Low-Code Platforms for Manufacturing: Simplifying Workflows and Driving Growth
Published: 2023-05-24 17:05:49

Every industry today is working its way to integrate the best of technology has to offer for their operational efficiency. The same movement of continuous improvement is also seen in the manufacturing industry. Businesses in this industry have to face several complex challenges and need amicable solutions for their resolution. 

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/gup1jyulblcf9lb0rqar.png)

Modern applications do provide a competitive advantage as it helps manufacturers improve their productivity. But building applications for specific manufacturing operations can be a costly affair. This is where the Low-Code platforms come in and provide game-changing benefits. Let’s find out how these platforms can help manufacturers in achieving higher growth. 

## What is Low-Code and Why Use It?

A [low-code application development platform](https://www.intuz.com/web-development) (LCDP) is a ready-to-use software or online solution. It provides users with an application development environment. These solutions give users freedom from writing endless lines of code and give them pre-configured, ready-to-use functionality in the form of blocks. 

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/nwc4v6vlymuxrvgug9ps.png)

The users will engage with an interface filled with drag-and-drop elements for building an application. These functionality blocks are joined together according to the requirements leading to the creation of a running application. 

In the LCDP approach, the users utilize event-based triggers and if-this-then-that logic systems according to the business requirements. In addition to the functionality blocks, the same software also provides UI elements in the form of blocks that users can utilize to build applications.

There is a rule engine that can be used to combine different classes and configurations of function blocks to form a single application. Most importantly, the built application also has a built-in data pipeline for data collection. Using this data, the users can build better and bespoke applications. 

## Why Use Low-Code Development Platforms?

Using LCDP has manifold benefits for the users, especially those who don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on hiring developers and wait another five to six months for their digital solution. Not only are these platforms cost-efficient, but they also help build the final application quickly. 

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4hx8nxmnf1u69fs791t6.png)

The low code market value is expected to increase to $187 billion by the end of 2030. This growth comes from the fact that businesses do need the best resources for their digital maturity. Manufacturing, being one of the most complex business sectors, organizations have to complete a myriad of processes. 

These include sales, marketing, production management, backend operations, human resources, procurement, research, and development, among others. Completing all these functions with the right digital solution is pivotal to obtaining the best results. 

Moreover, as other businesses are implementing their digital transformation strategies, they gain a competitive advantage over you. The new technologies and systems are helping organizations improve their work efficiency and productivity. When manufacturing units are troubled with low productivity and high costs, they need the right digital solution to catch up. 

**Low-Code platforms provide answers to a lot of challenges faced by manufacturing units**. 

- When manufacturing units are faced with the complexities of the modern world, they need effective solutions for digital transformation. In response to this, LCDP helps them build applications focussing on improving user experience and delivering consistent experiences across different platforms and devices. 


- With a multitude of functions and requirements that a manufacturing unit has to complete, LCDP provides an easy-to-use app development system. Using these solutions, 
manufacturers can drive products with faster time-to-market. 


- Without a digital-ready system, manufacturers have to rely on many different systems' execution and management of their operations. But with access to an LCDP, they can build a single platform for execution and management.


- Lastly, adapting to changing ways of doing things is not an easy task. Managing these changes and governing their execution is easier if businesses use a digital solution. So, applications built with an LCDP can help these businesses create bespoke solutions for better adaptability.
 

Even when it comes to building a prototype using low-code platforms, building these prototypes is quicker. Similarly, making changes to the prototype and creating the final product will also take less time. Ultimately, it will allow the manufacturers to increase their return on investment. 



## Benefits of Low-Code for Manufacturing

**Faster Development Cycle**: The software development life cycle, which includes all the steps from ideation to deployment, can run longer than six months. However, with a Low-code platform, users can substantially reduce this time as they don’t have to write the code scripts. However, in the LCDP system, one application can be built in less than three months. 

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ik32a7rwhi8cnf7yhovf.png)

According to a NASSCOM study, it takes 66% less time to build a prototype with a low-code platform. Faster development time is essential in a market where businesses face cutthroat competition. 

From the time an application idea emerges to the time it hits the floor, the reduction in development time is substantial. Because these platforms have pre-verified and pre-tested code scripts, the final codebase doesn’t need a rigorous testing schedule.

**Integration with Legacy Systems**
Some manufacturing businesses still use legacy systems and solutions. These old solutions may not be as efficient as modern software. Bringing modern solutions and eliminating legacy systems is a time-consuming process for the business, not to mention the costs involved. 

Hence, a viable solution is to build applications that integrate with these legacy systems. This is where Low-Code platforms come into play and help these manufacturers build bespoke solutions that empower their legacy systems. 

This integration allows manufacturers to build low-cost applications quickly. As a result, they don’t have to spend costs on data transfer and still manage to use their old solutions with the same speed and efficiency as a modern application. 

**Low-Code ERP**
All types of businesses have multiple workflows that help manage and complete operations on a large scale. This network of workflows has multiple steps, data entry, data storage, and transfer functions. Most of the time, all these functions are disparate from one another. 

Given the cluster of workflows, it is essential to have a streamlined ERP that can manage all the workflows and help build a better system. Using low-code development platforms, manufacturers need not rely on spreadsheets and other methods to manage projects. They can easily build customized and automated workflows specific to their business requirements. 

Some of the ERP systems buildable with low-code platforms include the procurement process, invoice approval, quality certification, performance forecasting, and capacity planning, among others. 

**Shorter Deployment Cycles**
Another benefit of using LCDP is quick development. Where on average, an application is built within a time period of six or more months. Using a low-code platform, the same development cycle can come down to two or three months. 

In a competitive world, the benefit of shorter development cycles is that manufacturers can quickly launch their applications. The end-users can then start using these applications earlier than they get a chance to check other businesses' applications. 

**Cost-Savings**: Lastly, one of the most important and obvious benefits of a LCDP is cost-savings. Compared to traditional development, where every aspect is addressed from scratch, a [low code platform](https://www.intuz.com/blog/why-you-should-choose-low-code-platform-for-lean-manufacturing) has ready-to-use drag-and-drop elements. 

So, the only time required here is to bring all the elements together to build a single application. In traditional development, the costs are charged based on the number of hours. 

In low-code development, because the time required to build an application is less, the costs are also less. 

## Conclusion

Low-Code and No-Code are two development approaches that are gaining popularity in the business world. Primarily these approaches help save costs and reduce the development cycle. However, to utilize a LCDP to its full potential, manufacturers still need the help of expert designers and developers. 	

At [Intuz](https://www.intuz.com/get-started), we have an amazing team of professionals blessed with a thorough understanding of traditional and low-code development approaches. Get in touch with us to understand how we can use LCDP to build your application.