Low Down on Low-Code

In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, hosts John Rymer and Rick Greenwald engage with Mike Hichwa, a veteran in the low-code space, discussing the evolution of low-code development, the changing roles of developers, and the importance of citizen developers. They explore the core principles of low-code, the impact of AI, and the challenges of technical debt in application development. The conversation also touches on personal interests, showcasing the multifaceted nature of the guests.TakeawaysMike Hichwa has been involved in low-code development since the early days of Oracle Forms.The transition from traditional coding to low-code has empowered citizen developers.Low-code is fundamentally about creating models that abstract complex coding tasks.AI is poised to significantly influence the adoption of low-code platforms.Technical debt is becoming a major concern for organizations in application development.Collaboration between citizen developers and IT professionals is essential for success.User experience experts play a critical role in application development.Low-code platforms can help reduce the complexity of application development.Understanding the model behind low-code solutions is crucial for effective use.Vibe coding can be a useful tool for prototyping but has limitations.

In this episode of 'The Low Down on Low-Code', Konrad Rogers, CEO of Nextworld, John Rymer and Rick Greenwald discuss the evolution of low-code platforms in enterprise applications. Konrad shares his extensive journey in software development, highlighting the shift towards custom development and the importance of agile methodologies. The conversation delves into the role of citizen development, the foundational importance of data, and the impact of AI on low-code platforms. The discussion emphasizes the need for good design, governance, and the management of technical debt in the development process.Takeaways-Low code has been around longer than the term itself.-The shift towards custom development is becoming more prevalent.-Agile methodologies can be applied beyond software engineering.-Citizen development requires proper support and governance.-Data is the foundation of effective application development.-Technical debt accumulates when changes are made without proper management.-AI can enhance low-code platforms but does not eliminate the need for governance.-Understanding the unique business processes is crucial for successful implementation.-The project team must clearly understand the value they aim to deliver.-Good design and data stewardship are essential for enterprise applications.

In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, hosts Rob Koplowitz and Dave Marcus welcome Sean Allen from Retool to discuss the evolving landscape of low-code development. Sean shares his journey in the tech industry, highlighting the unique approach Retool takes in addressing the challenges faced by professional developers. The conversation delves into the concept of 'vibe coding' and its implications for application development, as well as the importance of creating a common platform for both professional developers and domain experts. Sean emphasizes the need for secure and trusted environments in enterprise app development, positioning Retool as a key player in this space.Takeaways-Sean Allen has a long history in low-code development.-Retool focuses on professional developers to solve enterprise app challenges.-Vibe coding is a term that has been overloaded in the industry.-Generative AI is changing the landscape of application development.-A common platform is essential for collaboration between developers and domain experts.-Professional developers will still play a crucial role in app development.-Product managers can now create applications using natural language.-Retool aims to provide a secure environment for enterprise applications.-The barriers to building applications have been significantly lowered.-Retool's approach is about solving the right problems, not just checking boxes.

In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, host John Rymer speaks with Arie Versluis from ThinkWise about the evolving landscape of low-code development, the importance of user adoption, and the critical success factors for implementing low-code solutions in enterprise environments. They discuss the role of AI, the challenges of citizen development, and the necessity of data integrity in ensuring successful digital transformations. Arie shares insights from his journey in the tech industry and emphasizes the need for collaboration between IT and business teams to drive effective low-code initiatives.TakeawaysUser adoption is essential for technology to add value.Digital transformation should start with understanding business processes.Change management is often the bottleneck in low-code projects.Executive sponsorship is crucial for project success.Citizen development can lead to unmanageable applications.Data integrity is vital for AI and low-code success.Low-code development requires a collaborative approach between IT and business.Vibe coding may complicate existing codebases.ThinkWise focuses on enterprise-grade low-code applications.Technology should never become legacy; it must evolve.

