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DX with #LowCode and #NoCode Platforms | @ExpoDX #DigitalTransformation

The emergence of low-code platforms and visual application building has empowered the new breed of citizen developers

Low-Code Platforms in the Era of Automation

From manual human effort the world is slowly paving its way to a new space where most process are getting replaced with tools and systems to improve efficiency and bring down operational costs. Automation is the next big thing and low code platforms are fueling it in a significant way.

The Automation era is here. We are in the fast pace of replacing manual human efforts with machines and processes. In the world of Information Technology too, we are linking disparate systems, software and tools to make things self-sustaining. This is called automation. It has been helping companies overcome the hurdles of traditional methodologies and optimize operations. It has helped many enterprises achieve greater levels of efficiency and quality. Intelligent automation systems can sense and process loads of information and can automate entire processes. Applications range from the routine to the more complex ones collecting, analyzing, and making decisions. help companies think beyond conventional methods to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and quality.

As with every other case of automation, in Information Technology too,we talk about binding applications and integrating systems that improve efficiency and lower operational costs. This is IT Automation.

The Limitations and Challenges of Automation
Automated IT processes and applications have many benefits over traditional system. They are a big boon to enterprises in reducing errors, responding faster to the business needs, resolving mission critical bugs, increasing efficiency and reducing project costs. In complex IT environments - particularly when systems are virtual and cloud based - implementing IT process automation can be challenging with its own set of limitations.

In environments where security and risk management is priority, automated systems can make errors, stemming from a weakness in human-level pattern recognition and language comprehension. Automated systems can also make errors and may not conform to IT security guidelines in an enterprise. The automated applications are at times too rigid in the way they are built, they may lack the ease of customization to suit the changing needs of any business customer. Building an application from the scratch again can incur significant additional resources, time and cost.

Though the objective of IT automation is to eventually result in a strong ROI, there can be a fairly substantial investment on the front when deploying IT automation software, systems or infrastructure.

Technology has been evolving in a rapid manner, and more system management processes are being automated. Companies are able to deploy new resources faster than ever before, but automation is not a cure-all, so firms need to carefully evaluate where it fits accurately in any enterprise.

What Are Custom Applications?
In the current digital world, most of the business functions to be automated manifest as custom business apps inside organizations. Custom business apps are the entities that connect the disparate services and systems, thereby enabling digital automation within an enterprise.

But what are these custom apps? Is there any way to automate creation of these custom business apps?

Custom software development is the designing of software applications for a specific user or group of users within an organization and having a specific business requirement. Such software is designed to address their needs precisely as opposed to the more traditional software which cannot be customized easily. Such software is typically created just for that specific entity by a third-party by contract or in-house group of developers and is not packaged for reselling.

These days, businesses of all kinds, whether small, medium or large are taking advantage of the customized business apps as it helps them stay competitive and increase productivity. Custom apps offer the following benefits -

Improves Efficiency
Since the business apps are custom-built keeping your business requirements in mind, it acts like a comprehensive app performing diverse functions and negates the requirement of multiple apps. Also, as these apps are tailored to suit your working style, it enhances the employee productivity and in turn business ROI

Offers High Scalability
Regular or out-of-the-box apps and services are built to handle limited number of resources and processes. In the event of your business growing, these apps may not be able to handle the load. Custom made apps, on the other hand are built keeping in mind all these parameters and can be scaled up easily when the need arises

Secures Your App Data
General business apps may or may not have the specialized security features, which may put your business data to risk. Having a custom app made solely for your business can reinforce your data security system, as relevant security measures will be taken care of according to your business needs while app development

Integrates with Existing Software
General business apps or services (as offered by SaaS services) may not be able to function smoothly with your existing software. Custom made apps are built taking into consideration your current business software and hence are guaranteed to integrate well and function without any errors

Easy to Maintain
By using regular apps for your daily business operations, you are risking yourself at the helm of an unknown mobile app developer. If the developer decides to discontinue the app for some reason, then you are left to find a new app and discontinue your current operations. By building your own custom business app, you get its complete control and don't have to depend on others for anything

Ease in Project Management
Custom apps can be installed to keep a real-time check on your project progress and deadlines. Updates can be sent after completion of each phase of the project and maintain the billing cycle for each stage of the project

How can I automate and build my custom business apps?

Low-code application platforms are being touted as a key enabler of rapid digital business transformation and the harbinger of automation and agility in enterprises. On its own, such technology democratizes app development by enabling citizen developers in the business to self-serve their own small-scale departmental solutions. Low Code Platforms perfectly fits in the business scenario backed with features like:

Focus on Business Logic
With low-code platforms, enterprise users only needs to focus on defining business rules, expression and logic. This gets rid of the complexities, and allows the developer to create automatic cascading of changes if a user changes a field name, formulae rules or logic flow through the app.

Visual Design
With low-code platforms, users have the ease of choosing from a wide selection of various themes and layouts for their app pages. These can be changed at any time during the development of the page and comes out of the box. They do not have to go through the hassles of designing a new theme or template each time. Low code platforms offer a WYSIWYG development environment where developers can drag and drop components to design responsive user interfaces that represents the real customer experience.

