A Guide to No Code & Low Code Development

IT departments are often overwhelmed with requests: application errors, cybersecurity scares, website downtimes, developing new applications or products. These are only a few of the tasks IT teams and software developers deal with daily, with other critical tasks often left on the back burner.

Luckily, new technologies are making software development and deployment easier, faster, and democratized — allowing workers and managers (business users) to create technical solutions and software applications easily with little to no programming (coding) knowledge.

Platforms that make this possible are called low code or no code development platforms. The business users who build applications using low code no code tools are called citizen developers.

What is low code no code?

Low code no code is a term for visual software development environments that enable anyone to easily create applications and technical solutions using a drag-and-drop user interface and simple commands.

These platforms, designed primarily for users with minimal coding knowledge, also help experienced software developers and IT teams speed up their work and achieve more in less time.

Low code no code environments provide speed, control, convenience, and extended development capabilities at a fraction of the cost of hiring technical talent. They increase productivity and efficiency and are increasingly valuable as companies ramp up their digital transformation goals.

A recent survey by KPMG shows that 100% of enterprises that have implemented a low code no code platform have seen return on these investments. Low code no code provides customizable, affordable means of solving problems, improving processes and workflows, building applications, and achieving development goals without overburdening the IT team or recruiting more developers.

The history of low code no code

The evolution of low code no code platforms began with Rapid Application Development (RAD) tools such as Microsoft Excel and Access. These were the first tools to put development-like capabilities into the hands of users who were not programmers. Their only user requirements were an understanding of the applications and their development environments to use the advanced capabilities.

Low code no code development platforms are advanced, more robust versions of the early RAD software. With simple Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and reusable templates, citizen developers can create functional applications and automate tasks and other critical, recurring aspects of their business.

What is the difference between no code and low code?

Low code platforms require some coding knowledge, while no code platforms don't require any. Low code platforms target developers looking to build quickly. They are configured to work in hard code and visual development environments, connected to managed back-end systems, databases, web services, and APIs.

On the other hand, no code platforms simplify development to a tee, providing a visual interface that requires no coding. No code platforms target non-programmers and manage everything concerning operating systems, web services, and scalability requirements.

With the ability to change some of its underlying code, a low code platform offers more freedom in configuring application functionalities and appearance. In contrast, no code platforms provide preset templates to simplify application design and development.

How does no code improve internal processes?

Productivity in every organization depends on the systems and processes in place. No code improves internal processes by enabling faster development and enhanced capabilities for business users.

Business users working with their team know their domain better than anyone. This gives them an edge in designing the best solutions to improve workflows and processes and hit their targets.

Citizen developers should brainstorm with their teams and continually get feedback to build the business-critical applications they need. Working with no code tools, managers can ensure that the best processes are developed. Other ways no code improves internal workflows include:

Improving workflow management and collaboration between cross-functional teams
Automating tasks, queuing reminders, and integrating with other work applications
Saving time and resources by authorizing business users to build solutions instead of waiting on the IT team
Developing operational excellence through consistent business process management
Creating an environment of business agility by creating and testing software solutions quickly
Fostering productivity and efficiency by allowing the right amount of autonomy for innovation and creativity within teams

The ideal scenario is to have all team members contribute to improving business processes and products. When employees can independently build software solutions for their needs, it encourages creativity, innovation, and engagement, while lessening the pressure on the IT team.

How does no code help automation?

According to research by McKinsey & Company, tasks that occupy 45% of employee time could be automated by adopting proven technologies. Automation is increasingly crucial in today's digital-first workplace to scale production and efficiency and maintain quality.

No code provides an intuitive visual development environment to set up automation rules that lighten your team's workload and strengthen collaboration. Using automation, teams can:

Set lead nurture programs on auto-pilot
Streamline the work intake process
Improve collaboration, notifying teammates when their input is needed
Distribute reports on a schedule
Centralize data and information in a single source of truth
Templatize repeatable patterns
Leverage APIs to integrate with business applications

There are many ways to use no code to set up automation. You could use dynamic request forms, connect to APIs, or develop a customized solution for your specific case.

Benefits of using no code for automation include:

Reducing human errors
Speeding up business processes
Limiting boring and repetitive work, so there's more time for valuable, strategic, and creative work
Enhancing collaboration across teams and departments
Bridging the skills gap in software development and technical skills

How does no code help workflows?

