As global supply chains grow more unpredictable and customer needs grow more diverse, supply chain leaders need greater agility in their warehouse operations. Fortunately, flexible supply chain solutions, like those built on low-code application platforms, can help supply chain teams accelerate digital transformation and become more adaptive to meet evolving requirements.
Low-code application platforms (LCAPs) provide a user-friendly environment for building custom applications with minimal hand-coding, making software development accessible to citizen developers within an organization. Customization can be streamlined — even for organizations without highly trained software developers on staff.
LCAP adoption is already accelerating across business environments, including in supply chain management. In fact, Gartner predicted low-code application development would contribute to more than 64% of all application development functions in 2024, where 66% of companies will use a minimum of four low-code platforms, Forbes reports.
In this article, we explore the opportunities and capabilities LCAP presents to supply chain management operations. We highlight potential use cases and the benefits LCAP can deliver once supply chain leaders initiate low-code environments for their teams.
Low-code application platforms mean "business users with no or little coding experience, often called citizen developers, can build applications themselves," as Amazon describes. This brings application development closer to those who will use the applications for business purposes.
Consider this: a non-technical warehouse operations manager is intimately familiar with supply chain challenges unique to their organization. They can bring their invaluable on-the-ground insights to the IT team, using their detailed knowledge to collaborate on a process improvement. In turn, the IT team, without needing extensive coding knowledge, can modify the application to serve that specific business need.
LCAPs make this possible with tools that most non-technical users can recognize and begin using quickly. These include:
These capabilities can provide real advantages for supply chain leaders and their organizations. Since supply chain workers know the "ins and outs" of their operations beyond what's possible, having an LCAP enables them to effect change without the need for lengthy and costly software modifications.
Now, let's consider how a low-code application platform can revolutionize warehouse operations and fuel future agility. Here are five ways LCAPs can empower supply chain management teams, ensuring they have every opportunity to create applications that meet their unique and evolving operational requirements.
As more organizations embrace this approach, they can unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation within their operations. Citizen developers can apply their newly acquired low-code abilities to future challenges as well.
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Low-code application platforms constitute an exciting new frontier for supply chain management operations. Their accessibility and agility herald a new era of efficiency, innovation, and collaboration. By empowering citizen developers within the supply chain, organizations can rapidly respond to changing market dynamics, enhance operational visibility, and foster a culture of continual improvement like never before.