Low Down on Low-Code

In this episode of the Low Down on Low-Code podcast, hosts John Rymer and Ryan Duguid engage with Nathan Rose, a functional architect and Microsoft MVP, to explore the evolving landscape of low-code and no-code development. They discuss Nathan's journey into the low-code space, the role of AI and agents in automation, the skills required to work with these technologies, and the importance of governance and manageability. The conversation also addresses the fears surrounding AI and the future of low-code professionals in a rapidly changing environment.Takeaways-Nathan Rose has 15 years of experience in low-code.-Functional architects focus on user needs rather than technical coding.-AI is a significant theme in low-code development.-Deterministic automation is effective for known processes.-Stop catastrophizing about AI; it's an opportunity.-Hands-on experience with AI can lead to new opportunities.-Governance in AI and low-code is crucial to prevent issues.-The future of low-code professionals may require new skills.-Domain expertise will remain valuable in the age of AI.-AI will change the landscape of many jobs, creating new opportunities.

In this episode of Lowdown on Low-Code, Rob Koplowitz and John Rymer engage with Richard Riley, General Manager of Low-Code Marketing at Microsoft, discussing the evolution and impact of the Power Platform. They explore Richard's journey to Microsoft, the role of citizen developers, the integration of AI in low-code development, and the importance of governance and community in successful low-code adoption. The conversation also touches on the future of SaaS and the potential of agents in transforming business processes.TakeawaysPower Platform has evolved significantly over the years.Citizen developers play a crucial role in low-code adoption.AI is reducing barriers for non-technical users to engage with low-code tools.Community support is essential for low-code success.Governance is necessary to manage risks associated with low-code development.The future of SaaS may lean towards custom development with low-code solutions.Agents will transform how businesses automate processes.Low-code tools should be accessible to a broad audience.Training and change management are vital for low-code adoption.The integration of AI will enhance the capabilities of low-code platforms.

Francis Carden and Rob Koplowitz host Pega Chief of Launchpad, John Huehn. Launchpad is a radical departure from Pega's traditional business and holds the promise to upend ISV software development. The group discusses the transformative potential of low-code platforms, and how that can now extend to the ISV market. John, a key figure at Pega, shares his journey from the telecom industry to leading customer service innovations and now spearheading Launchpad.They explore the integration of AI in this space, the implications for private equity, VCs and self-funded ISV approaches, and the future landscape of software development.TakeawaysLow-code platforms are revolutionizing application development.Pega's Launchpad offers an end-to-end solution for SaaS.AI integration is crucial for modern software development.The shift from traditional coding to low-code is significant.Private equity sees potential in low-code solutions.Companies can focus on unique IP rather than infrastructure.Launchpad simplifies the development process for software providers.The future of software is about delivering outcomes efficiently.Low-code enables faster time-to-market for applications.Understanding the model is key to leveraging low-code effectively.

Content and unstructured data are an incredible part of an automation strategy. In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, Rob Koplowitz interviews Jitesh Ghai, CEO of Hyland, discussing the intersection of low-code development, automation, and the management of unstructured data. They explore Jitesh's journey in technology, the critical role of low-code in achieving business outcomes, and how Hyland is uniquely positioned to drive automation strategies in regulated industries. The conversation also delves into the transformative potential of AI in content management and the future of business processes through agentic automation.Takeaways-It's important to have a plan but also let life reveal its plan.-Hyland focuses on business outcomes, not just document retention.-Low code is critical for enabling organizations to meet their processes.-Engaging business users is essential for successful deployments.-Hyland has deep expertise in regulated industries.-AI has been a part of automation for decades.-The future of enterprise technology will be radically different.-Agents will replace business processes, not people.-Generative models can structure unstructured data effectively.-Hyland is positioned at the confluence of AI and mission-critical data.

SummaryIn this Low Down on Low-Code episode, hosts Rob Koplowitz and John Rymer engage with Rafsan Huseynov, a solution architect and Microsoft MVP, to explore the evolving landscape of low-code development and citizen development. Rafsan shares his journey from a non-programming background to becoming a pro-code developer, emphasizing the importance of improving business processes through technology. The conversation delves into the critical shift needed between business and IT, the role of change management in citizen development, and the significance of frameworks like those from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Additionally, they discuss the implications of AI in business, the necessity of governance, and how individuals can prepare for an AI-driven future.TakeawaysRafsan's journey from economics to citizen development highlights the importance of improving workflows.The shift in dynamics between business and IT is crucial for successful low-code implementation.Change management is essential for engaging users in the development process.The PMI framework provides a structured approach for citizen developers.AI governance is necessary to mitigate risks associated with AI implementation.Every organization is becoming a software company, necessitating a shift in mindset.Understanding business needs is critical for IT professionals.Citizen developers can evolve into pro-code developers with the right tools and training.AI should be used where reasoning capabilities are needed, not for simple automation tasks.Becoming a domain expert is key to leveraging AI effectively.Timestamps02:01 - Rafsan's Journey to Citizen Development05:52 - The Shift Between Business and IT09:46 - The Role of Software in Business12:34 - Change Management in Citizen Development17:00 - Insights from the Project Management Institute21:04 - Navigating the AI Landscape26:30 - Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

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