Low code software platforms are a popular custom software development option, particularly within smaller organizations. Based on a graphical user interface, they allow users to visually see the software they’re designing, rather than relying on writing code to compile. If you’re familiar with WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) platforms, low code is incredibly similar in nature.

Popular low code platforms include:

• FileMaker

• WaveMaker

• Oracle Application Express

• Google App Maker

• SalesForce App Cloud

• Nintex

A major benefit of low code platforms is that they’re accessible to the average person. Businesses can create their own software and add the functionalities and features they desire. With the ongoing expenses of SaaS (software-as-a-service) options, particularly if a custom option is needed, low code can be enticing due to the lower maintenance expenses.

Does this ease of creation and use mean dedicated developers aren’t needed for low code platforms? In short, no.

Why low code platforms still need dedicated developers

Imagine you run your own business. Presumably, it isn’t a software development agency. Perhaps you work in manufacturing or healthcare or engineering. You need software to help run your business because Post-it notes on a whiteboard aren’t helping you grow the way you want. Low code is an attractive option because you can do-it-yourself and design it custom to mimic your business practices (rather than changing how you operate to fit confining software).

With Google in hand, you’re able to get it to do what you want how you want. It’s not at the level a professional developer would create, but that’s okay because you don’t specialize in software. After all, you work in manufacturing or healthcare or engineering. Those are your areas of expertise.

As your business grows through the help of this app, you want to add more capabilities and functions. Why do redundant data entry when your software can automatically add the information to the correct places? Some of what you’d like the software to do is more complex and it takes more research to figure out how to create it. But your business has also grown, so you have less time to work on projects like your database because you’re dealing with more important matters.

Perhaps your industry has regulatory requirements such as HIPAA; you understand the type of protections you need to have in place and why, but not sure how to implement it in your software—nor are you sure if you’re safe from vulnerabilities. When new versions of the platform are released, you're excited to update but some of your features break and you’re not sure why.

Low code platforms need dedicated developers because they’re platform experts. You know the nuance of your industry (and we know the nuances of ours), but you really just want your software to work the way you do—and that’s sometimes outside of your wheelhouse.

At PK Information, we keep up with the latest news and minutia around FileMaker and our other development platforms so you don’t need to. Your priority isn’t the nuances of the latest FileMaker Server release. Instead, your priority is that your database is secure and stable. We help our clients focus on their business growth by maintaining and upgrading their applications.

When we research them for one client, we’re able to use that information to assist all of our clients—which is far more time efficient than each company we work with needing to maintain that information on their own. Of course we work with several power users who make minor changes and updates to their databases—a huge benefit of low code—but we’re able to keep track of the larger platform landscape on their behalf. It’s our responsibility to stay up-to-date with all of the latest features, bugs, best practices, and security vulnerabilities so you don’t need to.

PK Information is a FileMaker-certified development agency serving the Tampa Bay, Miami Lakes, and Knoxville regions. We believe that software should work the way you do, with business priorities first and technology second.

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Do you need help with support, maintenance, or advanced development for your low code database? We’d love to discuss the possibilities with you! Please complete this form and we’ll connect shortly.