For many years, developing an in-house digital solution required a sizeable team of programmers to build the app from scratch. Projects like these were costly in time and money, not to mention the frustration of the problems that lingered as the programming team tried to get their solution up and running.
That is, until recently.
What are NoCode and LowCode?
NoCode and LowCode app development are systems that close the gap between developers and businesses. NoCode refers to platforms and builders that require no coding experience due to their visualization of the code. Every function, display, and interface element can be dragged and dropped, requiring no coding. It all just snaps together.
LowCode, however, requires some experience; building and tuning the app is still very simple, but it needs a basic understanding of programming logic to make the most of it. However, even for professional developers, LowCode systems simplify the process and make the app development process more efficient overall.
How are NoCode and LowCode Solutions Used in Logistics?
Logistics is often intimidating between keeping track of all the paperwork that accumulates impossibly fast and keeping everyone on the same page. However, over the last few years, NoCode and LowCode solutions have revolutionized business logistics by optimizing and digitizing workloads and workflow without the headache of trying to build a solution from scratch or setting up pre-made apps that require a computer science degree.
Common Use Cases
If you’ve never heard of LowCode or NoCode programming, these are a few examples of how they’ve helped the logistics industry:
- Inventory and warehouse management: Instead of tracking inventory by hand on paper or using outdated spreadsheets, you can use a Low/NoCode app to build an inventory tracker. Once developed, floor workers and management work more efficiently, allowing for more inflow and outflow from the warehouse with fewer errors.
- Transportation and distribution: Knowing how to get the product from point A to point B as quickly as possible with the least effort is tricky, but using these solutions can help. With them, you can inform everyone along the supply chain of a shipment’s origin, current position, and destination.
- Supply chain visibility and analytics: Low/NoCode solutions can provide much-needed visibility and analytics to your supply chain. What data you collect, how often, and how it’s displayed can all be tailored to your business’s needs and preferences.
- Customs and compliance: To avoid any extra hassle, fees, or issues shipping across the border, you can use a Low/NoCode app to create a checklist to ensure all the necessary paperwork is in order at the press of a button.
Advantages of NoCode and LowCode Solutions in Logistics
Regardless of your technological know-how, LowCode and NoCode solutions provide advantages that make for a practical option.
Increased Agility and Responsiveness
The low barrier to entry for using the software allows users to come up with solutions to their problems on the fly. In no time, you can have the application you need to fix your process in the pipeline and work just as designed.
Reduced Development Costs and Time-to-Market
Without needing an entire team of developers, these solutions are more cost-efficient than their counterparts. Even with in-house developers, these apps can be developed and launched faster than the old-fashioned way. Faster development means more time can be spent in the market, not slowly building up to it — not to mention letting your programmers work on something else for a change.
Greater Flexibility and Customization
You no longer have to worry about details being lost in translation between your business and a development team making your application from scratch. Thanks to the visualization of all the moving parts, anyone can see exactly what the outcome looks like mid-development and change it as needed.
Simplified Automation and Optimization
NoCode and LowCode programs automate the development process for you, ensuring all, if not most, of the work is done without needing to be competent in any programming language. Easier development also means better optimization. If you know what you want and how to make it in the builder, you can be sure the product will be as optimized as you want.
Common Challenges with NoCode and LowCode Solutions
With so many great benefits, NoCode and LowCode platforms aren’t without their flaws. If you decide to go this route, be aware of some of these likely pitfalls:
Integration with Legacy Systems
No matter how you choose a new system, replacing an old one can be quite an endeavor. First, all the old infrastructure must be replaced by the new, which, depending on how pivotal the old technology was, can cause your business to grind to a halt if not rolled out properly. Depending on your previous system’s age, the longer it’s been since its last update, the more costly the project can become.
Staff Training
Any new technology or process means the staff needs to learn how to use it. Therefore, your business will want to be sure that all staff exposed to the new system get proper training beforehand. That way, once it’s implemented, work can immediately resume without wasting time figuring it all out.
Ensuring Data Security and Privacy
Because the data is so easy to interpret and change for your business, it is also easy for others to interpret the data and change it as they wish if they have access. Therefore, it is paramount that you allow only specific trusted individuals access to the backend platforms you are using to develop and customize your apps.
Balancing Customization with Standardization
With all of the customizable options available, it is essential to remember to standardize the workflow. However, avoid getting carried away and make every aspect of the app different for variety. Standardizing the development while keeping it customized to your needs will provide the best results in the long run, but it may take some time to nail down.
Outlook of NoCode and LowCode in Logistics
With the growing popularity and accessibility of NoCode and LowCode software, it is no surprise that many businesses are already integrating these solutions into their logistics and elsewhere. Technology is becoming more convenient as time moves on, and both companies and customers can expect better workflow as these solutions are implemented more and more.
Especially in the fast-paced world of logistics, “because we’ve always done it this way” is a poor excuse to continue doing things inefficiently. In other words, failure to remain agile will threaten your business, leaving it behind your tech-savvy competitors.
Simplify Your Logistics Solutions with UCanTrade
Want to bring your business to the 21st century? UCanTrade can help point you in the right direction. Reach out to us today and we’ll work with you to develop innovative solutions to any logistics problem you and your business face.
