Low-code systems for enterprise-scale companies

In recent years, low-code development has gained significant popularity among businesses as a way to quickly and easily create applications without the need for traditional coding. However, there have been concerns that these low-code solutions may not be suitable for enterprise-level businesses due to the complexity of their operations and the need to protect classified information. Representatives of enterprise-scale companies often say that it is not designed for high-load projects and may not provide sufficient protection for sensitive data. In this article, we will explore whether implementing low-code solutions into an enterprise-scale business is a feasible option and what considerations need to be taken into account.

The world of low-code

Low-code can slash the time it takes to get your product to market and supercharge the development of new business processes and changes to existing ones. The best part? You don’t need to be a tech genius to get in on the action. With low-code, developers can focus on creating new elements of the builder while configuring the primary value to ensure everything runs smoothly. However, when it comes to enterprise-scale businesses, there are a lot of major myths about low-code that companies use to object to adopting low-code solutions. Let’s study them.

1. False: the company’s processes are too specific

In the world of business, no two companies are the same. Even businesses in the same industry may rely on different underlying logic for their processes. This is why many product owners are wary of low-code development solutions. They worry that a low-code builder won’t deliver the required functionality for their unique business processes.

True: Code-first approach to development puts more constraints on implementing specific processes than low-code.

When you choose the code-first approach, you’re limited to working with either an out-of-the-box software package or developing one from scratch. But the more functions already included in the package, the harder it is to change the system, leading to confusion and misunderstandings between the development team and the business. On the other hand, low-code solutions allow you to design a system perfectly suited to your business needs. Developers constantly work to make the builder more diverse and convenient for businesses. Many low-code solutions even have ready-to-use apps and integrations that can be easily customized to fit your needs.

2. False: low-code systems are too expensive

Low-code platforms can offer many benefits, including increased productivity and faster time-to-market. Still, the high cost of licensing fees can be a significant barrier for many companies. For example, platforms like Talend (license can cost up to $12,000 annually per user), WSO2 (an annual license for two users costs $22,800), and Red Hat Fuse (annual license cost starts at $9504) cost thousands. For most businesses, this additional expense is not justifiable. While expensive low-code platforms can be a valuable tool for companies that can afford them, the high cost means they are not accessible to everyone.

True: there are free and cheap low-code systems

One of the key benefits of low-code platforms is the availability of different monetization models, making them accessible to businesses of all sizes.

Take AINSYS, for example. Our monetization model is based on the number of operations required by your team, meaning that a large number of operations is available for free every month regardless of the number of developers or non-tech specialists involved in the process.

Here are three compelling reasons why investing in a low-code platform is worth considering:

1. Buying a license for a low-code platform is generally cheaper than developing a similar product from scratch. This eliminates the risk of discrepancies between functionality and tasks, making evaluating the builder’s functionality easier than estimating all the details of a ready-made product.
2. Payment systems are simple and transparent. You can clearly see how much you need to pay for the number of low-code solution users, unlike developing new functionality where it’s hard to predict how much it will cost.
3. Investing in a low-code platform is about accessing visual development tools and best practices in process design. Low-code platforms have set integration design patterns and process design standards to help you build a more transparent and manageable process in fewer iterations. This can help businesses find the optimal solution much faster and save time and money.

3. False: all low-code solutions are cloud-based, therefore, we would be risking security

True: Low-code platforms offer flexible deployment options to customers, whether on-premises or in the cloud.

Several open-source solutions, such as AINSYS, provide an option for deployment on company servers, as well as an option that can be hosted on dedicated servers of the Azure platform.

Whether you choose an on-premises or cloud-based solution, you can rest assured that security remains a top priority for AINSYS. So, switching to a low-code system won’t compromise your security requirements.

4. False: low-code platforms are typically not intended for high-load projects.

True: Contrary to popular belief, low-code platforms are not incapable of handling high-load projects.

In fact, many low-code builders can easily configure the speed of components to suit the project’s needs without the burden of an enormous legacy code and expensive refactoring that comes with exclusive development.

Even for high-load projects, low-code platforms are a viable option. Major ecosystems like Tinkoff have several separate low-code BPMs, with each system handling a different set of business processes. This approach ensures better control and fault tolerance rather than being a result of low-code platforms’ insufficiency.

Almost any enterprise-scale business can benefit from implementing a low-code solution, especially one that offers customizable operations, such as AINSYS. Our integration framework syncs data between every tool and platform your IT team employs, helping you get an accurate picture of your software too. By implementing AINSYS tools, both developers and specialists with no coding skills can ensure they make the right decisions for your organization and keep up with the ever-changing technology landscape.

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