By Stephen Ledwith June 25, 2025
For decades, enterprise software development has relied on teams of specialized engineers writing thousands of lines of code. But over the last decade, low-code and no-code (LCNC) platforms have emerged as a serious alternative—empowering non-developers to build production-grade applications with minimal technical support.
“Low-code platforms can reduce development time by 90%.” — Forrester Research, 2023
What Are Low-Code and No-Code Platforms?
- Low-code platforms allow users to build applications through graphical interfaces and minimal hand-coding.
- No-code platforms go further, enabling users with no programming experience to create applications using drag-and-drop tools and templates.
Popular platforms include:
- Mendix (low-code leader)
- OutSystems
- Appian
- Bubble and Glide (no-code platforms)
Why It Matters to Enterprises
LCNC tools are:
- Faster to deploy: Enterprises can iterate and launch apps in days instead of months.
- Cheaper to maintain: Reduced engineering overhead and faster bug resolution.
- Empowering for business users: Internal teams can prototype and test solutions without waiting on engineering backlogs.
“These platforms democratize innovation. We’ve built entire CRM modules with no engineers.” — CIO at a Fortune 500 logistics firm
Case Study: Mendix at Zurich Insurance
Zurich Insurance deployed Mendix to accelerate digital product delivery:
- Built 30+ apps in under 24 months
- Reduced average development cycle by 70%
- Business units now co-own application roadmaps
The Tradeoffs
| Benefit | Risk/Challenge |
|---|---|
| Speed | Technical debt accumulation |
| Democratization | Shadow IT risks |
| Cost efficiency | Limited customization options |
When to Use LCNC—and When Not To
Use when:
- Prototyping internal tools or MVPs
- Building admin dashboards or workflows
- Empowering non-technical teams
Avoid when:
- Building high-scale, high-performance systems
- Needing tight integration with legacy infrastructure
- Complex real-time data or AI/ML requirements
Leadership Insight
As someone who’s led enterprise teams building products at scale, I’ve seen LCNC platforms reduce friction between business and tech. But I’ve also had to unwind poorly architected LCNC apps that lacked governance.
The key is intentional adoption — treat LCNC as part of your digital strategy, not a shortcut.
Final Thoughts
Low-code and no-code platforms are not replacing traditional development—they’re augmenting it. Used wisely, they unlock agility and cross-functional innovation.
