How-To: Build the Perfect Helpdesk with Low-Code

Perfect Helpdesk with Low-Code

What does the ideal helpdesk and ticketing system look like?

Surely, the purpose of a helpdesk is not to record and track complaints. A CTO never thinks of technology in terms of features and surely, helpdesks have more to do. They’re the road network that problems use to reach their resolution.

But here’s the kicker: not all helpdesk tools are alike. Some are like 16-lane expressways, while others are like backcountry roads dotted with potholes. As we said, a ticketing system isn’t just a place to log issues, route them, and churn out reports. Done right, a helpdesk can achieve more – yet not many realize this.

The right KPIs for ticketing tools should be more than tickets solved, satisfaction rating, and MoM resolution rates. Ticket tools should be expected to achieve more. They should enhance customer loyalty, improve resolution times, and drive service innovation.

Most ticketing products, however, are a one-size-fits-all system. This can stifle innovation, lead to a poor fit for specific use cases, and often result in a clunky experience for both customers and service agents. That’s why CTOs are so keen on flexible, low-code ticketing systems. They understand you can’t just pile on features and add-ons onto a traditional ticketing system and expect it to work wonders. It’s like forcing a square peg through a round hole – a futile effort.

Low-code platforms are made for the modern business – where agility is the core of IT. Particularly in a landscape shaped by remote work, and where stress levels of IT support workers are very high, a CTO has all the more reason to go for Low-Code. 

The low-code market is still in its infancy, but growing fast

                   Low-code development platform market revenue   Low-code development platform market revenue worldwide from 2018 to 2025(in billion U.S. dollars)

So let’s understand the low-code helpdesk and ticketing system in more detail. 

What Is a Low-Code Helpdesk and Ticketing System?

Low-code strips back the complexity of software. It’s a way to build applications with fewer lines of code and more user-friendly interfaces.

CTOs looking to implement a ticketing system usually have two choices:

   1. Build from Scratch

This means creating a custom ticketing system with a lot of coding from the ground up.

Downsides: Takes a lot of time and money. Such systems can be too rigid, making them a poor fit for businesses with unique needs. They might not keep up with the latest needs for mobile access or provide the deep insights from data that businesses need to stay ahead.

   2. Buy Off the Shelf

The other option is to purchase a pre-made ticketing system that’s ready to use.

Downsides: These can be inflexible, forcing businesses to work the way the system works. Integration with existing tools and workflows can be a headache.

Now, Low-Code comes in as the hero. It offers the best of both worlds.

Here’s How Low-Code Works

The low-code approach is based on abstracting the building blocks of software as much as possible. This gives users the levers they need to tweak and tune the application to their liking.

Let’s understand these levers.

  • Visual Builders – Low-code platforms let you drag and drop pieces to build your system without writing code.
  • Templates and Widgets – These are ready-to-use elements that you can mix and match to make the system do what you want.
  • Easy Integrations – Low-code platforms play well with others, meaning they connect smoothly to different.

Low-code ticks all the boxes. It’s quick and budget-friendly like off-the-shelf solutions, but also flexible and tailor-made like custom-built systems. This way, CTOs can provide a ticketing system that grows with the business and adapts in real time.

The benefits are irresistible. Let’s take a look.

The Benefits Of A Low-Code Helpdesk Management and Ticketing System

The right helpdesk management and ticketing system is the difference between ops hell and heaven. Let’s see how a low-code system works so well.

    1. Quick and Cheap

Why wait months when you can start today? Low-code platforms let you build applications 10X faster than the traditional high-code approach. Yes, 10X sounds like a lofty claim, but we’re being very realistic here. That’s not all, low-code platforms will cost you 1/4th of applications made through traditional software development. This means you can design, build, and deploy ticketing apps rapidly, without breaking the bank. This is literally the difference between months and days, and dollars and pennies.

Example: Imagine rolling out a custom feature that auto-assigns tickets to agents based on expertise — all in a matter of days, not months.

    2. Empowered Users

Business users should be able to tweak the system to suit their work, without always calling IT. Low-Code puts the power in the hands of those who use the system daily. This reduces the IT bottleneck.

Example: An account executive, with no coding skills, could modify a ticketing form to capture new customer data points crucial for targeted follow-ups.

    3. Improved Integration

A low-code ticketing system can seamlessly connect with your existing help desk, knowledge base, and customer portals, ensuring a unified customer service experience.

Example: Link your ticketing system to the company knowledge base, allowing agents to pull information and solve queries faster than ever.

    4. Enhanced Communication 

Why let communication gaps slow you down? Low-Code helps streamline ticket resolution by improving the flow of information between teams.

Example: Create a shared dashboard that updates in real-time, so everyone from support to sales is on the same page with customer issues.

    5. Data-Driven Insights

Are you making the most of your data? With low code, you can harness ticketing trends and analytics to boost efficiency and sharpen your customer service edge.

Example: Generate a report identifying common service bottlenecks, and use it to refine your support strategy for quicker resolutions.

What Amoga’s Low-Code Helpdesk and Ticketing System Offers

First a word of caution — The market’s full of so-called “low-code” tools that are nothing more than old, hard-coded systems dressed up with a few extra controls. These systems create the illusion of customization and control; don’t be fooled.

At Amoga, we step away from these marketing games. We’re here to offer true low-code and let the results speak for themselves. After all, businesses need technology that’s fast, affordable, and transformative. That’s the heart of low-code. With Amoga’s low-code helpdesk and ticketing system, you can picture a system built with the singular goal of empowering every user.

Here are the top features of Amoga’s system, crafted to bring you real benefits:

    1. Omni-Channel Ticketing

Why miss out on a customer’s voice just because it’s not on the right channel? Capture tickets from email, social media, phone calls, and chat all in one place. That’s what our unified inbox does — it ensures no customer query slips through the cracks.

    2. SLA and Escalations

What happens when a ticket risks going overdue? Our system takes charge. It escalates the ticket to make sure someone attends to it promptly. It’s like having a vigilant watchkeeper for your customer service standards.

    3. Queue Management Prioritize

Tailor urgency levels and keep tabs on your customers’ details — from purchase history to contact info. This is like crafting a narrative around each customer.

    4. Mobile App

Agents on the move? No problem. They can resolve queries right from their phones, access contacts in a snap, and stay updated with push notifications. Even when offline, the app syncs up once they’re back online.

    5. Geo Location/Geo-Fencing

Location, location, location — it’s not just for real estate. Set virtual boundaries and let your agents receive tasks triggered by where they are. It’s about getting smarter with field service and giving customers the attention they need, where they need it.

6. Automation and Analytics

Why guess when you can know? Monitor customer satisfaction, and see where your service shines, and where it needs polish. Our analytics give you actionable insights to keep boosting your customer service game. With Amoga’s low-code system, you’re adopting a platform that evolves with you. That’s the first step for turning the lofty goal of exceptional customer service into a daily reality.

Don’t trust words, trust results

There’s a lot more under the hood of Amoga’s low-code ticketing system. What stands out is the flexibility. It’s a system that fits just right for your business, regardless of your unique needs.

If you’re curious about how this all works, why not talk to us? We offer a free consultation so you can understand the difference Amoga can make.

You’ll get a real sense of how we can:

  • Speed up your response times, making customers happier.
  • Improve the way you connect with customers, no matter where they reach out from.
  • Give you useful insights to make your support even better.

It’s not just about what we say; it’s about what you’ll experience. Give Amoga a go and see how it can change the game for your customer support team. Let’s get started!

 

CTA

Experience Endless Possibilities With A Low-Code CRM

CRM

Think of a big, old elephant in a tiny room full of delicate crockery. It wants to move around, but every step could cause a mess. That’s how a CTO feels with hardcoded, bulky, inflexible IT systems. 

CRMs are no different. Even the ones built in the 2010s and early 2020s are as flexible as a brick wall. That explains why so many CRM projects fail. 

The causes of failure remain the same.

  1. The mismatch between Business and CRM: Often, businesses can’t tailor CRM systems to fit their needs. Instead, they find themselves adjusting to the CRM, which can lead to problems.

  2. Over Budget and Time: CRM projects usually end up costing more and taking longer than planned. This often means businesses have to settle for a system that’s not fully complete.

  3. Too Complex for Users: The people who need to use the CRM find it hard and slow. It doesn’t match the way they actually work.

Leaders want a system that can change as fast as the world does. Being able to switch things up fast is super important, but it’s not easy to do. Tech should help us move quicker, but sometimes, it just ties our hands.

