DIGITAL GROWTH
5 reasons you should say yes to no-code systems
It was once the case that developing digital products and services required deep technical knowledge, but now businesses can do this without having to write a line of code. The Chamber’s Digital Growth Programme consultant Rob Gregory (pictured), offers some insight into the world of no-code systems.
WHAT ARE NO-CODE SYSTEMS? I’ve been writing code for more than 23 years and, in that time, have seen new languages develop, trends come and go and, of course, we have all seen huge advances in the digital industry in general. The no-code movement, as it is known, is the latest big step forward. Every SME should be taking notice of no- code and look at how they can take advantage of what it has to offer. You might be thinking, “yeah but
what is no-code Rob?” and you’d be right to ask. Well, my definition of no-code is this: a digital product or service designed, built and launched without the maker writing a single line of code. Think about that for a minute. As
a non-technical person, you can now use a mix of technologies to design and create a digital product, process or even an entire online business. No code, just a web browser. That is a huge opportunity.
SO HOW DOES NO-CODE
WORK? A no-code system is a way of conceiving and launching a system made up of a number of interconnected systems, platforms or integrations. The key difference is that with a no-code system, you won’t get your hands dirty writing code – you just plug everything together to build your system. To make this all possible, systems
have clever ways of connecting to other systems via something called an application programming interface, or API. APIs have been around for a long
time – however, the difference with the APIs used by no-code systems is they are configured using simple buttons and forms, rather than code. This means anyone can do it.
60 business network October 2020
cost savings are huge or, if you still want to use a third party, the fact they are using no-code solutions should greatly decrease development costs.
WHY SHOULD YOU SAY YES? Every organisation is different, having specific internal business needs and exciting customer-facing offerings. No-code systems are the perfect platform for SMEs to build what they need and express their uniqueness by offering their customers the perfect solution.
Here are my five reasons why your business should say yes to no- code systems:
1. Innovate quickly Often someone in a business will have an idea that has the potential to transform part of the business. That idea will often go on a list or be added to a meeting agenda for next time you meet a certain supplier. With no-code, there is little excuse for not giving the idea a go. Start small and innovate.
2. Reduce costs Great systems are difficult to build and can become expensive, especially if you are engaging third parties to develop them. By doing much of the work internally, the
3. Prototyping No-code systems are a great way to prototype a process, or even a full system, before it is built. No-code might not be the right choice for a large production system or there may be regulations in your industry that constrain your approach to building a system. However, that doesn’t stop you leveraging the benefits of no-code for proof-of- concept and prototyping projects. If you are going out to third parties, wouldn’t it be great to have a prototype that demonstrates your vision for the project?
4. Empower your team Non-technical teams can find it frustrating when their ideas are thwarted by process, budget or project priorities. Why not empower internal teams to get started with their own projects using a no-code approach. Especially for internal processes, no-code tools can be used by team
members to make improvements really quickly.
5. Profit from your project The great thing about innovating quickly, saving costs, building prototypes and having an empowered team that builds solutions with no-code is that you end up making more money. That’s right – getting on with that internal project or launching that new customer-facing tool quickly, and without needing to be a technical wizard, will surely carry the business forward and get you ahead of your competitors.
NO-CODE IS FOR THE HERE AND NOW, NOT JUST THE
FUTURE There are no excuses in 2020. If you have an idea, a customer need or an internal process that could be addressed by building a system, get started right away with your very own no-code system. If you are looking for more information on no-code systems then keep an eye out for my webinar, the How to Guide to No- Code Systems, on 21 October at 2pm.
To see the latest webinar listings or to learn more about the digital support available to SMEs, visit
www.emc-dnl.co.uk/supporting- growth/business-growth-events-and-workshops/
The Digital Growth Programme is managed by East Midlands Chamber. It is a programme part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Chamber and Leicestershire County Council designed to help SMEs located in Leicester and Leicestershire embrace new digital technology to improve productivity to aid growth.
For more information please visit
www.leics-digital.co.uk Businesses based in D2N2 can access similar support by visiting
www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk
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