What should you pay attention to when choosing low-code?

Low-code has risen enormously in popularity in recent years and remains a rapidly growing trend. according recent statistics It is expected that by 2025, around 70 percent of all new applications will be developed using low-code or no-code technologies. This is a significant increase compared to less than a quarter in 2020. In this blog, Remco Snijders, Business Technology Consultant and Design Sprint Facilitator at Quatronic, shares which considerations help you make a good choice for a low-code platform.

1. How are you going to use the platform in your organization?

When choosing a low-code platform, it's important to know how you want to use it within your organization. Some companies want to run their entire organization on low-code, while others only want to use it for one process or department. If you only want to digitize an Excel sheet, you can opt for a simpler platform. But for organizations that want to low-code their critical systems, it's important to choose a platform that is scalable and modular. This allows you to add or remove functionalities and replace them with a standard application.

2. What can the platform do?

Low-code and no-code are now real buzzwords, but one platform is not the other. A fair selection based on functionalities is very important. OutSystems, for example, offers a visualization of high-code programming; the patterns and processes remain the same but are easier to read and set up. Many other low-code platforms place an abstraction layer over programming, so you often don't know exactly what's happening in the background. This can limit what you can build. That's why it's important to understand both the possibilities and limitations of each platform.

3. What do you do within the low-code platform and what not?

Not all tasks are necessarily suitable to be performed within a low-code platform. Certain use cases are better off keeping out of the low-code platform. For example, a specialized tool such as Power BI is better suited for extensive data analysis. It is not efficient to build such functionalities in low-code. There are more areas where standard products are more effective. At the same time, you can of course establish the direction and integration of these processes within the low-code platform. For other tasks, such as process management and workflow automation, a low-code platform may be more suitable. It is therefore important to carefully consider which functionalities you include within the low-code platform and which are better to implement differently.

4. Integration options

Another important aspect of low-code platforms is their ability to integrate with existing systems and software. It's not only important to check which integrations work by default, but also whether you're able to build integrations yourself if no standard solution is available. I often see that companies primarily look at the standard integrations that a platform offers. Of course, this can be useful, but it's just as important to be able to determine whether you can easily build integrations yourself.

5. Platform flexibility

Some low-code platforms offer a high level of flexibility. With OutSystems for example, you can build almost anything that is also possible with traditional coding. Other platforms are more limited in this regard. It's important to choose a platform that suits your way of working and needs. At Quatronic, we work with workshops where, together with the customer, we determine where the needs lie and what we are going to build. That approach isn't possible with every platform. Sometimes you really have to think from the platform: what opportunities does this offer and how can we use them according to our wishes? Make sure your platform is flexible enough to meet your specific needs so you're not limited in your options.

6. The importance of a good partner

Choosing a platform is one thing, but having the right partner is just as important. A good tool is useless if no one knows how to use it.

Wondering how we can help you?

Do you have a brilliant idea and could use some support? With our experience on projects at an established organization, we are happy to look with you. Please contact Remco Snijders via mail. Whether you're just beginning your entrepreneurial journey or are already further along in the process, we're here to support you with both technical expertise and strategic insight. Let's work together to make your idea a success.

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