In this episode of Lowdown on Lowcode, hosts Rob Koplowitz and John Rymer engage with Ian Barkin, a founding partner at 2B Ventures and co-author of 'All Hands on Tech, the AI-powered Citizen Revolution.' The conversation explores the concept of citizen development, emphasizing the importance of empowering business people to drive innovation and improve processes. Ian discusses the roles of citizen developers and citizen data scientists, the significance of robotic process automation (RPA), and the evolving landscape of AI in business applications. The episode highlights the need for collaboration between business and IT, the value of democratizing technology, and the importance of fostering a culture of innovation within organizations.TakeawaysCitizen development empowers business people to innovate.Understanding customer needs is crucial for process improvement.RPA can bridge gaps between systems and improve efficiency.AI is changing the landscape of business applications.Collaboration between business and IT is essential for success.Citizen data scientists can drive significant value through data analysis.Organizations should encourage citizen innovation and scouting.Training in technology is important but mindset matters more.Democratizing technology leads to better customer experiences.Leadership should incentivize and support innovation efforts.Timestamps05:03 - The Evolution of RPA and Citizen Development10:16 - Understanding Citizen Data Scientists15:09 - The Role of Business in Automation19:56 - AI's Impact on Business Applications25:16 - Encouraging Innovation in Enterprises

In this episode of Lowdown on Low-Code, John Rymer interviews Sridhar Vembu, co-founder of Zoho, discussing the evolution of low-code platforms, the integration of AI, and the importance of governance in software development. Sridhar shares insights on Zoho's journey, the ideal customer profile for low-code solutions, and strategies for addressing larger enterprises. He emphasizes the need for control over technology and the role of AI in enhancing productivity and creating context-specific applications.TakeawaysZoho has been a pioneer in low-code since 2005.AI features in low-code are becoming commoditized.The integration of AI can enhance programmer productivity significantly.Ideal low-code customers have technical and domain knowledge.Zoho is evolving to meet the needs of larger enterprises.Governance and compliance are critical for low-code adoption.Zoho uses open-source databases to enhance performance.The company is investing heavily in security and privacy compliance.Professional tools are available for low-code users to manage software lifecycle.The future of low-code includes a blend of AI and traditional programming.

In this episode of Lowdown on Low Code, John Rymer and Francis Carden discuss the evolution and impact of low code platforms with Richard Billington, CTO of Netcall. They explore Richard's journey in the low code space, the importance of reusability, and how empowering non-technical users is crucial for success. The conversation also delves into the shift from building to buying applications, the role of AI in enhancing low code development, and successful case studies like Network Rail's digital factory. The episode concludes with insights on the future of off-the-shelf applications and the growing significance of governance in low code initiatives.TakeawaysLow code platforms are revolutionizing application development.Empowering non-technical users is essential for success.Reusability in low code is a key factor for efficiency.AI is becoming a critical component in low code development.Governance frameworks are necessary for managing low code projects.The shift from building to buying applications is underway.Digital transformation is driven by low code solutions.Successful low code implementations require collaboration and sharing.The future of applications lies in low code and AI integration.Organizations must adapt to the changing landscape of software development.01:37 - Richard Billington's Journey in Low Code05:38 - The Evolution of Low Code Platforms09:12 - The Importance of Reusability in Low Code11:06 - Sector-Specific Solutions and Collaboration13:17 - Empowering Non-Technical Users17:07 - Challenges and Resistance in Adoption19:28 - The Shift from Building to Buying Applications24:10 - Success Stories: Network Rail's Digital Factory28:39 - Integrating Customer Engagement with Low Code32:36 - AI's Role in the Future of Low Code

In this episode of Lowdown on Lowcode, John Rymer and Rob Koplowitz engage with James Taylor to explore the intersection of low code, AI, and decision management. They discuss the evolution of software, the impact of AI on jobs, and the importance of measuring effectiveness in IT investments. The conversation delves into the role of data, the need for business and IT engagement, and the challenges of mixing probabilistic and deterministic approaches in decision-making. Additionally, they address regulatory challenges and the future of AI in business.TakeawaysAI will eliminate a huge number of jobs.The impact of AI depends on company strategy.You have to be really outcome-focused.Probabilistic models can magnify sloppy thinking.You need a mix of technologies for effective decision-making.Engagement between business and IT is crucial.Measuring effectiveness in IT investments is challenging.Data availability is key to decision-making.Human oversight is essential in AI applications.Regulatory challenges may hinder AI adoption.Timestamps•  05:17 - The Impact of AI on Jobs and Business Strategy•  11:05 - Measuring Effectiveness in IT Investments•  21:24 - Mixing Deterministic and Probabilistic Approaches•  27:42 - Decision Modeling and High Volume Transactions•  32:45 - Human Involvement in Decision Processes•  39:31 - Holistic Automation Strategies

In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, hosts Rob Koplowitz and Francis Carden welcome Vijay Tella, CEO and founder of Workato. They discuss the evolution of low-code technology, the importance of integration and orchestration, and the role of AI in optimizing processes. Vijay shares insights on the ideal client mindset, the balance between building and buying solutions, and the need for governance in AI applications. The conversation highlights the unique value propositions of Workato and the future of low-code innovations in 2025.Takeaways2025 is set to be a transformative year for low-code.Vijay Tella's journey reflects the evolution of integration technologies.A growth mindset is crucial for clients looking to innovate.Integration and orchestration are central to low-code success.AI can enhance process optimization but requires careful governance.The build vs. buy debate is nuanced and context-dependent.Trust and control are essential in AI applications.Understanding the customer journey is key to effective orchestration.Workato aims to simplify integration for broader accessibility.The future of low-code lies in reimagining processes and experiences.Timestamps03:15 - Vijay Tella's Journey into Tech and Automation06:10 - The Ideal Client: Growth Mindset and Systems Thinking08:55 - Integration and Orchestration: The Heart of Workado12:18 - AI's Role in Process Optimization and Integration15:10 - Build vs. Buy: Navigating Client Needs20:10 - Governance and Guardrails in AI Applications24:18 - The Future of Workado: Trust and Predictability in AI