This is where Low-Code comes in. Low-Code gives businesses the power to shape technology to fit their needs. It makes technology work for the business, not the other way around.

So, we’re going to look at:

  1. What Low-code is,

  2. Why it’s good for CRM,

  3. The benefits of a low-code CRM, and

  4. What Amoga’s low-code CRM offers.

Let’s go.

What Is Low-Code?

To grasp what low-code is, we first need to look at the existing solutions for CRMs and why they often fall short. There are generally two approaches to implementing a CRM system: traditional custom-built (high-code) CRMs and off-the-shelf CRM solutions.

Both have their advantages, but their downsides have led to widespread CRM failures, making them less than ideal.

  1. Traditional High-Code CRM:

  • Built from scratch with extensive coding.

  • Downsides:

    • Slow and costly development cycles.

    • Can be cumbersome and ill-suited for certain industries, especially those without large sales or customer service teams.

    • May not align with modern expectations for mobility, data insights, and productivity.

  1. Off-the-Shelf CRM:

  • Pre-built solutions offered by vendors.

  • Downsides:

    • Siloed systems that require juggling multiple apps.

    • Hinder collaboration and efficiency across teams.

    • Initial ease of use can decline as systems become intertwined.

    • Maintaining multiple SaaS subscriptions can become financially burdensome.

    • Often leads to a fragmented tech landscape with manual workarounds.

Low-Code emerges as a powerful solution.

It shifts the focus back to business needs rather than technological constraints. It reimagines how CRMs are built and used.

How does it work?

Think of it as a blend of pre-made building blocks and custom designs for creating a website. Instead of wrestling with lines of code, low-code platforms offer intuitive visual tools, like:

  • Drag-and-drop interfaces for effortless arrangement of elements.

  • Pre-built templates for common functionalities, saving time and effort.

  • Customizable widgets to tailor the CRM to specific needs.

  • Connectors to seamlessly integrate with other systems, eliminating silos.

  • Visual workflow diagrams to map out processes clearly and efficiently.

As you assemble these blocks, the platform automatically generates the necessary code behind the scenes.

This means:

  • Non-technical users can actively participate in CRM development.

  • Businesses gain control over the design and evolution of their CRM.

  • Rapid application development becomes a reality, shortening time-to-value.

  • Customization and flexibility are no longer limited by coding expertise.

Low-code empowers businesses to speak the language of their processes and create CRMs that truly align with their unique needs.

Why Is Low-Code Good For CRM?

Businesses often have similar experiences.

  • May begin with basic tools like spreadsheets. As they grow, these tools can’t keep up. They need more, like automated processes and specific access controls.

  • Many transition to Salesforce and any other CRM of similar scale. But these can be too complex for many users. Their interfaces might be overwhelming, making them less practical for everyday use.

This is where Low-Code shines.

Low-Code lets developers create custom parts that fit right into existing systems. This means a business can have a CRM that looks and feels like it was made just for them. It can handle things like customer data, emails, and lead management in a way that’s tailored to the business.

Small companies often use basic CRMs or management tools. But as they grow, these tools can feel limited. Low-code changes this. A small business can build what it needs on top of its current CRM. This could be anything from a simple way to track customer interactions to a full-fledged sales tool.

Every business is different. With Low-Code, they can build CRMs that fit their unique needs.

Examples:

  • A marketing agency can build a dedicated client portal within their CRM, enabling clients to easily access project updates, share feedback, and collaborate on campaigns.

  • An e-commerce store can integrate its CRM with its website and payment gateways, allowing seamless tracking of customer journeys, purchase details, and support requests.

  • A local brewery uses Low-Code to build a loyalty program portal within their CRM. Customers can easily track points, redeem rewards, and browse upcoming events, all within a branded, familiar environment.

When anyone can use it, that’s when you say that low-code is a powerful democratization of technology. It empowers businesses of all sizes to take control of their customer relationships and build CRMs that truly drive growth and success.

The Benefits Of A Low-code CRM

Low-code CRMs are a game-changer, offering speed, user-centricity, and cost-effectiveness.

Let’s see how

  1. Quick Development and Deployment

Traditional CRM development can be slow and limiting. Low-code changes this by offering rapid creation and deployment of CRM apps. You can build a custom feature, like a lead capture form, quickly and efficiently, bypassing lengthy IT processes.
Example: A mobile app for capturing customer feedback at trade shows can be built in just a day, allowing for immediate data collection and enhanced market responsiveness

  1. Custom User Experience

Unlike one-size-fits-all CRM interfaces, low-code platforms allow for the creation of user-friendly, tailor-made interfaces. This customization improves usability, fitting the unique workflow of your team.
Example: Marketing teams can design a CRM interface specifically for managing social media campaigns, simplifying their workflow and boosting campaign effectiveness.

  1. Improved customer interactions

Low-Code enables the development of specific features and workflows to meet evolving customer needs. This adaptability enhances customer relationships and fosters loyalty.
Example: A self-service portal in your CRM can offer customers easy access to FAQs and support ticket tracking, enhancing their experience and reducing support workload.

  1. Cost efficiency

Low-code CRMs are more budget-friendly, reducing the need for expensive developers. They allow for the creation of a CRM that aligns with your financial constraints and focuses on your essential business functions.
Example: Build a CRM that centres on your primary sales and marketing needs, avoiding unnecessary costs for unused features.

  1. Security and scalability

Despite its simplicity, Low-Code doesn’t compromise on security. These platforms provide robust security measures and are scalable, growing with your business and data needs.
Example: Create custom CRM interfaces in a secure environment, utilizing advanced security features like two-factor authentication and precise access controls to protect customer data.

What Amoga’s Low-Code CRM Offers

Amoga’s low-code CRM stands out in a market where the term ‘low-code’ is often overused. Unlike many vendors who offer high-code CRMs with basic GUI configurations and label them as low-code, Amoga delivers a true low-code experience. This platform empowers users to tailor the CRM to their specific needs, making it fast, affordable, and a priority.

Imagine a CRM that:

  • Makes Lead Management Easy You can gather leads from different places like phone calls, websites, and social media. The CRM scores these leads automatically, showing which ones might be more interested in buying.

  • Let Your Team Connect With Customers Everywhere Keep in touch with potential customers through email, phone, social media, and live chat. This helps in making sure no chance to talk to a customer is missed.

  • Lets You Manage Deals Anywhere Get important information about deals anytime you need it. This helps in finding chances to sell more or different products to your customers.

  • Helps Field Sales The CRM works well on mobile phones. It helps salespeople on the road with tracking, planning their visits, and finding the best routes.

  • Is A Step Ahead With Reports and Insights Get different reports like how well the sales team is doing, where opportunities were missed, what tasks are being done, and how engaged leads are.

This is just a glimpse of what’s possible with Amoga’s low-code CRM. The true power lies in its flexibility. You can customize it to fit your specific needs, processes, and industry, creating a CRM that’s as unique as your business.

Stop saying “I wish my CRM could do that.” With Amoga, you can.

Curious to see how Amoga can help you? Request a free demo and discover how we’ve empowered others to:

  • Boost lead generation by 30% with automated lead capture and scoring.

  • Shorten sales cycles by 20% with streamlined deal management and field sales tools.

  • Increase customer satisfaction by 15% through personalized omnichannel communication.

Don’t just take our word for it. See the power of Amoga in action. Schedule your demo today!

 

CTA

The Role of Low-Code Platforms in Digital Transformation

Low code
Introduction 

The world of business has undergone a drastic shift in recent years, driven by the relentless march of technology. Digital transformation has become the mantra for companies seeking to remain competitive and relevant in a constantly evolving landscape.  

This journey towards digital maturity requires businesses to embrace innovation and leverage technology to fundamentally reshape their operations and customer interactions. In this context, low-code platforms are emerging as a powerful force, empowering organizations to accelerate their digital transformation initiatives and unlock a world of possibilities. 

The Rise of Digital Transformation

Even before the global pandemic, businesses were recognizing the critical role of digital transformation in driving success. From automating mundane tasks to creating personalized customer experiences, the potential benefits were undeniable. However, the pandemic acted as a catalyst, forcing organizations to rapidly adapt and embrace digital solutions to ensure business continuity. 

The global digital transformation market is expected to grow to $1,009 billion by 2025 from $469.8 billion in 2020, at a CAGR of 16.5% during this period.   This rapid shift highlighted the need for agility, flexibility, and scalability – qualities that low-code platforms are uniquely positioned to deliver. 

