In today's business world, software development is undergoing a significant transformation. According to Gartner, by the end of this year, large global companies will have four times as many employees developing No-code apps than traditional programmers. This phenomenon, driven by the growing adoption of no-code and low-code tools, is redefining how organizations address their technology needs.
The figure of the citizen developer
A Citizen Developer is an employee who, using no-code and low-code tools, can create business applications without the need for advanced programming knowledge. These platforms allow anyone with digital skills to create applications using visual interfaces and simple configurations. This approach democratizes software development, allowing employees who know the business best to develop solutions aligned with the specific needs of the company.
Development Growth No-Code
No-code development platforms have seen significant growth. According to Gartner, the global market for low-code development technologies will reach $26.9 billion in 2023, representing a 19.6% increase from the previous year. This trend is being driven by the rise of enterprise technologists and enterprise-wide hyperautomation and composable business initiatives.
Before the pandemic, only 10% of executives considered these tools a crucial investment. Today, that percentage has risen to 26%, reflecting a notable shift in companies' technology strategies. These platforms not only speed up software development, but also reduce costs and allow for quick adaptation to market needs.
By 2025, 70% of new applications are expected to be built using no-code platforms. These tools have increased software development lifecycles by 62% for new applications, resulting in a 123% increase in productivity.
Benefits of engaging employees
Engaging employees In application development, it not only increases efficiency and reduces costs, but also improves staff satisfaction and engagement. Organizations that train developers without code are 33% more innovative. By allowing employees to become software outsiders, developing solutions aligned with the specific needs of the company, the probability of success in projects is increased.
Internalization of software development
A crucial aspect of using no-code platforms is that it allows large companies to in-house software development. Instead of relying on external developers, companies can use in-house knowledge and skills to create bespoke solutions. This trend is being driven by the ease of integration of these platforms with legacy technologies and by the growing need for fast, personalized responses in a dynamic business environment.
No-code and low-code platforms are being used in a variety of industries and applications. In the healthcare industry, these platforms enable the creation of HIPAA-compliant applications for electronic medical record management and telemedicine solutions. In manufacturing and logistics, platforms can facilitate the creation of warehouse management systems and predictive maintenance tools.
Integration with other technologies
No-code and low-code platforms are not isolated; in fact, they are increasingly integrating with other technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT). This integration enables the development of more sophisticated applications that can leverage real-time data and advanced analytics capabilities. For example, companies are using low-code platforms to develop applications that manage data flows from IoT devices and automate decisions based on predictive analytics.
While no-code and low-code platforms offer numerous benefits, they also present challenges. The quality and security of applications developed by non-technical users can be significant concerns. It is crucial to implement good governance practices and ensure that citizen developers receive the appropriate training. In addition, the proliferation of applications can lead to long-term management and maintenance issues.
Economic Impact and Future of No-Code Development
No-code and low-code platforms are allowing businesses to save millions of dollars in development costs. Gartner estimates that using these tools has allowed companies to reduce development costs by 70%. In addition, these platforms are facilitating the rapid creation of prototypes and MVPs (minimum viable products), allowing companies to test new ideas in the market in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods.
Increased productivity is another key benefit. No-code and low-code platforms have increased developer productivity by 123%, allowing companies to launch new applications and functionalities faster. This increase in speed and efficiency is giving companies a significant competitive advantage in the market.
Future projections
The future of software development is clearly geared towards the use of no-code and low-code tools. It is expected that by 2026, developers outside of IT departments will account for at least 80% of users of low-code development tools. This trend is being driven by the need for companies to be more agile and respond quickly to market demands.
In addition, the integration of these platforms with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and IoT will continue to grow. Enterprises are seeing the value of combining the ease of use of no-code and low-code platforms with the advanced capabilities of these technologies to create more sophisticated and powerful applications.
The figure of the Citizen Developer is destined to revolutionize software development in large global companies, allowing more organizations to take advantage of the internal knowledge of their employees to create innovative technological solutions. With the continued growth of no-code and low-code platforms, companies can become more agile, efficient, and innovative, responding quickly to market demands and improving employee satisfaction.
Sources: Gartner , ManageEngine and Forrester