The Current State of Low-Code Development

Low-code platforms are essentially drag-and-drop tools that empower both developers and non-developers—often referred to as citizen developers—to craft applications with minimal coding. However, those who have navigated these platforms often find that they are not as user-friendly as advertised.

In reality, you frequently encounter the need for complex coding that cannot be achieved through simple drag-and-drop functionality, which leads to a reliance on skilled developers. Moreover, applications designed with minimal coding often feature complicated interfaces that lack intuitiveness. To put it bluntly, using non-intuitive software today feels as out of touch as a rapper neglecting to share their humble beginnings; the prospects seem dimmer than a suntan lotion company based in Liverpool.

While there are commendable low-code platforms available, they still struggle to compete with traditional coding solutions, falling short in several critical aspects. Nevertheless, the landscape may shift dramatically with Microsoft's introduction of Express Design, a software that facilitates app creation from sketches.

The Drawing Revolution

One of the main advantages of low-code platforms is their ability to:

• Significantly speed up the deployment of business applications.
• Collaborate seamlessly with coding frameworks to deliver outstanding solutions rapidly.
• Establish a unified data model for all applications (it's essential for business applications to communicate and share data; isolating data defeats the purpose of digital transformation, especially when analytics are a key goal).
• Standardize app development, user interfaces, and overall user experience.

However, the limitations of existing low-code platforms have hindered true acceleration in development; while processes have become quicker, they haven't progressed enough to justify the investment, especially since traditional coding can be more cost-effective without licensing fees.

Fortunately, Microsoft Express Design has the potential to change this narrative. This innovative tool allows users to create applications from various content types, including drawings, Figma files, and PDFs, utilizing advanced AI scanning technology to deliver a functional user experience. Additionally, Microsoft's top-notch integration connectors enable nearly instantaneous connections with other applications, leveraging the robust common data model known as Dataverse.

Why This is Transformative for Businesses

Every business today still heavily depends on legacy systems and paper forms, making the transition to the digital realm challenging. Microsoft Express Design simplifies this process by enabling automatic app generation from scanned PDFs. While some minor adjustments may be necessary to fine-tune functionality, the development time could shrink to mere days or even hours. Importantly, Microsoft's exceptional integration capabilities mean that outdated PDF forms can be seamlessly embedded into Microsoft Teams apps and automatically emailed with minimal effort.

A Final Note

While I express my thoughts through Medium, I also publish a weekly newsletter every Sunday that distills key tech and crypto news to help you leverage this knowledge for your business. Feel free to subscribe!

This video explores why Microsoft's AI Copilot is considered a transformative tool in the industry.

In this video, we examine the implications of Microsoft's AI-powered design tool, discussing whether it is revolutionary or poses potential risks.