The Benefits of Digital Transformation 

The potential rewards of embracing digital transformation are manifold. Studies by Gartner reveal that over 56% of CEOs attribute increased revenue to digital improvements. The benefits extend beyond just revenue generation, encompassing areas like: 

  • Increased Efficiency: Automation and streamlined processes lead to improved efficiency and productivity across departments. 

  • Enhanced Customer Value: Tailored experiences and personalized interactions build stronger customer relationships and loyalty. 

  • Risk Management: Data-driven insights and predictive analytics help businesses identify and mitigate potential risks. 

  • Profitability: Reduced costs, improved efficiency, and increased revenue contribute to a healthier bottom line. 

Challenges of Digital Transformation 

Despite the undeniable benefits, digital transformation journeys are not without their challenges. 28% of companies report that digital transformation is still often perceived as a cost centre according to Brian Solis.   

Some of the potential pitfalls include: 

  • Lack of Workforce Buy-in: Resistance to change from employees can slow down initiatives and hinder progress. 

  • Skill Gaps: Identifying and acquiring the right skill sets across the organization can be challenging. 

  • Measuring ROI: Quantifying the return on investment for digital initiatives can be complex and time-consuming. 

The Role of Low-Code  

Low-code platforms are revolutionizing the way businesses approach digital transformation. They offer a compelling alternative to traditional development methods, empowering organizations to: 

  • Democratize App Development: Business users and domain experts can contribute to the development process, reducing reliance solely on professional developers. 

  • Reduce Costs: Rapid development cycles and minimal hand-coding lead to significant cost savings compared to traditional methods. 

  • Accelerate Development: Visual interfaces and pre-built components enable faster application development, allowing for quicker response to market changes. 

  • Improve Agility and Innovation: Low-code platforms facilitate rapid experimentation and iteration, fostering a culture of innovation and agility. 

  • Simplify Scalability: Platforms are inherently scalable, allowing businesses to easily adapt to changing needs without significant code rewrites. 

Conclusion 

The confluence of digital transformation and low-code development represents a fundamental shift in the way businesses operate. By leveraging low-code platforms, organizations can break free from traditional limitations and embark on a journey of rapid innovation, enhanced efficiency, and sustained growth. This is not simply about building applications faster; it’s about empowering businesses to become more customer-centric, and adaptable in a rapidly changing world. 

The low-code revolution isn’t a fleeting trend; it’s a permanent fixture in the future of business. It’s a tool that empowers businesses to harness their full potential, enabling them to innovate, adapt, and thrive in a digital world characterized by constant change. So, embrace Low-Code, chart your digital transformation journey, and unleash the full force of your organization’s capabilities. The future is here, and it’s time to seize it.

 

CTA

Why businesses need Low code ERP’s

You might already know about the lifecycle of technology.

 

 

Let’s think about where Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP systems, fit into this cycle. For that, let’s step back and look at the history of ERP systems. They started in the 1960s, more for academic interest than for use in businesses. In the 1990s and 2000s, they became very popular in the business world.  But, by the early 2010s, people started to see big problems. Companies realized that managing an ERP system was more than just buying the newest technology. By the late 2010s and early 2020s, how people saw ERPs had changed a lot. 

What used to be seen as helpful for business became a big challenge. ERP companies faced tough questions from customers. Some businesses even had major problems because their ERP systems didn’t fit well with the way modern businesses work.

  • Mission Produce (2021) found itself in a tough spot when its ERP couldn’t accurately track avocado ripeness and stock levels. This led to a staggering $22.2 million loss in profits due to excess waste and operational issues.
  • Invacare (2021) saw their ERP upgrade bring more pain than gain. The upgrade disrupted their online ordering and money collection. This caused such severe problems that they had to halt the project and change their leadership team, all while incurring ongoing costs.
  • Ranpak (2022) implemented their ERP on schedule and within budget, but still suffered a $5 million profit loss. The new system’s teething problems couldn’t have come at a worse time, as global events demanded quick pricing adjustments that just weren’t possible.

So it’s clear: the industry is becoming a bit disenchanted with ERPs. 

These examples also highlight a crucial dilemma for CTOs: Should ERP systems serve the business, or should the business be forced to adapt to the ERP?

Before we get into the specific problems of traditional ERPs, we need to understand why so many organizations wanted to invest in ERPs, what they thought they’d get out of them, and what actually happened. 

The Decline of the Old School ERP

SAP, a leader in ERP systems, has its own way of explaining what an ERP is.

But let’s step aside the technicalities, and address the business side first. 

Why Do Organizations Need an ERP?

Organizations need an ERP for a few main reasons:

  1. Keeping Track of Resources: It’s important to know what resources you have.
  2. Organizing Workflows Digitally: Having your workflows in digital form helps make things run smoother.
  3. Making Decisions Based on Data: Using data to make decisions is better than just going with a gut feeling.

When ERPs started in the 1960s, they mainly focused on finance and accounting. Even in the 1980s and 1990s, big industries like large manufacturing were the main users. Over time, ERP systems grew to include things like purchasing, sales, material planning, and inventory. They even added functions like HR and CRM later.

But, these systems have mostly stayed popular only with big players. There haven’t been many changes to make them fit well for smaller businesses or the newer types of businesses that aren’t about traditional manufacturing. And that’s where the decline is rooted. 

What Went Wrong with Traditional ERPs?

Essentially, as the business environment demanded more flexibility, ERPs became stifling. These are the three major issues that modern businesses face with ERPs. 

  1. Too Slow and Costly: Traditional ERPs are often seen as too slow and expensive for today’s fast-moving businesses.
  2. Not a Good Fit for All Businesses: Many modern businesses, especially those in consumer sectors, find ERPs too cumbersome or not very useful, especially if they don’t have their own inventory or factories.
  3. More Than Just Digitizing: Nowadays, businesses want their tech to do more than just put things online. They expect things like:
    • Being able to work well on mobile devices and different channels.
    • Getting the right information easily to make better decisions.
    • Helping employees work better and more productively.

Can ERPs Meet the Demands of Modern Business?

ERP vendors have scrambled to create add-ons, bundles, and new products to meet these evolving needs, but the tide is proving difficult to turn. They’re struggling to keep up with what businesses now want.

According to analyst firm Gartner, between 55% to 75% of all ERP projects do not achieve their intended objectives. 

A Deloitte survey sheds light on the potential reasons, identifying the top ten barriers to successful ERP implementation.

                                                                      Source: Deloitte

But this raises a crucial question for you as a CTO: Shouldn’t an ERP work for you, rather than the other way around?  Why should the burden of managing change fall on you when your business is already successful and you’re seeking to enhance growth with technology? The promise of ‘growing faster’ shouldn’t morph into a mandate for you to change. 

It’s precisely this issue that is leading many organizations to reconsider ERP systems and look for alternatives that align better with their growth and operational dynamics. This shift often involves using SaaS (Software as a Service) applications, which we’ll talk about next. 

Promises of Saas

It’s become a popular choice for businesses to use different SaaS (Software as a Service) applications for various functions. These applications are quick to set up, sometimes in just a few hours or days. This makes them very attractive. 

In today’s fast-paced environment, businesses must keep up with competitors and are quick to offload tasks to specialized vendors. Think about it: wouldn’t a CTO prefer a solution that’s fast and specific to a certain need rather than looking at the entire organization’s tech needs? While the approach seems promising, it’s not without risks. 

The Problems with SaaS

However, this approach isn’t perfect. What are the downsides?

  1. Employees often find themselves juggling multiple systems. 
  2. With different apps for different tasks, teams can end up working in isolation. This makes it hard to work together efficiently.
  3. These systems start to seem fast and user-friendly. But as they become more intertwined, the promised speed and ease of use can decrease. This defeats the purpose.
  4. Maintaining many SaaS subscriptions can become expensive. It’s a financial burden in the long run.
  5. Eventually, you might find your tech landscape is a mix of numerous SaaS products, manual steps, and temporary fixes. How sustainable is this?

So, if the goal is to avoid the constraints of a big ERP project, is loading up on SaaS apps the answer? It seems like this approach, while initially attractive, might lead to more complexity, not less.

Isn’t there a middle ground? A solution that combines the best of both worlds – the structure of an ERP and the flexibility of SaaS? In the next section, we’ll learn about this balanced solution. 

Low-Code ERPs: Bridging the Best of Both Worlds

The Philosophy Behind Low-Code

We’ve seen that traditional ERPs are too rigid and a mix of SaaS applications is too scattered. So, what’s the ideal solution? It’s about blending the best parts of ERPs and SaaS. This means rethinking and redesigning ERP systems. We need a digital solution that suits businesses of all sizes. This is where low-code platforms step in as the modern solution for ERPs.

