You are on page 1of 17

White Paper:

Top 10 ways to boost


your bottom line with
low-code/no-code
technology
Date:
March, 2019

About Coactive

Coactive builds innovative and intelligent business applications on our proprietary software development
platform using rapid application development workflows and technology.

www.gocoactive.com
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

Summary
In this white paper, we look at why industry experts believe it’s crucial that companies – whatever their sector,
size or customer base – act now to embed digital technologies in their day-to-day operations. We also explore
how the rapid growth of low-code/no-code platforms is proving a lifeline for companies looking to make that
transition. And we highlight the 10 key ways technology can positively impact balance sheets from reducing IT
costs to identifying new markets for growth.

Unfamiliar with some of the digital terminology? Wherever a phrase appears in quotation marks in the text,
you’ll find it defined in the Jargon buster section at the end of this report.

Why is it critical that companies embrace the unnecessary commitment. And, there’s no doubt that
digital trend? the process takes time, investment and patience.

Read any business blog or listen to any technology “However, ultimately, it’s the businesses that adapt
expert and one message comes across loud and clear and adopt that are reaping the rewards in today’s
– operating digitally is the only way companies will be business landscape. In other words, going digital isn’t
able to stay relevant in the years ahead. Importantly, really an option. It’s a necessity.”
a number of business leaders believe that those
O’Brien adds: “Often businesses are quick to blame
unwilling to embark on a “digital transformation” are
their lack of familiarity with technology or current IT
unlikely to survive the coming 5-10 years.
systems as the barrier to moving forward with digital.
For businesses developed before the recent digital But, what is costlier? Upgrading your current process
age, that means swapping in-house spreadsheets, and knowledge base, or potentially going out of
legacy databases and standalone systems for cloud business?”
technology and sustainable, smart software such
as “apps”, that not only manage data but provide
essential insights to help grow customer bases and
profits. #1: IDC digital transformation prediction

In her online post, What’s the cost of not going digital In this white paper, we look at why industry
for a business?,1 content marketing executive experts believe it’s crucial that companies –
whatever their sector, “By 2020, at least 55%
Clodagh O’Brien notes: “For some companies, digital
of organizations will be digitally determined,
transformation may be seen as a costly and
transforming markets and reimagining the
future through new business models and
digitally enabled products and services.”
Source: International Data Corporation (IDC)2

www.gocoactive.com 2
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

It’s a view borne out by the 2018 results of the annual For the first time in four years, they also observed an
digital business survey conducted by MIT Sloan upward shift in the way survey respondents evaluate
Management Review and Deloitte.3 In the fall of 2017, their company’s digital maturity (see figure 1).
they surveyed more than 4,300 business executives,
managers, and analysts from organizations of various
sizes, industries and geographic locations. They found
that nearly all contemporary businesses share two
common goals:

»» To adapt to increasingly digital market


environments

»» To take advantage of digital technologies to


improve operations and drive new customer value

Figure 1: Survey respondents were asked to “ imagine an ideal organization utilizing digital technologies and capabilities to improve processes,
engage talent across the organization, and drive new value-generating business models” and rate their company against that ideal on a scale of
1-10. Each answer was then assigned to one of three maturity categories – early (1-3), developing (4-6), or maturing (7-10).

Source: Deloitte Insights.3

www.gocoactive.com 3
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

The survey report notes: “Many established futurist and demographer Mark McCrindle is correct,
companies are beginning to take digital disruption it will become the “most transformative generation
more seriously and respond. If companies were ever”.4 Offering an environment attractive to Gen A
waiting for competitors to act before responding, this employees will be critical to securing a company’s
shift suggests the time to act is now.” future success.