The lack of streamlined workflows can cause stress and bottlenecks in teams, disrupting collaboration and progress. Low code no code helps teams codify and build their workflows into a repeatable system, using custom applications and integrations to other work tools.

Citizen developers can get input from teammates, draw their workflow using flow charts, and deploy the finished product as a workflow management application for the team. Benefits of creating a workflow management application include:

Mitigating avoidable risks
Gaining comprehensive insights into the progress of each project
Assessing performance metrics of projects and processes
Improving team collaboration, fostering productivity
Increasing efficiency and the chances of completing a project on time
Facilitating collaboration with clients
Increasing client satisfaction as more time is spent on work directly benefiting clients

Altogether, no code helps teams leverage technology to plug gaps in their workflows and maintain a standardized system of getting things done, creating consistent quality output.

Why use Wrike as your no code workflow management platform?

No code fosters environments for faster digital transformation, creating the opportunity for teams to build solutions quickly without depending on the IT team. Business users can attend to needs as they arise and improve their processes and workflows.

As a workflow management tool, Wrike provides a secure, collaborative workspace where teams can share updates, map out workflows, automate business processes, and keep track of ongoing IT projects.

Ready to join the no code movement and improve efficiency? Get started with a two-week free trial of Wrike today.

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Why Hybrid Cloud Security Matters