Why Low-Code Stands Out

Low-code platforms differ from traditional systems in several key ways:

  1. Simplicity in Design: Low-code platforms use ready-made components and app templates. Why start from scratch when you can use something that’s already been tested and proven?
  2. One Platform for Everything: Imagine having almost every part of your business on a single platform. That’s what low-code offers, unlike the disconnected nature of multiple SaaS solutions.
  3. Flexibility and Choice: With Low-Code, you can set up a variety of applications, tailored specifically for your business needs. 
  4. Easy Connections: These platforms integrate easily with other software systems, keeping your workflow smooth and connected.
  5. Grow as You Go: Start small and expand as your business grows. Isn’t it great to have a system that grows with you, without the headaches of buying into a massive ERP project, or spreading yourself thin with too many SaaS applications?

There’s a caveat though: a development platform has to be truly low-code, for these promises to be realized. The market is saturated with platforms that claim to be low-code, but are merely high-code (where a dev team codes the application line by line), but with another layer of configurations, which create the illusion of low-code. 

So, at this stage, your question becomes: where’s the low-code platform on which the ERP of today can be built?

Introducing Amoga: A Low-Code Platform For The Business of Today

When creating Amoga, we were driven by one vision: to build a system that brings the power of Low-Code to traditional business software. We knew that businesses wanted a better ERP, and they’d happily give up the option of stitching together dozens of SaaS tools as a replacement.

The answer was obvious: A Low-Code ERP.

How Low-Code ERP Excels Over Traditional and SaaS Options:

Our low-code ERP system is built on five foundational pillars.

  1. No more juggling multiple SaaS vendors – everything should be under one roof.
  2. Users should be able to quickly build in the app using a simple interface with templates and connectors.
  3. Tasks that took a month should now only take three days.
  4. What used to cost $1000 should now cost just $250.
  5. The ERP should be so user-friendly that everyone feels like they can customize it to work smarter and faster.

With these pillars to stand, you get  a low-code ERP that can accelerate every task for every user, across crucial business areas:

  • Sales and Order Management: Streamline sales with easy-to-use modules for orders, customer management, and invoicing. 
  • Inventory and Materials: Manage procurement and inventory effectively. 
  • Vendor Management: Keep track of supplier performance. 
  • Analytics and Reporting: Access real-time insights for smarter decisions. 
  • Human Resources and Workforce Management: Efficiently handle recruitment, payroll, training, and performance evaluations.

This is what Amoga’s low-code ERP offers. To understand it, you have to forget the ERP of the past.  It’s not the ‘backend’ or a ‘record-keeping system’. 

We built it on the pillars of:

Mobile-first design: Everyone in your organization can work seamlessly from anywhere, on any device, at their peak potential.

Omnichannel experience: You can stay relevant for every touchpoint that matters to your customers.

API-driven integrations: You break down silos and build a system of open collaboration between all digital power centres.

Citizen developer empowerment: Anyone can build custom applications and workflows and make technology the 10x multiplier for their work.

Future-ready: You can quickly experiment with new ideas, for instance, generative AI. 

Essentially, Amoga’s low-code ERP is about making every part of your operation more efficient, more responsive, and more in tune with today’s fast-paced business environment. Isn’t it time your business had an ERP that doesn’t just keep up but leads the way?

Book a demo with us to know more.

 

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CRM Dilemma : Choosing between In-house and Off the shelf CRM Solutions

It’s that exciting time. Your business has outgrown the humble spreadsheet, and it’s time for something more substantial. A proper CRM system. And that’s when the big question pops up: Do we build it ourselves, or go with a standard option?

The idea of a custom-built CRM can sound pretty tempting. A system with every feature you need, none that you don’t, perfectly aligned with how your team sells. The promise is alluring: total alignment with your business processes, a perfect fit. It’s like getting a suit tailored just for you, right?

But the truth is — too many companies get burned by going the in-house route. Here’s how it usually goes down:

1. The excitement phase

Everyone’s pumped about getting a CRM that’s “just right” for their unique needs. Developers are ready to roll up their sleeves, sales and support have been promised everything they need, and you’re happy that you’re getting software that understands your business. Nothing wrong with the intent and approach.

2. The reality check

Turns out, that building a CRM from scratch is way more complex than anyone anticipated. There are endless requests from different teams. Development struggles to keep up with the pace of business.  Features get delayed, bugs pop up, and frustration starts to build.

3. The rift

A gap forms between the tech team and the business folks. Fingers start pointing, and communication breaks down. Marketing teams often found themselves starved of data. Salespeople juggle multiple sources to piece together their revenue figures. And customer service departments are stranded without tools to automate processes and gauge their capacity.

4. The regret

Companies realize they’ve poured a ton of time, money, and energy into a system that’s just not delivering. They start to wonder why they didn’t go with a proven, off-the-shelf solution in the first place.

 

Actually, most of the challenges with in-house CRMs aren’t about lack of effort or talent. They’re about the inherent limitations of building something from scratch. The problem is, that businesses want to move fast, and development can’t keep up. Even with agile methodologies, delivering a good product takes time, and that’s often ignored.

The gap between business stakeholders and the IT department widens, and it’s a recipe for disaster. New users might find themselves at a loss, trying to navigate a system without guidance. That’s because, with in-house, you never get a library of tutorial videos or extensive user support. It’s a nightmare, and it’s not the developers’ fault. They’re skilled and try hard, but they can’t keep up with the ever-changing demands of the business.

Why does this happen?

The failure of in-house CRMs is not a new problem. It’s been spoken and written about since the early 1990s. You’ll find report summaries pertaining to CRM failure, handily summarized, in Salesforce’s excellent editorial on ‘Why do CRM projects fail.’

Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the often-quoted figures around failures of CRM projects.

  • Gartner Group (2001): They estimated a 50% + CRM failure rate.
  • Butler Group (2002): Their estimate was a 70% failure rate.
  • Selling Power (2002): Their CSO Forum reported a 69.3% failure rate.
  • AMR Research (2005 – 2006): They reported fluctuating estimates over several years, ranging from 18% to 31%.
  • Forrester Research (2009): Their estimate was 47%.
  • VentureBeat (2015): They reported a 70% failure rate.
  • DMN News (2016): Their research found estimates as high as 63% failure rate.

So it’s nothing new to say that CRM projects fail. We’re asking a more nuanced question here. Why do in-house CRMs often turn out to be a mess? It’s not like your technical team didn’t try their best. They probably did, but there are some fundamental reasons why things go wrong.

First, let’s talk about the initial excitement. Your team was thrilled to start building a custom CRM. They were eager to make it perfect, with all the bells and whistles. But, they didn’t take into account the future. That’s where the trouble starts.

When new requirements come up – and they always do – it’s hard to fit them into the existing structure. Your team starts to patch things up. They add quick fixes and workarounds. But, that’s not a sustainable solution. It’s like putting a band-aid on a deep wound. Pretty soon, the code becomes a mess. No one knows where to start or how to untangle it. It’s a nightmare. And, that’s not all. As time goes on, your team becomes more and more cautious. They’re scared to make changes because they don’t want to break anything.

Eventually, the technical team becomes a shared service role rather than a business partner. You’ll always hear them explaining why ‘this feature can’t be built’ and why ‘they can’t guarantee whether it’ll work’ and why ‘this needs another couple of months’. They’re not able to innovate or help the business grow. They’re just trying to keep their heads above water. It’s sad and strange.

Companies pour time and money into creating something that, frankly, has been done before – and often better. It’s worth considering that some software developers (particularly when you outsource your in-house CRM development) might base your custom CRM on an existing market solution. If that’s the case, why not skip the middleman and choose a pre-existing product that’s already refined? Or, is the choice really this simple?

Standard CRMs: A problematic alternative

The perks of standard, off-the-shelf CRMs, are tempting.

  1. Standard CRMs usually are feature-rich and offer impressive UX/UI.
  2. These systems have been through rigorous testing across various industries.
  3. You get a hands-on preview of what you’re investing in.
  4. Assistance is just a call or click away.

But even rainbows have a dark side. Standard CRMs are no exception. Here’s the not-so-pretty truth:

  • One size fits… nobody perfectly

These CRMs are built for the “average” company in your industry. That means your unique quirks and workflows might get squashed into a one-size-fits-all box.