In O’Brien’s post, she outlines several key reasons why In addition, the “gig economy” is continuing to grow
companies simply can’t afford to ignore the digital rapidly – according to a 2017 CNN Business post, 43%
trend.1 For example, it will play an important role in of American workers will be operating as independent
helping them: contractors by 2020.5 Hiring gig workers is only
possible with the right digital infrastructure in place.
1. Remain relevant: Without a digital presence, it’s
very difficult for a company to make its voice stand Leverage social selling opportunities: Social
out in a crowded marketplace or even develop and networks play a pivotal role in the B2C market:
promote USPs. studies show that consumers regularly look to
social media influencers and the online activity of
2. Stay competitive: When new companies come in friends and family when deciding what to buy. As
and disrupt an industry, keeping up is crucial, and change evangelist Brian Fanzo remarked in a 2016
digital capabilities are the best way to stay agile interview for Digitalist Magazine: “Customers today
(think Blockbuster and Netflix…).  often have more data and resources available to
3. Collect key analytics: Consumer data allows them than the businesses trying to sell [to] them….
companies to use hard facts to confirm ideas about digital communities and content often influence
what customers want. They can tailor content, engage the customers’ buying decisions before a brand or
on the platforms that matter to customers, and adjust salesperson has first contact.”6 And when it comes to
strategy as they continue to learn. customer service, many consumers prefer the 24/7
options offered by companies’ Twitter and Facebook
4. Retain, and even grow market share: O’Brien accounts.
points to the case of Borders, a once thriving book,
magazine, and music retailer. The company’s inability This B2C trend has driven a corresponding shift in
to adapt to a digital marketplace cost them market the B2B market. A white paper by IDC (International
share, and eventually their operation.  Data Corporation)7 reported that online social
networks are now a key part of the purchase process
5. Keep and attract suitable employees: Millennials for 84% of senior B2B buyers. But if B2B companies
(those born between 1981 and 1996) are currently want to provide the high level of interaction and
the largest demographic in the workforce. They will responsiveness their customers now expect, digital
be followed by Generation Z (born between the support is essential.
mid-1990s and early 2000s). For both these groups,
working with digital technologies is an expectation. 6. Gain a learning advantage: Through testing and
learning, early adopters of technology can get better
Within a few years, Generation Alpha (those born insights than their competitors, and update products
between 2010 and 2030) will arrive on the scene, a and policies faster. This offers valuable opportunities
group that has never experienced a world without to improve customer engagement and experience.
tablets, smartphones and social media. And, if

www.gocoactive.com 4
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

In addition, there is the very fundamental need Another benefit is the ability offered by analytics
to provide customers with what they want, and, tools to track and understand the impact of existing
these days, what they want is to communicate with and new initiatives. Over time, that means businesses’
businesses digitally, according to Dan Newman, running costs will go down as they can prioritize
co-CEO of VB3 and founder of the Broadside Media activities that are delivering a good return. As well
Group: “In some cases people would prefer not as informing decision-making, digitalization can
to engage a brand at all except for using digital make companies more efficient, help them increase
channels. This means companies need to not only customer satisfaction and, crucially, improve
understand how their consumers want to buy but also profitability.
create touch points that support this desired buying
As Kevin Beasley, CIO of VAI, remarked in a 2018
journey.”6
Business 2 Community post: “The fact is the world
Generally, larger companies have already begun to is going digital, and businesses that adopt new
adopt a digital approach, but, as we’ve seen, it will technologies will be more prepared for future
be crucial for all businesses, no matter their size or innovations.”8 He went on to note that if companies
market share, to embrace the digital trend. These act now, they can still afford to walk, not run. “…
new technologies, and the data they allow a company it’s a marathon not a sprint. Digital transformation
to gather, can positively influence relationships with can involve a few phases over several years, making
both customers and employees. budgeting easier to manage.”8

As Ursula Ringham, Director of Digital Marketing at


SAP, noted in 2016: “Having a mobile app could, for
example, persuade millennial customers to buy from
a local shop instead of from a global retailer that
delivers. Cloud-based tools might provide efficiencies
that enable a small contractor to price its services
competitively against larger competitors.”6

