Organizations today are striving to improve processes and enhance efficiency. One solution that has gained significant traction is low-code business process management (BPM). This innovative approach directly addresses the limitations of traditional BPM methods, making it an attractive option for businesses eager to adapt and innovate.
Low-code BPM platforms allow users to create applications with minimal coding, breaking down barriers that often hinder meaningful progress. By empowering non-technical users—often called citizen developers—to contribute to application development, companies can respond more quickly to market demands and make changes without depending solely on IT departments. This shift fosters a culture of collaboration and creativity, leading to more effective business processes. Here comes the list of the recommended low-code BPm products:
Here’s a concise product list that captures the essence of each product with a brief description:
Lark: A comprehensive low-code collaboration and productivity tool that integrates messaging, documents, spreadsheets, and automation features to enhance team communication and task management.
Friday: A user-friendly project management tool designed to boost remote collaboration and streamline workflows for distributed teams.
Appian: A robust low-code BPM platform focused on process automation and integration, enabling organizations to create applications that enhance operational efficiency.
Microsoft Power Apps: An intuitive platform that allows users to build custom applications quickly using a drag-and-drop interface, seamlessly integrating with Microsoft services.
OutSystems: A leading low-code platform known for its enterprise-grade features and ability to support the entire application lifecycle from development to deployment.
Mendix: An inclusive low-code development platform that emphasizes collaboration among team members, accelerating application creation through a model-driven approach.
Kissflow: A platform that automates workflows and simplifies project management, allowing organizations to design custom workflows easily and track progress efficiently.
Airtable: A versatile tool that combines database functionalities with a user-friendly spreadsheet interface, enabling teams to manage and automate diverse projects effortlessly.
Zoho Creator: An all-in-one low-code platform that integrates CRM, reporting, and automation features to help businesses streamline their operations efficiently.
ServiceNow: A comprehensive service management solution that includes low-code capabilities to automate workflows across various departments and improve operational integration.
What exactly is low-code BPM?
To appreciate the benefits of low-code BPM, it's crucial to understand what it entails. Low-code BPM refers to platforms that enable users to design and deploy applications for managing business management processes with significantly reduced coding. These platforms use visual interfaces, drag-and-drop functionalities, and pre-built templates, making application development accessible to users without formal programming skills. This democratization allows teams to create solutions tailored to their specific needs.
The significance of low-code in BPM is profound. By streamlining application development, these platforms help organizations reduce the time and costs associated with creating and maintaining software solutions. Additionally, the ability to rapidly build applications means companies can address operational challenges and customer demands much more effectively, enabling them to focus on delivering value and driving results.
Traditional BPM methods can be labor-intensive and slow, requiring extensive coding knowledge and resources. This can create bottlenecks, delaying the development of essential applications. Companies may struggle with long development cycles and high costs, which can make staying competitive challenging. Fortunately, low-code BPM helps tackle these issues, allowing for quicker adaptation and greater responsiveness.
Benefits of low-code BPM
Streamlining workflows for improved productivity
One of the standout advantages of low-code BPM is its ability to enhance productivity. By automating repetitive tasks and streamlining workflows, these platforms allow teams to focus on more strategic initiatives. The manual coding and extensive testing required in traditional BPM are drastically lessened, enabling swift deployment of applications. This efficiency translates to optimized operations and drives growth.
Empowering citizen developers
Citizen developers are empowered with low-code BPM platforms, opening up a world of possibilities. Non-technical staff can actively participate in application design, removing the dependence on a limited pool of IT professionals. This democratization of technology means business users can contribute their unique insights, crafting solutions that directly tackle their challenges. By leveraging the expertise of these individuals, companies can create applications that closely align with their operational goals.
Cost-effectiveness compared to traditional BPM
Cost advantages are another significant benefit of adopting low-code BPM. Traditional BPM methods often require considerable investments in skilled labor and lengthy timelines. In contrast, low-code BPM software reduces development costs, making it feasible for organizations to reallocate resources toward innovation or customer engagement. This efficient approach allows businesses to maximize their budgets while still achieving remarkable results.
