Indium Software’s LOCAS framework is a valuable tool for organizations seeking to assess the effectiveness of low code development platforms. By utilizing LOCAS guidelines and criteria, organizations can determine whether a low code platform aligns with their specific needs and requirements. The framework evaluates various aspects of low code platforms such as ease of use, scalability, security, and integrations. This ensures that businesses are equipped to make informed decisions when selecting a low code platform to streamline their development processes. Moreover, the LOCAS framework enables organizations to gauge their current software development capabilities, identify areas for improvement, and optimize their IT strategy. Overall, the LOCAS framework empowers organizations to make data-driven decisions that drive innovation, efficiency, and productivity.
To make sure a low-code platform complies with the requirements, a number of elements must be taken into account while evaluating it using LOCAS. A few of these are:
Ease of use
Is the platform simple to use and accessible to individuals with no prior technological knowledge, allowing them to easily explore and make use of its features and providing increased accessibility for all users?
Productivity
Does the platform allow developers to produce high-quality apps quickly and effectively, increasing their productivity and enabling them to more successfully fulfil project deadlines?
Scalability
For enterprises that intend to grow and expand their operations, can the platform handle large volumes of data and users?
Support
Does the platform provide thorough support options, such as training, documentation, and technical assistance, to assist users in resolving any issues they may run into and to improve their overall experience and satisfaction?
Customizability
Can the platform be customized so that businesses can modify its features and functions to match their unique demands and specifications and thus increase their overall efficacy and efficiency?
Integration
Does this platform make it easy for organizations to connect and use a range of tools and systems, streamlining their processes and boosting productivity?
Security
Does a platform offer enterprises the strong security measures they need to protect themselves from data breaches and cyber-attacks, guaranteeing that their sensitive data is safe and secure?
Why do companies require low-code platforms?
In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies require the ability to develop and deploy applications quickly to remain competitive. Low-code development platforms are a powerful solution to this challenge, as they provide a faster, more efficient way of building applications. Indium Software specializes in providing low-code development services, utilizing platforms such as Mendix, Microsoft PowerApps, and OutSystems.
One of the most critical concerns for businesses is data security. The sensitive nature of data and the potential risk of unauthorized access and data breaches can be catastrophic for a company. Therefore, low-code platforms must have robust security features that can safeguard sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. Indium Software understands the importance of data security and ensures that their low-code development platforms meet the highest security standards.
Why Indium?
Indium Software’s LOCAS framework provides businesses with a systematic approach to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of low-code platforms. By considering factors such as ease of use, scalability, and security, businesses can select the best low-code platform for their unique requirements. Indium Software’s low-code development expertise can assist businesses in navigating the complexities of selecting the most appropriate low-code platform and enhance their app development capabilities.In addition to the Low Code Assessment Framework (LOCAS), Indium utilizes the Low Code Fit Gap Analysis approach.
This process is crucial in determining whether a low-code development platform is a good fit for an organization’s unique needs and requirements. By conducting a thorough evaluation of the platform’s capabilities, Indium can identify any gaps or areas of misalignment that may hinder the platform’s effectiveness. This analysis takes into account the organization’s current workflows, systems, and processes to ensure a seamless integration of the low-code platform. With this approach, Indium can deliver customized low-code solutions that cater to the specific needs of its clients, resulting in increased efficiency, cost savings, and improved productivity.
Schedule a consultation with our low-code experts to discuss your organization’s specific needs and requirements.
The fit gap analysis process typically involves the following steps:
Some of the Low Code Assessment standards are:
Criteria for Basic Low Code Assessment Standards:
Visual Modeling tool for UI
A visual modeling tool for UI is essential in providing a user-friendly interface that enables users to design and develop applications quickly and efficiently. It simplifies the UI development process and enhances the user experience.
Visual Modeling tool for Schema
A visual modeling tool for schema simplifies the database schema design process by allowing users to create and modify database models visually. This feature enhances the accuracy and consistency of the database schema and speeds up the application development process.
Criteria for Advanced Low Code Assessment Standards:
Visual Modeling tool for Workflow
A visual modeling tool for workflow simplifies the process of designing and implementing complex workflows. It enables users to create, manage, and monitor workflows visually, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity.
