With the rise in popularity of the concept of IoT, many organizations and individuals are looking to use IoT for their benefit. The easiest way to incorporate IoT into your business or personal life is through an IoT development platform. They are one of the most important elements in the IoT of the IoT ecosystems. IoT development platforms connect remote devices and enable you to track and manage changes at the touch of your finger. These platforms help organizations and individuals to deploy these IoT applications with the utmost ease. What makes it, even more, easier are the platforms with low-code/ no-code.
Low-Code/ No-Code IoT Development Platforms
Low code/ No-code IoT development platforms are tools that enable people who aren’t software engineers to build software applications. It is another step in the rapid application development movement. Low code indicates that these platforms require the developers to know a very small amount of coding and technical knowledge about IoT technologies and software development. Typically integrators and software developers use it to boost IoT development without experts. No code indicates that these platforms require zero prerequisites for coding. It is a programming platform that uses a visual development interface to enable non-technical users to build applications by dragging and dropping software components in order to develop an app. No-code platforms are meant for business end-users, as it provides simpler but less flexible user interfaces.
Low code and No code tools accelerate IoT development platforms. As a typical IoT setup consists of various devices and applications, integration using regular development is not feasible. Low code platforms via an application programming interface (API) based integration approach minimize the complexity. The latest versions of the leading low code software can easily integrate with all major IoT platforms. Thus it streamlines the orchestration process. Once they are set up in IoT platforms, the users can easily create complex scripts and processes on the managed devices without having any technical knowledge which results in enabling faster development and more reliability. Some of the Low code/ no-code platforms include Mendix, Zvolv, Dhiwise, etc.
Features of Low-Code/ No-Code IoT Platforms:
Drag and Drop interface: No-code platforms are expanding quickly because of how convenient it is to use. This is made possible by drag and drop, which is a central function. The user can easily drag and drop the function they need to build their app using this interface. It enables users to complete the work efficiently.
Visual Modeling: It enables the user to convert business ideas into workflows with UI elements such as data models, notifications, events, and more. No scripting is required, everything has already been developed or visually modeled; all that is left to do is drag, drop and assemble.
User Interface builder: Most no-code platforms provide a user interface that enables users to assemble pre-configured components to build software easily. To build features in a code, the user can drag and drop modules into a logical chain.
Data connections: The low code/no-code software development systems either come pre-configured or with database and server-side applications. They provide a basic user interface for connecting to a preferred database.
Data remodeling: It can seamlessly convert data models into APIs and relational tables.
Security: Access management features give the user full control over the application. The user can manage who can view the application and when.
Integration: It provides easy integration with third-party applications and systems via APIs and connectors.
Limitations of Low-Code/ No-Code IoT Platforms:
Lack of Customization: One of the biggest complications of these platforms is the lack of customization. These options vary from platform to platform. Some platforms limit the customization options, while some allow users to build applications that fit their needs.
Lock-in Effect: Many users assume that their vendor of choice will bind them to the platform, but this isn’t always the case. There are some vendors that build applications using frameworks and open-source code that work everywhere. But it is also true that vendors lock you into their platform by generating complicated code that is almost impossible to maintain outside the platform or by editing that application once you stop using the tool.
Absence of a Proprietary API: Without a proper API, it ends up as a very limited tool. If the intention is to build an application that intends to have an important function in a company, not having an API will be a restrictive factor.
Security Risks: When a user works with their own custom code, they know each and every line written and they can trust their code. On the other hand, when working with low code no-code platforms, the user has to take some risks as they don’t have full control and security breaches can occur.
Conclusion:
Though these platforms may have their limitations, their pros outweigh the cons. Low code and no code IoT development platforms are very beneficial in improving the speed of production. They have gained a lot of momentum in recent years and are even close to replacing traditional programming environments.
IoT development platforms have exponentially grown in industry specific applications which involve sensor tracking and monitoring. Check this article on how IoT development platforms and sensors optimize the industrial manufacturing.
Alessandra Serpes is an engineering student currently pursuing Information and Technology Engineering. She is passionate about software development. She also enjoys baking and reading novels.
