Amidst ongoing technological evolution, low-code platforms emerge as formidable assets fostering innovation and efficiency. Nevertheless, we still encounter misconceptions about their capabilities and limitations. This article aims to debunk six myths surrounding low code by examining its real-world application within the banking sector.
In the fast-paced realm of technology, new trends emerge almost incessantly. Some catch the eye of businesses, gaining popularity and becoming recognizable buzzwords. To bolster their market presence, software providers often embrace these buzzwords, creating an illusion of innovation. It’s like donning the latest fashion trend to enhance one’s image, even if there are no substantive solutions beneath the marketing veneer.
Consdata has been developing the Eximee Low-Code Platform for over a dozen years. Not too long ago, we found ourselves educating clients, explaining what our platform offers, and advocating for the benefits of a low-code approach. Currently, awareness that low-code tools enable the creation of scalable, business-critical app development in banking solutions in a different way than purely custom development is much higher, and our platform is used in major banks across Poland.
Low-code platforms enable rapid development, testing, and deployment of applications by citizen developers and improve the allocation of human resources in bank IT teams. The cost optimization that low-code brings to the table is one of the main reasons why businesses will not part with low-code solutions anytime soon.
As long as there is demand for software, low-code platforms will continue to evolve and offer more specialized features, integrations, and security, including advanced security features crucial for banking sector security such as encryption, authentication mechanisms, and compliance with industry standards. As they become more sophisticated, their usage expands.
The structure of applications developed on low-code platforms is understandable even to individuals without programming skills. Analysts or low-code developers are equipped with BPMN diagrams, form templates, data models, scripts, and documentation that are always up-to-date and accurately reflect the application’s operations. This ensures that maintenance and change management are much simpler.
Eximee enables the separation and reuse of components that appear in multiple processes, thus facilitating standardization and oversight of how crucial and repetitive process elements are executed.
To ensure that UI/UX components, presentation layer technologies, and integration elements are easy to develop and maintain without impacting existing solutions, we utilized Eximee module separation. This approach means that the execution modules integrated into banking applications operate independently of the low-code modules used for designing and constructing business solutions.
Since the Eximee executive modules provide low-code developed applications with a wealth of additional tools and functions, these applications can be less complex. For instance, these modules offer visibility into the states of individual processes, support for resuming abandoned processes (including omnichannel processes), and provide business and technical monitoring along with audit data collection.
Moreover, the Eximee Low-Code Platform includes a version control feature that enables developers to track changes, restore previous versions when necessary, and maintain a clear record of modifications. Additionally, the platform incorporates built-in testing and debugging tools to assist in effectively identifying and resolving issues.
The Eximee Low-Code platform adheres to banking industry technology standards, such as BPMN and open architecture. Our experience shows that robust functionalities are more durable over time than specific technologies. Being able to replace the BPM engine, and application front end, or add new functionalities alongside the existing low-code system is essential to avoid dependency on a single platform or vendor.
We design and develop the Eximee platform to provide development freedom to its users, i.e., we can create components and entire applications in collaboration with a bank, and a bank can do it on its own or with the help of third-party providers.
Eximee supports integration with various external systems and APIs, enabling applications developed on the platform to communicate with other software, including seamless connectivity and integration with existing corporate systems. This emphasizes the importance of these systems within companies, supporting efficiency and collaboration through reusable components and a modular architecture. This reduces the risk of lock-in and isolation within the Eximee ecosystem.
Modern low-code platforms like Eximee are specifically tailored for enterprise use. Applications developed using low-code tools are successfully deployed to end users, and the platform efficiently manages high user traffic.
As an enterprise-class platform provider, we emphasize security measures (e.g., data encryption, access control, and compliance certificates), ensuring that sensitive data is protected and regulatory requirements are met.
The strongest evidence of Eximee’s enterprise-class status is its adoption by leading banks. These institutions demand high efficiency, security, and scalability in their operations. The fact that Eximee seamlessly integrates into their complex infrastructure, enabling the integration of IT systems and revamping internal workflows for improved efficiency, demonstrates its adaptability and robustness within an enterprise environment.
It’s a fact that there are relatively few individuals in the job market claiming low-code skills and experience, but as the low-code approach and platforms become more popular, this number is steadily increasing.
Low-code platforms are specifically designed to enable individuals without programming skills or prior experience with such tools to work effectively.
What’s particularly important here is knowing the industry, business processes, and analytical thinking abilities. Familiarity with UI/UX design is also beneficial. Someone who understands HTML/CSS, is skilled with spreadsheet-based applications, and can create formulas should have no trouble mastering a low-code platform.
The Eximee team offers comprehensive onboarding and effective training. The transparency of the developed processes and standardized, easy-to-maintain documentation streamline the quick onboarding of low-code developers.
Banks have the option to expand their teams with experienced Eximee developers or team leaders who can supervise and lead the bank’s team of low-code developers. Alternatively, we can recruit, train, and then transfer a team along with knowledge and projects for further development and maintenance within the bank.
Debunking low code myths is essential, as it’s often misunderstood that these platforms limit the possibilities of custom development, so it’s crucial to select a tool tailored specifically to the needs of the banking industry. Low code development platforms and low code platforms provide a perfect balance between rapid development and customization capabilities, allowing for the creation of tailored solutions that meet specific business requirements.
We are aware that not everything can be achieved through low-code development. For instance, to provide customers with the best possible UI/UX that can often be a competitive advantage, banks may need to create unique components. Developing such components outside of the Eximee platform may be more efficient. To offer this flexibility, the Eximee platform allows for the extension of solutions with components implemented using high-code methods. This extension capability is significantly enhanced by the use of custom code, enabling professional developers to tailor applications extensively, from integrating multiple data sources to building mobile applications and leveraging microservices.
This capability can be utilized to build application front ends or the functional layer, where a function within a process supported by the Eximee platform can be implemented using high code or another tool as needed. Additionally, no code technologies play a crucial role alongside low code in empowering developers to deliver solutions rapidly while maintaining the ability to address complex requirements.
Furthermore, this approach underscores the comprehensive capabilities of low code in software development, particularly in addressing complex banking software development needs, by providing a robust platform for digital transformation.
