Process automation is more important than ever before, organisations need to digitise at scale, drive compliance, savings and sustainability. In this article, FlowForma outlines the difference between low code and no code process automation
As organisations set out their plans for process automation in 2021, there is some confusion in the market between “no code” and “low code” automation tools.
Definitions of no code vs. low code
In a FlowForma webinar held with the research experts at Forrester, Vice President, and Principal Analyst, Rob Koplowitz attributed the below definitions of no code and low code solutions as below:
No Code
‘Platforms that are designed to provide powerful software development to non-technical developers, often called business or citizen developers to build out processes with minimal support from IT or developers. Vendors of these systems attempt to make as much functionality as possible available without code.
Low code
‘Platforms that are designed to provide most software functionality to non-technical developers, but offer extensions to the environment to professional developers. Vendors of these systems attempt to make some functionality available without code while working to provide tools that allow business and professional developers to seamlessly work together.’
The above differences are some of the primary reasons organisations choose a no code process automation tool such as FlowForma® Process Automation over low code alternatives.
To put it most simply, with low code tools the processes are owned and managed by IT, whereas with no code tools, the process is owned by the business user and IT acts as a gatekeeper.
Key benefits of no code process automation over low code process automation
Key benefits of no code process automation include:
- Speed – Processes are digitised at speed by businesspeople
- Agility – Processes are adjusted in-house by process owners
- Minimal Training – Designed for non-technical people and trusted by IT
- Scalability – Processes are digitised at scale by the business
- Faster ROI -Processes are digitised at scale without 3rd party services.
In truth, no code process automation platforms are now almost impossible for organisations to ignore based on what is achievable in a relatively short space of time from when they are deployed.
During a time when adaptability and flexibility have become so vital, having the power and authority to edit and alter processes internally instead of waiting for IT to administer is a real game changer.
Case study: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine is now embracing a new culture of engagement and collaboration as a result of digitising their processes with the no code FlowForma Process Automation tool.
In particular, LSTM’s HR and Finance departments have been the main beneficiaries, digitizing over 120 processes. They have achieved this by:
- Replacing paper-based processes that were inefficient and made compliance a challenge
- Digitising business processes with speed and flexibility across the institution to aid staff working in disparate locations
- Empowering business users to automate with ease using a no code process automation tool to eradicate inefficiencies in their HR and finance departments, by digitising their business processes with flexibility and speed.
Removing the need for IT coding
James Morgan, IT Manager on the A14 Joint Venture documented his experience of selecting a truly no code process automation tool that was easy to use which removed the need for IT coding: “We looked at Nintex and K2, from our point, they were cost prohibitive. We didn’t feel that we would be going down the no code route and still would need a lot of influence and support from IT, so we didn’t want to pursue that.
“We looked at PowerApps, which again didn’t really fit the bill. Some features seemed quite good, but once we dived into it a bit more, it became quite evident we were going to need to have skills around accessing APIs and doing a bit of Java.
“FlowForma Process Automation met all our requirements.”
