Maker of this issue
I work for Siemens Factory Automation Engineering Co., Ltd. Has been engaged in the technical support of SCADA products for 17 years. Catch up with the wave of digital development, keep learning various IT technologies, practice the integration of IT and OT, and hope to use my IT knowledge to help the development of OT.
maker interview
MX: Before using the Mendix low-code platform to develop application software, what development tools did you and your department/team mainly use? What are the limitations and problems of the previously adopted development tools?
Liu Shuzhi: My department does not actually do development work full-time. However, in order to cooperate with the digital transformation of the entire organization, he will participate in the development of some digital-related projects. The development tools involved include VisualStudio 20xx series, VS code, PyCharm, etc. Mainly participate in the development of some high-level language programs, such as C++, C#, Python and Java.
MX: What were the limitations and issues with the development tools you used before?
Liu Shuzhi: The development work I participated in in the past was basically the development of high-level languages. Handy when writing Windows executable applications (*.exe). But when writing web application programs, it will be more difficult. Because you have to learn a lot of new development technologies, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and various front-end frameworks, back-end tools, etc. Mastering so many new technologies takes a lot of time. In addition, although these new technologies have been learned in a short period of time, due to insufficient experience, it is inevitable that the development process will stumble and the efficiency will be low.
MX: How did you get to know Mendix low-code?
Liu Shuzhi: In 2021, the department organized a Mendix product promotion meeting, and I only knew about this product. Through the briefing, I learned that it is really convenient to use it to write Web applications. Especially for me as an OT engineer. So I started my Mendix learning journey in my spare time.
I have been in contact with Mendix since 2021, and it has been more than 2 years now. Most of the time before was spent learning on the Learning Path of Mendix's official website. It takes less than a year to actually develop a practical application.
MX: What are the main reasons for switching to Mendix low-code as an application development platform?
Liu Shuzhi:
- The development cycle is greatly shortened . Thanks to Mendix's model-driven technology, an application's data structure can be built quickly. Then according to the business process, use its graphical microflow to build business logic. Finally, it supports various forms of rapid deployment, and you can quickly see the prototype of the running application. Then you can iterate continuously.
- Rich module library . The functional modules of Mendix application market are rich and diverse, covering most business application requirements. Including Email sending and receiving module, Excel import and export module, database connection module, REST communication module, MyID single sign-on module, etc. Through these official modules, we not only reduce the difficulty of our development, but also improve the stability and reliability of these functions.
- Powerful scalability . Although Mendix provides a wealth of functional modules, there are also graphical components for page rendering. But it still offers great scalability. In terms of functions, we can use Java to write our own extension functions (JavaAction). This is very friendly to developers with a Java code base. As long as it is a complex function that Java can realize, Mendix can be extended to realize it. In terms of page rendering, we can use the program framework created by Mendix to write custom graphic display components through TypeScript, React and other technologies. For example, based on Echarts open source technology, similar Mendix display components can be written to enrich the page display function of Mendix.
- Other convenient functions . After using it for a period of time, I found that Mendix has many functions for efficient programming. For example, when updating a model, all pages and microflows that use the model will be automatically updated. For microflow updates, all pages and microflows that use the microflow will also be automatically updated. According to the domain model, the preview and editing screens of all entities can be generated with one click, which is extremely convenient. Rich user rights management functions, check the box to complete a set of complex rights management requirements. The concept of modularity runs through pages, microflows, modules, and almost all objects in Mendix. This makes it extremely convenient for multi-person development, project reorganization, and function reuse. Convenient debugging and diagnosis function. Whether it is a computer browser or a mobile browser, it is easy to access the test environment. Whether it is running locally or on the cloud, the debugger can be turned on at any time to quickly locate the fault point. It supports deployment in various operating environments, which is simply not too convenient. There are many more, so I won't repeat them one by one.
MX: So far, what applications have you and your department/team developed using Mendix low-code? Are these applications used by your own department or supported by other business departments?
Liu Shuzhi: Our department used Mendix to develop a business large-screen display platform and a training management system platform . These applications are for our department's own use.
MX: Which components/modules of Mendix are used in the developed applications? How do you feel/feedback?
Liu Shuzhi: Excel import and export modules, Email sending and receiving modules, REST communication modules, etc. have been used . These modules that come with Mendix enrich the functions of Mendix and significantly shorten the time it takes us to implement the corresponding functions.
MX: Of the apps you've developed with Mendix, which one are you most proud of? Could you give us some details?
Liu Shuzhi: The CSS business display large screen developed by our team is an application that impresses me deeply. A screenshot of the application is shown below.
