Federico Pienovi, the Chief Business Officer and CEO for APAC and MENA at Globant, says LC/NC platforms allow non-technical individuals to participate in software development, expanding the pool of contributors and alleviating the talent shortage
How do low code/no code (LC/NC) break down barriers and democratize the process of software creation?
Low code/no code (LC/NC) platforms break down barriers and democratize the process of software creation by simplifying the development process and reducing the knowledge requirements for users. Traditionally, creating software has been complex and requires technical expertise in various programming languages, databases, and systems integration.
LC/NC platforms aim to minimise these requirements and enable individuals with less technical knowledge to develop software. These systems utilise expert systems and AI to generate code based on natural language or models provided by users. By focusing on describing their business needs rather than writing code, users can participate in software development without extensive programming knowledge.
This approach makes software development accessible to a wider audience, fostering innovation and creativity within organizations. Additionally, LC/NC platforms create technology-independent models, allowing software to remain valid even as programming languages or databases change. This flexibility further democratizes the software creation process by ensuring that applications can adapt to evolving technologies without requiring extensive redevelopment.
How have LC/NC platforms evolved from niche tools into essential components of modern IT strategies?
LC/NC platforms have evolved from niche tools to essential components of modern IT strategies by addressing key challenges in software development and meeting the growing demands of businesses. These platforms have gained importance due to several factors:
- Accelerated digital transformation: Companies are under pressure to quickly digitize their processes and services to remain competitive in a technology-driven global environment. LC/NC platforms provide the agility and speed required to support rapid digital transformation.
- IT talent shortage: The demand for technological solutions is increasing, but there is a shortage of skilled developers. LC/NC platforms allow non-technical individuals to participate in software development, expanding the pool of contributors and alleviating the talent shortage.
- Global competition: Organizations face the need to innovate quickly and reduce time to market to stay ahead of global competitors. LC/NC platforms enable agile responses to market demands and competition pressures by providing efficient software development tools.
What sort of impact is being felt across various sectors, from finance to healthcare to manufacturing when it comes to LC/NC platforms?
LC/NC platforms have seen a significant impact across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. While GeneXus is industry-agnostic, there is a notable shift towards the normalization, acceptance, and increasing demand for these platforms in these sectors. Key factors driving this adoption include the need for business agility, improving customer experience, flexibility, scalability, and reducing the workload on IT teams.
LC/NC platforms offer solutions that address these challenges, making them valuable for strategic and operational reasons. For example, LC/NC platforms enable organizations to quickly adapt to changing regulations without significant increases in costs or development time. They also empower non-technical users to participate in software development, allowing for more efficient and customized solutions in sectors such as healthcare and manufacturing. The impact of LC/NC platforms varies across sectors, but the common thread is the ability to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and meet industry-specific requirements.
How, according to you, can issues with security, compliance, and integration, be properly managed in an LC/NC ecosystem?
Managing issues with security, compliance, and integration in an LC/NC ecosystem requires adopting a comprehensive approach and implementing various strategies:
- Security: Ensure the platform implements robust security measures such as encryption, access controls, and regular security audits to protect sensitive data and ensure application integrity.
- Compliance: Verify that the platform and its implementing partners comply with industry-specific regulations and standards, ensuring that applications developed using the platform meet the required compliance requirements.
- Integration: Choose a platform that is technology-agnostic and supports seamless integration with existing systems and third-party applications. This ensures smooth data flow and interoperability between different systems.
How are technologies such as AI and ML further enhancing the capabilities of low code platforms?
Technologies like AI and ML enhance the capabilities of low code platforms, by enabling automatic code generation, intelligent data analysis, and improved user experiences. Such systems also incorporate AI into its core, utilizing expert systems and deterministic code generation. This approach ensures that the generated code is always the best solution, meeting the most demanding business requirements.
AI-driven code generation simplifies the software development process and allows non-technical users to participate in creating high-quality applications. Additionally, AI and ML can enhance low code platforms by enabling generative AI capabilities. While the current state of generative AI may not be ready for automatically generating enterprise-quality systems, there is potential for its use in areas such as interpreting user intentions. As these technologies continue to advance, low code platforms can leverage them to improve efficiency, accuracy, and the overall user experience.
In conclusion, AI and ML enhance low code platforms by automating code generation, improving data analysis, and providing opportunities for further advancements in areas like user interaction. These technologies contribute to the evolution and effectiveness of low code platforms in modern IT strategies.
