Low-Code (and No-Code), tools to democratise the digitisation of companies

Low-Code represents a "digital philosophy" consisting of "democratising" software development because it is not necessary to write code or programming languages; it can be created by anyone.

This considerably facilitates the digitalisation of SMEs and freelancers. If in Spanish Low-Code can be translated as "low code", No-Code would be "without code", and it is common to speak of both together.

They are platforms that allow the development of applications and technological tools in an online interface without the need to program and create code from scratch. Instead of having to create lines of code, the code base is already written and allows for flexible and interactive visualisation of what is being developed in a simpler and more effective way.

It works through a platform that allows you to move elements around (grab and drag) such as content boxes in the form of text, buttons, images, forms, etc. They are intuitive to facilitate their use by inexperienced people.

The advantages of Low-Code and No-Code are the following:

• Easy to use.
• Fast visualisation.
• Cost reduction.
• Solutions with internal knowledge of the business.
• Low maintenance.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Enhancement of innovation.
• Scalability.
• Security.
• Increased productivity.

No-Code solutions allow for simpler business cases, following the CRUD (Create, Read, Update and Delete) model, and without connections to third-party systems - other than the tool itself - while Low-Code applications allow for more complex and customised use cases.

In general they serve to "orchestrate processes", these tools allow the development of processes in an autonomous way, when it comes to repetitive processes.

Some customer-focused use cases are:

1. Website design.
2. Creation of a mobile application.
3. Creation of dynamic online forms.
4. Personalised notifications and automatic sending of emails.

Some use cases focused on internal management are:

1. Accounting and invoice management.
2. Collection and payment processes.
3. Inventory creation.
4. Automating payroll management.
5. Timetable management.
6. Talent attraction.
7. Tracking statistics.
8. Automated reporting.

The following methodology can be used to implement it in a business:

1. Review of needs.
2. Study the possibilities of automation.
3. Study the possibilities of improvements to attract customers.
4. Team building.
5. Review of Low Code tools.
6. Feasibility study.
7. Define an implementation plan for the tool.

In terms of tools, there is an extensive catalogue. Most offer free initial versions, allowing you to try them out without having to make a commitment. All are easy to use, inexpensive and secure. The Low Code ones allow more potential in their development, although the advantage of the No Code ones is that they do not require programmers or specialised personnel, so they can be very useful for SMEs and freelancers.

Today, more than ever, it is within the reach of an SME to have these applications and web pages to expand its business.