How does low-code BPM work?
Architecture of low-code BPM platforms
Understanding how low-code BPM platforms function is key to grasping their advantages. These solutions usually comprise several core components: visual development interfaces, reusable templates, API integration capabilities, and workflow automation features. This cohesive platform for building applications allows organizations to streamline processes effectively.
Moreover, these platforms often integrate smoothly with existing systems, promoting data sharing and collaboration across departments. This integration maximizes the value of current technology while introducing low-code solutions tailored to specific organizational needs.
Key features that enhance usability
When exploring low-code BPM, there are several key features to prioritize. Drag-and-drop interfaces enable users to create applications intuitively, allowing teams to spend less time on technical complexities and more on solving problems. Built-in workflow automation and process modeling tools facilitate efficiency, ensuring applications are closely aligned with business objectives. Collaboration features are also crucial, enabling team members to work together effectively, refine processes, and drive continuous improvement.
With these functionalities, low-code BPM software not only simplifies application development but also enhances the user experience, which is essential for successful outcomes.
Discover the top 10 low-code BPM solutions to enhance your operations
When it comes to implementing low-code BPM, choosing the right software is crucial for maximizing efficiency and collaboration. Here’s a list of ten leading low-code BPM solutions that can streamline your business processes while keeping user experience in mind.
1. Lark: Seamless collaboration for efficient workflows
Overview: Lark is a low code all-in-one collaboration and productivity tool that integrates messaging, documents, spreadsheets, and low-code automation features. It helps teams communicate and manage tasks more effectively.
Lark Base: A powerful zero-code data management platform
Lark Base is a powerful zero-code data management platform integrated directly into the Lark ecosystem. Unlike traditional BPM software that can feel rigid or require extensive IT resources, Lark Base empowers everyone—regardless of their technical background—to create custom workflows for various scenarios. Whether you’re managing projects, tracking tasks, collaborating with teams, handling CRM, or overseeing daily business operations, Lark Base adapts to your needs with impressive flexibility.
Diverse view types for every workflow: Easily switch between Grid, Gantt, Kanban, Calendar, Gallery, and Form views. This variety means you can visualize and operate on your process data in whatever format suits your use case—be it project tracking, sales pipelines, or content production.
Intuitive, real-time dashboards: Build comprehensive dashboards tailored to showcase your key BPM low-code metrics. Monitor KPIs, track progress, and adhere to deadlines in real time. Instantly identify issues, analyze workflow bottlenecks, and share actionable insights with your team—all without writing a single line of code.
Powerful automations and workflow tools: Streamline daily business processes by automating repetitive actions like status updates, reminders, and notifications. Lark Base also supports advanced workflow automation, including conditional branching and looping, allowing you to create custom approval chains or complex multi-step operations with an intuitive visual interface.
Practical extensions for business growth: Enhance your workflow management with extensions that add immediate value, such as data cleaning, importing/exporting records, and translating entries. These features let you scale, adapt, and refine your processes without leaving the Base environment.
Advanced permissions and data control: Protect sensitive information while simplifying team collaboration through granular permissions. You can control who can view, edit, or manage any field and record, ensuring compliance and maintaining confidentiality where it matters most.
User-friendly for all who don’t know coding: Designed with inclusivity at its core, Lark Base allows anyone to add fields, create workflows, and modify views—no coding experience required. It’s accessible and approachable, putting process management directly into the hands of every team member.
With these versatile features, Lark Base goes beyond the limits of traditional low-code and BPM tools. It becomes your flexible, unified, and user-driven workflow management system, ready to help you optimize projects, automate daily operations, monitor progress, and drive smarter decisions—all within the Lark platform.
