The rapid pace of technological advancement has created an ever-increasing demand for software solutions across all sectors.
Traditionally, developing software and applications has been the job of seasoned developers, sometimes with decades of experience in the craft. This resulted in a relatively high barrier to entry for those looking to develop their own bespoke software solution. This has left businesses who can’t afford to hire developers stuck with outdated applications that don’t fit their needs.
However, the emergence of low-code and no-code (LCNC) development platforms has changed this landscape. LCNC instead puts the power of software creation into the hands of the non-developer.
This shift is democratising development, allowing with limited or no coding experience to build powerful and effective applications. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the exciting world of Low-Code and No-Code and help you to discover how Microsoft’s Power Platform is the ideal tool for the job!
Introduction to Low-Code and No-Code Solutions
Low-code and no-code (LCNC) solutions are software development platforms that let people build applications with little to no coding.
Instead of writing lines of code, users can build with visual, drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built components, and templates.
What’s the difference between low and no code?
- No-code platforms do not require any coding whatsoever, relying on drag and drop tools and configuration menus. This is brilliant for business users and citizen developers to, instead of having to learn a programming language, can instead put their subject matter expertise to use creating their own bespoke solutions.
- Low-code platforms still allow for some custom coding, offering flexibility for more complex requirements and fine-tuning. This makes them ideal for developers who want to build fast, or individuals who have a basic understand of programming.
By simplifying the development process, LCNC platforms significantly reduce the time and cost it takes to build software.
Overview of Microsoft Power Platform
The Microsoft Power Platform is a suite of no-code tools included in Microsoft 365 that allows individuals and organisations to build custom applications quickly.
There are three Power tools: Power Automate for process automation, Power Apps for data-driven applications, and Power Pages, for creating no-code web pages.
Let’s explore each tool in a bit more detail!
Power Automate: Streamlining Workflows
Power Automate is a process automation tool that allows you to streamline repetitive tasks. It can connect with a near endless list of data services to create automated workflows between the apps and services you use every day.
Flows can be triggered by various events, such as a new email arriving, a file being modified, or a button being clicked. Actions can then be performed, such as sending an email or creating or updating records
.
You can easily build complex workflows by simply dragging and dropping actions and conditions. Power Automate provides a library of pre-built templates for common automation scenarios, making it easy to get started.
Or, just ask Microsoft Copilot! Simply tell Microsoft’s AI assistant what you want to do in plain English and it will draft a process automation for you. How neat is that?
Power Apps: Building Custom Applications
Power Apps allows users to create custom business applications for use both internally and externally. It provides a visual development environment where users can design user interfaces, connect to data sources, and implement business logic.
While primarily a low-code platform, Power Apps uses an Excel-like formula language for expressing logic and calculations, allowing for more advanced customisation when needed. Power Apps can connect to a variety of data sources, including Dataverse, SharePoint, SQL Server, and other cloud and on-premises systems.
Not sure where to start? Ask Copilot what you want your app to achieve and it will make a prototype for you. Microsoft’s AI assistant can provide continuous suggestions and prompts as you build.
Power Pages: Creating Engaging Web Pages
Power Pages allows you to create and publish responsive web pages without writing a single line of code. Microsoft provides hundreds of professionally-designed templates tailored to different industries, business areas and functions. Simply find one that you like and start editing.
Power Pages is by far the easiest way to get a website up and running. It even integrates seamlessly with other Power Platform components, enabling the creation of data-driven websites that connect to backend systems and automate business processes.
You can even use Copilot to easily generate copy for your website. It uses the context from your pages and your wider Microsoft 365 resources to generate snappy copy that is perfect for your target audience.
Benefits of Low-Code and No-Code Solutions
Developing software using low-code and no-code tools offers a whole host of advantages. They include:
- Empowering Non-Technical Users: LCNC platforms enable business users and subject matter experts to create applications that directly address their needs, without relying on seasoned developers.
- Enhances Business Efficiency: By automating workflows, streamlining processes and reducing the time it takes to develop software, LCNC can significantly improve business efficiency.
- Reducing Development Costs: LCNC platforms significantly reduces the time and resources required to build software. Faster development cycles and reduced reliance on developers can save you a lot of money!
- Empowers Small Businesses and Startups: By breaking down the barriers to entry of software development, LCNC allows small businesses to develop software solutions tailored exactly to their needs. It reduces the reliance on out-of-the-box applications and inefficient workarounds. This ultimately affords SMBs the agility and innovation capacity enjoyed by large enterprises. Power to the underdog!
How To Get Started
Low-code and no-code platforms like Microsoft’s Power Platform democratises development. It allows anyone to create custom software, regardless of their coding experience. This empowers businesses to build solutions faster, cheaper, and more efficiently.
Ready to start creating custom software solutions? Get in touch with us today to explore how our expert team can help you get started with and unlock the potential of Microsoft Power Platform.