  • Bloatware

Get ready for features you’ll never use. You’ll still pay for them, and they’ll just clutter up your interface.

  • Scaling

As your needs evolve, adding new features to an off-the-shelf CRM can be a pain. These systems are often high code (traditional approach of software development).  This means you’re either dependent on the vendor’s development team or your own. As your needs evolve, the initially lower costs might escalate. So, standard CRMs are, in essence, a compromise. So, are you stuck between a rock and a hard place? Nope. There’s a middle ground, which we’ll explore in the coming section.

The need to move away from code-by-hand

We talked about the struggle of balancing a custom-built CRM with the ease of off-the-shelf options. The key is to move away from the old-school (high-code) approach. The old method of manually writing each code line is inefficient. Every line of code represents knowledge that needs constant care. Every line of code requires knowledge transfer to new employees. Every line of code can be a spanner in the works of a new feature.

The reality is that there’s a cost associated with every line of code you’re maintaining. Low-code builds a bridge, which you can walk over, and skip all this intricate code management effort. The idea is so simple, yet so powerful, that you have to see it to believe it.

Low-code CRM

When it comes to CRMs, people often think it’s a choice between in-house or off-the-shelf. But what if I told you there’s a third option? One that combines the best of both worlds. This solution seems almost too good to be true, but it’s very much real: low-code CRM.

So, what exactly is a low-code CRM? 

It’s a system designed for ease of use, allowing those with little to no coding experience to make customizations and adaptations easily. What if the perfect CRM system existed, where you could add a new feature yourself, at 25% of the price you’d pay a developer? And so quick that every user becomes an architect of their own workflow? That is a low-code CRM. 

A note of caution: Low-code has become quite the buzzword. Naturally, makers of standard CRM software want to use it too. Sadly, many vendors claim their CRM to be low-code when it actually is high-code with an added layer of GUI-based configurations. That is not the same as proper low-code. 

Low-code CRM empowers every user to think, “How can I make this CRM work faster for me?” It’ll no longer be ‘too much to ask for’ or ‘too expensive’ or ‘not a priority’. 

Amoga’s Low-Code CRM:

This is where Amoga CRM steps in. While Amoga isn’t the only low-code CRM, it’s among the few that actually deliver a low-code CRM and not a ‘high-code CRM with a few more configurations’.

When you ditch the “either-or” mentality and embrace the “both-and” power of low-code CRM, great things happen. For instance, our clients tell us that when they used Amoga’s low-code CRM, things changed. They’ll change for you too. Here’s how.

  • With Amoga’s low-code platform, you liberate your users to think like architects. They can drag-and-drop features, customize workflows, and build the perfect tool for their needs.
  • Low-Code ditches the cycle of slow bug fixes and replaces it with rapid development. Need a new report? Build it yourself, instantly. Want to tweak a sales pipeline? Drag and drop it into place. No more waiting on IT, no more costly delays.
  • Low-Code breaks down the walls between business and IT. It’s no longer a negotiation over resources; it’s a collaboration. Business users define the needs, build basic workflows, and test new features. IT, meanwhile, focuses on complex integrations, security, generative AI, and the overall technical backbone.

So, Book a Demo with Amoga to make your CRM future-ready!!

 

High-code v/s Low-code v/s No-code: Unpacked and explained

Low code

Jargon is bad for communication. But there’s one word that’s hard to avoid these days: democratization. It’s a mouthful. But unlike most buzzwords — there’s meaning in it. It captures a powerful shift happening in the world of application development.

Think back 10 years ago. Only a few groups could have their technology needs met.  In fact, a Deloitte report once claimed that business needs almost 5X the app the IT can deliver. Now, the situation is totally different.

Imagine a marketing manager. They can now ask for changes in an application used for managing campaigns, or even do it themselves. This change is big. It gives everyone (and we absolutely mean everyone) in an organization the power to create the tools they need. This brings us to “citizen development.” It’s a concept where creating applications isn’t limited to IT experts anymore. It’s for everyone.

Like citizens in a democracy, citizens in an organization enjoy the same right to great tech. To understand this evolution, we need to explore three key approaches: high-code, low-code, and no-code.

1. What is high-code development?

You’re probably familiar with high-code already. It’s the traditional way to build software. It’s like the backbone of serious, heavyweight app development.

Think of teams who code in Java, Python, or JavaScript. Setting up the right environment, picking a technology stack, ensuring the best practices – all these are part of life when your team (or vendor) is trying to build a high-code application. High-Code is perfect for highly complex enterprise apps, whether for internal use or a SaaS product.

1.1 The evolution of high-code

It’s tempting to dismiss high-code as ‘that thing they used in 2005’. That is naïve.

First –  High-Code has a place in a CTO arsenal, that no other development approach can take. You know the thrill of launching a feature-rich app with sleek UI/UX, tailored perfectly to business needs. That’s the beauty of High-Code – it gives you the freedom and capacity to create without boundaries.

Second – Over time, High-Code has become more efficient. There’s a whole arsenal out there – MVT frameworks, cloud services like Azure or AWS, and various development tools. Agile methodology has been a game-changer, helping CTOs get better results without burning out their teams.

But let’s talk about the elephant in the room.

 

                                                                                Source: Forbes

              Few have the courage to see the elephant in the room. The skill to tame it is even more rare.

1.2 The challenge of high-code

High-code can be a tough nut to crack. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes feels like moving mountains.

Ask a CTO what it feels like to be bogged down by the complexities of coding or managing a sprawling codebase. And technical debt – that’s a term we hear all too often. Over the years, high-code applications become a patchwork quilt of sorts.

Why?

Because knowledge transfer is hard. No single person understands the high-code app inside out. Bug fixes become myopic, trading speed for refinement. An immobile app forces users to find shortcuts to overcome the process gaps. Over time, high-code apps are prone to groan under the weight of hasty, myopic bug fixes. More than half the time isn’t spent untangling previous work rather than innovating.

Over time, small cracks and flaws start to show. Fixing these becomes a huge task, often bigger than building it right in the first place. For companies, technical debt slows down new developments, creates security risks, and can even lead to customer dissatisfaction. It’s like carrying a heavy backpack on a long hike – it slows you down and makes every step harder. This forces CTOs to stare right into the eye of a scary question.

1.3 Can high-code adapt to agile business needs

This is what every tech leader asks: How can we keep up with the pace of business today with High-Code? It’s a challenge when you need to be agile but are tied down by traditional coding. That’s the trade-off with High-Code. Back in the day, it was like the Ferrari of application development — if you could afford it and then maintain it. Unmatched power, unparalleled flexibility, and features that could make your competitors drool. But just like maintaining a Formula One race car — at what cost?

Again, let us not for a moment let you assume that we’re deriding high-code. It’s all we had a decade ago. But today, a CTO’s options are many. One end of the spectrum is high-code, and on the other… no-code. It’s like going from ‘maximum flexibility and very little convenience’ to ‘limited scope but absolute convenience’.

The problem is obvious: nobody wants extremes. So before we get to know ‘no-code’ better, let’s learn about the balanced approach, called ‘low-code’. 

2. What is Low-Code Development?

Low-code development rethinks traditional coding. It offers a simpler, more visual way of building applications.

How does that happen?

It’s a bit like using a mix of pre-made templates and your own custom designs to create a website. You use tools like drag-and-drop interfaces, which make the process faster and easier, but you can still add your own code for more complex features. More specifically, a user of a low-code development platform will see ‘modules’ like a drag-and-drop interface, templates, widgets, connectors, and visual workflow diagrams. They will ‘build’ the desired app, and as they use the blocks, the code is auto-generated in the backend.

2.1 Low-code is the best of both worlds

Low-code is perfect for creating business software, websites, and mobile apps. It’s simple enough for a non-techie to use, and powerful enough to even work seamlessly with any other application using APIs. It’s like having the best of both worlds — ease, and power. Users enjoy the flexibility to customize apps needed while keeping the process straightforward and accessible. But the best part about low-code is that it simply ‘abstracts’ (hides) the complications of coding, but retains the facility to let a coder jump in and make an application do anything, just like they would in a high-code platform.

Let’s understand this in more detail.

2.2 The role of citizen and low-code developer

Low-Code has given birth to two key roles in organizations: the citizen developer and the low-code developer. The citizen developer could be anyone from your team, engaging in app development. They’re not just suggesting ideas; they’re actively involved in the design and development, just because it is so easy to build an app. While any citizen developer can use a low-code development platform, there still is room for what you might call a ‘low-code app developer’. You could have them in-house. Better still, the low-code platform you choose might also offer low-code app development services, which cost 1/10th of traditional development, and are about 4 times as fast.

