Low-code, the solution to accelerate the digitalization of companies?


In a world of constant digital evolution, finding simple and effective technical solutions has become a crucial issue for companies that want to remain competitive. It is in this context that low-code is emerging as an innovative response that offers new opportunities to facilitate the development of applications and accelerate the digital transformation of organizations. Increasingly used, this technology is gradually emerging in Luxembourg to meet the challenges of the digital transition. Fujitsu Luxembourg has taken a closer look at this subject with the crossed expert view of Steve HEGGEN, Head of HyperAutomation and Yann DAGORN, Head of Managed Application Services.

Low code solution accelerate digitalization companies

What is low-code?

Steve HEGGEN : Low-code is an approach to application development that allows applications to be created quickly with little or no coding, using already existing components and an easy-to-access user interface. This technology is distinguished by the fact that it is not restricted to professional developers and does not systematically require advanced technical expertise, which opens the way to what is known as "citizen development". Experienced developers still have a place in this type of project, because "Low-Code" is not "No Code". There are often occasional needs for more specific development.

Yann DAGORN : Low-code goes beyond an application development approach. It is also a hosting solution, including what is known as 'devOps', i.e. the merging of development and IT operations tasks. This technique is integrated directly into low-code platforms, which saves developers a considerable amount of time and allows for simplified application management. Low-code can therefore be seen as a complete solution not only for the design and management of applications, but also for their hosting.


How does this technology work?

SH: The low-code technique allows you to capitalize on common elements, such as forms or authentication modules, in order to focus on business value, rather than wasting time on non-value-added development for the business. This method uses an intuitive graphical interface and provides pre-built components to intuitively build an application.

YD: If specific needs arise, developers can still create new custom components and share them with the user community, thus enriching the available libraries and enhancing the platform.

SH: The collaborative aspect of low-code is another of its advantages. Sharing components allows other developers to use these elements to speed up their own development. Business stakeholders can also be integrated into the project lifecycle via the low-code platform, which will offer advanced interaction possibilities that are much more functionally oriented.

YD: Low-code platforms can also offer real-time collaboration features to allow multiple users to work on the same project at the same time, which represents a considerable gain in flexibility.


It's an open approach. So low-code is not just for developers?

SH: Low-code platforms are designed to be accessible to people without extensive programming knowledge, thanks to an intuitive visual interface and pre-built templates.

YD: However, as we said, professional developers can also use these platforms to create more complex and specific applications, by using advanced features of the platform or by writing custom code. They will also be faster in application design.


It seems that there is no limit to low-code? Does the technology lend itself to all types of projects?

YD: Low-code has fewer and fewer limits today, thanks to an increasingly dense library of components. It is important to note that this technology is not new, it has been constantly improved since the 2000s. It is currently experiencing a resurgence of interest because it allows quick and easy digitization, thus meeting the growing demand of many sectors.

SH: Low-code platforms are increasingly open and allow the integration of custom codes, enriching existing models to meet specific needs. They offer a wide range of components that can be integrated into mainstream IT systems, such as SAP or Salesforce, for example.

YD: To realize their full potential, it is important to bear in mind that these platforms need to be designed for a scalable ecosystem, rather than for a single application, in order to optimize costs.

SH: When it comes to going low-code, internal business application projects are often the most suitable. This is because they allow companies to test the potential risks of adopting this type of new technology internally, and then reap the benefits and improve functionality as needed. Administrative and business process management applications, for example, lend themselves well to low-code. The platforms offer numerous workflow possibilities, which facilitate the management of the various flows and the distribution of roles.


How does Luxembourg welcome low-code?

SH: Our neighbouring countries have already adopted low-code for many years, notably our Fujitsu employees in the UK who have set up a dedicated team in close contact with experts in the sector such as OutSystems.

YD: Low-code will respond to a time-to-market issue that is becoming more and more pressing. With the acceleration of digital technology, the market is demanding technologies quickly. We therefore need to be agile and find solutions. Low-code will offer a complete solution that is fast, qualitative and scalable, making it possible to manage design, deployment and infrastructure, while controlling costs.

SH: In the short or medium term, Luxembourg will have no choice but to adopt this technology, not only because professional skills in the market in the field of application development are becoming scarce, but also because the current IT landscape is rapidly changing. This requires developers to keep a constant watch on technology. Unfortunately, this watch is often overtaken by the speed of innovation, particularly in technologies for web applications and their frameworks, which are constantly evolving. Low-code platforms, on the other hand, will embrace these new technologies from one update to the next in a way that is transparent to the user, the configurator and the developer.

YD: The subject here reveals a reality that should not be ignored, that of technological debt. The choice of a technological solution that is not adapted or not very agile can lead to an overload of work related to support and maintaining skills on all the technological layers adopted over time. Low-code should reduce this technology debt as the learning curve for people using the low-code platform is short and the vendor takes responsibility for the operational issues of the platform.


How do you choose the best low-code platform for your needs?

SH: Before you start, there are several points to consider: you need to assess the reputation of the product, study the number of components available, analyze the integration modules available, list the underlying technologies (in the event of migration from one low-code platform to another) and compare the price model.

YD: It is essential to be accompanied by digitalization experts, not only to design applications with a quality structure, but also to ensure an optimal user experience in the end.



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