You don’t have to be a trained developer to code.
Low-code and no-code development platforms are paving the way for developers and non-developers to deliver custom web applications and mobile apps for your business.
There are several different categories of app builders that are no-code.
- Code driven platforms
- Drag and drop builders
- Data-driven platform
Low-code and no-code tools bridge the gap between SaaS and custom-built applications created by developers.
“When properly implemented, they enable faster application development, lower costs, and increased digital dexterity for employees outside IT.”
“While low-code/no-code services lower the bar for business users to experiment with building simple applications, they have their downsides. They introduce problems around scalability, security, and customization that IT teams may have to address.”
Read more here. Get to know low-code/no-code tools from major cloud vendors
IBM i Platform No-code and low-code tools.
There are a number of low-code platforms that exist in the IBM i ecosystem.
Lansa has been around for a long time. It allows you to turn your RPG developers into full-stack developers allowing you to create web and mobile applications in no time.
Profound Logic, with Profound UI is a low-code or no-code tool that allows developers who do not have HTML, CSS, or JavaScript experience “to create a completely modern Web application.”
Fresche Solutions has a number of products that also offer low-code or no-code options one of which is Presto, a builder that allows you to transform Green Screens into web pages.
CNX offers a low-code app builder, Valence, where little and even no-coding is required thus allowing you to build powerful business apps in minutes.
Eradani is a newcomer to the space and allows you to take advantage of a plethora of APIs that are available.
The versatility of the IBM i Platform.
The beauty of the IBM i is its ease of use and versatility allows organizations to leverage an endless number of open source low-code and no-code platforms.
Here are just a few you can explore.
Honeycode allows you to build apps without programming. It’s a solution for when standard spreadsheets and out of the box software packages don’t fit your internal business needs. Automate repetitive tasks and build apps that give you the power to see data just how you want it. A visual editor tool allows you to link your database to a spreadsheet, build a UI, link the data, set conditions, and then share the app with your team. It’s a simple and powerful solution.
Appsheet is an intelligent no-code platform. Collect data from almost any source, sync it across devices, and be more productive. It will allow you to do anything from scan barcodes, send emails, integrate platforms, capture images, generate reports, and apply logic all in a matter of minutes.
Mendix is a powerful low-code development platform where “thinkers become makers”. It does not matter if you are a business user or a developer, this robust, enterprise-class platform will help you extend the reach of your IBM i and RPG applications.
Low-code and no-code options are the future.
Many developers don’t like the thought of stepping outside of RPG, PHP or Java environments to develop applications. However, there are countless IBM i and AS/400 developers who have.
There is a place for no-code and low-code. I believe it is a smart choice for IBM i shops who are looking for a path “to modernize legacy applications, or to automate integrations across multiple platforms.”