Low-code platforms from an ISV's perspective

ℹ️ This article appeared originally in the 2023 Spring edition of the SPOTSi-Schlau Magazin.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, one thing remains constant: change. Not even Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) can escape the relentless gravitational pull of the ever-shifting tides of software development. Adaptability and innovation are key to survival. Those who resist or are unable to change will lose ground and eventually be eclipsed by the competition. This challenge looms large as companies navigate the dynamic changes unfolding in the world.

Choosing which trends to follow can be like navigating a maze. It's difficult to differentiate between what's here to stay and what's merely a passing fad. One that seems to be here to stay is the adoption of low-code and no-code development platforms (hereafter referred to as low code). These platforms have triggered a significant shift in how we approach software development, and one standout player is the Power Platform.

However, not everyone in the community is welcoming this revolution with open arms. In this article, we will explore why some might be hesitant to embrace the Power Platform and why we believe it is a valuable addition to any company's toolkit.

Resistance to the rise of low code

Many software and consulting firms have traditionally thrived by providing highly customized software solutions tailored to their clients' unique needs. The Power Platform, which empowers users to create their solutions with minimal coding skills, may appear to challenge this business model. This concern is understandable, given the sophistication and power engineered into the Power Platform. It offers functionality for creating web apps, integrations, chatbots, websites, and more.

However, asserting that low code will replace high-code solutions may be an overstatement. The software industry is evolving and will continue to do so, but for now, low code is not a replacement for custom and off-the-shelf software. Instead, it complements existing tools, filling gaps and streamlining processes. Once people understand this, low code becomes a strategic asset that can fuel business growth.

Our take on low code

At Dime Software, we enthusiastically embrace the rise of low-code platforms, especially the Power Platform. We see it as an additional tool in our toolkit, enabling us to focus on what we do best while allowing users and partners to handle individual customizations and requests.

With a backlog that can keep us busy for years, it may take a while before the desired functionalities are delivered, if ever. Our product management policies prioritize functionality that adds the most value to the majority of our customers. The reality is that many requests won’t make the cut. Fortunately, our software is designed to be flexible, offering lots of wiggle room for customizations that our resellers can use. However, coding these customizations can be time-consuming, and our partners may lack the time or resources to do so. If only there was a way to let customers and end users make – and maintain - their own apps and tools.

One of the most significant investments that we've made in the past year, is connecting our software, such as Dime.Scheduler, to the Power Platform. This integration enables us to pull and push information seamlessly, creating a cost-effective and time-saving experience for our clients.

Consider these questions that we get from time to time during demonstrations:

• Send a text message to the customer when a technician is en route
• Establish an approval workflow to confirm an appointment
• Digitalize the technician’s work sheets and daily planning
• Integrate the public-facing customer portal with the internal resource planning system
• Allow customers to interact with a chat bot for scheduling equipment maintenance

These are fantastic ideas, but developing them into our products would take time. The Power Platform makes it easy to create custom solutions and tackle complex integration work efficiently. It is such a powerful ecosystem that we have decided to embrace it and make it a first-class citizen for our software.

Sparking innovation

For instance, our scheduling application Dime.Scheduler already has built-in integration for Business Central, and can be enhanced with native Power Platform capabilities. In less than a minute, you can set up a workflow like the one depicted below: we receive notifications of newly scheduled appointments in Dime.Scheduler and can then assign an available vehicle (which can be provided by a fleet management system also connected to the Power Platform) alongside the technician you've just scheduled.

What's left to do is to use standard functionality, such as dragging and dropping a task onto the planning board. Almost immediately, you'll receive an updated version of the appointment with the additional resource assigned to the job.

Every modification made on the planning board may trigger a cascade of events that can have significant consequences. In this example, if vehicles are also managed in Business Central, resource allocations will also be generated for the newly assigned vehicle. This, in turn, can trigger other workflows, potentially leading to a series of events that execute highly powerful (and complex) workflows.

This capability opens doors to a wealth of new functionalities, and what's exciting is that power users and consultants take ownership of their own compositions and solutions. They can leverage the capabilities of standard solutions like ours and customize them to their needs. This offers a fantastic way to create truly personalized experiences without delving into the pitfalls of custom software development. (I discussed this in detail in the Fall edition of this magazine in 2022.)

The transition of control is beneficial not just for our customers but also for us as an ISV. It allows us to allocate our resources to create more features and building blocks, further unlocking the potential of low-code solutions. It's a self-reinforcing cycle, and it holds significant promise.

A bright future ahead

Change is inevitable, and as ISVs, we must stay ahead of the curve. Low-code platforms like the Power Platform are here to stay, and we applaud this shift towards flexibility and adaptability. Every company, ISV or otherwise, should take a moment to reflect on their software development strategies.

The Power Platform offers lower risk, reduced development time, and cost savings. It empowers users across organizations to tailor solutions to their specific needs, while allowing ISVs to focus on broader, more complex challenges. It's a win-win situation.

In conclusion, the community should embrace the Power Platform as a valuable addition to their toolkit. By doing so, they can leverage its capabilities to offer more efficient, cost-effective solutions to their clients while staying competitive in an ever-changing industry. It's time to welcome the future (and present) of software development wholeheartedly.

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