#2: IDC’s digital transformation predictions

“By 2020, 30% of G2000 companies will have


allocated capital budget equal to at least 10%
of revenue to fuel their digital strategies.”2
Source: International Data Corporation (IDC)2

www.gocoactive.com 5
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

Digital transformation – what does it mean? focus on delivering insights about customers
that in turn drive marketing and sales decisions.”
As with many of the terms that have emerged in For McKinsey & Co, digital isn’t just about a
response to the technological advances refashioning single customer journey, but an experience that
our daily lives, pinning down an exact definition continues to evolve based on input received
of digital transformation isn’t easy. According to from the customer. To achieve this, requires four
McKinsey & Co: “For some executives, it’s about company capabilities:
technology. For others, digital is a new way of
engaging with customers. And for others still, it • Proactive decision making: This should
represents an entirely new way of doing business. be based on intelligence gathered –
It’s tempting to look for simple definitions, but to remembering customer preferences is a basic
be meaningful and sustainable, we believe that example.
digital should be seen less as a thing and more a way
• Contextual interactivity: Analyzing how a
of doing things.”9
consumer is interacting with a brand and
McKinsey & Co has isolated three key attributes making modifications, e.g. adapting the
required for a successful digital journey:9 content and experience as a customer shifts
from a mobile phone to a laptop.
»» Creating value at the new frontiers of the
business world: Essentially, being open to re- • Real-time automation: For example, increasing
examining the entire way business has been self-service options to help resolve problems
done to date and understanding where the new quickly, personalizing communications to
frontiers of value are. For some companies, this be more relevant, and delivering consistent
might be about developing new businesses in customer journeys no matter the channel,
neighboring categories; for others, it could involve time, or device.
identifying and pursuing new value opportunities
• Journey-focused innovation: Companies
in existing sectors. “At the same time, being
can expand customer journeys into new
digital means …. understanding how customer
businesses and services that extend the
behaviors and expectations are developing inside
relationship… ideally to the benefit of both
and outside your business, as well as outside your
parties.
sector, which is crucial to getting ahead of trends
that can deliver or destroy value.” »» Building foundational capabilities that support
the entire structure: In other words, the
»» Creating value in the processes that execute
technological and organizational processes
a vision of customer experiences: This centers
that allow an enterprise to be agile and fast.
on understanding each step of a customer’s
This includes the mind-set of the company (the
purchasing journey, whatever the channel, and
willingness to flatten hierarchies and encourage
considering how digital capabilities can design
cross-functional collaboration) and developing
and deliver the best possible experience. “For
the right systems and data architecture to iterate
example, the supply chain is critical to developing
on software quickly.
the flexibility, efficiency, and speed to deliver the
right product efficiently in a way the customer
wants. By the same token, data and metrics can

www.gocoactive.com 6
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

For change evangelist Brian Fanzo: “Digital is As Beasley noted in his 2018 post: “Through sensors,
transforming everything: what our offices look like, the inner workings of systems can be turned
how we reach our current customers, and where into massive amounts of data points that can be
and who we are able to hire…. Understanding the measured, linking the physical and digital worlds.
tools and technologies is essential, but the key Businesses can use this data to learn about the
is prioritizing what makes most sense for current environment in which they operate, which can be
business goals rather than embracing technology or turned into actionable insights. IoT enables devices
big data just because they have access to it.”6 to effectively communicate with each other, leading
to improved decision making, increased productivity,
For some, digital transformation goes hand in hand more efficiency, better inventory management and
with the “experience economy”, as Brian Moran, of more.”8
Brian Moran & Associates, a firm dedicated to helping
small business owners and entrepreneurs, explains: The IoT is already delivering dramatic change across
“A good example is Starbucks. They took coffee, which a range of industries. For example, in manufacturing
people would normally buy “to go,” and used free (where it is often referred to as the Industrial
Wi-Fi to create an in-store experience for customers. Internet of Things, or IIoT) it has remodelled the
Starbucks gathers information on their customers majority of workflows; on the production line alone,
who use the company’s mobile app to order and pay it has created the opportunity to optimize flow,
for their drinks. And customers can order their venti eliminate waste and avoid unnecessary work in
skinny vanilla lattes on the app, pay for them with process inventory.10 In health care, smart devices
a stored credit card, and have the drinks waiting for now monitor conditions like diabetes or asthma in
them. All they have to do is walk in, sit down, and outpatients and then digitally transfer the collected
open up their laptops.”6 data directly to the patient’s physician. In hospitals,
both patient welfare and equipment performance can
be monitored online.11 While in the logistics industry,
The digital explosion demystified the use of sensors, big data, and analytics has
enabled companies to improve the efficiency of their
One of the key developments driving the need for supply-chain operations.9
digital transformation is the rapidly growing “Internet
of Things” (IoT), also referred to as the Internet of
Everything. This interconnectedness of devices and
objects – and even people – along with the large
volume of data that the IoT generates, has created #3: IDC’s digital transformation predictions
the demand for technology that can collect, store and
“By 2023, 95% of entities will have
analyze that data digitally.
incorporated new digital KPI sets — focusing
on product/service innovation rates, data
capitalization, and employee experience — to
navigate the digital economy.”2
Source: International Data Corporation (IDC)2