Richness of Out-of-Box Functionalities
The richness of out-of-the box functionalities refers to the number and quality of pre-built components, templates, and connectors available within the low code platform. A rich library of functionalities saves development time, improves the quality of the application, and reduces the need for custom coding.
Drag and Drop Interfaces Reusability
The drag and drop interface reusability feature enables users to reuse previously created UI components, workflows, and data models. This feature saves time and effort in the development process and ensures consistency and standardization across different applications.
Cross-platform Accessibility
Cross-platform accessibility ensures that low code applications can run on different devices and operating systems. It increases the application’s reach and accessibility and enables users to access the application from anywhere.
Criteria for App Maintenance Low Code Assessment Standards:
Security Compliance
Security compliance measures the platform’s adherence to industry-standard security protocols and regulations. This includes features such as data encryption, access controls, and threat detection. A secure low code platform ensures that applications are protected from cyberattacks and sensitive data is kept safe.
Governance
Governance measures the platform’s ability to manage user access and permissions, data policies, and compliance regulations. This feature ensures that the development process follows best practices and regulatory guidelines, resulting in high-quality, compliant applications.
Criteria for Industry and Domain Low Code Assessment Standards:
Cross Industry Applicability
Cross-industry applicability measures the platform’s ability to be used in different industries and domains. This feature ensures that the platform has a flexible architecture and can be customized to meet specific business needs, regardless of the industry or domain. Cross-industry applicability makes the platform a versatile tool for different types of organizations.
Criteria for App Development Low Code Assessment Standards:
User Experience
User experience (UX) measures the platform’s ability to create user-friendly and intuitive applications that are easy to navigate and use. This feature ensures that the application is designed with the end-user in mind, and its features and functions are aligned with the user’s needs and expectations.
Citizen Developer Support
Citizen Developer support measures the platform’s ability to empower non-technical users to create applications with minimal coding skills. This feature ensures that the platform provides easy-to-use tools and templates that allow citizen developers to create applications without needing extensive technical expertise.
Supports APIs for Integration
Supports APIs for integration measures the platform’s ability to integrate with other systems and applications. This feature ensures that the platform has pre-built connectors or APIs that can be used to connect with other systems, such as CRM, ERP, or marketing automation tools, without requiring extensive coding or development effort.
Workflow Management
This feature assesses how well the platform can manage intricate workflows and business processes and confirms that it provides capabilities for drag-and-drop workflow creation, job delegation, and notification, making it simple to automate intricate business processes.
Contact us today to learn how Indium’s expertise in low-code services can benefit your organization.
Criteria for Licensing and Support Low Code Assessment Standards
Offer community edition or free version
Offer community edition or free version measures whether the platform offers a free version or a community edition for developers to use without any cost. This feature ensures that developers can try out the platform’s features and functionalities without any upfront investment.
Types of licenses supported
Types of licenses supported measure the different types of licensing models that the platform offers, such as perpetual, subscription-based, or pay-as-you-go. This feature ensures that the platform provides licensing options that align with the organization’s needs and budget.
Support: 24x7 or 24x5
Support measures the level of support provided by the platform, such as 24×7 or 24×5 support. This feature ensures that the platform offers support options that align with the organization’s needs and requirements.
Criteria for Strategic Consideration Low Code Assessment Standard:
Interoperability and vendor lock-in/exit strategy
Interoperability and vendor lock-in/exit strategy measure the platform’s ability to integrate with other systems and the ease of migration to other platforms.
Pricing
Pricing measures the platform’s pricing model and overall cost-effectiveness.
Criteria for Database Low Code Assessment Standards:
Database Migration/Replication
The low code platform should support easy migration and replication of databases, allowing for smooth transitions and data backup.
Data Analytics
The platform should offer built-in data analytics tools or allow for easy integration with third-party data analytics solutions to provide valuable insights from data.
Database Management - Query, DBA activities
The platform should provide robust database management capabilities, including easy query writing, DBA activities, and schema management.
ETL Process
The platform should offer Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) tools or easy integration with third-party ETL solutions to efficiently move data between systems and databases.