New Delhi: The evolving nature of business requirements is identified as a constant challenge, prompting the exploration of solutions. During the APAC Manufacturing Conclave, Anirudh Iyer, Enterprise Sales Head, Mendix, Siemens Digital Industries Software gave a detailed view about how low-code, and by extension Siemens’ Mendix can help industries attain digital transformation.
Challenges in achieving digital transformation for industries
- They find a lot of the core IT systems that they presently have in their landscape, which could even include systems like an ERP, CRM or a DMS system, that are not flexible enough to actually digitise and automate a lot of specific processes that are currently there in their IT landscape.
- They need multi-channel capability and support for multiple types of devices in terms of accessing applications. A classic example is where mobility solutions, including mobile applications and applications accessed on tablets, desktops, and through the web, are being sought more and more.
- Integration across the idea landscape. With most mature enterprises, you will find that you have various systems, including the systems of record like ERPs, LIMBS, MES and CRM. But you also have a lot of peripheral applications and data in Excel lying around which invariably happens because of shadow ID.
- Explaining the fourth challenge, Iyer said, “Requirements go on evolving. It is not a scenario where a defined set of requirements are given to you, and a system can support that, and things just stay the way they are. Business constantly seeks new changes to the applications depending on the scenario, triggering a lot of changes.”
Iyer presents three options to tackle the above challenges. Let’s delve into them.
COTS
COTS, or Commercial Off-The-Shelf, refers to readily available software or hardware products designed for general use and sold by third-party vendors. These pre-built solutions, such as office productivity software, CRM systems, and hardware components, are cost-effective and offer faster implementation compared to custom-built solutions. COTS products often come with vendor support, ensuring updates and maintenance..
Pro-code
Pro-code, synonymous with traditional software development, entails professional developers overseeing all development phases, including coding, testing, optimisation, and deployment. This method involves a hierarchical team structure using languages such as JavaScript, Python, or C++, developers create applications and artefacts entirely from scratch within the pro-code paradigm.
Low-code
Low-code involves using visual interfaces and pre-built components to create applications with minimal hand-coding and manual programming effort. This method simplifies the development process, making it accessible to individuals with limited coding experience.
Low-code platforms often feature drag-and-drop functionality, abstraction of complexity, and rapid application development, enabling faster prototyping and deployment. It is particularly beneficial for businesses aiming to accelerate application development, promote collaboration between business and IT.
The Value proposition of low-code
- Accelerate time to market: It simplifies and speeds up the development process through visual interfaces, pre-built components, collaborative workflows, and agile methodologies.
- Increase app velocity: It simplifies development through visual interfaces, pre-built components, and collaborative workflows, enabling faster prototyping, streamlined testing, and efficient iteration, ultimately reducing the time required to bring applications to market.
- Increase IT productivity: It increases IT productivity by minimising manual coding and fostering collaboration, leading to quicker application development and deployment.
Iyer highlights the criteria for evaluating low code platforms, including integration capabilities, process automation, cloud-native architecture, support for complex logic, AI incorporation, and multi-channel app development, and adds that Siemens’ Mendix platform fulfils all these criteria by enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and competitiveness through streamlined and agile digital solutions.
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