Low code/no code development: a new force reshaping ERP customization

In the wave of digital transformation of enterprises, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, as the core tool of enterprise management, have an increasing demand for customization. However, traditional ERP custom development faces many problems such as high development barriers, high costs, and long cycles. The emergence of low code/no code development platforms has brought new solutions for ERP customization. The following will explore their application in ERP customization in detail.

Reduce development barriers and costs

Lowering the technological threshold

Traditional ERP customized development requires professional developers who possess profound programming knowledge and rich development experience, and are proficient in using multiple programming languages and development tools. However, low code/no code development platforms mainly rely on visual interfaces and drag and drop operations, and non professional developers such as business and management personnel can also participate in the customization process of ERP systems. They only need simple training to use the components and templates provided by the platform to build the system, greatly reducing their dependence on professional skills.

Shorten the development cycle

Under the traditional development model, the entire ERP custom development process from requirement analysis, design, coding to testing and deployment may take several months or even years. The low code/no code development platform provides a large number of prefabricated components and templates, which developers can directly reuse to quickly build the basic framework of the system. At the same time, the platform's visual development approach makes the development process more intuitive, enabling timely detection and resolution of problems, reducing repeated modifications during the development process, and significantly shortening the development cycle.

Reduce labor costs

Due to the low code/no code development platform reducing the demand for professional developers, enterprises can reduce the cost of hiring a large number of programmers. Moreover, the participation of business and management personnel in development enables them to make timely adjustments and optimizations based on actual business needs, avoiding misunderstandings and rework caused by poor communication in traditional development, and further reducing labor costs.

Improve development efficiency

Quickly respond to changes in demand

In today's rapidly changing market environment, the business needs of enterprises are also constantly changing. Low code/no code development platforms have high flexibility and can quickly respond to these changes in requirements. When enterprise business processes are adjusted or new business requirements arise, developers can quickly modify and expand the ERP system on the platform without the need for complex code writing and testing, greatly improving the enterprise's adaptability.

Realize automated development

Low code/no code development platforms typically integrate automation tools such as automatic code generation, automatic testing, and other functions. These tools can automatically complete some repetitive development tasks, reducing manual intervention and improving development efficiency. For example, the platform can automatically generate corresponding code based on the user's actions on the visual interface, and can automatically test the generated code to ensure the stability and reliability of the system.

Meet the personalized needs of enterprises

Flexible customization of business processes

There are significant differences in business processes among different enterprises, and even companies in the same industry may have different needs due to differences in management models and operational strategies. Low code/no code development platforms allow enterprises to flexibly customize the business processes of ERP systems based on their own business characteristics and management needs. Enterprises can easily achieve personalized customization of core business processes such as procurement, sales, production, and inventory by dragging and dropping components and setting rules, making the ERP system better adapt to the actual situation of the enterprise.

Integrate third-party systems

Enterprises may use multiple different information systems during their operations, such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems, etc. The low code/no code development platform supports integration with third-party systems, allowing enterprises to integrate ERP systems with other systems to achieve data sharing and business collaboration. For example, by integrating with CRM systems, ERP systems can obtain customer order information and sales data, thereby better arranging production and inventory management.

Applicable scenarios

ERP customization for small and medium-sized enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises often lack professional development teams and sufficient funds, making it difficult to bear the high costs and risks of traditional ERP customized development. Low code/no code development platforms are very suitable for ERP customization needs of small and medium-sized enterprises due to their low cost and fast implementation characteristics. Small and medium-sized enterprises can flexibly choose the functional modules provided by the platform according to their own business scale and development stage, and gradually build and improve their ERP systems.

Expansion of internal business systems within the enterprise

Large enterprises may expand and optimize their ERP systems according to their business development needs. Low code/no code development platforms can help enterprises quickly develop and integrate new business modules, such as employee self-service modules, data analysis modules, etc., to meet the constantly changing business needs of enterprises.

Fast iterating business scenarios

For some industries with fast business changes, such as the Internet and e-commerce, enterprises need to constantly adjust and optimize business processes to adapt to market changes. The rapid response capability and flexibility of low code/no code development platforms enable enterprises to update and upgrade their ERP systems in a timely manner, maintaining a competitive advantage.

limitations

Limited ability to handle complex business logic

Although low code/no code development platforms can meet the routine business needs of most enterprises, their processing power may be limited for some scenarios with complex business logic. For example, for business needs involving complex algorithms, advanced data analysis, and machine learning, the platform may not be able to provide sufficient support and requires the use of professional development tools and technologies.

Customization depth is limited

Low code/no code development platforms usually provide standardized components and templates. Although customization can be done to a certain extent, the depth of customization may not meet the special needs of some enterprises. For some enterprises that have extremely high personalized requirements for system functionality and interfaces, traditional development methods may need to be used for deep customization.

Dependent on platform suppliers

Enterprises using low code/no code development platforms for ERP customization rely to some extent on the technical support and service quality of platform suppliers. If platform suppliers experience technical failures, service interruptions, or cease operations, it may have an impact on the operation of the enterprise's ERP system. In addition, platform functionality updates and upgrades also rely on suppliers, and enterprises may not be able to fully control the direction of system development independently.

Low code/no code development platforms bring many advantages to ERP customization, reducing development barriers and costs, improving development efficiency, and meeting personalized needs of enterprises. However, it also has certain limitations. When choosing to use low code/no code development platforms for ERP customization, enterprises need to fully consider their own business needs, technical capabilities, and development strategies, weigh their pros and cons, and make appropriate decisions.