Consider the example of WordPress used by marketing teams. They can start with a template, making significant changes without needing technical support. But for more intricate features, they turn to a low-code developer, who combines technical expertise with a sense of design. We took the example of WordPress because it’s familiar. low-code is as good for website development as it is for building a CRM.

2.3 Low-code can do more than you think

The low-code platform of today is so powerful, it’s surprising if you’ve not tracked the evolution for even the last two years. Low-Code is reliable enough to automate entire operations, including CRM, ERP, and workflow management. It’s not just faster; it’s cost-effective too – often 10 times faster and a quarter of the cost compared to traditional coding.

If you’re thinking, ‘Hang on a minute; this is a new way of thinking about app development,’ you’re right. It’s a blend of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and business agility, of the type not known to technology leaders who never looked beyond high-code.

Now, let’s look at no-code development.

3. What is No-Code Development?

No-code is a term that rolls off the tongue. You’d be surprised how every development platform claims to be either a ‘low-code’ or a ‘no-code’ platform, which in reality is merely a high-code platform with GUI-based configurations built on top. But that’s a matter for another day. For the moment, let’s find out more about low-code.

No-code development is like using building blocks to create applications, but without needing to write any code. It’s a step beyond (not truly beyond, but let’s say it’s a step aside) low-code development, which still requires some coding.

With no code, everything is visual. You just drag and drop elements to build your app. You don’t need to know design or programming; you just pick what you need and put it together. This approach is great for simple projects like business apps, dashboards, websites, and even tools for managing calendars or reports.

3.1 Examples of no-code 

A familiar example of a no-code app that many people use is Google Forms. This tool allows users to easily create surveys, quizzes, and forms without any programming knowledge. It offers a simple drag-and-drop interface for adding questions and customizing form elements. Anybody can use it with ease. 

Another prominent example of a no-code app is Wix. It is a popular web development platform that allows users to create websites using a drag-and-drop interface, with no need for coding. It’s designed for ease of use and lets users select from a variety of templates and then customize their site with intuitive tools. 

Let’s consider another example – something more familiar. Consider MS Excel. For many, it’s a straightforward spreadsheet tool. We’d say most people think of it as a no-code tool. But it’s not. MS Excel also offers advanced features like macro writing and .NET programming, which venture into the realm of Low-Code for those who use them. This dual nature makes Excel a unique example – it’s actually low-code, but familiar to most as no-code.

3.2 Limitations of no-code

No-Code has its boundaries. These platforms excel at straightforward applications but often fall short in more complex scenarios. Teams are forced to improvise when a No-Code app doesn’t quite fit the bill. They might add manual steps or juggle between multiple tools. That’s because No-Code isn’t designed for the heavy lifting of enterprise-grade automation.

Aspects like robust security, detailed access control, and comprehensive integration – remain out of reach for most No-Code solutions. So, where does no-code find its rightful place in your app development artillery?

It shines in prototyping, building internal tools, or iterating on simple user interfaces. If that’s enough for your team, then No-Code is enough. But the question isn’t as much ‘which one to choose between high-code and low-code and no-code’ as much as it’s ‘when to use which’.

4. How to Choose Between High, Low, and No-Code?

To choose the right development path – high-code, low-code, no-code – you need a clear understanding of your project’s needs and limitations.

Ask yourself these key questions:

How complex is my project?

Choose low-code for user-specific functionalities or streamlined internal tools. High-code suits projects needing a large IT team.

What’s my development timeframe?

No-code or low-code is ideal for rapid prototypes or MVPs. High-code is better for longer, customized development.

What level of technical expertise will I need?

High-Code requires skilled developers. Low-code is suitable if you want to enable non-technical users or need a balance of skills and speed.

What is my budget?

High-Code demands more resources and investment. Low-code or no-code is more cost-effective for simpler applications or rapid prototyping.

Will my applications need to evolve?

Consider Low-Code for scalable solutions that can evolve with your business needs. High-Code is needed for highly scalable and complex systems.

Remember, each approach has its trade-offs. By honestly answering these questions, you’ll gain a clearer picture of your project’s landscape and find the development path that best suits your needs, resources, and goals. Often, it’s hard to give definitive answers to these questions.

That’s when CTOs wish for a platform that:

  • balances the maturity of high-code and user-friendliness of no-code
  • offers all the advantages of low-code
  • allows low-code developers to step in when needed, to deal with complex requirements

Some low-code development platforms tick these three boxes. Amoga is one of them.

Here’s more.

Low-Code with Amoga: Control Meets Agility

Amoga is best imagined as the toolbox of an expert builder, but for making apps. It’s filled with ready-to-use parts and tools that are easy to handle. With Amoga, you can put together powerful applications quickly, without losing the ability to make them just how you want.

Here’s how Amoga can be a game changer for your business:

  • Balancing control with agility: Amoga lets you build complex, professional apps. You get the precision of advanced coding, but it’s as quick and easy as simpler methods.
  • Speedy development: Create apps up to 10 times faster than the old ways. This means you can offer new value to your customers much sooner.
  • Empowering everyone: Even if you’re not a tech expert, you can build solutions with Amoga. This frees up your IT team for more big-picture projects.
  • Easy connections: Amoga fits smoothly with your existing systems and data, creating a unified digital world for your business.
  • Top-notch security: With Amoga, your apps and data are safe, meeting the highest industry standards.

By choosing Amoga, you will:

  • Cut down costs: Save on resources and get your products to market faster.
  • Boost efficiency: Automate routine tasks, streamline your operations and improve overall productivity.
  • Improve customer experiences: Offer personalized, user-friendly apps that keep up with changing needs.
  • Encourage creativity: Give your teams the freedom to try new things, refine their ideas, and quickly bring solutions to life, all of which can lead to business growth and flexibility.

There’s nothing better than a conversation; let us hear your experiences with app development. Let’s tell you — no, let’s show you — what’s possible with Amoga.

Contact us today.

Low-Code SaaS Platforms: Are They All Similar?

Low Code SaaS

When you start looking for a low-code platform, you’ll quickly find that the market is overflowing with options. Hundreds of vendors are vying for attention. Their claims sound similar – “We’re the best low-code platform.” While no buyer is naive enough to believe these superlative claims, there’s one aspect they often fail to understand – not all low-code platforms are created equal.

In reality, the difference between high-code and low-code isn’t just black and white. It’s more like a spectrum. Every vendor might label their product as low-code or even no-code, but what they offer can vary significantly.

Expectation versus reality: What’s truly low-code?

True low-code lets anyone in your organization who understands a business process to be able to use the platform to adapt or build an application to fit that process but also can be extended to meet specific needs with coding by a low-code developer.

Building an application with a true low-code platform should feel as easy as creating a website with WordPress having a variety of widgets at your disposal. But the true essence of WordPress gets amplified by the fact that when you can’t find the features you are looking for in the widgets, you can make use of traditional HTML/CSS coding to optimize your website. However, as we’ve said, not every platform marketed as low-code truly fits the bill.

 

SaaS platforms

 

Most low-code platforms are, in fact, only partial low-code. That is why we’ve put together this guide

  • We’ll explore what truly makes a platform low-code.
  • We’ll tell you how to identify the right low-code solution for your business needs.
  • We’ll help you see through the marketing noise to find a low-code platform that works for you.

Let’s go.

The High-Code vs. Low-Code Decision

Let’s consider a situation where you decide to build a ticket management application for your business. It might seem like you have two clear choices: go with the traditional SaaS (Software as a Service) solution for ticket management (high code) or choose a low-code platform. But, as we’ll see, it’s not as straightforward as it seems. Let’s take a moment to understand what these two terms really mean.

Traditional SaaS (High-Code)

Traditional high-code SaaS platforms are like ready-made suits. They’re designed to fit the general needs of most businesses. Developers build these with a lot of care, focusing on making them useful and easy to use. The goal is to create a standard application that many different types of customers can use.

The Key benefits of this approach can be:

  1. User Experience at the Forefront

These platforms pay special attention to user experience and design. This means they are not just about doing the job; they also focus on being easy and pleasant to use. Good user experience is a big part of what makes these platforms popular.

      2. Configuration: A Key Feature

High-code SaaS platforms stand out because of their configurability. They let businesses tweak various settings, like how to handle tasks, send messages, and set service standards. This reconfigurability is important because it lets each business adjust its software to fit its unique needs.