www.gocoactive.com 7
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

While the “big data” generated by the IoT and other technologies can offer valuable insights to
guide future strategy, it also brings its own complexities and challenges. Industry experts have
identified these as the ‘V’s’ of big data and, depending on which source you consult, they vary in
number. IBM has narrowed them down to four key V’s, illustrated in figure 2. These are:12

Volume: Scale of data

Variety: The many different forms of data

Veracity: The uncertainty of data

Velocity: Analysis of streaming data

Other V’s include variability (its meaning can change), visualization (finding ways to share it
visually makes it easier to understand) and value – this is what every company wants to achieve;
once the money and time has been invested in overcoming the other V’s, businesses want that
data to deliver insights.

Figure 2: An infographic illustrating the four V’s of big data.


Source: IBM.

www.gocoactive.com 8
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

What does it take to deliver a successful Low-code/no-code – customized digital


digital transformation? solutions at an affordable price
A number of studies have examined the steps One avenue that ensures companies don’t have to
required to achieve digitalization – the key actions pour money (or valuable resources) into a digital
and skills identified include: transformation is the “low-code”/”no-code” market,
which has been growing rapidly over the past years.
»» Moving beyond acknowledging that change is According to Forrester Research, the low-code market
required – for digital transformation to succeed alone is likely to reach $15.4 billion by 2020.14
it needs to be embedded in company practices,
cultures and processes.1 While it is proving popular among businesses of all
sizes, for small to medium companies, in particular,
»» Developing a growth mindset. According to it offers a valuable third route: Before low-code/
research psychologist Carol Dweck, digital no-code, SMEs often faced a stark choice – buy an
disruption is actually comprised of many little off-the-shelf product which might not fully answer
disruptions that unfold over time and interact in their requirements, or invest heavily in a customized
unexpected ways. A growth mindset is important solution. The emergence of low-code/no-code
for both individuals and organizations if they are platforms has put tailored solutions within the reach
to learn how to adapt.13 of any company. Currently, an off-the-shelf, cloud-
»» Being aware of what direct competitors are doing based solution, before any customization, could
and which innovations are working for them. cost somewhere in the region of $25,000 - $75,000
for a small to medium business with up to 10 users.
»» A willingness to take risks and experiment…. and Increase the number of users to 100+, and the price
deal with failure.3 rises to between $250,000 - $350,000. Whereas at
Coactive, for example, fully-customized solutions
According to the MIT Sloan Management Review/
range in price from $40,000 - $250,000 and above
Deloitte study, that last point has a close relationship
(final price is dependent on user numbers, modules,
with buying and implementing the right technology.
complexities, etc.), making the two options very
“Companies with abundant resources may be
comparable.15 Low-code/no-code platforms are also
tempted to just “throw money at the problem” of
perfectly placed to meet the tactical approach that
digital disruption, but that doesn’t generally lead to
many smaller companies prefer when it comes to
continuous and actionable learning in the way that
“enterprise resource planning” (ERP), according to
experimentation does.”3
Panorama Consulting Solutions. The 2018 edition
of the company’s annual ERP report16 states that
while larger companies tend to look for more
robust solutions that can continue to scale as their
businesses grow, smaller companies typically look for
improved performance around their core processes,
such as production and supply chain.

