Regarding Low-Code

Low-Code is a category that describes a type of Software Development Platform and Strategy. It was first coined by Forrester, but now is widely used by everybody. A Low-Code Application Platform (LCAP) is usually used to create custom applications with different strategies for simplifying and reducing programming. 

However, the use of the Low-Code term is different for each Analyst Company.

For example, in the case of Gartner, they have an evolving visualization of the vendor spectrum, which tries to group types of vendors depending on their capabilities. The following picture is a possible interpretation of that landscape:

In the case of Gartner, they have an evolving visualization of the vendor spectrum, which tries to group types of vendors depending on their capabilities

In that spectrum, some vendors provide a solution that fits best one sector or another, perhaps both, but will never be as strong in the other as a specialized vendor for that one.

In the case of GeneXus it has some strengths in common with other Low-Code vendors: productivity, and easier to develop as coding by hand in each language, for example. GeneXus also has other strengths that differentiate it, like more technology support, BPM, focus on Data, which makes it better for “Enterprise” application Development, etc.

On the other hand, perhaps GeneXus is not a strong platform for “Citizen Developers” as its focus is on providing the most flexibility and future-proof software modeling for mission critical applications, and this requires a different approach.

Many Low-Code solutions are not well suited for mission critical applications, as they focus on simplifying the creation of front-end experiences (mostly for web and mobile).

Gartner evaluates over 150 vendors for each category and then makes a very shortlist. Entering any of those Magic Quadrants is incredibly difficult, being consistently in one is a great distinction. Even more, what makes you strong in one Quadrant will make you weak in another. GeneXus strengths make our platform better qualified for the Multi-Experience Magic Quadrant, but It could belong to several quadrants, as shown in the picture above.

Regarding Multi-Experience Development Platforms

For Gartner, Multi-experience development platforms: “provide software engineering teams with a productive way to create rich, interconnected user experiences across web, mobile, conversational, digital twin, IoT and AR applications”. So the focus is on tools to improve a Software Engineering team to be more productive and do more projects in an easier way. That’s in contraposition to Low-Code, which tends to favor the “Citizen Developer”.

GeneXus strengths: flexibility and future-proof approach to software development make GeneXus a better fit for Gartner in the Multi-Experience Magic Quadrant. At this moment GeneXus is the most versatile platform. It can generate for many different languages, Databases and deploy to different vendors and integrate into multiple technologies without additional effort, and that’s why we are considered “Visionaries” in this Magic Quadrant.

Conclusions or What to choose?

We usually try to explain that the important question is not “is GeneXus the best low code for my company?”, but instead companies should ask themselves several questions instead, to see which vendor to pick:

What do I need to do? Do I need to find ways to increase the productivity of my engineering team or do I need to allow non-technical users to create systems for themselves?

For the first case, Multi-experience, and GeneXus, are great. And for the second case, Low-Code, even No-Code, is a better solution.

For how many Databases and languages do I need to create versions of the software?

Low-Code solutions tend to manage one language and Database and mainly do not provide native code for applications. GeneXus provides code as written by a regular developer that can be deployed and understood easily. That’s great if you want to deploy to different clouds or if you want to be able to do security screening, to give two examples.

How many changes will I have to make to my systems over time?

Usually, most Multi-experience and Low-Code solutions are great for “creating” a first iteration of an application but are very bad at evolving or even integrating these applications into other existing systems. GeneXus excels both in the evolution of software and in the integration of software solutions.

Do I need an iterative, Agile approach?

Another important question, as not every platform supports an iterative approach, and none but GeneXus can do it automatically.

How many types of integrations will I have to do?

GeneXus provides an extensive array of integrations, deployments, and connectors that solve the most important business scenarios.

How long will my solution need to last?

Many vendors are new to the market, but GeneXus evolved and has been around for over 30 years, surviving —and, most importantly, helping our clients survive— different technology evolution waves.

The more of those questions you answer positively, adding options, the more likely that the best answer to the questions is GeneXus, as it’s the only one that can cope with all kinds of different scenarios.

Also, if you are needing Productivity and Flexibility, but also want to protect your digital assets, then GeneXus is what you need because your business knowledge is used to model your software solution, independent of technology. Therefore, as technology evolves, your digital assets and knowledge are protected by GeneXus and used to generate the software solution in new technologies, as we have proven for more than 30 years.

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