Code or low code?
After some less encouraging #lowcode experiences, fueled by some typical Dutch weather during my spring break, I decided to get some hands on experience with #Mendix myself.
So far I have been struggling to see the benefits. Projects can still take long and if you outsource the developments it’s still expensive especially if the projects are not bringing the value you are looking for. On top of that the annual running costs are relatively high.
I decided to take the online learning path to become a rapid developer on the Mendix platform. I have some (outdated) experience developing applications so I already understood the basics so that gave me a head start.
Although I am not fully convinced, I must admit that I slowly start to see the light. The great thing about the Mendix platform (and most probably also other low code platforms) is that besides it enables you to model applications it also has great features to collaborate as a team in an agile fashion! This way you can easily work together with experienced and less experienced developers but also have business analysts and UI/UX developers work on the application at the same time while the project manager of business owner can easily track the progress. Besides that it is really easy to build simple or less complex responsive applications. After a few days of training an IT savvy business analyst is able to build their own lotus notes like applications.
Unfortunately you still need IT skills to build more complex applications. External resources that can help you with building this more complex logic or UI/UX are as expensive and scarce as “old school” developers. Besides that low code platforms typicity are subscription based. These annual subscription fees are quite high so after a couple of years it will be challenging to find new projects to justify these running costs.
I still have some days of training to go but it’s great to see how low code has developed over the last couple of years. I do realize that if you want to get everything out of a low code platform you need to have internal developers, optionally support by external resources, to build and maintain the applications. Besides that you need to go “all in” or at least for the applications in the fast pace layer.
To be continued….
Ben benieuwd welke app je hebt gebouwd 😃 Maar snap je overwegingen en afwegingen. Op naar je volgende certificaten!
Heino - low code isn't all that bad. It depends as you say on the application thereof and what you want to achieve. It is great for quickly putting together a prototype to test a concept.
Interesting view Heino Kempers. Together with my colleagues, I deliberated on the same topic in a short blogpost couple of months ago. It is a view based on experiences from the high-tech industry but there are similarities. If you are interested, here is the link: https://www.kabisa.nl/blog/high-code-vs-low-code-why-not-both/
Very interesting read, Heino Kempers. Your conclusions leave me struggling with the selling points of low code platforms a bit: - it's low code for less complex projects, but you say it quickly becomes complex enough to need proper developers. So what is then the benefit, do you think? - the low code environment comes with high subscription fees - how do these compare to hiring developers and purchasing a high code development platform? Does a low code platform provide shorter implementation timelines? Does it make cooperation between the IT BA and the developer easier? What do you think?
Nice one Heino 😀