www.gocoactive.com 9
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

The report also found that:

»» The reasons for implementing ERP vary; improving business performance takes the top slot
(64%) with positioning the company for growth and reducing working capital sharing second
place (57%).

»» More companies are moving their data from local servers to the “cloud” – 21% in 2018, up from
6% in 2017.

»» The level of customization companies required in 2018 rose significantly compared with 2017
figures (see figure 3).

Figure 3: A graph from Panorama Consulting Solutions’ 2018


ERP report comparing the level of customization chosen by
companies in 2017 and 2018.
Source: Panorama Consulting Solutions.16

www.gocoactive.com 10
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

Low-code/no-code makes the kind of customization companies now require a very achievable
goal, as illustrated in this 2018 Coactive infographic15, which considers the relative merits of off-
the shelf and fully-customized solutions, including costs.

Off the Shelf Fully Customized


No major customization, a quick but inflexible VS Built according to the experience and
fix for small to medium businesses requirements of your organization’s daily needs

Main Costs to Consider

Purchase & Integration Business analysis

Training Scope of work

Subscription costs Maintenance & Upgrades

Support Training

Maintenance & Upgrades Support

Additional customization

Development & Implementation

1 - 3 months 6 months

Compatibility

Limited / Zero Fully compatible

Upgrades

Limited / Zero Included

Functionality

Pay for more than you need Only get what you need

Scalability

Limited / Zero Fully scalable

Figure 4: A comparison of off-the-shelf and customized business applications.


Source: Coactive website.15

www.gocoactive.com 11
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

The ability to easily and economically customize Low-code/no-code – what does it mean?
software is not the only reason low-code/no-code
platforms are increasing in popularity. They are According to App Developer Magazine, there is still
simple to use, flexible, and offer valuable workflow much confusion over the two terms. Its 2018 blog post
features and data integration capabilities. They are No-code vs Low-code: Which is right for you defines
also helping companies deal with the “parallel trends them as follows:19
of an increasingly mobile workforce and a limited
No-code platforms: These application development
supply of competent software developers.”17
platforms can be built and customized by people
In a 2017 interview, Simon Chan, Founder and CEO of with basic spreadsheet skills but no programming
DigiVue Consulting, noted: “20 years ago, enterprise experience (also known as non-coders or “citizen
systems were implemented by 100s of consultants developers”). This is made possible by the intuitive,
and experts at a multi-million dollar cost. Now drag-and-drop interfaces, which allow users
with No code/low code, the same systems can be to connect components and quickly build new mobile
implemented by smaller players at a fraction of the or web app solutions to meet every-day business
price and in a fraction of the time. Internet, Cloud and needs, or replace spreadsheets, paper processes,
social media, has leveled the playing field.”18 email or other outdated systems.

The author who interviewed Chan, IT industry analyst Apps with a focus on task management and real-time
Jason Bloomberg, added: “As today’s enterprises reporting, such as a CRM, supply chain inventory and
undergo digital transformation, they become general project management, are ideally suited to no-
software-driven organizations – and thus having code. Some no-code platforms have built-in low-code
developers on staff who can hand-code software capabilities, making them accessible to both non-
has become an increasingly strategic necessity. After technical and technical users.
all, this need has been driving the rise of enterprise
Low-code platforms: These typically require users
DevOps across all industries.
to be able to code, although programming language
“Low-Code/No-Code will disrupt this entire pattern, requirements vary by platform. They are ideal for
as enterprises realize they can be even more building more complex, sophisticated business
successful with their digital transformations if they processes that integrate with other applications and
do away with hand-coding altogether, adopting Low- services. More technically-minded business users
Code/No-Code across their organizations instead.”18 and developers can use low-code platforms to build
enterprise-class applications with strong security,
compliance, and audit and permissions capabilities. 