      3. Different Solutions for Different Sizes

For smaller businesses, these platforms are usually simple and straightforward, covering basic needs without too much complexity. Larger businesses, however, can get more complex versions that they can adjust in many ways to fit their detailed needs.

     4. The ‘All-in-One’ Approach

These platforms are versatile enough to cater to what most businesses in a certain area need. Take a ticket management system, for example. Whether it’s for a factory, an online store, or a utility company, the system focuses on features that are generally needed across these industries so that it’s easily adaptable to all their requirements with slight modifications. 

      5. The Limitations

However, there are limits. Because these platforms are so big and complex, making specific changes just for one business can be slow and expensive. Often, smaller businesses find that while most of their needs are met, there’s a small part that isn’t. This can lead to a situation where the business must adjust its way of working to fit the software.

Low-Code Platforms

Low-code platforms are a bit like using building blocks to create software. They allow you to develop applications using simpler, pre-made parts, like workflow, user interface and data structures such as objects, attributes, relationships, and role-based access control (RBAC).

These aren’t fixed in stone but can be designed and changed in a user-friendly environment. This means you don’t need to write lots of code from scratch which helps you reap the following benefits from Low-Code platforms

  1. The Ease of Low-Code Development

What’s great about low-code platforms is that they often come with templates. These templates are like starting points. You can take one and change it to fit your business’s specific needs. It’s a bit like editing a document – straightforward and fast. This simplicity opens the door for people who aren’t tech experts, often called citizen developers, to create or modify applications in just a few hours or days.

      2. Speed and Flexibility

Another benefit of low-code platforms is their speed. The speed advantage of low-code platforms stems from their intuitive interfaces and pre-built modules. If you need to add new features or change how the software works, it can be done quickly by someone who knows low-code development. Their visual, drag-and-drop interfaces, along with pre-built modules and components, enable faster prototyping and development.

Changes or additions to features can often be implemented swiftly by developers who are well-versed in low-code tools. This reduces the time it takes to roll out updates or enhancements compared to traditional coding methods. This is much faster than traditional software development, which can be slow and expensive.

At this point, the benefits of a low-code approach, as compared to the high-code approach, are obvious. But like we said, not all low-code platforms are actually true low-code.

Most low-code platforms are, actually, partial low-code

Low-code platforms can often be evasive and confusing. While they all use the label ‘low-code’, that shouldn’t mean you should believe them. In fact, most of the platforms that claim to be low-code, are only partially low-code.

What is Partial Low-Code?

Partial low-code platforms sit somewhere in the middle of the traditional high-code and the fully flexible low-code approaches. Think of them as a hybrid solution.

Partial low-code platforms offer some of the ease and speed of low-code development, but they still have elements that are hard-coded or pre-set by the vendor. This means you get a user-friendly interface where you can drag and drop elements to create applications. However, you’re restricted in how much you can customize or adapt these elements.

What is True Low-Code?

This is what many people think of when they talk about Low-Code. These platforms are incredibly flexible and allow you to build a wide range of applications. As we’ve seen, not every low-code platform is the same. There’s a significant difference between partial low-code and true low-code platforms. It’s essential to know these differences, especially if you’re looking for a true low-code experience.

We’re not saying that one is better than the other. Instead, it’s about understanding what fits your business needs both now and in the future. This decision is crucial because switching platforms later can be a difficult and costly process.

 

Types of low-code development platforms

Partial Low Code

      1. Single Purpose Low Code SaaS Platform

These platforms focus on solving a specific problem or catering to a particular use case using low-code development principles. Instead of offering a broad set of functionalities, these platforms are designed to excel in one specific area, providing a streamlined and efficient solution for users.

Imagine a SaaS platform specifically designed as an online form builder. Its sole purpose is to enable users to create various types of forms quickly and easily without extensive coding knowledge. This platform utilizes low-code principles to facilitate the creation and customization of forms.

      2. Integrated Low Code Apps SaaS Platform/App Suites

These refer to comprehensive software solutions that combine multiple low-code applications or modules into a unified platform or suite. These platforms offer various functionalities, often serving different business needs, all accessible and manageable from a single interface.

Salesforce is a prime example of an integrated Low Code Apps SaaS Platform/App Suite. It provides a suite of applications and functionalities that cater to various business needs such as CRM (Customer Relationship Management), sales, marketing, service, and more.

 

True Low Code SaaS Platform

True low-code platforms are the most flexible and adaptable of the lot. They allow for a wide range of applications to be built and modified with minimal coding. No wonder, true low-code continues to be the favourite for businesses looking to empower their teams.

The biggest benefit of true low-code is that you can build and change applications easily, without needing a lot of coding. They enable people who aren’t professional developers to take part in creating software. The development process is fast, allowing for quick updates and changes.

 

Why is it important that your low-code platform is true low-code?

Choosing a truly low-code platform can be a game-changer for your business. Here are five key reasons why it’s a great choice:

  1. Faster Development (10x Speed)

Low-code platforms speed up the process of building and updating applications. You can get things done up to 10 times faster compared to traditional coding. This means you can respond quickly to business needs and changes in the market.

      2. Cost Savings

With a low-code platform, you save money in several ways. You need fewer technical staff, spend less time on development, and can make changes without big expenses. It’s a more efficient way to build and manage your digital tools.

      3. Making Software Accessible (Democratizing Software)

Low-code platforms make it possible for more people in your business to create and modify software. You don’t need a team of expert coders. Various team members can contribute, bringing diverse ideas and solutions.

      4. Boosting Innovation

Since low-code platforms are easier and faster to use, people are more likely to experiment and try new things. This environment encourages innovation, as teams can quickly develop and test new ideas.

      5. Increasing Productivity

Low-code platforms can improve productivity in your business. They allow you to automate tasks, streamline processes, and make better use of digital tools. This enables your team to focus on more important work, rather than getting bogged down in complex coding tasks.

What to look for in a true low-code platform?

If you’re looking for a true low-code platform, here are some simple tips to help you make the right choice:

  1. User-Friendly

The platform should be easy to use, even for people who aren’t tech experts. You should be able to make apps without needing to know a lot of programming.

      2. Drag-and-Drop Features

A good low-code platform will let you build things by just dragging and dropping elements. This makes it much easier than writing lots of code. A true low-code platform should enable citizen developers to build and manage apps extensively, even without coding skills.

      3. Simplified Low-Code Development

The platform should not require intricate skills or learning new programming languages. It’s about making low-code accessible to more people.

      4. Easy to Customize

Make sure you can change the platform to suit your business’s needs easily. You shouldn’t need to do a lot of coding to make these changes.

      5. Fast to Build and Launch

It should be quick to create and start using apps on the platform. If it takes a long time, it might not be a true low-code platform.

      6. Make your tech-stack efficient

Look for a platform that provides a complete solution. You want a platform that reduces the need to manage additional tech pieces.

      7. Quality and Governance Features

Ensure it has built-in functionalities to maintain high standards of app quality and adherence to business rules.

      8. Works Well with Other Tools

The platform should easily connect with other software you use. Good integration is important for a low-code platform. These tips will help you find a low-code platform that’s genuinely easy to use and meets your business’s needs.

 

A word in your ear – Amoga ticks all these boxes.

Amoga’s low-code development approach sits bang in the middle of the two worlds.

One is where you get a system sophisticated enough to let you build applications that solve real business problems. Two – where the system is simple enough for business users to work with, but still powerful enough in the hands of developers.

That’s how you get applications that are as comprehensive and complete as those offered by major players like Salesforce, Oracle, or SAP, but still don’t need a development and support team to handle the digital machinery.

The development journey with Amoga puts you in control.  Want a standard business app in one week? You’ll get it? Or, want a heavily customized app to support unique business needs? You can get it in 3 to 4 weeks. That’s way quicker than any other approach, you’ll save 90% of the time and ¾ of the costs. But we’d rather show it to you and expect you to believe a claim.

Book a demo today.

The Future of Low-Code: Empowering a better tomorrow

The landscape of software development is undergoing a profound transformation, and at the heart of this revolution is the Low-Code industry. Fueled by the widespread adoption of remote work and the escalating demand for agile and efficient business systems, low-code development has emerged as a transformative force shaping the future of application creation. 

Historically, software development has been a domain characterised by intricate coding, lengthy development cycles, and a reliance on specialised technical expertise. However, the rise of this platform represents a departure from this conventional approach. Validating this rise are the market forecasts predicting that the global low-code market will reach $187 billion by 2030. This impressive growth is attributed to a compound annual growth rate of 31.1% from 2020 to 2030, with COVID-19 accelerating the expansion. 

