Let’s face it, change is inevitable. Sometimes it happens a little faster than we would like. However, organizations must change too or… let’s not think about that. It’s a challenge for development teams to keep pace with change and growing expectations from the business. 

How fast changes happen or how quickly new processes are implemented can have a big impact on a company’s bottom line.  Low-code workflow platforms are a solution for organizations to capitalize on opportunities that differentiate themselves, while staying ahead of the competition.

What is a low-code platform?

Forrester defines low-code platforms as “platforms that enable rapid delivery of business applications with a minimum of hand-coding and minimal upfront investment in setup, training, and deployment.”¹  Simply put, build applications faster with minimal coding.

If I didn’t really have your attention, I bet I do now. Low-code platforms are all about working faster and smarter.

How can a low-code workflow platform help me?

Low-code workflow platforms are designed to make building solutions quicker and easier. Here’s how they can help you streamline operations, innovate your business, and accelerate your digital transformation strategy.

1. Visual Development Tools

Got coding skills? Don’t worry, you don’t need them. With low-code workflow platforms, standard coding is replaced with a powerful, interactive user interface. You can build what you need with a point and click. Good low code platforms dynamically create the displays as the processes are built enabling rapid usability.   

2. Empowered Business Users

Low-code workflow platforms empower non-technical users to create and update the workflow through the interface mentioned above. Business users are no longer just part of the development process, they are the development process. They now have the capabilities to build solutions that contain and display both the UI and business logic to alleviate any pain points identified within the organization.

3. Accelerated Development Cycles

New and changing requirements take time to code, test, and release. Unfortunately, traditional development cycles can be lengthy, which is a contributing factor to the struggles development teams face keeping up with business demands.

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With easy to use process builders, web services, and business users empowered to help, nimble agile sprints replace traditional development cycles which make keeping up with business easier than ever before.

4. Extended Functionality

Need your application to do a little more? Smart low-code workflow platforms contain built in web services libraries plus add the ability to call new web services. Accessible through the interactive UI, business owners are able to call these web services, further extending the reach of your application, joining business partners and customers, all the while tailoring it to what works for your organization.

5. Integrate with Other Applications

Sometimes a business’s needs include the orchestration of data and images from many sources simultaneously. Robust low-code workflow platforms will contain a connection layer that acts as the universal messaging gateway, providing a secure redundant interface for inbound or outbound web service calls to any application.

When assessing low-code workflow platforms for purchase, sometimes speed to market can overshadow enterprise wide efficiency. Don’t get caught creating fragmented business applications that do not connect to other parts of the business.  

Low-code workflow platforms should contain all the elements needed to target operational goals within a single platform across the organization. The right platform will be a blend of simplicity to resolve departmental pain points and flexibility to connect the dots (processes) enterprise wide. 

Organizations are implementing low-code workflow platforms to gain speed and flexibility, while focusing on the customer at the same time. What’s stopping you from doing the same?

¹The Forrester Wave Low Code Development Platforms Q2 2016 report

Jane Mason, Founder and CEO

Jane has applied her vast experience (over 25 years) operating process-driven businesses to successfully redefine client-focused service. Jane has worked with expert programmers to apply cutting-edge web-based technology to automate complex processes in industries such as Financial Services, Healthcare and enterprise workflow. Her vision confirms Clarifire's trajectory as a successful, scaling, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider. A University of South Florida graduate, Jane has received many awards related to her entrepreneurial skills.