Smart Solutions: How No-Code Low-Code Tools Build Supply Chain Resilience

By: George Mathew

In contemporary times, there’s a notable surge in the prominence and complexity of low-code/no-code (LCNC) development options. These innovative approaches to app development harness user-friendly, graphical interfaces, granting individuals across the enterprise the ability to swiftly create applications and streamline business workflows, all without the need for traditional coding techniques. Low-code is a method for designing and developing applications using intuitive graphical tools and embedded functionalities that reduce the writing requirements of traditional pro-code. Although pro-code writing is still part of the development process, low-code development offers an augmented and simplified experience to help users start creating quickly.

On the other hand, no-code is a method that goes even further by allowing non-technical business users to develop applications without having to write a single line of code. This method benefits from a similar user experience as low-code but is more accessible to non-technical users. No-code and low-code tools allow individuals to create applications with little or no coding knowledge. No-code tools require no coding whatsoever, relying on visual interfaces for app development. Low-code tools, on the other hand, involve some coding but simplify the process, making it accessible to those with limited programming skills and speeding up application development. Low-code no-code solutions allow common business users to put their knowledge to good use.

How do low-code and no-code tools function?

Low-code and no-code tools empower users to develop applications without extensive programming knowledge. Low-code platforms provide a visual interface and pre-built components, allowing users to design and customize applications with minimal coding. No-code platforms take this a step further, enabling users to create applications entirely without writing code, utilizing drag-and-drop interfaces and predefined templates. Both options streamline the development process by abstracting technical complexities, promoting rapid prototyping, and facilitating collaboration between business stakeholders and IT teams. Additionally, these tools often integrate with existing systems and offer built-in features for security, scalability, and maintenance, ensuring efficient and sustainable application development.

How can no code and low code benefit organizations and embrace supply chain efficiency?

Enable non-technical business users to participate in software development:

Low-code and no-code solutions empower non-technical business users by enabling them to leverage their expertise. Utilizing point-and-click or pull-down menu interfaces, users can swiftly design applications, eliminating the time-consuming manual coding process. Building apps with pre-built modules saves significant time, allowing for rapid development compared to conventional methods. The graphic interfaces also facilitate the creation of scalable, cloud-based apps. If initial solutions fall short of specific requirements, easy modifications are possible. This simplicity in design and adaptability adds substantial value, making the development and evolution of applications more efficient and accessible to a broader range of users.

Build Agility: low-code no-code solutions can enhance agility

No-code solutions not only reduce the workload and costs for IT teams but also enhance business agility. These solutions accelerate responses to both external and internal changes, fostering innovation and continuous improvement. Beyond agility, they contribute to increased productivity and modernization within the supply chain, promoting collaboration across business lines and improving user experiences. Research indicates that over 95% of senior business leaders support the idea of non-technical users independently building and adjusting workflows. Additionally, more than half see significant value in these solutions for data analytics, offering insightful visual analytics and even text or voice-based chat insights.

The benefit of cost reduction:

Utilizing low code and no code (LCNC) not only accelerates project timelines, conserving precious resources but also simplifies maintenance tasks, mitigating costs and alleviating IT burdens. Furthermore, LCNC enables cost-effective exploration of novel concepts from various departments, fostering innovation. These concepts, once tested, hold the potential to transform entire workflows, amplifying productivity and efficiency levels across the organization.

Automates the design of workflows:

Through defining fundamental decision-making protocols, users streamline workflow design, applicable across diverse information systems. Low code and no code LCNC platforms frequently integrate Robotic Process Automation (RPA), harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to recommend automation strategies from analyzed datasets. This synergy enables users to automate intricate processes seamlessly, leveraging existing data for informed decision-making. Consequently, organizations achieve heightened efficiency and agility, as workflows are optimized and implemented effortlessly across various IT infrastructures.

How can SpendEdge help organizations in building supply chain efficiency?

To have a clear understanding of our services at SpendEdge

Supplier intelligence: Evaluating their capabilities, and recommendation

Supplier Intelligence is a service focused on identifying technology solution providers for businesses. It involves a comprehensive assessment of potential suppliers and evaluating their capabilities and offerings within the technology domain. This process includes scrutinizing factors such as innovation, reliability, and performance. The goal is to provide clients with informed recommendations, enabling them to select suppliers aligned with their specific technological needs. By leveraging detailed insights into supplier capabilities, businesses can make strategic decisions, fostering innovation and efficiency within their operations while ensuring robust and successful partnerships with technology providers that cater precisely to their unique requirements.

Risk management and compliance- Sourcing solutions, legal, regulatory

SpendEdge’s Risk Management and Compliance service delivers end-to-end support in sourcing solutions, offering comprehensive assistance in legal, regulatory, technical, and contractual domains. This holistic approach ensures businesses not only comply with legal and regulatory requirements but also receive expert support in navigating technical intricacies and optimizing contractual agreements. The service goes beyond mere compliance, incorporating robust risk mitigation strategies to proactively address potential threats. By combining sourcing expertise with legal and technical support, we empower clients to enhance operational efficiency, navigate complexities, and fortify their supply chains against risks, fostering resilience and sustainable procurement practices.

Gain insights on how to effectively negotiate with suppliers

SpendEdge’s Negotiation Advisory service equips clients with invaluable insights for effective supplier negotiations. It encompasses guidance on optimal engagement models, advising on strategic negotiation approaches, and recommending suitable pricing models. By analyzing supplier dynamics, market trends, and industry benchmarks, this service provides clients with a competitive edge in procurement negotiations. We ensure that clients navigate negotiations with confidence, securing favorable terms and agreements. The comprehensive advisory includes tailored strategies, enhancing clients’ ability to optimize costs, mitigate risks, and strengthen supplier relationships. With a focus on informed decision-making, our Negotiation Advisory service contributes to sustainable and value-driven procurement outcomes.

The SpendEdge Success Story: Pharmaceutical Company

A pharmaceutical company in the US faced challenges in the dynamic market and looked for ways to enhance supply chain resilience through technological advancements. SpendEdge’s experts conducted a thorough market analysis to identify potential technology solution providers in the No-Code/Low-Code domain. They set criteria for selecting suppliers, with a particular focus on expertise in pharmaceutical supply chain solutions, scalability, and adaptability. Our experts conducted due diligence on the shortlisted suppliers, taking into account factors such as reliability, security, and past performance.

They collaborated with legal and procurement teams to formulate a robust contract framework. During the negotiation process, they discussed terms and conditions with the selected suppliers, with a focus on pricing structures, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), data security, and scalability provisions. Throughout this process, the team ensured that contractual obligations aligned with the client’s business goals and regulatory requirements. The strategic adoption of No-Code/Low-Code tools enabled the client to strengthen its pharmaceutical supply chain, enhance resilience, reduce operational costs, and ensure compliance.

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Author’s Details

George Mathew

Associate Vice President, Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence

George is a procurement specialist at Infiniti Research and provides advisory services to clients across the pharmaceutical, CPG & FMCG, energy, and automotive sectors. He specializes in the procurement areas of industry benchmarking, cost modeling, rate card benchmarking, negotiation advisory, and supplier intelligence.