Join us on this blog as we unravel a host of key trends and predictions that define the fascinating future of low code. Together, we’ll explore the forces propelling this industry forward and the innovations set to reshape the way we approach and create applications.  

Adoption in Businesses: 

As the economy remains to be turbulent, businesses continue to face budget constraints while grappling with evolving expectations. Many have found a lifeline in Low-code platforms as a strategic means to continue adding essential features.  

For instance, IT leaders currently find themselves trapped by ticket backlogs, with 72% reporting interference in strategic projects. This burden of maintaining legacy systems can be significantly alleviated with the streamlined approach of this platform.  Executives are recognising the critical role of low-code platforms, with 26% considering them the most crucial investment in automation – a significant increase since the pandemic. This shift in perception aligns with the overarching trend of a talent shortage, as many companies struggle to attract and retain software engineers and developers, a challenge expected to intensify post the Great Resignation. 

The impact of COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of these solutions, especially as remote work becomes the norm. Looking ahead, as economic challenges persist, businesses are reevaluating their strategies. Half of IT leaders anticipate incorporating low-code or no-code (LCNC) technology by 2025, recognising its huge potential. By optimising their LCNC stack, organisations can achieve cost reductions, enhance business resiliency, and equip themselves with responsive tools for navigating an increasingly competitive landscape. Low code isn’t just a quick fix; it’s a strategic investment for long-term success.

Introduction to Newer and Diverse Applications: 

Low-code platforms are on the forefront of revolutionising application development, transcending traditional boundaries and seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technologies. Some of these exciting applications can include: 

  • AI-Driven Low-Code platforms: An amalgamation of these platforms with AI can revolutionise app development by automating tasks, offering recommendations, and enabling real-time insights. Natural language processing bridges communication gaps, making AI accessible to a broader audience for smarter applications.
     
  • IoT-Enabled Low-Code Platforms: Low-code simplifies IoT applications by automating real-world tasks, like production line workflows. An integrated low-code app responds to IoT device data, triggering and expediting maintenance tasks. Benefits include speedier development, robust security, cross-platform compatibility, extensive integrations, advanced analytics, and addressing skill shortages with an easy-to-use platform for IoT app development. 
  • Blockchain Integration: Blockchain and low code form a symbiotic alliance, redefining application development. Low-code platforms bring speed and agility, while blockchain ensures transparency and trust. Together, they create a potent tool, reducing costs and risks for businesses. Low-code blockchain platforms empower companies to adopt blockchain without coding knowledge, offering flexibility, scalability, security, and speed to market for blockchain applications. 
  • Sustainable Technology Solutions: Low-code platforms contribute to eco-conscious practices by enabling sustainable tech solutions and by leveraging reusable components and standardized frameworks. This minimises redundant code, decreases energy consumption and ultimately contributes to a greener future.

What’s driving this change?  

Enter the “Citizen Developer” – basically, a business user who can write code with the help of low code platforms. This can be attributed to the rise in demand from businesses that want to roll out new features quickly and aim to save time and money in the process. 

The Citizen Developer is proof that coding skills are spreading across the business landscape, making innovation and quick thinking everyone’s business. Also, collaboration between citizen developers and their traditional counterparts is not to be seen as a clash of methodologies but a harmonious symphony, orchestrating a future where technology is accessible to all, without compromising on the depth and complexity that traditional software development brings to the table. As we ride the wave of the LCNC revolution, one thing is certain – the future of software development is more inclusive, efficient, and exciting than ever before.

As businesses adapt to the new normal, embracing LCNC isn’t merely a trend to be dismissed; it has become an indispensable key to unlocking success in the contemporary business paradigm.

And now, enter your key to Success – Amoga!

Amoga, a leading low-code platform, revolutionises application development, offering businesses rapid deployment of enterprise-grade applications at a fraction of traditional costs. With a user-friendly interface and pre-built components, Amoga accelerates innovation, democratises development, and provides key benefits such as up to 90% faster development, reduced costs by eliminating the need for large developer teams, increased agility to adapt to changing needs, and enhanced security with enterprise-grade features.   

Request a demo today and discover how Amoga can transform your business.   

Addressing Common Misconceptions About Low-Code Platforms

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses constantly seek ways to innovate and streamline operations. Low-code platforms have emerged as a promising solution, offering a host of features like workflow automation, visual development and analytics reporting, among many others. These empower organisations to rapidly adapt to changing market demands and accelerate their digital transformation initiatives. 

However, despite their growing popularity, these platforms are still shrouded in misconceptions that may hinder their adoption. Let’s dispel these common myths and reveal the reality behind this amazing platform.

Myth 1: Low-Code is overhyped and lacks any practical use-cases. 

Low-code platforms are not just a passing trend; they offer a viable and practical solution for a wide range of use-cases. Businesses can rapidly develop enterprise-grade applications with low-code, significantly reducing development time and costs. The visual, drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible to both technical and non-technical users, enabling broader participation in the development process. 

Prudent organisations, as per Appian’s definition, prioritise the attributes of flexibility (83%), speed (63%), and automation (67%) that low-code offers. These characteristics become increasingly significant as businesses seek expedited paths for their digital transformations, aiming to minimise costs, risks, and inefficiencies within their operations. 

Myth 2: Low-Code is not simple to use and requires a steep learning curve.

A common concern surrounding low-code development is the perceived need for extensive training and coding expertise. This stems from the common belief that niche technologies such as this usually have a steeper learning curve. But, on the contrary, these platforms are meticulously designed to be more accessible and user-friendly. 

For instance, the 402nd Software Maintenance Group (SMXG), a US Air Force maintenance wing, learnt and deployed an enterprise-class HRT application in just two weeks using a low code platform. 

Myth 3: Low-Code cannot integrate with existing systems.

Another misconception is that low-code applications operate in isolation, unable to integrate with existing systems. But in reality, these platforms can seamlessly integrate with existing systems, enabling data exchange and process automation. They provide various connectors and APIs to integrate legacy systems, databases, and cloud-based services.  

One example would be a low code platform offering specialised connectors for widely used databases such as Oracle or SQL Server, ensuring seamless interaction with existing data repositories. 

Integration capabilities such as these make these platforms a valuable tool for modernising and extending existing IT infrastructure.  

Myth 4: Low-Code is only for mobile apps or simple UIs (user interfaces).

While these platforms can be used to develop mobile apps and simple user interfaces, their capabilities extend far beyond these limited applications. They can be used to create a wide range of enterprise applications, including:  

      • Web Applications: These platforms can build interactive and engaging web applications that provide a seamless user experience across various devices.  

      • Enterprise Portals: They can also be employed to develop secure and centralised enterprise portals, providing employees with a unified access point to internal resources and applications.  

      • Business Process Automation (BPA) Solutions: Another great application of these platforms is their ability to automate complex business processes, reducing manual tasks, improving efficiency, and streamlining operations across the organisation. 

    Myth 5: Low-Code is not scalable. 

    Contrary to the belief that these platforms lack scalability, these platforms are designed with scalability in mind. The modular architecture and reusable components empower businesses to create adaptable applications that can efficiently scale to meet changing business needs. Whether there is a need for expansion or streamlining, low code applications can easily scale up or down, ensuring ongoing relevance and effectiveness as organisational requirements evolve. 

    Myth 6: Low-Code Is Not for Enterprises

    Enterprises are increasingly adopting these platforms, providing a powerful tool for digital transformation. They offer a secure and governed environment for application development, ensuring compliance with industry standards and data privacy regulations. As stated by ZDNET, by 2024, 75% of enterprises are projected to use these platforms for citizen development and business application development. 

    In conclusion, these platforms offer a transformative approach to software development, enabling faster, more cost-effective, and more agile application delivery. By addressing common misconceptions and understanding the true capabilities of low code, businesses can unlock its potential to drive innovation and enhance their competitive advantage.  

    Ready to Embrace the Power of Low-Code?

    Join the Low-Code Revolution with Amoga!

    Amoga, a leading low-code platform, revolutionises application development, offering businesses rapid deployment of enterprise-grade applications at a fraction of traditional costs. With a user-friendly interface and pre-built components, Amoga accelerates innovation, democratises development, and provides key benefits such as up to 90% faster development, reduced costs by eliminating the need for large developer teams, increased agility to adapt to changing needs, and enhanced security with enterprise-grade features.  

    Request a demo today and discover how Amoga can transform your business.