In this age of new technologies and new practices, the definition of standards provides a shared frame of reference for all those who wish to take advantage of them.
In order to implement such an initiative in the field of Low Code and No Code (LCNC) technology, the Syndicat Français des Professionnels du NoCode (SFPN), with the support of AFNOR, has created the AFNOR Spec dedicated to this subject.
In this article, we'll explore what LCNC stands for as well as the aim of AFNOR Spec, unveiled in June 2024, and some of the topics it addresses to standardize terms, concepts and best practices in the low-code/no-code domain.
What is low code/no code (LCNC)?
Low-code/no-codeis a set of technologies that simplify the development process for digital applications, enabling them to be used without the need for experienced programmers.
Such simplification means that non-technical profiles, also known as "Citizen Developers", can develop and maintain applications once trained, without the need for extensive technical training.
*Note that low-code and no-code are not mutually exclusive; on the contrary, they correspond to complementary use cases.
However, with the evolution of generative artificial intelligence (AI), the distinction between these two approaches is becoming increasingly blurred.
Why is LCNC so important today?
In addition to start-ups, which often depend on digital products, companies of all sizes and sectors are faced with the need to respond rapidly to the evolving digital requirements of their customers, employees and partners.
This means that digital applications need to be developed and enhanced at a rapid pace. The emergence of the LCNC is therefore part of a context of accelerated digital transformation.
Another catalyst for the adoption of no-code technologies is the shortage of experienced programmers, due to the increasing demand for digital applications, the scarcity of up-to-date programming skills, and the multiplication of skills required to develop complex applications.
In addition to the advantages in terms of speed of execution of development projects, LCNC also helps to reduce costs, including in the evolutionary and corrective maintenance phases, such as the identification of digital bugs thanks to no-code testing tools.
AFNOR Spec - objectives and expectations
AFNOR Spec was created by AFNOR and in collaboration with the Syndicat Français des Professionnels du NoCode (SFPN) and other industry professionals to establish a source of trust in the low-code/no-code field.
This technical document, developed and approved as part of a transparent and open process, reflects the perspectives and expertise of the organizations involved in its preparation, including L'ORÉAL, Crédit Agricole, the French Ministry of Education, Dassault Aviation, Mr SuricateOntomantics and many others.
Essentially, AFNOR SPEC enables industry players to share their collective vision of the future of low-code and no-code technologies, and facilitate their wider adoption.
Even if low-code technologies are simple to use by nature, they still require operational and strategic knowledge to maximize their impressive capabilities and manage the organizational changes they entail.
AFNOR Spec serves as a guide for innovative players less familiar with these subjects, detailing the issues, use cases, best practices, ROI measurement and other important aspects.
AFNOR Spec publication - some key findings
The publication of AFNOR Spec in June 2024 marks a turning point in the adoption of LCNC technologies.
Here are some of the key findings of this revealing study:
Conditions for successful use of LCNC in the workplace
Feedback from companies reveals the following success criteria:
- The LCNC solution selection process in relation to anticipated use cases.
- The importance of initial training.
- The need to provide a framework for the practice of LCNC to ensure that the developments undertaken comply with existing IT governance and standards.
- The importance of establishing a support structure to sustain the transition to scale.
- Economic management of the implementation of LCNC solutions and projects carried out using these solutions, with a particular focus on the cost of licenses for large-scale deployment.
How to overcome resistance to change?
CIOs are often concerned about the risks associated with controlling the application base, security, data leakage and compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
To overcome this resistance, it is advisable to organize a demonstrator that :
- Performs in a sandbox.
- Accesses only non-sensitive company data in read-only mode.
- For a limited number of users.
Impact of Artificial Intelligence in the LCNC
The use of AI, mainly generative AI, can be seen from several angles in relation to LCNC solutions.
Some AI solutions, in particular chatbots, enable you to develop applications without creating any code. In this sense, these AI solutions fall within the scope of LCNC solutions.
Secondly, generative AI can be used as a complement to the LCNC solution used, its use is independent of the LCNC solution and can cover many fields of application, for example:
- Generate test data and skeletons.
- Generate documentation.
- Facilitate querying of data generated by the LCNC solution.
One direction currently being taken by LCNC solution vendors is to integrate generative AI into their products, with three ends in view:
- Facilitate the use of their solutions through a "co-pilot" conversational agent.
- Automatically generate objects used in the construction of the application.
- Invoke AIs within generated applications.
Click here to download the full study
Mr Suricate - Sponsor of AFNOR Spec Low code/No code
Mr Suricatethe French leader in no-code automated testing, is proud to be a sponsor of AFNOR Spec, which clarifies and democratizes the optimal use of LCNC technologies.
Application maintenance and verification are just as important as development itself! We see every day how automated no-code testing saves resources by speeding up processes and ensuring flawless user journeys.
