Over the years, BPM software has undergone a radical shift. The BPM space was traditionally dominated by complex and costly BPM tools, hence were considered relevant only for technical users and large organisations. Enter the era of low-code, no code with the promise of changing BPM forever.
However, amid all the buzz, there’s a lot of confusion on whether low-code or no-code BPM software is the right choice. Despite distinct similarities, they are two different solutions. This blog will define how low-code and no-code software address the challenge of traditional BPM software and bridge the gap for business users. We will also look at the unique value propositions of low-code and no-code BPM software.
BPM Suites and The Need for Transformation
On paper, BPM suites offered the promise of addressing pervasive challenges faced by businesses. By mapping, analysing, improving and monitoring the business processes, BPM software streamlines the operations to offer all the benefits that are top of the list for business leaders, from increased productivity and efficiency to reduced cost.
The key benefits of BPM software include:
Enhanced Operational Efficiency:A paramount advantage of BPM lies in its capacity to eradicate inefficiencies and optimise operational workflows. By harnessing BPM, businesses can identify and eliminate wasteful and non-value-adding activities, leading to heightened efficiency and superior outcomes.
Knowledge Management: BPM empowers organisations to transition from people-dependent processes to process-dependent operations. Documented processes facilitate standardisation, enabling front-line employees to execute their daily tasks effectively.
Compliance and Risk Management: With end-to-end visibility in the process, organisations can minimise the risk of regulatory violations and associated penalties, as well as mitigate the risk of fraud, data breaches, and other security threats.
Agility and Flexibility: BPM allows organisations to quickly modify existing processes or create new ones in response to changing market conditions, customer needs, or regulatory requirements.
However, despite these several advantages, BPM’s transformative potential could not be tapped in execution. The traditional BPM systems were complex and required rigorous training or even the involvement of consultants before employees could navigate them. A simple misstep could trigger requests to the IT team, straining their already overburdened backlog.
As low-code, no-code BPM platforms bridge these gaps, they emerged as a game-changer in BPM adoption.
Low-Code, No-Code BPM Software: Making BPM Accessible
With the Low-Code, No-Code BPM software, BPM has moved from the hands of a select few to even business users. Low-Code, No-Code BPM software leverage visual interfaces, pre-built components, and drag-and-drop functionality, reducing the need for programming skills.
They bridge the gap between BPM planning and implementation with the following advantages:
Easy set-up: Being primarily cloud-based, low-code and no-code platforms offer effortless set-up. In contrast, traditional BPM software are implemented on-premise and can take up to six months.
Cost-Effective: Low-code and No-Code BPM software are more budget-friendly. Since they are cloud-based, they can be expensed under the operational budget with a monthly fee. On the other hand, traditional BPM expenses often soar into the hundreds of thousands or even higher.
Training: Employees across the organisation can start using the Low-code and No-Code BPM software with minimal training, while traditional solutions require formal training and coding expertise.
Given these advantages, low-code and no-Code BPM software have emerged as a viable and convenient alternative to traditional BPM suites.
Comparing Low-Code and No-Code BPM Software
Low-Code BPM Software: At its core, low-code BPM software empowers organisations to develop applications and streamline processes with minimal manual coding. Visual interfaces and pre-built components allow for swift application creation, even by those with limited technical prowess.
No-Code BPM Software: On the other hand, no-code BPM Software takes the simplification a step further. It enables the creation of applications and workflows without any coding whatsoever. This approach is tailored to actively involving business users with programming skills in process optimisation.
While both Low-Code and No-Code BPM software empower users and expedite solution delivery, accelerating the time from concept to deployment, there are distinct differences in the below areas:
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Onboarding
Low-Code: While still significantly faster than traditional development methods, this approach demands some familiarity with coding and has a certain learning curve.
No-Code: No-Code platforms have a shorter journey from inception to implementation. Processes can be operational and self-sufficient within a matter of four-to-six weeks, enabling rapid deployment.
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Technical Proficiency
Low-Code: Requires a basic understanding of application design and logic. Users leverage visual tools to assemble components and define workflows.
No-Code: Completely eliminates the need for technical skills. Users with no programming background can participate in process mapping and improvement. For instance, plug-and-play PRIME BPM software allows even business users to create process maps with drag-and-drop functionalities and templated tables with process information
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Cost Efficiency
Low-Code: Low-Code solutions require fewer resources and reduced maintenance, making them a compelling choice over traditional BPM tools.
No-Code: No-Code solutions prove to be the most cost-effective option while being efficient and driving collaborative business process improvement. For instance, PRIME BPM software is cloud-based and can be expensed under an operational budget with a low monthly fee.
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IT Involvement
Low-Code: Low-Code solutions involve less IT intervention compared to traditional software development, however, some coding skills are required.
No-Code: Since no coding expertise is required, IT intervention is minimal. Business users, not confined by IT constraints, can actively participate in development using intuitive drag-and-drop functionalities.
Choosing the Right Fit
Choosing between low-code and no-code BPM Software hinges on your organisational requirements, the technical proficiency of your team, and the speed at which you need to innovate. If you are looking for customisation, low-code BPM software may be the answer. On the other hand, if your priorities are rapid deployment, a collaborative approach to process improvement and minimal IT intervention, then no-code BPM software works for you.
For organisations choosing the no-code BPM software path, PRIME BPM software is definitely worth considering. A powerful, plug-and-play cloud-based BPM tool, PRIME BPM serves the unique requirements of both user groups, process experts and business users.
With its powerful features, including in-built methodology and BPMN 2.0 for standardised process documentation; rapid process mapping; one-click analysis on process efficiency, value time and cost; process approval, etc., you can drive end-to-end improvement.
PRIME BPM has helped many leading organisations maximise the output from their business process management journey.
Check out some success stories.
Wish to explore the powerful features and functionalities of the PRIME BPM tool? Take a 15-Day Trial.