The business case for low-code in enterprise app development

Today’s IT teams are expected to deliver more apps in less time and with fewer resources. In fact, 74% of IT leaders say their organization plans to build 10 or more apps in the next 12 months while 45% plan to build 25 or more in the same time frame. But the standard approach to development can’t keep up. As a result, low-code development platforms have become a strategic solution for driving rapid, scalable enterprise application development.

Low-code platforms like OutSystems make it easier and faster to deliver modern applications than standard coding. The OutSystems platform accelerates time to market, makes integration with legacy systems a breeze, and drives AI enablement by simplifying the integration and deployment of AI capabilities.

If you still need some convincing about why you should consider low-code, watch “Why are tech leaders investing in low-code?” to hear from a few of these visionaries.

If you’re already considering low-code or are ready to build out your business case for this transformative technology, keep reading to discover key benefits supported by insights from OutSystems customers.

Bring your solutions to market faster than ever with low-code tools

Time-to-market is a critical differentiator in a competitive and rapidly shifting landscape. Standard coding methods often struggle to keep pace with the demand for new and updated applications. A key business case for low-code, then, is improving IT agility by dramatically accelerating the development and deployment process.

For example, South American telecom Entel found that the scarcity of standard development talent kept it from quickly building the front-end applications it needed. By choosing a low-code development platform, Entel established a fast-moving application “factory” to deliver solutions more rapidly than before without sacrificing quality.

“Since the telecommunications industry is a highly competitive market, we have to do things very efficiently,” explains Eduardo Romano, CIO of Digital Channels at Entel. “Low-code has empowered us to build and deliver solutions faster, resulting in positive business outcomes like increased NPS and revenue.” In fact, Entel used low-code to build a mobile app that became the second most-downloaded in the Chilean market, serving four million active users monthly.

Pivot quickly with flexible, iterative development for innovation at scale

Low-code also enables rapid prototyping and iteration. IT teams can quickly bring new ideas to life, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments in real time to propel digital transformation initiatives in the right direction, even projects that require AI capabilities.

KeyBank uses AI-powered low-code for enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives. Dominic Cugini, Chief Transformation Officer, emphasized the agility gained: “I love the fact that low-code has allowed our IT team to become more agile than we’ve ever been. It’s changed the game in how we produce solutions and applications. It’s changed the game in how we interact with the business.”

KeyBank now iterates quickly, and the team works directly with users to gather real-time feedback. They even built a cohesive platform using OutSystems low-code to deliver multiple products like consumer mortgage, home equity, and credit origination.

Improve operational efficiency

Low-code enhances operational efficiency by streamlining processes, automating tasks, and modernizing legacy systems. As a result, organizations can unlock significant cost savings and optimize resource allocation, directly contributing to the positive ROI of low-code.

Banca Generali used low-code for a legacy application modernization initiative. With OutSystems, it updated technology for business process automation. “Low-code allows our IT team to innovate and deliver solutions faster and improve collaboration and trust with internal stakeholders,” notes Marco Chillemi, Head of IT. “Now our business partners have a better understanding of our IT team, how we engage with the business, and ways we can provide more value.”

Andrea Papaleo, Head of Digital Application at Banca Generali, says the organization improved operational efficiency by 50% and reduced development costs and effort by 30-40%, thanks to low-code.

Enable AI across the enterprise

Together, low-code and AI create new opportunities for enterprises to build intelligent applications and accelerate AI adoption. Low-code development platforms simplify the integration and deployment of AI capabilities, making it easier for organizations to build out their strategies for AI enablement.

Professional soccer (football) club Sport Lisboa e Benfica recognizes that the combination of AI and low-code can also significantly increase productivity and simplify the delivery of new apps. João Copeto, Benfica’s CIO, believes that as talent continues to grow scarce, low-code will be a sought-after solution, especially when combined with AI, because it will help simplify and automate the software development lifecycle.

Low-code: The future of enterprise application development

Low-code development platforms are a compelling alternative to traditional development for enterprises that must innovate quickly and efficiently. By accelerating time to market, enabling agile iteration, improving operational efficiency, and facilitating AI integration, low-code empowers organizations to achieve their most ambitious digital transformation initiatives and drive innovation forward.

As success stories like Entel, KeyBank, Banca Generali, and Sport Lisboa e Benfica demonstrate, using low-code can lead to meaningful business outcomes, making it a crucial strategy for modern digital transformation.

See how 6 IT leaders are transforming their organizations with AI-powered low-code

Looking for inspiration or practical insights to unlock the benefits of AI-powered low-code for your organization? Get the full e-book, IT leader perspectives on the impact of AI-powered low-code, to dive deeper into the strategies, outcomes, and lessons you can apply to your own transformation.

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