How Low-Code/No-Code Platforms Can Help Manufacturers Embrace IoT

Manufacturing companies have a wide range of chances to create innovative business models and add-on revenue streams thanks to smart factory projects that integrate cutting-edge digital technology like artificial intelligence and machine learning. Unfortunately, evidence shows that manufacturers struggle to make their ideas for smart factories a reality. Implementing the Internet of Things (IoT) could be a solution to this problem.

IoT devices with embedded sensors enable data interchange and acquisition, enabling firms to improve production procedures and reduce downtime. Nevertheless, like with other smart industrial initiatives, connecting these devices with current systems can present significant obstacles due to integration concerns and the need for specialised knowledge, despite the various advantages afforded by IoT.

IoT experts are essential for guaranteeing the security and dependability of these systems as well as for developing solutions that make it easier for IoT devices to be seamlessly integrated with older systems. Manufacturers may use IoT to achieve digital transformation and keep a competitive edge in the market by overcoming these obstacles.

Low-Code Strategy for IoT Adoption

Businesses might think about using a low-code/no-code development strategy to get around the difficulties associated with implementing IoT networks and devices. Organisations may develop unique applications for IoT use cases, efficiently manage data sources, and customise apps to meet the requirements of various stakeholders by utilising low-code solutions. IoT potential in the industrial industry may be fully utilised by enterprises with the aid of low-code development approaches.

With the help of low-code technologies, team members may build solutions rather quickly without needing to have a deep understanding of coding languages, best practises, and development concepts. A user-friendly drag-and-drop framework is available to developers, enabling quick solution implementation—often in only a few hours.

Low-code platforms enable citizen developers to build solutions without only using IT, which is advantageous given that 75% of companies say hiring IT expertise is their top worry. Low-code enables business divisions to work with IT to build unique solutions while still quickly satisfying IT needs, even if IT is still necessary for higher-order responsibilities like governance, data intake, and cybersecurity.

Low-code platforms in particular let employees on the ground create solutions that meet their requirements and work with their schedules rather than the priorities of the C-suite or IT department. Companies may embrace the idea of shadow IT without taking a substantial risk by employing low-code.

Benefits of Low-Code in Industrial Manufacturing

Low-code solutions were increasingly popular during the pandemic as companies needed to be more  adaptable to the quickly shifting market conditions. Although some believed that this enthusiasm would  diminish once business resumed as usual, low-code usage is anticipated to increase. The low-code  industry is anticipated to grow by 20% in 2023 alone, according to Gartner. Combining a low-code  development strategy with IoT infrastructure has various advantages for developers, IT engineers, and business stakeholders in addition to maximising IoT prospects.

Deployment Simplified With Low-Code Solutions

Low-code platforms streamline application deployment procedures and enable organisations to do so  with a single click. Low-code solutions can be easily moved between different contexts, including on-premises, in the public cloud, in a hybrid architecture, or at the edge. They are also portable and made to work in cloud-native environments.

Speeding up Application Development and Updates

Without hiring expert developers, manufacturing firms may quickly construct customised IoT apps. They provide pre-built connectors, enabling quicker creation and upgrades and providing businesses with a cost-effective and effective solution.

Reducing the Burden on Developers

Less complexity reduces the overall time needed to create apps, enabling companies to use fewer developers to do more. Given the predicted global shortfall of approximately 85 million development engineers by 2030, this efficiency becomes very relevant. AI-assisted development workflows also aid programmers in creating microflows that are customised to certain use cases, enabling enterprises to create apps more quickly and with less resources.

Future-Proofing IoT Applications

Low-code development platforms let companies produce application components that may be quickly reused in other apps. Because fewer new pieces need to be created from scratch thanks to this reusability feature, application development times are shortened. Businesses may adapt and reuse existing components as IoT devices and apps develop while still preserving compatibility and continuity with their current systems.

Faster, More Efficient, Better-Integrated Development

Every stakeholder inside the organisation may create the tools they require to maximise the value of their IoT data using low-code development. With this strategy, citizen developers may present solutions without waiting for IT. Low-code development platforms offer development and deployment cycles that are quick, easy, and easily integrate into current workflows and toolkits, such the Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) workflows that are used by many enterprises.

According to Gartner, by 2024, 80% of apps will be created by non-IT professionals, underscoring the significance of low-code and no-code solutions for empowering citizen developers to develop solutions without only depending on IT specialists.

Choosing the Right Low-Code/No-Code Platform

Manufacturers looking to speed up development workflows, increase operational efficiency, and keep a competitive advantage in an increasingly connected industrial world must choose the best low-code/no-code platform for IoT integration.

This strategic decision is dependent on a thorough knowledge of the platform’s technological capabilities, which will help to ensure that it satisfies the organization’s particular needs and goals while permitting easy interaction with the larger IoT ecosystem. Important things to think about include:

• Integration with multiple systems:A good platform should enable manufacturers to take use of current infrastructure and make sure IoT devices function properly by integrating smoothly with multiple systems and devices. With this capacity, the whole IoT ecosystem can collaborate and share data effectively, maximising the return on current infrastructure investments.
  
• Security:To safeguard sensitive information and preserve the overall security of the IoT ecosystem, the chosen platform must include strong security features, such as data encryption, secure communication protocols, and access restrictions.
  
• Flexibility and customization:In order to allow manufacturers to customise applications and solutions to their unique processes and requirements, the platform should provide a complete development environment with visual editors, pre-built components, and support for custom code.
  
• Vendor support and community:Smooth IoT integration requires a strong vendor support system that includes comprehensive documentation, frequent updates, and committed customer care. A vibrant developer community may also provide helpful advice, shared resources, and best practises that support successful deployment and ongoing development.

Conclusion

The future of industrial production will be shaped by low-code/no-code platforms since they enable easy IoT connection and encourage a quicker digital transition. These platforms will allow producers to quickly respond to changing market needs and technological improvements by simplifying development processes and reducing the need for specialised knowledge. As the industry develops, manufacturers will need to adopt low-code/no-code platforms in order to maintain their position as a key player in the manufacturing environment and to stay inventive.