.