In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, Rob Koplowitz and Dave Marcus engage with Adam Seligman from Workato, discussing the evolution of AI platforms, the importance of data integration, and the challenges organizations face in implementing AI solutions. They explore Adam's journey through the tech industry, the significance of measuring AI success through business outcomes, and the necessary organizational shifts to fully leverage AI capabilities. The conversation emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to AI deployment, focusing on transformative processes rather than mere productivity gains. Adam dives into Workato MCP, a secure highly governed approach to safely harnessing the power of MCP.TakeawaysThe AI application platform race is rapidly evolving.Data integration and orchestration are critical for organizations.Adam Seligman's journey highlights the importance of understanding diverse developer needs.AI's potential lies in transforming business processes, not just enhancing productivity.Organizations should focus on measurable business outcomes when implementing AI.The transition from pilot projects to production requires careful governance and risk management.Vibe coding platforms can enhance the development of enterprise applications.A clear evaluation set is essential for assessing AI project success.IT departments must ensure that various systems work together seamlessly.The industry must learn from past mistakes to avoid pitfalls in AI deployment.

In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, Rob Koplowitz and Rick Greenwald discuss the governance of AI in enterprises, focusing on a new research project conducted in collaboration with Microsoft. They explore the risks associated with AI, the importance of a structured governance framework, and the need for centers of excellence to effectively implement AI technologies. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of understanding both the potential benefits and risks of AI, advocating for a balanced approach to its deployment in business environments.Takeaways-AI governance is crucial for enterprise success.-The foundations of AI pose significant risks that must be managed-Outlawing AI leads to unregulated use.-Proper governance can mitigate AI risks.-Data security is paramount in AI governance.-The VRPP framework helps assess AI value and risk.-Centers of excellence are vital for AI implementation.-Understanding AI's non-deterministic nature is essential.-Rigor in AI projects is necessary to avoid pitfalls.-Collaboration with established firms like Microsoft enhances governance. 

In this episode, Rob Koplowitz and John Rymer engage with Alex Landis, a founding member of the FinOps Foundation, to explore the evolving landscape of FinOps and its integration with emerging technologies. The conversation delves into the definition of FinOps, its significance across various industries, the challenges of data management, and the impact of AI on financial operations. Alex shares insights on governance, best practices, and the future of FinOps, emphasizing the importance of making informed investments and leveraging technology for better communication and efficiency.TakeawaysFinOps is essential for managing cloud costs effectively.Understanding platform operations is crucial for financial performance.AI presents both opportunities and challenges for FinOps professionals.Data management in FinOps is complex and requires sophisticated tools.Governance in AI usage is critical to avoid unnecessary spending.The role of FinOps is growing as companies invest more in technology.Effective communication between finance and engineering is vital.Automation can significantly improve forecasting processes.Empowering teams to self-serve with data tools enhances efficiency.The FinOps Foundation is a valuable resource for best practices.

Greg Price, the Global Leader of Digital Platforms at Virtusa, dives into the transformative world of low-code development. He emphasizes the surge of AI's impact on enhancing rapid development, balanced with the challenges of technical debt and vendor lock-in. The conversation reveals the critical role of systems integrators in streamlining low-code implementations, while also highlighting the necessity of robust process design for success. Price stresses that understanding business processes is key as the future intertwines low-code solutions with AI capabilities.

In this episode of Lowdown on Lowcode, hosts Rob Koplowitz and Dave Marcus engage with Marshall Sied from Ashling Partners to explore the evolving landscape of low code, digital process automation, and AI. They discuss the importance of education, governance, and orchestration in automation projects, as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies. Marshall shares insights from his extensive experience in the consulting space, emphasizing the need for organizations to focus on value realization and continuous deployment methodologies. The conversation also touches on the significance of experimentation and the future of applications in a rapidly changing technological environment.TakeawaysMarshall Sied emphasizes the importance of education in automation.Organizations are increasingly conflicted about AI and automation.Value realization is crucial for successful automation projects.Continuous deployment methodologies are essential for achieving value.Governance is critical in managing automation technologies.Experimentation is encouraged in the current automation landscape.Orchestration is becoming a key focus for automation companies.Capability mapping should precede tool mapping in technology selection.Organizations need to be cautious with low-code and AI technologies.The future of applications will involve more productization and composability.

Kari Moeller, a consultant specializing in process optimization and AI, joins the discussion to unpack the dynamic world of business processes. She emphasizes the critical need for clear documentation and modeling when implementing AI. Kari argues that AI should enhance, not replace, human roles in workflows. The conversation highlights how organizations can leverage data quality over quantity and the importance of outcome-driven strategies. Real-world examples show how reimagining processes can dramatically boost efficiency, making clarity in technology vital for successful transformation.