Cross Platform Deployment
The demand for enterprise custom mobile apps has meant that low-code platforms have also started to offer cross-platform mobile app development with access to native mobile device features while abstracting the underlying operating system complexities. This means that they are extremely user friendly and can be deployed across multiple devices and also integrated with internal and external cloud services.

Foster Citizen Development
With the ever-rising demand for applications, enterprises are expanding their internal talent pools, for building custom applications using developer talent like technical business users. Low-code app development platforms enable close collaboration between developers, business analysts and subject matter experts. This greatly benefits enterprises as rework is greatly reduced and cost overrun is avoid to a large extent. They also foster the involvement of citizen developers thereby democratizing application development. With simple visual models like drag and drop, everyone in the enterprise today are involved in app building. With an empowered population participating in the app building industry, this has fostered automation. Custom apps are being created with ease as and when the business demands.

The Road Ahead
The emergence of low-code platforms and visual application building has empowered the new breed of citizen developers. Apps can now be built keeping in mind the business imperatives and can be changed and customized with the changing business needs. This is how low code platforms has become the panacea of automation in the business sector. It has enabled democratization of app development and rendered a lot of power in the hands of business people. In a nutshell it can be said that low code platforms has initiated the customization of app building which in turn has fostered automation , innovation and digital transformation in today's time.

Internet of @ThingsExpo, taking place October 31 - November 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA, is co-located with 21st Cloud Expo and will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry players in the world.

Download Show Prospectus ▸ Here

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the most profound change in personal and enterprise IT since the creation of the Worldwide Web more than 20 years ago.

All major researchers estimate there will be tens of billions devices - computers, smartphones, tablets, and sensors - connected to the Internet by 2020. This number will continue to grow at a rapid pace for the next several decades.

With major technology companies and startups seriously embracing IoT strategies, now is the perfect time to attend @ThingsExpo in Silicon Valley. Learn what is going on, contribute to the discussions, and ensure that your enterprise is as "IoT-Ready" as it can be!

With major technology companies and startups seriously embracing Cloud strategies, now is the perfect time to attend 21st Cloud Expo, October 31 - November 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center, CA, and June 12-14, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, and learn what is going on, contribute to the discussions, and ensure that your enterprise is on the right path to Digital Transformation.

Track 1. Enterprise Cloud | Cloud-Native
Track 2.
Big Data | Analytics
Track 3. Internet of Things | IIoT | Smart Cities

Track 4. DevOps | Digital Transformation (DX)

Track 5. APIs | Cloud Security | Mobility

Track 6.
AI | ML | DL | Cognitive
Track 7.
Containers | Microservices | Serverless
Track 8. FinTech | InsurTech | Token Economy

Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo 2017 Silicon Valley
(October 31 - November 2, 2017, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA)

Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo 2018 New York 
(June 12-14, 2018, Javits Center, Manhattan)

Download Show Prospectus ▸ Here

Every Global 2000 enterprise in the world is now integrating cloud computing in some form into its IT development and operations. Midsize and small businesses are also migrating to the cloud in increasing numbers.  

Companies are each developing their unique mix of cloud technologies and services, forming multi-cloud and hybrid cloud architectures and deployments across all major industries. Cloud-driven thinking has become the norm in financial services, manufacturing, telco, healthcare, transportation, energy, media, entertainment, retail and other consumer industries, and the public sector.

Cloud Expo is the single show where technology buyers and vendors can meet to experience and discus cloud computing and all that it entails. Sponsors of Cloud Expo will benefit from unmatched branding, profile building and lead generation opportunities through:

  • Featured on-site presentation and ongoing on-demand webcast exposure to a captive audience of industry decision-makers.
  • Showcase exhibition during our new extended dedicated expo hours
  • Breakout Session Priority scheduling for Sponsors that have been guaranteed a 35-minute technical session
  • Online advertising in SYS-CON's i-Technology Publications
  • Capitalize on our Comprehensive Marketing efforts leading up to the show with print mailings, e-newsletters and extensive online media coverage.
  • Unprecedented PR Coverage: Editorial Coverage on Cloud Computing Journal.
  • Tweetup to over 75,000 plus followers
  • Press releases sent on major wire services to over 500 industry analysts.

For more information on sponsorship, exhibit, and keynote opportunities, contact Carmen Gonzalez by email at events (at) sys-con.com, or by phone 201 802-3021.

