Low-code development business skills are becoming ‘table wood’

In general, the shortage of software developers and IT staff is forcing businesses to turn to “citizen developers” in their organizations to create business applications that support digital transformation efforts.

Forrester senior analyst John Bratinsevic says finding or training in software development staff is a priority. The most common question that arises when talking to their business clients is how they can stand the citizens ’growth strategy.

Citizens’ growth is due to the congestion of low-cost and non-code development platforms, which allows inexperienced business users to create applications based on business needs. Companies are using these platforms to create hundreds or thousands of citizen developers in their organizations. They want to know how to take care of people, so they can be very good at code. ”

“In my opinion, all of this is going to be a low-key development code for the business employee – just like personal productivity tools,” he added.

Low code is increasing.

According to a January study by IDC on 380 enterprises, 49% of respondents are buying low-cost or non-code platforms to drive innovation at home. The second biggest reason for buying software (39%) is “epidemic-related needs.”

A.D. By 2021, the global market for low-cost development technology reached $ 13.8 billion. And the adoption of low-level software development platforms is growing by more than 20% a year, according to Gartner Research. A.D. By 2023, more than half of small to medium-sized companies are expected to be approved.

Change the WYSIWYG interface to build the most commonly used code base abstraction and graphical user interface or graphical application for low-key development tools. The technology allows employees who do not have a technical background to become citizen developers, either by expanding opportunities in the traditional employment pool or in the day-to-day workflow. In addition, low-cost tools allow traditional developers to focus on more challenging tasks, while others carry out simple development tasks with minimal code technology.

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While there are dozens of companies offering low-cost and non-code-based devices, the market leaders are OutSystems, Mendix, Microsoft, Salesforce and ServiceNow, Gartner said. Platforms sold by Apian, Oracle, and Pega are considered “challenging” for those leaders.

Business units understand business application needs

Cloud computing software service provider says more than 80% of the customer base uses a low-code solution-based app engine. And the active developer base of App Engine will grow by 47 percent every month, the company said.

According to Marcus Torres, General Manager of AppN Business at ServiceNow, the ability to create low-cost and non-code-free tools for business applications is becoming a must-have for businesses. Mostly because the home side of the business understands a company’s application needs better than an IT store.

Millennials and young workers, who make up the bulk of today’s workforce, are more technologically savvy than older workers. “You understand that there is an application that provides specific services to them.” [low-code] Platforms, people try it regularly, get some initial success, and try to do more than that.

Torres has seen teams from facilities to manpower departments develop applications, which are typically developed by people who do not have a technological background.

For example, ServiceNow Cafeteria team staff created the App Menu using App Engine low-code tools. After the menu was released live, the staff asked if they could order their food through the app, so the Facilities team expanded the app to include food orders using the same set of tools. Then, of course, the app had to include a payment system to purchase orders, so it was further improved.

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“they [employees] Start with a custom form-based application, find out if you want to do more, ”said Torres.

Deloit UK, one of ServiceNow’s customers, has created a portal for everything that employees need to do. The portal has a MyOnboarding app that digitalizes the boarding process, including pre-printed, scanned, and then email forms. Employees can use the portal to find upcoming holidays and meeting rooms. According to Sarah Pufuhl, Vice President of Global Talent Development at Served Now, Human Resource Low Code Enhancement Tools is a major benefit.

Manpower is a good place for citizens to grow because business needs are constantly improving – especially after the epidemic and the spread of remote work. In fact, Pfuhl’s most widely used application was created by a human resource worker who easily identified a pain point and resolved it.

The Pfhul Human Resource Team will e-mail with staff looking for educational opportunities before creating an online learning and development center. The process was tedious, time consuming, and could not be expanded as the company grew.

In less than a month, HR team used low-cost code to build a new L&D center for all training programs to better engage the company’s 17,000 employees around the world. Then, in less than a week, the same tools were added to the learning process.

“This woman was not a developer, and she started working for HR a few years ago,” Pful said. Within a week, she created an entire L&D center using low-cost code. “Then she went to our digital technology team and went to the business to make sure she was in control of our business.”

“As soon as she was able to show what the product would be and what it could do for people, everyone jumped into the boat,” Pulle continued. Since its inception in February, the L&D Center has been used by 16,000 people.

“Without that center, there is no way we can have that level of engagement,” said Pful. “I think [low-code is] The storm of the future. As with any other statistical change, manpower must accept this.

“I think we know what our people want. We do a lot of listening. ” “If a company is doing well, it’s because employees are doing what they want. They want a process. They want it to be easy to use. They want the iPhone to be easy.

Preventing citizen developers from becoming criminals

According to Phuhl, the administration is crucial to launch any new application created by Citizen Developer. You just can’t launch an app; Once built, the business side should consult with the IT side to ensure compliance with organizational guidelines.

“I have to tell you, from now on, I want that product thinking in my team, because I think this will happen in the future,” Pful said.

Schneider Electric, a provider of digital automation and energy management with about 130,000 employees worldwide, has had a citizen development program for the past seven years.

Abha Dogra, Senior Vice President of Digital Technology and North American CIA, said management and administration are key to a low-cost and non-code-based development strategy to prevent application expansion.

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Otherwise, business applications created outside of the traditional development process can create enterprise vulnerabilities such as cyber security attacks and intangible digital assets. It can also increase the company’s “technical debt” or additional development costs by choosing a simpler approach to a more in-depth approach.

“Your usage issues usually start with a small problem, but they are getting bigger and bigger and you want to fully test a complete software application with solid development and risk modeling with checks and balances. It’s a very thin line when the application is in place, ”said Dougra.

“Therefore, while every enterprise needs to have a low-level platform, launching and promoting it for citizen developers should be well thought out and have a well-managed system behind it,” Dougra added. .

Service No Torres agrees with Dougra, that IT departments must always deal with “shadow IT” and that low-level and non-code-based devices have exacerbated the need for carefully planned management.

The ServiceNow platform allows users to create administrative excellence for each application created and to create rules around development.

“People who don’t make software live don’t realize that the high cost has to do with building apps but keeping them. In the past, departments have seen an app being built and ‘this, IT. Now it’s yours,'” Torres said. I didn’t know about the app; two, I’m not an employee for it, and what is three?

“It’s not because he doesn’t want to partner with IT. [with citizen developers] And help. Because they are ultimately responsible for the security of the company’s systems and information, ”said Torres. “This app doesn’t want to expand … there are 10,000 apps that you have turned to and they don’t know.”

Finally, Citizen Development Programs must provide IT visibility for any applications that are created before it is broadcast live, ensuring that the software remains in the organization’s security and control.

“That’s the way you do things in a balanced way,” says Torres.