No-Code & Low-Code explained!
In recent years, these terms have been heard more and more, especially when it comes to digitizing work and business processes. Companies want to be able to adapt their IT systems faster, more flexibly, and with fewer resources. But what exactly is behind these approaches? And why are they so exciting, particularly in industry and manufacturing?
Table of contents
No-Code & Low-Code explained!
In recent years, these terms have been heard more and more, especially when it comes to digitizing work and business processes. Companies want to be able to adapt their IT systems faster, more flexibly, and with fewer resources. But what exactly is behind these approaches? And why are they so exciting, particularly in industry and manufacturing?
Table of contents
1. What does „No-Code“ actually mean?
No-Code describes software solutions that can be used without traditional programming effort. They are primarily aimed at professionals who have no programming knowledge.
They can be recognized by their graphical interface and functions where things are simply clicked together via drag & drop.
The focus is on quick implementation and user-friendliness. You can use complementary solutions with which processes are automated through the simple connection of building blocks.
2. What does „Low-Code“ mean?
Low-Code goes one step further. Here, visual configurations are combined with code extensions when special requirements exist.
Low-Code is aimed at IT-savvy users and developers who want to implement more complex projects. The basic logic can be created without programming. For individual customizations, scripts or APIs can be integrated.
This enables a good balance between ease of use and high flexibility. An example would be a system that assembles standard processes via drag & drop, but can supplement complex calculations with a small script.
3. Why are Low-Code and No-Code so important?
Low-Code and No-Code solutions save time because processes can be implemented much faster.
Resources are conserved since fewer specialists are needed. They also enable high agility: adaptations to market or production changes can be made almost in real-time. Predefined building blocks also significantly reduce errors during implementation.
Especially in industry, these advantages are crucial for implementing or adapting automation, IIoT applications, or system integrations on short notice.
4. Low-Code and No-Code with the OPC Router
The OPC Router is an Industry 4.0 communication solution that bridges low-code and no-code approaches in industrial environments.
For no-code users, the OPC Router provides graphical configuration of all connections between machines, controllers, databases, cloud systems, or ERP solutions via drag & drop. More than 40 standard plug-ins simplify integration with well-known systems such as OPC UA/DA, MQTT, REST, SAP, or SQL.
For developers and IT professionals, there is the option to create custom low-code logic using a .NET C# Script Plug-in to perform specific calculations or data processing. In addition, REST APIs, JSON evaluations, or custom algorithms can be easily integrated.
In practice, one company was able to reduce the time required to connect its production systems to SAP by more than 90%. Instead of thousands of lines of code, a graphical solution was created that is simple and easy to maintain.
5. Conclusion: flexible and efficient with No-Code and Low-Code
No-code and low-code give companies the opportunity to drive their digitalization independently, flexibly, and efficiently. No-code is aimed at non-programmers for simple automations, while low-code provides IT developers with the flexibility needed for complex scenarios.
The OPC Router offers a powerful and proven solution for this purpose that is easy to access.
It allows users to get started without major obstacles, while still providing the option to dive into detail when needed.
6. Micro-FAQ on “What is No-Code? What is Low-Code?”
- What is no-code?
No-code refers to platforms that allow applications or processes to be created entirely without programming skills, usually via drag & drop on a visual interface.
- What is low-code?
Low-code combines visual configurations with the option to add custom code or scripts when needed. This makes it possible to implement even complex requirements.
- What is the difference between no-code and low-code?
No-code is aimed at non-programmers for simple automations, while low-code additionally provides developers with the flexibility to handle complex scenarios.
- Why are no-code and low-code important for companies?
They accelerate digitalization, save resources, make companies more flexible, and reduce dependencies on specialized developers.
- Is no-code only suitable for simple tasks?
Yes, no-code is primarily suited for standard processes. For complex integrations or specialized logic, low-code offers more possibilities.
- Does the OPC Router support no-code and low-code?
Yes, the OPC Router enables no-code configurations through graphical connections and, with plug-ins and scripting options, also provides low-code functionality for individual customizations.
What question do you have about no-code/low-code solutions?
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