www.gocoactive.com 12
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

In a blog post for CIO Review, software architect In a


blog post for CIO Review, software architect Thierry #4: IDC’s digital transformation predictions
Ciot points out that a big advantage of low-code/no-
code platforms is that they provide a broad array of “The paramount importance of customer
built-in services, for example:20 advocacy will result in 60% of B2C brands
embracing net promoter score as their leading
»» Responsive and adaptive UI for multiple devices success metric by the end of 2020.”2
»» Built-in themes Source: International Data Corporation (IDC)2

»» Support for multiple languages

»» User management (self-registration, provisioning,


password management, etc.), custom reporting
capabilities and various document creation
formats for application data

For Ciot, the back-end of these platforms also


has much to offer, including a strong security and
permission model, search and indexing, import/export
capabilities and built-in integration with various email
systems and authentication providers. And companies
operating in a cloud-centric environment will benefit
from additional services.

He puts the growing success of no-code/low-code


platforms down to the fact that they address very real
business needs. Companies can start small, fail fast
and use that knowledge to grow and scale quickly.
This allows them to modernize their business at a very
affordable price.

www.gocoactive.com 13
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

In conclusion:
The top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology
Drawing on the expert sources and latest thinking explored in this paper, it’s clear that many see
digital transformation as the key to future success – and low-code/no-code as one of the simplest
and most cost-efficient routes to get there.

For participants in the 2018 ERP survey,16 simply implementing any kind of ERP system proved
hugely beneficial for improved information availability, data reliability and productivity and
efficiency (see figure 5). The report also found that:

Figure 5: A graph from Panorama Consulting Solutions’ 2018 ERP report


recording the benefits respondents realized after implementing ERP.
Source: Panorama Consulting Solutions.16

www.gocoactive.com 14
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

Add low-code/no-code, cloud technology and customized solutions into the mix and companies
will soon see their initial investment reaping financial rewards in 10 key ways:

1. Reduced (or even no) need for IT staff: This keeps 6. Enhanced customer service: That same data
down hiring costs; particularly helpful for smaller provides valuable insights into customer
companies or those struggling to recruit from requirements. With that knowledge, companies
the limited pool of skilled software developers can improve their service, adapt to changing
available. market needs and inspire returning custom.

2. Lower IT maintenance costs: No expensive or 7. Opportunities to identify new growth areas:


outdated legacy systems to keep running. Drawing on the data gathered, companies can
uncover lucrative opportunities and divert
3. Improved productivity: With less time spent resources accordingly.
using manual work-arounds or updating multiple
systems, employees have more time to focus on 8. Addition of new customer groups: Many people,
income generation. particularly younger consumers want, and expect
to be able to interact with companies digitally.
4. Creation of new efficiencies: Working digitally
offers opportunities to introduce improvements 9. Securing an edge over competitors: With so many
and efficiencies across the business, from the yet to adopt a digital approach, those that do can
production line to logistics. expect internal savings and increased income.

5. Access to key data and analytics: When companies 10. Ability to remain relevant: Digital capabilities
can track activity and identify what works, they allow companies to remain agile and swiftly
can stop investing time and money in what respond to new companies or industry disruptions
doesn’t. Potentially these efficiencies can be that could potentially impact business.
passed on to the customer, increasing the
company’s competitive position.