“There’s no way that company exists in a year.” Tom Siebel said this back in 2001 about Salesforce running an enterprise application 100% in the cloud. He couldn’t have been more wrong. His own company, Siebel CRM Systems, was eventually sold to Oracle and evolved into a hybrid cloud offering that few people have heard about. Microsoft, instead, transitioned successfully to the cloud. They embraced the paradigm early on, built their own version, Azure, and migrated their suite of applications to it. Many of their productivity and enterprise tools work both on-premise and in the cloud and are a good example of a successful hybrid cloud model. It wasn’t easy, though, given enterprise’s reliance on legacy systems running on-premise. It’s not uncommon even today to come across a large financial institution, for example, running DOS-based applications or an unsupported version of Internet Explorer. This has been a key driver for the development of hybrid cloud solutions — to marry the new with the old. But what exactly is a hybrid cloud? Citrix has a short and accurate definition for it: “a solution that combines a private cloud with one or more public cloud services”. It’s a simple idea to grasp but most miss what the word ‘combines’ represents in that statement. Namely, the hardware, software, and protocols needed to integrate public and private clouds. This last point is particularly relevant to security as integrations are susceptible to security attacks. They are often the weakest link, literally speaking. What is hybrid cloud security? It’s certainly big business! The global cloud security market was worth $34.5B in 2020 and growing. Here’s RedHat’s definition: “Hybrid cloud security is the protection of the data, applications, and infrastructure associated with an IT architecture that incorporates some degree of workload portability, orchestration, and management across multiple IT environments, including at least 1 cloud — public or private.” Security is not just about the tools and processes, though. The design of a hybrid cloud environment is a key factor too. Cloud architects need to decide what data needs to be kept more isolated and what can be public-facing, and ensure it all works. Why does cloud security matter? Try asking the cyber insurance firms servicing clients involved in the recent SolarWinds hack that are expected to spend $90M to clean up the mess, so to speak. This only affected 40 of Microsoft’s customers that had implemented a vulnerable SolarWinds solution. Looking at the market more broadly, the average cost of a breach in 2020 was $2.3M. It’s even more than that — this figure doesn’t quantify the long-term financial impact of an organization's damaged reputation. Even more dramatic are stats relating to smaller organizations that often lack resources to handle security properly. Inc. reports that over 60% of small businesses fold following an attack. Security matters from a legislative perspective too. GDPR has introduced strict requirements for data storage, access, privacy, and breach notifications. California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) addresses similar requirements, and countries such as Australia and Japan are also introducing new legislation. You need to make sure that your hybrid cloud implementation and governance is compliant with relevant legislation in the jurisdiction you operate in. To answer the original question, cloud security matters because it can make or break an organization. Tom Siebel’s quote about Salesforce mentioned at the very beginning of this article is more accurate in the context of cloud security — without proper risk mitigation, organizations risk “not existing next year.” What is cloud security architecture? In short, it’s the strategy adopted to make sure that an organization's cloud infrastructure is designed, deployed, and managed to minimize security risks. This also covers processes, policies, protocols, and collaboration practices that facilitate what is effectively a “shared responsibility.” McAffee covers this idea well in their “What Is Cloud Security Architecture?” article, an overview of one of many approaches you can take. Cloud security is mapped out at a high level by categorizing each component into two main categories. First, we have the type of clouds being managed: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Components for each are then flagged as being the customer’s or the vendor’s responsibility, which is the second level of categorization. This is a very high-level schematization that can be understood by non-technical folk and discussed in management meetings. A more detailed version will represent individual components, their relationship, and other key technical information. It’s a working document for system administrators, security experts, project managers, and solution architects to refer to. How do you know if your cloud data is secure? The starting point is having a view of how an organization’s cloud infrastructure has been architected. A service such as Netapp Cloud Insights can help you do just that. An example: The PMO of a government agency will have documented this as part of their risk management planning and have audits scheduled regularly as part of their risk mitigation strategy. Smaller organizations are likely to have most of their data and applications in the cloud, therefore relying on vendors securing their systems. There are a number of tools and processes you can use to check if cloud data is secure: Penetration testing: This involves simulating an attack to find vulnerabilities in a system. This is often carried out by ethical hackers who adopt the same techniques as malicious ones. Network security monitoring tools: There are a plethora of options on the market that cater to a wide range of hybrid cloud solutions. For example, Gigamon’s suite of products covers visibility, analytics, and security. Vulnerability scanning: These tools are ‘always-on’ in order to detect and mitigate malicious activity. G2 lists 92 of these solutions in their vulnerability scanner software category. Vulnerability audits: These audits are best carried out by specialist service providers delivering independent reports. What are the challenges of hybrid cloud security? While there are many positive risks associated with deploying hybrid cloud models, there are challenges too — many of which are related to security. Let’s have a look at a couple: Hybrid cloud solutions are fundamentally complex and, therefore, harder to manage and monitor. As they become more sophisticated, risks increase too. Networks are inherently vulnerable. As data flows between public and private clouds, there are more opportunities for errors or a vulnerability being exploited by a malicious actor. You’re relying on third parties, each with their own security strategies and protocols. Are they as diligent as your own IT team? These, along with many others, need to be captured, evaluated, and managed in a risk register. What are the benefits of hybrid cloud security in project management? A cloud-based project management solution like Wrike should be assessed via the same risk assessment process as other systems. Looking at the function of a project management tool and the data it stores, those responsible for risk identification may deem some information to be too sensitive to be held in a public cloud. For example, documents holding sensitive customer data are better stored in a private environment, behind a strong authentication protocol, and linked from the project management tool instead. Other considerations for the selection of a project management tool are: Is it hosted in an environment that is regularly tested for security? What does a disaster recovery plan look like? Is it ISO/IEC 27001 certified? What does the SLA cover? Next, let’s see how Wrike fits into a hybrid cloud environment and why it’s a good choice for enterprise. How does Wrike protect your cloud data? Wrike is flexible for small, mid-sized, and large-scale enterprise organizations. Our security protocols comply with and exceed industry requirements and standards. You can read more about Wrike’s security here: https://www.wrike.com/security/. Better still, sign up for the free trial and discover how our 400+ integration options can streamline and secure your day-to-day workflows.

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Low Code & No Code Development: What You Need to Know

What is low code no code?

The history of low code no code

What is the difference between no code and low code?

How does no code improve internal processes?

How does no code help automation?

How does no code help workflows?

Why use Wrike as your no code workflow management platform?

Kelechi Udoagwu

Related articles

Overcoming the Top Challenges of IT Project Management

The Definitive Guide to Project Planning Software

Why Hybrid Cloud Security Matters

Low Code & No Code Development: What You Need to Know

What is low code no code?

The history of low code no code

What is the difference between no code and low code?

How does no code improve internal processes?

How does no code help automation?

How does no code help workflows?

Why use Wrike as your no code workflow management platform?

Kelechi Udoagwu

Related articles

Overcoming the Top Challenges of IT Project Management

The Definitive Guide to Project Planning Software

Why Hybrid Cloud Security Matters

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