The World's Largest "Cloud Digital Transformation" Event

@CloudExpo | @ThingsExpo 2017 Silicon Valley
(Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 2017, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA)

@CloudExpo | @ThingsExpo 2018 New York 
(June 12-14, 2018, Javits Center, Manhattan)

Full Conference Registration Gold Pass and Exhibit Hall ▸ Here

Register For @CloudExpo ▸ Here via EventBrite

Register For @ThingsExpo ▸ Here via EventBrite

Register For @DevOpsSummit ▸ Here via EventBrite

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsors of Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo will benefit from unmatched branding, profile building and lead generation opportunities through:

  • Featured on-site presentation and ongoing on-demand webcast exposure to a captive audience of industry decision-makers
  • Showcase exhibition during our new extended dedicated expo hours
  • Breakout Session Priority scheduling for Sponsors that have been guaranteed a 35 minute technical session
  • Online targeted advertising in SYS-CON's i-Technology Publications
  • Capitalize on our Comprehensive Marketing efforts leading up to the show with print mailings, e-newsletters and extensive online media coverage
  • Unprecedented Marketing Coverage: Editorial Coverage on ITweetup to over 100,000 plus followers, press releases sent on major wire services to over 500 industry analysts

For more information on sponsorship, exhibit, and keynote opportunities, contact Carmen Gonzalez (@GonzalezCarmen) today by email at events (at) sys-con.com, or by phone 201 802-3021.

Secrets of Sponsors and Exhibitors ▸ Here
Secrets of Cloud Expo Speakers ▸ Here

All major researchers estimate there will be tens of billions devices - computers, smartphones, tablets, and sensors - connected to the Internet by 2020. This number will continue to grow at a rapid pace for the next several decades.

With major technology companies and startups seriously embracing Cloud strategies, now is the perfect time to attend @CloudExpo@ThingsExpo, October 31 - November 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center, CA, and June 12-4, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, and learn what is going on, contribute to the discussions, and ensure that your enterprise is on the right path to Digital Transformation.

Delegates to Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo will be able to attend 8 simultaneous, information-packed education tracks.

There are over 120 breakout sessions in all, with Keynotes, General Sessions, and Power Panels adding to three days of incredibly rich presentations and content.

Join Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo conference chair Roger Strukhoff (@IoT2040), October 31 - November 2, 2017, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA, and June 12-14, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, for three days of intense Enterprise Cloud and 'Digital Transformation' discussion and focus, including Big Data's indispensable role in IoT, Smart Grids and (IIoT) Industrial Internet of Things, Wearables and Consumer IoT, as well as (new) Digital Transformation in Vertical Markets.

Financial Technology - or FinTech - Is Now Part of the @CloudExpo Program!

Accordingly, attendees at the upcoming 21st Cloud Expo | @ThingsExpo October 31 - November 2, 2017, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA, and June 12-14, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, will find fresh new content in a new track called FinTech, which will incorporate machine learning, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and blockchain into one track.

Financial enterprises in New York City, London, Singapore, and other world financial capitals are embracing a new generation of smart, automated FinTech that eliminates many cumbersome, slow, and expensive intermediate processes from their businesses.

FinTech brings efficiency as well as the ability to deliver new services and a much improved customer experience throughout the global financial services industry. FinTech is a natural fit with cloud computing, as new services are quickly developed, deployed, and scaled on public, private, and hybrid clouds.

More than US$20 billion in venture capital is being invested in FinTech this year. @CloudExpo is pleased to bring you the latest FinTech developments as an integral part of our program, starting at the 21st International Cloud Expo October 31 - November 2, 2017 in Silicon Valley, and June 12-14, 2018, in New York City.

@CloudExpo is accepting submissions for this new track, so please visit www.CloudComputingExpo.com for the latest information.

Speaking Opportunities

The upcoming 21st International @CloudExpo@ThingsExpo, October 31 - November 2, 2017, Santa Clara Convention Center, CA, and June 12-14, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY announces that its Call For Papers for speaking opportunities is open.

Submit your speaking proposal today! ▸ Here

About SYS-CON Media & Events
SYS-CON Media (www.sys-con.com) has since 1994 been connecting technology companies and customers through a comprehensive content stream - featuring over forty focused subject areas, from Cloud Computing to Web Security - interwoven with market-leading full-scale conferences produced by SYS-CON Events. The company's internationally recognized brands include among others Cloud Expo® (@CloudExpo), Big Data Expo® (@BigDataExpo), DevOps Summit (@DevOpsSummit), @ThingsExpo® (@ThingsExpo), Containers Expo (@ContainersExpo) and Microservices Expo (@MicroservicesE).

Cloud Expo®, Big Data Expo® and @ThingsExpo® are registered trademarks of Cloud Expo, Inc., a SYS-CON Events company.

More Stories By Karthick Viswanathan

Karthick heads the Products, Marketing and Evangelism efforts for WaveMaker. As one of the original product managers at WaveMaker, he led the technology and design for WaveMakerOnline, WaveMaker's PaaS offering. He also established the Customer Success practice for WaveMakerOnline. Prior to WaveMaker, Karthick occupied various roles in engineering and product management at PegaSystems, IBM and Oracle. He can discuss in-depth, code-level details and just as easily shift focus to business and go-to-market strategies. He was one of the seeders for the product management teams for PegaSystems in India and also a key technology contributor behind Oracle Warehouse Builder features. He writes and blogs about modern app development methodologies, including Rapid Application Development, digital transformation, and the API economy.

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