Interested in learning more about how low-code/no-code can help your company?
Contact us at:

Phone: +1 (866) 624-9798


Email: info@gocoactive.com

www.gocoactive.com 15
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

Jargon buster
App: An abbreviation for “application”, it is typically used to describe anything that isn’t a full-fledged
software program, but even that line has become blurred. There are three main types of apps: desktop,
mobile, and web. Apps may or may not have a connection to the internet.21

Big data: An accumulation of data that is too large and complex for processing by traditional database
management tools.22

Citizen developer: Someone who creates new applications or programs using development and runtime
environments approved by the corporate IT team. These are typically not professional developers paid to
code applications, but ‘amateurs,’ who apply the available tools to build apps for their colleagues.23,24

Cloud computing aka ‘the cloud’: The delivery of on-demand computing resources — everything from
applications to data centers — over the internet on a pay-for-use basis.25

Digital transformation: The integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally
changing how companies operate and deliver value to customers. It’s also a cultural change that requires
organizations to continually challenge the status quo, experiment, and get comfortable with failure.26

Enterprise resource planning (ERP): Refers to the systems and software packages organizations use to
manage day-to-day business activities, such as accounting or manufacturing. These systems are linked,
which eliminates the problem of data duplication and provides a ‘single source of truth’.27

Experience economy: An experience occurs when a company intentionally uses services as the stage, and
goods as props, to engage individual customers in a way that creates a memorable event.28

Gig economy: In place of a regular wage, workers receive payment for the “gigs” they do, for example
delivering food or giving someone a lift in their car. They are classed as independent contractors.29

Internet of Things (IoT): The fast-growing network of objects and devices that are connected, allowing them
to collect and exchange data using the internet.30

Low-code development platform (LCDP): An environment that programmers can use to create application


software through graphical user interfaces and configuration instead of traditional computer programming.
The platform may focus on design and development of a particular kind of application: such as
databases, business processes, or user interfaces such as web applications. LCDPs reduce the amount
of traditional hand-coding, enabling accelerated delivery of business applications. A common benefit is
that a wider-range of people can contribute to the application’s development—not only those with formal
programming skills. These platforms also lower the initial cost of setup, training, and deployment.31

No-code development platform (NCDP): Enables programmers and non-programmers to create application


software through graphical user interfaces and configuration instead of traditional computer programming.
No-code development platforms are closely related to low-code development platforms as both are
designed to speed up the application development process.17

www.gocoactive.com 16
White Paper: Top 10 ways to boost your bottom line with low-code/no-code technology

References
1 O’Brien, C. n/d. What’s the Cost of Not Going Digital For a Business? 16 2018 ERP Report. 2018. Panorama Consulting Solutions. https://
Digital Marketing Institute. https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/en- www.panorama-consulting.com/resource-center/erp-industry-reports/
eu/blog/what-is-the-cost-of-not-going-digital-for-a-business panoramas-2018-erp-report/

