Low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms are revolutionizing how applications are developed by simplifying and expediting software creation, allowing a broader range of individuals to engage in the development process. Historically viewed as supplementary tools within an organization’s tech stack, LCNC platforms have evolved to become the primary choice for new enterprise implementations. Their rise in prominence is driven by their capacity to accelerate digital innovation and democratize technology, enabling faster reaction times to market changes and customer demands. The platforms are making it possible for non-technical employees to participate in the development process, thereby fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within organizations. By 2025, Gartner anticipates that 70% of new applications created by organizations will utilize LCNC technologies, a significant increase from less than 25% in 2020. Additionally, by 2026, 80% of users of low-code development tools are expected to be non-technical employees outside traditional IT departments, highlighting the ongoing trend of technology democratization.
The Surge in LCNC Adoption
The accelerated rise in LCNC adoption can largely be attributed to its ability to enable rapid development and deployment of applications, dramatically reducing the time and cost associated with traditional development methods. This capability allows businesses to quickly respond to market changes and customer demands, fostering a culture of speed and agility essential for achieving digital transformation goals. The surge in LCNC adoption is also fueled by their accessibility, empowering a broader range of employees, including those without technical backgrounds, to contribute to the development process. This democratization of technology drives innovation and enhances collaboration across different departments of an organization.
Organizations are leveraging LCNC platforms to streamline internal processes and improve service delivery. The flexibility and efficiency of LCNC solutions make them particularly favored for business operations applications, where they can deliver value much faster than traditional development methods. Companies are increasingly turning to these platforms to meet their digital transformation goals, allowing them to innovate rapidly and adapt to evolving market conditions. By deploying LCNC tools, businesses foster a culture of innovation and speed, essential for maintaining competitiveness in today’s fast-paced business environment.
Industries Embracing LCNC
Key industries such as IT, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), Retail, and E-commerce are at the forefront of adopting LCNC technologies owing to their speed, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. In the IT sector, LCNC platforms are used to streamline internal workflows, enhance service delivery, and enable rapid development of customer-facing applications. These platforms address specific industry needs, optimizing processes that traditional tech stacks or off-the-shelf products cannot easily handle.
In the BFSI sector, LCNC platforms facilitate the swift development of financial applications, automation of back-office operations, and enhancement of customer experiences. Retail and E-commerce industries use these technologies to improve customer interactions, enhance supply chain management, and quickly deploy tailored solutions to meet consumer demands. The ability to rapidly create and deploy customized applications enables these industries to maintain a competitive edge by responding swiftly to market changes and improving overall business efficiency.
Regional Trends and Learnings
The concept of citizen development, where non-technical users develop their applications, is gaining momentum in regions like North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia due to higher digital literacy levels and supportive organizational cultures. These regions have experienced robust adoption of LCNC platforms, driven by a need for agility and continuous innovation in a dynamic business environment. Organizations in these areas are investing in training programs and establishing governance frameworks to support and encourage citizen developers.
Conversely, regions like the Middle East and Africa (MEA) lag in LCNC adoption due to a preference for traditional development methods and a shortage of ecosystems nurturing citizen developers. However, the potential for LCNC platforms to enhance efficiency and bridge IT gaps is recognized globally, including in MEA. By aligning training programs, establishing governance frameworks, and demonstrating clear ROI, insights from more mature markets can expedite the adoption of LCNC platforms in less-developed regions, highlighting the global acknowledgment of their benefits.
LCNC + AI: Unlocking Citizen Development
Integrating AI with LCNC platforms holds the promise of significantly reducing the learning curve for business users and making citizen development more accessible. Generative AI (GenAI) and AI technologies will further break down barriers by enabling intuitive, natural language-based interactions, empowering users to build complex solutions with minimal effort and expertise. This combination reduces dependency on IT teams, fostering a more inclusive environment where non-technical staff can participate in the development process.
GenAI democratizes application development, leading to faster innovation cycles, cost efficiency, and widespread adoption of digital transformation across industries. By allowing users to interact with LCNC platforms through natural language, AI simplifies the development process and makes it accessible to a broader range of individuals. This integration is anticipated to drive significant growth in citizen development, enabling organizations to leverage their entire workforce’s potential to innovate and adapt to evolving business needs.
Emerging Trends in LCNC
Several emerging trends are shaping the future of LCNC platforms, with a notable shift towards natural language-driven interactions. Traditional forms and interfaces are being replaced by conversational chat interfaces powered by GenAI, facilitating seamless user interactions through natural language. This trend is making application development more intuitive, user-friendly, and accessible to non-technical users, driving innovation and adoption of LCNC platforms.
Another significant trend is the evolution of multi-modal user interactions, where user interactions extend beyond text to include audio, video, and images. This approach allows users to engage with LCNC platforms in more intuitive ways, leveraging technologies like voice recognition and computer vision. Additionally, applications are increasingly utilizing modular, composable UI components to craft personalized user experiences. Design systems and micro frontends enable dynamic assembly of user interfaces based on individual preferences and contexts, enhancing user satisfaction and engagement.
Shaping 2024 and Beyond: Kissflow’s Vision
As we look towards the future, 2024 is expected to be a transformative year for the software industry with the integration of GenAI. Incumbent players in the market are under immense pressure to reinvent themselves, while new-age companies leverage GenAI to offer innovative solutions that resonate with the evolving demands of businesses and consumers. Kissflow, for instance, is positioning itself to harness GenAI as a fundamental aspect of its platform, purposefully integrating AI to redefine development and consumption processes.
By 2025, the widespread adoption of GenAI across various business layers is anticipated to lead to more intuitive, adaptive, and personalized solutions. This will shift organizational priorities towards speed, agility, and value creation, compelling product companies to continuously innovate to stay relevant. Kissflow’s vision focuses on enhancing user experience through natural language interactions, enabling adaptive and predictive solutions, and reimagining workflows to leverage AI-driven innovation, ensuring they remain at the forefront of this transformative journey.
Conclusion
Low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms are transforming application development by making it easier and faster to create software. This innovation allows a wider range of people to get involved in development. Previously seen as supplementary tools, LCNC platforms are now the main choice for new enterprise projects. Their growth is fueled by their ability to speed up digital innovation and make technology accessible to more people, helping organizations respond more quickly to market changes and customer needs. These platforms enable non-technical staff to take part in development, fostering a culture of innovation and teamwork. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 70% of new applications created by organizations will use LCNC technologies, a significant jump from less than 25% in 2020. Additionally, by 2026, 80% of users of low-code development tools are expected to be non-technical employees from outside traditional IT departments. This highlights the ongoing trend of making technology more accessible and democratizing innovation within organizations.
