Wrapping up the season, ZJ, CEO of FlowFuse spoke on the IoT Unplugged podcast about the significance of low-code tools in enabling those not well-versed in code to create applications out of it.
FlowFuse focuses on low-code tools that enable users to connect hardware to software and build automation workflows, particularly within the IoT space. ZJ spoke about the “fragmentation” of IoT, which makes integrations challenging, and his belief in low-code platforms for bridging these gaps by simplifying the process for non-technical users to build applications.
One of the main obstacles facing IoT is a disconnect between stakeholders and developers. Unlike digital-native software, where developers and users are closely aligned, IoT often involves different groups working in separate domains. Low-code platforms, ZJ argued, reduce the barrier to entry and enable stakeholders to create their own solutions. This approach subsequently democratises software development, allowing those who understand the problem best to build the solution, instead of relying on a developer to implement their ideas.
“High-code software … has a very high barrier to entry. I went to univesity to learn how to do this properly,” ZJ explained. “Even when you enter that world, there’s a ton of learning to be done. Whereas no-code and low-code software use a graphical approach to make code and writing instructions for a machine as easy as building an Excel sheet, for example.”
In the context of IoT, ZJ highlighted a key challenge for organisations: the build versus buy decision some are confronted with. While off-the-shelf solutions may work for some, they are often tailored to different needs, making customisation difficult. Building an IoT solution in-house offers more flexibility but comes with maintenance and scalability challenges. Low-code platforms can mitigate these issues by enabling businesses to develop solutions that better align with their unique needs while reducing the complexity of maintaining those solutions in the long term.
CJ mentioned he saw low-code platforms as a democratising force in industries beyond IoT, with a role to play in banking, manufacturing and energy. These industries, often rich in data but lacking easy integration between systems, stand to benefit greatly from low-code solutions. Ultimately, CJ said he believed that the key to innovation in IoT and other sectors is empowering employees—regardless of their technical background—to build software solutions, fostering a bottom-up approach to technological development.
To hear ZJ’s insights into low-code software, listen into the full podcast episode, which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and at the link below.
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