Lark AnyCross: Connecting business systems effortlessly
Lark AnyCross simplifies linking multiple business systems using low- or no-code solutions. By enabling app-to-app connections and business automation, AnyCross allows information to flow efficiently within the organization, enhancing data quality and accessibility.
Visualized orchestration of system integrations: Business systems are abstracted into standard connectors, enabling users to connect different systems together using an easy-to-use visual toolkit. A wide range of connectors is readily available, providing essential tools for smooth integration across various applications and systems.
Out-of-the-box core and helper components: Using AnyCross encapsulates common business logic and data processing capabilities into core and helper components, ready to use straight from the box. When you need to add functionalities to your workflows, simply integrate these components and configure them as needed.
Full-lifecycle integration management: Organizations can manage their integrations throughout the entire lifecycle, with capabilities to configure, test, and publish integrations, check logs, and monitor operations—all in one place.
Solutions for common scenarios: AnyCross offers ready-to-use solutions for diverse needs, including syncing personnel and customer data, simplifying the integration process, and ensuring smooth operations.
Lark is also a Centralized workspace for all bpm needs: Lark combines chat, video meetings, documents, projects, and approvals in one place. This eliminates silos between tools and ensures every process is connected and easy to manage.
Best for: Teams looking for a unified workspace to enhance collaboration and streamline task management.
Pricing: Lark offers a comprehensive suite of low-code functionalities that can significantly reduce the costs associated with expensive development software. By providing powerful tools for workflow automation, project management, and data management, Lark empowers teams to streamline their processes without the need for extensive IT resources or costly third-party applications.
Starter plan: Free forever plan that includes 11 powerful tools for up to 20 users. It also comes with 100GB of storage, 1000 automation runs, AI translations, and more.
Pro plan: $12/user/month (billed annually) for up to 500 users. It includes everything in Starter plus a group calling for up to 500 attendees, 15TB of storage, 50,000 automation runs, and more.
Enterprise plan: Contact sales for custom pricing. Supports unlimited users and includes even more automation runs and advanced security, compliance, and management features.
2. Friday: Boosting remote teamwork with intuitive project management
Image source: fridaycrm.com
Overview: Friday is designed to enhance remote collaboration and project management. It simplifies workflows, making it easier for teams to stay organized and productive regardless of location.
Features for low-code BPM: With easy task tracking and goal-setting tools, Friday helps automate recurring tasks and processes, allowing teams to focus on high-impact activities. The platform’s visual interface is user-friendly, enabling team leaders to quickly establish workflows.
Best for: Distributed teams seeking a versatile project management tool to boost engagement and productivity.
Pricing: Friday offers a free plan with essential features and premium plans that provide advanced functionalities at reasonable prices.
3. Appian: Power-packed automation for process efficiency
Image source: appian.com
Overview: Appian is a powerful low-code BPM platform that focuses on automation and integration. It allows organizations to create applications that can streamline processes and improve overall efficiency.
Features for low-code BPM: Appian excels with its AI-driven process automation capabilities and robust integration options, enabling businesses to connect multiple systems easily. Its low-code environment supports rapid application development, significantly reducing time-to-market.
Best for: Organizations looking for a robust solution to enhance their operational efficiency through automation.
Pricing: Appian usually provides customized pricing based on the project scope and organization size, which can be tailored to fit diverse needs.
4. Microsoft Power Apps: Familiar tools for easy app development
Image source: microsoft.com
Overview: Microsoft Power Apps empowers users to build custom applications using a drag-and-drop interface. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft products like Excel and SharePoint, facilitating quick development.
Features for low-code BPM: Power Apps offers a variety of templates that enable rapid app creation without requiring extensive coding. Its integration with Microsoft services makes it ideal for businesses already using the Microsoft ecosystem.
Best for: Companies that use Microsoft tools and are looking to streamline processes through easily customizable applications.
Pricing: Power Apps uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model, with options depending on individual app needs, making it accessible for businesses of various sizes.
