Business dynamics require constant evolution in information systems, with a significant impact on IT/IS teams. Meanwhile, there is often not enough staff or budget available to meet all these needs at the desired pace.
As a result, the technical team ends up overloaded and the company continues to have manual processes prone to errors. In addition, it wastes time with decentralised information and is exposed to communication failures between departments.
The good news is that no-code platforms exist. These technologies enable the digitisation of processes and the centralisation of business information in a simple and versatile way.
Therefore, using a no-code platform is an effective way to automate business processes. In addition, it gives the Company greater autonomy to create its applications in an agile, fast way, without strict dependence on technical skills.
Find out how this type of platform works and how companies are accelerating digital transformation and overcoming management and activity control challenges through this technology.
In this article you will find the following topics:
- What is a no-code platform?
- How does a no-code platform work?
- Why use a no-code platform?
- No-code in practice
- Save time with Masterlink’s no-code platform
Enjoy your reading!
What is a no-code platform?
A no-code platform is a development tool that requires no programming or technological knowledge and is therefore aimed at a non-technical audience. This technology enables the creation of web applications closely aligned with the business vision, as well as portals—whether internet, extranet, or intranet.
Interactions on the platform are visual and simplified. Most of the time, you only need to use the mouse and fill in a few fields. In addition, there are often consulting teams to support new users during the creation process.
These features allow a Company to automate its business processes, create its applications, and manage its activities without necessarily having a programmer on the team. Any professional with basic computer knowledge is able to use a no-code platform.
How does a no-code platform work?
OK, we already understand that a no-code platform enables the creation of applications without having to go into that dark screen with countless lines of code. However, how is that possible?
Simply put, a no-code platform is developed in advance by a team of programmers and usability specialists so that it can then be used by people without programming knowledge.
These teams (programmers and usability specialists) develop the model with all the necessary elements so that, later and independently, the non-technical user can create solutions simply by clicking buttons.
In short, like any piece of software, a no-code platform is built through programming. However, users of these platforms benefit from simplified models that allow them to build applications without resorting to programming. This creates a scaling effect in which the impact of a specialised/technical team achieves broader results through the actions of non-technical users.
Thus, in the development area within a no-code platform, resources are available such as: menus, tabs, pages, users and profiles, security, file uploads, among others.
In this way, the user only needs simple commands, such as clicking the mouse, to access these items and use them to create their web solutions.
Why use a no-code platform?
A no-code platform makes it easier to create solutions for the specific needs of each business. Therefore, it is a development model that enables the creation of tailor-made applications for each Company’s reality.
In addition, a no-code platform enhances collaboration between teams and gives autonomy to professionals from different areas within organisations. It is the democratisation of web solution development, also known as citizen development.
This citizen-led development process (in a literal translation) encourages professionals without technology training to become able to develop different solutions using a no-code platform. This is because, with a no-code tool, anyone can be empowered to turn ideas into business solutions.
The advantages are so significant that studies point to a strong trend towards companies adopting this type of information technology. A study by Gartner, for example, indicates that by 2024, 80% of applications developed in companies will not be created by programmers, but by ordinary people—who can also be called citizen developers.
Therefore, with no-code platforms, the way software is being built within companies becomes more democratic, as it includes users from different sectors.
We can say that no-code enhances companies’ capabilities by enabling the use of all the technical talent that already exists across different corporate areas.
In summary, the benefits of a no-code platform include:
- Ease of innovation;
- Autonomy;
- Cost reduction;
- Increased productivity;
- Agility in solution development;
- Service customisation;
- Tailor-made solutions.
See here more business advantages of using a no-code platform.
No-code in practice
To better understand how a no-code platform works, we can think of the example of someone who works in a school office.
This professional is constantly receiving requests for materials from students or teachers. The high volume of requests ends up turning everything into chaos.
The Excel document used to control the materials is not practical at all. All the professional wanted was a system where they could organise requests, schedule the delivery of materials, and manage the return of borrowed equipment.
With a no-code platform, the school can solve this problem in a practical way, without needing to hire an IT team. For example, the institution can create, through the platform, a portal aimed at the internal audience (students, teachers, and managers) to manage requests for school materials.
To create the portal, it will only be necessary to click through the menus to create new pages, users, and material request forms. Everything in an intuitive and accessible way.
No-code vs low-code
When we talk about no-code platforms, it is difficult not to also think of other similar solutions, namely low-code platforms. This is because both the no-code and low-code methods enable faster and easier development of new systems and applications. However, there are some subtle and crucial differences for making the best use of these technologies.
The main difference between one model and the other is the audience they are intended for. While no-code focuses on users without programming knowledge, moving away from technical thinking and structuring models, low-code was designed for technical people who have knowledge traditionally used in development through programming.
In this way, technical users/programmers who use a low-code platform to create applications benefit from a strong acceleration in the development process without losing the ability to use traditional programming processes in a hybrid way whenever necessary.
A no-code platform, on the other hand, is optimised for use by professionals from different areas and specialities who do not master programming, to create solutions according to the organisation’s specific needs.
Therefore, while low-code simplifies and accelerates programmers’ work in the development process, no-code offers an intuitive template with customised functions, designed for use by users without technological knowledge.
Save time with Masterlink’s no-code platform
In conclusion, the no-code model can be leveraged to carry out various projects in the business environment. That is why different private market sectors and public institutions are already benefiting from no-code platforms.
In Portugal, Masterlink provides the no-code model for developing communication solutions, process management, and data analysis.
Companies such as Massimo Zanetti, GroupM and Xerox have already developed solutions with the Masterlink Platform, as have public bodies such as the Fundo Ambiental and the Inspectorate-General of Finance – see here some success stories.
The Masterlink Platform is robust, simple, and efficient for process optimisation. With a no-code model, it combines a high level of integration with ease of use.
According to a recent study by 451 Research, no-code solutions such as the Masterlink Platform have the potential to reduce development time by 90%. This happens, among other reasons, because with a no-code tool it is possible to empower teams and promote cross-functional collaboration.
In addition, with a no-code platform, the adoption of methodologies becomes more agile, implementation cycles are reduced, and there is greater alignment on business priorities.
Among the features of the Masterlink Platform are information lifecycle management and the definition of process behaviour, as well as the creation of intuitive dashboards, reports tailored to needs, and a web platform with a complete set of publishing tools.
Try the Masterlink Platform and gain agility in your business. Click here and be contacted now by a specialist.