The development process of the map component is still fresh in my memory. Since there is no map component in the graphics component that comes with Mendix, the most important display area in our presentation is the display of data on the map. If it is not difficult to realize the function of China map in conventional HTML development, you can also find many similar codes on the Internet. However, implementing this function in Mendix is subject to the following limitations. First, use Mendix's component development framework. Then you need to use TypeScript language, React framework, and Echarts related technologies. But these contents are unfamiliar technologies for an OT engineer like me, and they all need to be learned from scratch. I have no choice but to gnaw on this hard bone. The hard work paid off, and thanks to the clear design and stability of the Mendix custom component framework, the task was finally completed on time.
MX: What benefits do these apps bring to actual users/customers?
Liu Shuzhi: As a large screen for data display, the display effect makes users very satisfied. It forms a window for the department to display to the outside world. By summarizing, calculating and analyzing various business data and displaying them on a unified platform, it is convenient for personnel at all levels to view business data quickly.
Since these platforms are all developed by departmental colleagues themselves, it is very convenient to change the functions of the platforms. It is no longer necessary to contact Vendor to make function changes, which saves time and makes business execution smoother. Moreover, when the platform fails, the cause can be quickly analyzed, and the operation of the platform can be restored in the shortest time, effectively reducing the impact on the business.
MX: Compared with traditional development in the past , what do you think are the main advantages of Mendix?
Liu Shuzhi: I think the main advantages are as follows :
- Developers can focus on business logic . I think this is a very important advantage of Mendix. When using a high-level language for code development, I often need to consider a certain function, which libraries can be implemented, which library is more convenient to implement, and so on. I want to spend a lot of attention on the code itself, not the business logic. The rich module functions of Mendix and the graphical micro-flow function make it easier for me to focus on the logic of implementing the business, and the output is more efficient.
- Perfect and robust platform framework . For traditional web development, I have to consider what language and framework to use on the front end, what language to use on the backend, and what structure to use. How to ensure the security of the program. When deploying to different environments, what factors need to be considered to reduce the difficulty and complexity of development. All of these problems, when using Mendix do not need to consider. Just focus on the business logic.
- The convenience of low-code . Many commonly used and repetitive functions have been considered by Mendix, and various template technologies have been adopted to realize them. This kind of convenience will only be felt when you really use it and experience it. Low code usually gives people a feeling that it may be less functional if it is easy to use. But Mendix strikes a good balance between ease of use and complexity. For developers with certain Java programming skills, they can develop efficient Mendix applications by making full use of its expansion capabilities. For developers who are familiar with CSS technology, using their own CSS technology to beautify the page display can also get twice the result with half the effort.
MX: Compared with other low-code development platforms on the market , what do you think are the advantages of Mendix?
Liu Shuzhi: In my opinion, there are mainly the following points :
- Learning resources are quite rich . This is my biggest feeling when I was learning Mendix by myself. Mendix's official website has a section called Learning Path, and my learning journey is basically spent in these courses. There are quite a few courses in it. And all courses are graded, from beginners to experts, you can find suitable learning content. The explanations of each course are well organized and easy to understand. Download sample projects and watch as you go, making the learning process very efficient. And some courses, in addition to explaining the functions of Mendix itself, will also include the concept of efficient programming and the underlying logic of programming design. These contents are very helpful for improving your programming accomplishment and skills.
- Mendix is remarkable in every way . Most of the low-code platforms on the market have advantages and disadvantages. But Mendix has no experience in terms of overall architecture, system security, configuration convenience, module reusability, debugging difficulty, deployment convenience and difficulty, operation stability, etc. See its short board.
MX: Would you recommend Mendix to other app developers? How would you recommend?
Liu Shuzhi: Mendix has many advantages. Show the advantages of Mendix to the developer according to the difficulties or pain points they are currently encountering. For a Mendix novice, I would strongly recommend Mendix's rich learning resources, which is definitely a very friendly software for novices.
For those developers who mainly focus on web application development, choosing Mendix will definitely save you a lot of time and cost.
MX: In what areas would you like Mendix to optimize and improve?
Liu Shuzhi: As an OT engineer, I once planned to use Mendix in industrial automation projects. However, due to the high price of local deployment of a single server, it has not been realized. If possible, I hope that Mendix will have a product strategy for automation projects in the future. This will revolutionize web applications in automation projects. I can hardly fault the Mendix for its functionality.
About Mendix
Mendix Corporation, a Siemens business, is rapidly becoming an enabler of digital transformation for enterprises. Its industry-leading low-code platform and comprehensive ecosystem integrate the most advanced technologies to help enterprises create solutions that improve interactivity, simplify operations and overcome IT bottlenecks. Mendix is a leader and visionary in the eyes of authoritative industry analysts, and it is also a cloud-native, open, scalable, agile and proven platform. From artificial intelligence and augmented reality, to intelligent automation and native mobility, Mendix has become the backbone of digital-first businesses. Mendix's enterprise low-code platform has been adopted by more than 4,000 leading companies around the world.