5. OutSystems: Enterprise-grade features for large-scale applications
Image source: skillandchill.com
Overview: OutSystems is a leading low-code platform known for its broader capabilities in enterprise application development. It supports the entire app lifecycle from development to deployment and maintenance.
Features for low-code BPM: OutSystems allows for rapid development of highly scalable applications while offering extensive tools for automation and integration. Its robust testing and monitoring features ensure quality and performance.
Best for: Large organizations seeking to create complex, scalable applications efficiently.
Pricing: OutSystems has a variety of pricing tiers ranging from free trials to enterprise-level licenses based on the features required.
6. Mendix: Accelerating development with collaboration
Image source: impalaintech.com
Overview: Mendix is a powerful low-code development platform focused on rapid application creation. Its emphasis on collaboration allows teams to work together more effectively to develop applications that meet user requirements.
Features for low-code BPM: Mendix provides a model-driven development approach that allows both technical and non-technical users to participate in app creation. The platform uses feedback loops to ensure applications evolve with user needs.
Best for: Teams looking for an inclusive platform that fosters collaboration across technical and business roles.
Pricing: Mendix offers flexible pricing based on the number of applications and users, along with a free tier for initial experimentation.
7. Kissflow: Simplified project management and workflow automation
Image source: prnewswire.com
Overview: Kissflow is designed to automate workflows and streamline project management. This platform caters to organizations wanting to eliminate inefficiencies in their daily operations.
Features for low-code BPM: Kissflow allows users to create custom workflows using a user-friendly interface, making it easy for teams to design automation that suits their needs. The platform also provides powerful reporting features to track progress.
Best for: Small to medium-sized enterprises seeking an intuitive platform for project management.
Pricing: Kissflow offers various pricing plans based on team size and feature needs, making it accessible for startups and large companies alike.
8. Airtable: Flexible database automation in a user-friendly format
Image source: airtable.com
Overview: Airtable combines the functionalities of a database with the user-friendly interface of a spreadsheet. This versatility allows teams to manage a wide array of projects efficiently.
Features for low-code BPM: Airtable supports a variety of template options and allows users to automate workflows through its easy-to-use interface. It effectively bridges the gap between data organization and process management.
Best for: Organizations that require a versatile tool for managing different types of projects across departments.
Pricing: Airtable provides a free plan with basic features and several tiered paid plans to accommodate varying needs for additional functionality.
9. Zoho Creator: Comprehensive automation for every business need
Image source: zoho.com
Overview: Zoho Creator is an all-in-one low-code platform that integrates CRM, reporting, and automation functionalities. It's designed to enable businesses to streamline their operations effectively.
Features for low-code BPM: Users can build customized applications quickly using simple drag-and-drop features. Zoho Creator also offers powerful reporting analytics, enabling data-driven decisions and improved processes.
Best for: Small and medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective solution that covers a wide range of operational needs.
Pricing: Zoho Creator has a pricing structure that offers affordable rates for small businesses, with each tier offering a different level of capabilities.
10. ServiceNow: Comprehensive service management with low-code capabilities
Image source: servicenow.com
Overview: ServiceNow excels in IT service management but has expanded its offerings to include low-code solutions that help automate workflows across various departments.
Features for low-code BPM: ServiceNow provides a highly customizable platform that integrates well with existing IT systems. Its heatmaps and advanced reporting tools allow organizations to track efficiencies and identify areas for improvement.
Best for: Organizations looking to streamline operations across IT and business sectors while maximizing integration capabilities.
Pricing: ServiceNow offers customized pricing based on each organization’s specific requirements, ensuring organizations pay for only what they need.
Choosing the right low-code BPM software for your needs
When assessing these ten options, it's essential to evaluate each platform based on specific organizational needs. Look for features that facilitate collaboration and tailor processes to your unique operational goals. Consider the integration capabilities and scalability each solution offers.