2 Murray, S. 7 Nov 2018. As Global Leader in Digital 17 Last edited 19 February 2019. No-code development platform.
Transformation Market Research, IDC Reveals Worldwide Digital Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-code_development_
Transformation Predictions. IDC. https://www.idc.com/getdoc. platform
jsp?containerId=prUS44430918
18 Bloomberg, J. 20 July 2017. The Low-Code/No-Code Movement: More
3 Kane, G.C., et al. 5 June 2018. Coming of age digitally - Learning, Disruptive Than You Realize. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/
leadership, and legacy. Deloitte Insights. https://www2.deloitte.com/ jasonbloomberg/2017/07/20/the-low-codeno-code-movement-more-
insights/us/en/focus/digital-maturity/coming-of-age-digitally-learning- disruptive-than-you-realize/#54e69d3b722a
leadership-legacy.html
19 Landa, D. 30 October 2018. No-code vs Low-code: Which is right for
4 Sterbenz, C. 18 December 2015. How will the next generation use you. App Developer Magazine. https://appdevelopermagazine.com/no-
technology? World Economic Forum & Business Insider. https://www. code-vs-low-code:-which-is-right-for-you/
weforum.org/agenda/2015/12/how-will-the-next-generation-use-
technology/ 20 Ciot, T. n/d. What is a Low-Code/No-Code Platform?. CIO Review.
https://devops.cioreview.com/cxoinsight/what-is-a-lowcodenocode-
5 Gillespie, P. 24 May 2017. Intuit: Gig economy is 34% of US workforce. platform-nid-15249-cid-99.html
CNN Business. https://money.cnn.com/2017/05/24/news/economy/gig-
economy-intuit/index.html 21 Karch, M. Updated 4 January 2019. A Beginner’s Guide to Apps.
Lifewire. https://www.lifewire.com/what-are-apps-1616114
6 Ringham, U. 2 March 2016. What Small Companies Need to Know to
Go Digital. Digitalist Magazine. https://www.digitalistmag.com/digital- 22 n/d. big data. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/
economy/2016/03/02/what-small-companies-need-to-know-to-go- dictionary/big%20data
digital-04042366
23 n/d. Citizen Developer. Gartner IT Glossary. https://www.gartner.com/
7 Schaub, K. April 2014. Social Buying Meets Social Selling: How Trusted it-glossary/citizen-developer/
Networks Improve the Purchase Experience. IDC White Paper (sponsored
by LinkedIn). https://business.linkedin.com/content/dam/business/ 24 n/d. Citizen Developer. techopedia. https://www.techopedia.com/
sales-solutions/global/en_US/c/pdfs/idc-wp-247829.pdf definition/30968/citizen-developer

8 Beasley, K. 13 March 2018. Why Companies Should Embrace 25 n/d. Cloud computing: A complete guide. IBM. https://www.ibm.com/
Digital Transformation. Business 2 Community. https://www. cloud/learn/cloud-computing
business2community.com/strategy/companies-embrace-digital-
transformation-02029603 26 n/d. What is digital transformation?. The Enterprisers Project.
https://enterprisersproject.com/what-is-digital-transformation
9 Dörner, K., & Edelman, D. July 2015. What ‘digital’ really means.
McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/high-tech/ 27 n/d. What is ERP?. Oracle. https://www.oracle.com/applications/erp/
our-insights/what-digital-really-means what-is-erp.html

10 n/d. The Internet of Things in manufacturing: benefits, use cases 28 Pine, B.J. II., Gilmore, J.H. 1998. Welcome to the Experience Economy.
and trends. I-SCOOP. https://www.i-scoop.eu/internet-of-things-guide/ Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/1998/07/welcome-to-the-
internet-of-things-in-manufacturing/ experience-economy

11 Matthews, K. 3 May 2018. 6 Exciting IoT Use Cases in Healthcare. IOT 29 Wilson, B. 10 February 2017. What is the ‘gig’ economy? BBC News.
for all. https://www.iotforall.com/exciting-iot-use-cases-in-healthcare/ https://www.bbc.com/news/business-38930048

12 n/d. The FOUR V’s of Big Data. IBM. https://www.ibmbigdatahub.com/ 30 Meola, A. 19 December 2016. Internet of Things devices, applications
sites/default/files/infographic_file/4-Vs-of-big-data.jpg & examples. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.
com/internet-of-things-devices-applications-examples-2016-
13 Dweck, C.S. 2006. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York: 8?international=true&r=US&IR=T
Random House.
31 Last edited 14 February 2019. Low-code development platform.
14 Richardson, C., & Rymer, J.R. 15 January 2016. Vendor Landscape: The Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-code_development_
Fractured, Fertile Terrain Of Low-Code Application Platforms. Forrester. platform
https://informationsecurity.report/Resources/Whitepapers/0eb07c59-
b01c-4399-9022-dfc297487060_Forrester%20Vendor%20Landscape%20
The%20Fractured,%20Fertile%20Terrain.pdf

15 12 February 2019. OFF THE SHELF VS. FULLY CUSTOMIZED BUSINESS


APPLICATIONS: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS. Coactive.
https://gocoactive.com/blog/customized-or-off-the-shelf-business-
applications

www.gocoactive.com 17

You might also like