In this episode of the Lowdown on Low-Code podcast, Ryan Duguid and Rob Koplowitz engage with Niranjan Vijayaragavan, the head of product at Nintex. They discuss the evolution of Nintex, its rebranding, and the exciting future of low-code automation, particularly in the context of AI integration. Niranjan shares his journey in the tech industry, the vision for Nintex's platform, and how it aims to empower mid-market organizations to automate their business processes effectively. The conversation also touches on the importance of building applications, the role of AI in development, and the ideal customer profile for Nintex's solutions. As they wrap up, they reflect on the growth and scale of Nintex, emphasizing the platform's potential to solve complex business challenges.TakeawaysNintex is undergoing a rebranding exercise to enhance its market presence.Niranjan's background includes significant experience in engineering and product management.The future of organizations lies in building solutions on low-code platforms.Nintex aims to provide a comprehensive automation platform for mid-market organizations.AI integration is crucial for enhancing the capabilities of low-code platforms.Nintex's growth is driven by a shift from on-prem to cloud solutions.The platform is designed to solve a wide range of business processes.Nintex is focusing on building packaged solutions for specific industries.The ideal customer profile includes mid-market organizations with specific automation needs.The conversation highlights the importance of understanding customer requirements in product development.

In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, Rob Koplowitz and Leigh Michl discuss the evolution of process automation, the impact of AI, and the importance of orchestration in digital transformation. Leigh shares his journey into the tech world and highlights the need for businesses to be involved in automation efforts. The conversation also touches on the challenges of integrating AI into existing processes and the potential pitfalls of chasing hype cycles in technology.TakeawaysAutomation is essential for successful digital transformation.Most processes are more similar than different, allowing for reuse.AI should be viewed as a tool, not a replacement for human oversight.Orchestration is crucial for managing complex processes effectively.Businesses must collaborate closely with IT for successful automation.The hype around AI and automation can lead to misguided efforts.Understanding edge cases is vital for effective process automation.Transparency and explainability are critical in regulated industries.Rushing into new technologies without understanding can be detrimental.Personal experiences can provide valuable insights into business processes.Timestamps02:30 - Leigh Michl's Journey to Ultimus09:31 - The Role of AI in Process Automation12:38 - The Importance of Orchestration20:49 - The Need for Business Involvement in Automation25:59 - Ski Racing and Personal Stories

Scott Francis, co-founder, former CEO and current board member of BP3 joins Low Down on Low-Code to discuss the critical role services firms play in driving value from DPA and low-code programs. Scott has spent his career in high-tech and the majority has been focused on helping organizations embrace and drive process optimization. He joins Francis Carden and Rob Koplowitz for a great conversation on the emerging AI landscape and how it will shift the low-code value proposition, new ways to think of legacy application modernization and a host of other topics. 

In this episode of Lowdown on Low-Code, Rob Koplowitz and Ryan Duguid engage with Laura Rodriguez, an IBM Master Inventor, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and design in application development. They discuss the evolving role of AI in user experience, the importance of collaboration between product, design, and engineering, and the future implications of AI in low-code development. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, as well as its potential impact on board games and user interaction.TakeawaysAI fluency is essential for modern design practices.Collaboration between product, design, and engineering is crucial.Healthy working relationships foster innovation.AI can democratize app creation for non-professionals.User experience design is evolving with AI capabilities.Expectations around AI need to be managed carefully.The future of user experience will be more fluid and intuitive.AI can enhance traditional board games with immersive experiences.Understanding AI's limitations is key to effective use.The role of a master inventor involves mentoring and innovation.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to Low-Code and AI in Design05:00 - Laura Rodriguez: Journey to Master Inventor06:23 - The Role of a Master Inventor at IBM08:17 - Collaboration Between Product, Design, and Engineering13:19 - AI's Impact on Design and User Experience20:23 - Future of User Experience with AI26:59 - Navigating Risks in AI Development31:00 - AI as a Co-Pilot in Low-Code Development36:12 - The Intersection of Board Games and Technology

In this episode of Lowdown on Lowcode, hosts Francis Carden and Rob Koplowitz engage with Alan Trefler, Founder & CEO of Pegasystems, discussing the evolution and significance of low code and no code development. They explore Alan's journey into technology, the importance of modeling in software development, and the challenges posed by legacy systems. The conversation highlights the role of AI in modernizing applications and introduces Pega's innovative Launchpad, which aims to simplify application development for a broader range of users.Takeaways• Low code is gaining traction due to frustrations with legacy systems.• Model-driven development is key to effective software solutions.• AI is transforming how applications are built and managed.• Pega's approach focuses on creating models rather than writing code.• The transition to low code requires cultural change within organizations.• Blueprint allows users to visualize and create applications easily.• Legacy systems create significant technical debt that needs addressing.• Pega Cloud simplifies operational complexity for businesses.• The Launchpad offers a new way for ISVs to build applications.• Generative AI enhances the development process by providing best practices.