Embracing low-code BPM can significantly enhance operational efficiency, streamline workflows, and empower teams to take initiative in process improvement. Tools like Lark can play a pivotal role in this transformation, making it easy for everyone in the organization to engage in these improvements without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
How to choose the right low-code BPM solution
Selecting the best low-code BPM software for your organization is essential for optimizing efficiency and collaboration. Each business has unique needs, so understanding these specifics will help in making an informed choice.
Key criteria to consider
Scalability: Your BPM solution should be able to grow alongside your organization. Look for platforms that can effectively manage increasing workloads and adapt to evolving business needs.
User-friendly interface: An intuitive design allows users to navigate the software easily, minimizing the need for extensive training. A user-friendly interface encourages all team members to engage actively with the tool.
Integration capabilities: The chosen solution must work seamlessly with existing systems. Look for low-code BPM software, such as Lark AnyCross, that offers APIs and supports common integrations, ensuring smooth data flow across platforms.
Support and training: Quality customer support and training resources are crucial for a successful transition. Prioritize platforms that provide helpful documentation and responsive support teams.
Customization options: A flexible low-code BPM solution should allow for extensive customization to meet your business's specific requirements. The ability to modify workflows and dashboards enhances usability.
The future of low-code BPM: Trends to watch
The landscape of low-code BPM is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements and changing business needs. Keeping an eye on emerging trends can offer valuable insights into the future of this essential tool.
Emerging trends
AI integration: Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in enhancing low-code BPM solutions. AI can provide predictive analytics, improve decision-making, and streamline processes, adding substantial value to organizations.
Enhanced analytics: Data-driven decision-making is crucial in today’s market. Low-code BPM software is increasingly equipped with advanced data management capabilities, allowing businesses to derive meaningful insights and make informed choices.
Mobile adaptability: With remote work growing more common, having mobile-friendly low-code BPM solutions is essential. Many platforms are optimizing their features for mobile access, ensuring users can manage workflows from anywhere.
Increased focus on security: As cyber threats rise, low-code BPM platforms are prioritizing security measures. Enhanced security features and compliance options are vital for keeping sensitive data protected while using these solutions.
Predictions for the next five years
Over the next five years, expect a continued shift towards more user-centric low-code BPM solutions. There will be a growing emphasis on empowering citizen developers, improving collaboration tools, and bridging the gap between IT and business users. Organizations will increasingly leverage low-code software to innovate and adapt to changes in the marketplace, driving both growth and efficiency.
Conclusion
Adopting low-code BPM can significantly enhance your organization's efficiency while empowering teams to make meaningful process improvements. By streamlining workflows and reducing developmental obstacles, businesses can focus on what truly matters: delivering outstanding results.
The advantages of a low-code approach are clear. It democratizes application development, making it accessible to non-technical staff and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Companies that embrace low-code and BPM solutions will be better positioned to respond proactively to market demands.
For organizations exploring how to implement low-code BPM into their operations, tools like Lark can serve as invaluable resources. With its intuitive interface and robust collaboration features, Lark can simplify workflow management and enhance productivity, helping teams achieve their operational goals.
FAQs
What is BPM in coding?
BPM, or Business Process Management, coordinates and optimizes an organization’s workflows through software applications. It focuses on improving efficiency and agility within business processes.
What are low-code examples?
Low-code examples refer to platforms that allow users to create applications with minimal coding. Popular choices include OutSystems, Appian, Microsoft Power Apps, and Mendix.
What is meant by low-code?
Low-code refers to a software development approach that uses visual programming interfaces to create applications, minimizing the need for hand-coding. This method allows for faster development and better collaboration between business and IT teams.
What's the difference between low-code and no-code?
The main difference lies in the required technical expertise. Low-code platforms enable some coding flexibility, allowing experienced developers to customize applications further, while no-code platforms cater strictly to users without coding knowledge, relying solely on visual interfaces for application creation.
