The ongoing global pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities of several industries, including the manufacturing sector, which has been slow to digitize processes. Manufacturing companies have since recognized the importance of digitizing legacy systems and automating routine processes to remain competitive and adapt to change. 

As part of this correction, manufacturers are embarking on Industry 4.0 or the smart factory movement. Industry 4.0 envisages automating everyday mundane tasks to improve workers’ efficiency. This trend is marked by the adoption of modern technologies like mobile apps, artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, cloud computing, and other advanced technologies. According to a McKinsey report, Industry 4.0 investment is expected to reach a value of $11 trillion by the year 2025.  

Companies that already digitized and automated their process witnessed less disruption during the pandemic than companies that did not. For instance, meat processing plants in Denmark didn’t have to close like those in the United States. This was because Denmark’s processing plants are mostly automated, so COVID-19 quarantines did not affect those organizations as they did when employees had to stay home in the U.S. Companies that digitized earlier reaped the fruits of their efforts amid shutdowns and supply shortages. Given the pandemic and its prolonged after-effects, more small and medium manufacturers are taking progressive steps to digitize their operations to remain competitive. 

As explained in “Using Low-Code/No-Code Systems for Manufacturing Quality,” low code/no-code development platforms are powerful tools that help manufacturers get the job done. This is especially true for small manufacturers that do not have the money and resources to invest in a massive digitization project. Low-code software or no-code app builders with easy-to-use templates allow employees to automate their processes, inspections, and work orders and develop customized apps. Low-code software to build apps is so popular that, according to Forbes, one Gartner report suggests that 65% of all development will be done by low-code by 2024. The global low-code development platform market is expected to reach $46.6 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 25%. 

With low-code/no-code products, manufacturers can create custom apps that meet their business needs while aligning with financial goals. Several forward-thinking manufacturers have already started deploying low-code/no-code platforms to further their digital transformation efforts. For instance, a UK-based truck manufacturer used a low-code platform to replace spreadsheets and outdated Microsoft databases thus, digitize its manufacturing process and automate many processes.

How Do Low-Code/No-Code Development Platforms Benefit Manufacturers?

Digital transformation is not just a nice to have; instead, it has become necessary for manufacturing companies to compete amid worker and supply shortages. Low-code platforms allow manufacturers to adopt the latest technologies quickly and cost-effectively, often with little to no IT resources. These innovative app builders help manufacturers to do more tasks with the team they have. 

Manufacturers that start incorporating low-code apps into their manufacturing processes are likely to see the following:

Faster, Better Data Collection and Analysis

Mobile devices facilitate better, faster, and more accurate data collection from the manufacturing floor. This, in turn, allows for better and quicker data analysis that provides manufacturers several benefits, including continuous development, optimized manufacturing process, fewer errors, reduced costs, streamlined work process, better decisions, etc. 

Improved Adaptability 

Low-code/no-code development platforms provide a perfect balance of security, speed, faster deployment, and development. Manufacturers need to rapidly develop and deploy enterprise applications that meet the needs of their business. 

A recent survey suggests that 80% of manufacturers think intelligent manufacturing is the key to future success. Smart manufacturing includes using an interconnected network of machines, devices, and processes. Thus, manufacturers must become adept at building apps that collect and analyze data from these sources. Low-code/no-code development platforms meet this need, allowing manufacturers to digitize their data entry processes, track employees’ locations, and improve productivity more efficiently than traditional application development by IT.  

Added Value to Existing Systems 

Many manufacturing companies have already invested heavily in systems to run their business. For example, manufacturing execution systems (MES) allow manufacturers to track and document the product cycle, starting from the raw material to the finished product. In turn, a computerized maintenance management system, CMMS, is software that helps manage assets, schedule maintenance, and track work orders across a plant.

When an MES and/or a CMMS system is integrated with low-code/no-code platforms, users get a better view of the efficiency of the plant. With low-code platforms, manufacturers can be more agile by quickly building apps that add custom functionality to the process, such as specific data collection, that might be hard to program in the core MES solution. For example, inspectors could replace paper forms with mobile apps for quality checklists and connect that data to the MES system. Combining low-code software with existing systems helps the company intelligently digitize activities and add value to existing investments.

Low-Code/No-Code: The Future of App Development 

The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of being adaptive and agile to survive amid increasing competition and market volatility. Low-code/no-code apps will soon become one of the most important tools for manufacturers. Mobile apps can add value to existing systems and offer new ways to speed up daily tasks. With accelerated app development using low-code and no-code software, manufacturers can roll out new solutions that reduce production costs, save employees time, and predict equipment or supply issues.