Before we talk about this issue, let's take a look at what low code/zero code is——
low code
The promotion of "low code" has been extensive for a long time, but the controversy has never stopped.
I forgot where I saw a statement like " low code will replace programmers" before. I thought it was funny. After reading some journals and articles, I systematically learned about "low code" and organized it into an article. I hope it can be It is inspiring to everyone, and everyone is welcome to correct and discuss in the comment area.
By 2014, Forrester first proposed the low-code/zero-code concept:
Forrester's elaboration of the concept of low code is more biased towards its core value, from which the following points can be summarized:
(1) It can realize the rapid delivery of business applications, and it is disruptively fast:
According to a survey conducted by Forrester in 2016, most companies reported that the low-code platform helped them improve development efficiency by 5-10 times, and this improvement multiple can continue to rise.
(2) It can reduce the development cost of business applications, mainly from two aspects:
- Less code to write, less environment setup and deployment costs
- Lowered the barriers to entry for developers
Look at Wikipedia's definition again
Wiki pays more attention to the explanation of low-code functions , and also extracts several key points:
- The low-code development platform itself is also a kind of software , which provides developers with a development environment for creating application software .
- For programmers, the nature of the low-code development platform is almost the same as IDEA, VS and other code IDEs, and they are all productivity tools for developers.
- Different from traditional code IDEs, the low-code development platform provides a higher-dimensional and easy-to-use visual IDE.
Based on the above definition and analysis, it is not difficult to summarize the core capabilities of the following three low-code development platforms:
- Full stack visual programming
- Full Lifecycle Management
- low code extension
zero code
Zero code is simpler than low code. Refers to encapsulating code into modular and visual functional components . Users can quickly build an enterprise business management system by dragging and dropping functional components and setting parameters without typing codes.
for example:
Taking the Jiandaoyun zero-code development platform used by Mengniu and SAIC Volkswagen as an example, Jiandaoyun encapsulates the code into four core functional modules of form, process, data processing, and analysis report . The combination of these four functions can meet the requirements of [data Collection and entry—data transfer and approval—data processing and calculation—data visualization analysis] , which is also the most common business data process in enterprise management.
Taking the simplest reimbursement system as an example, do employees enter the reimbursement application form, and the data flow to the finance department. After the financial reimbursement is completed, the leader can see the cumulative amount of reimbursement and which categories have the highest reimbursement amount through a visual chart?
This means that ordinary people without any programming foundation can develop enterprise management systems such as OA, CRM, and invoicing as long as they are familiar with the business and the application logic of functional components. This is where the value of zero code lies.
Generally speaking, the advantages of zero code are as follows:
- Development cycle: visual development, the cycle is measured in hours
- Business adaptation degree: As long as you understand the business, you can develop it, with a high degree of adaptation
- Iterative agility: instant adjustment, instant launch, short cycle
- Cost: Charged by subscription, purchased on a regular basis, low cost
- Post-operation and maintenance: Platform vendors perform unified operation and maintenance in the later stage
1. How to choose a low-code/zero-code platform
Regarding product selection, everyone has a steelyard in mind. But here are some recommended reference dimensions for low-code and zero-code platforms:
1. Product function
Different low-code platforms have their own emphasis. If possible, try to look at the solutions and customer cases that have been implemented on low-code or zero-code platforms first. These will help you determine whether this product is suitable for you;
For example, Jiandao Cloud zero-code platform focuses on business intelligence: it aims to help enterprises extract valuable information and insights from large amounts of data to support decision-making and business optimization.
With multi-functional modules, it will be more advantageous in building development models
Kingdee and UFIDA belong to the digital operation platform, aiming to help enterprises realize the digital transformation of business and the automation of operation.
2. System performance
Stability and security trump everything! Many manufacturers have SLA agreements (or guarantee documents) for stability, and generally have official guarantee documents for security. Before use, you can find the other party through the customer service to obtain relevant documents;
3. Service level
A low-code platform is definitely not a one-shot deal. Once you use it, you will devote a lot of energy to it in the future. If the service is not strong, the experience will be greatly reduced;
Here are a few key points for evaluating service levels:
When evaluating the service level of B factory suppliers, the following aspects can be considered:
- a. Product quality
Including aspects such as product reliability, durability, and compliance with specifications and standards.
- b. On-time delivery
Just-in-time delivery is critical for both supplier-side production planning and customer satisfaction.
Suppliers should have good supply chain management and logistics capabilities to ensure on-time delivery of products.
- c. After-sales support
With a professional after-sales team and service process, it can respond to customer questions and needs in a timely manner, provide technical support, repair and maintenance, etc.
4. Product price
Basically, it is a must-see factor, but it is still recommended to look at the price on the basis of functions and performance, blindly looking for the cheapest product, which will have little impact on individuals, and there is basically no turning back for companies;
5. Experience
After the low-code platform is built, the end users are still members of your company and organization, and their experience is also important, so you can listen to it.
In addition, there are many related platform software selected by other companies, which can also be used for reference.
For example, Mengniu Dairy once commented on Jian Daoyun in this way
From the user's point of view, I think Jiandaoyun is a very good zero-code product I have seen in terms of interface design and user experience; from the perspective of IT department managers, I also think that Jiandaoyun's service and response It is also very good.
—— Zheng Jiong, Senior Director of Information Technology, Mengniu Dairy
For specific selection criteria, please refer to the table below:
Of course, if you want to choose a more professional development platform that is more suitable for your company, you still need to systematically learn the construction and operation process of the low-code development platform. Here are 3 misunderstandings of learning products for your reference :
- Myth 1: Zero-code development does not require planned learning
The zero-code "zero threshold" system does not need to learn code and some underlying logic, but the functional modules also need to be learned, just like Excel, everyone can record data, but it needs to be learned to make complex sorting and analysis;
- Misconception 2: Learning how to use functions equals learning how to design systems
A complete system often requires the combination of multiple functions to realize. After learning the product functions, you need to learn to use it in combination with the scene, and finally transform it into a logical and complete system;
- Misunderstanding 3: It is more efficient to directly refer to the template application for introductory learning
Without an understanding of product functions as a foundation, it is difficult to build a high-rise building of an application system. You should first master the basic functions and then refer to the template for system design.
2. Recommend an easy-to-use zero-code development platform - Jiandaoyun
The above has explained how to choose a model in detail, and now I will recommend an easy-to-use zero-code development platform-Jiandaoyun.
On December 14, 2022, the list of "Top 50 Low-Code Enterprises in 2022" selected by the national core journal "Internet Weekly" jointly with eNet Research Institute and Deben Consulting, which is headed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and sponsored by Science Press, was officially announced, and Jian Daoyun was ranked First.
Click here to enter >> https://www.jiandaoyun.com
Its main features are as follows:
1. Form engine
Flexible configuration, custom data collection
Through simple drag and drop operations, various data collection forms can be built. The flexible use of forms can promote team members to collaborate and improve the work efficiency of all staff.
Various views, custom display data results
2. Process engine
Through simple drag-and-drop and connection operations, you can flexibly design business data flow rules to realize online and automatic business processes
3. Dashboard
Jiandao Cloud's characteristic function dashboard can automatically summarize and analyze each application data, present a multi-dimensional data analysis dashboard, manage reports, manage the cockpit, etc.
Due to space reasons, there are more features to help enterprises maximize value, so I won’t go into details here
For more details, please click the official website >> https://www.jiandaoyun.com
Hope this article helps you