Can no code tools help your business create custom management tools?
No Code tools, like Bubble, can really help business model how your business operates. Providing your team with information to help with decision making and developing growth opportunities.
Technology is always evolving. Slowly but surely over time we see big changes. And n a way we are now seeing a fascinating full-circle moment.
Thirty years ago, organisations were often to compelled to build their own solutions due to the scarcity and high cost of off-the-shelf software. This era saw enterprises customising tools like Excel and Access, crafting macros to automate routine tasks and generate essential reports.
It meant teams could play and manipulate data to generate their own reporting mechanisms and they could be distributed easily within the organisation.
As Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) emerged, the need for in-house development diminished significantly. SaaS offered a range of cost-effective solutions with manageable monthly fees, reducing the burden on businesses to develop and maintain their own systems. This shift democratised access to advanced tools, enabling even small businesses to leverage sophisticated software without substantial upfront investments.
The growth of SaaS has introduced new challenges. Many businesses find themselves juggling multiple subscriptions, each addressing a specific need but collectively adding up to significant costs. This fragmentation often means there is a need to integrate these various platforms, through a patchwork of APIs and intermediate solutions reminiscent of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
Interestingly, the software industry is now returning to its roots, thanks to the advent of no-code platforms. These tools make it easier for businesses to regain control over their processes and information architecture without requiring extensive technical expertise. Platforms like Make and Zapier mean analysts with in existing teams can join up all the different systems, enabling businesses to "glue" their SaaS tools together efficiently.
Taking it a step further, businesses can utilise no-code platforms like Bubble or Noodl to develop comprehensive in-house solutions. These platforms empower companies to build bespoke ERPs or workflow systems tailored precisely to their needs, combining the best of both worlds: the customisation of in-house solutions and the efficiency of modern development tools.
How can businesses strategically navigate and balance between SaaS solutions and in-house development to optimise their operations and maintain control over their technology stack.
We thought we’d look at how this can benefit business. How could you create an advantage for your business?
Learn how Orzo Blue can help you get started developing in house tools to build tools to model your business’s workflow.
Customization:
Tailored to Specific Needs: In-house tools can be designed to meet the actual requirements of the business. If the team is fully involved, specific workflows and processes can be taken in to account.
Flexible Features: Where things don’t fit, you can easily modify and adapt without being constrained by the limitations of a generic SaaS product.
Integration with Existing Systems:
Seamless Integration: Custom tools can be seamlessly integrated and synchronised with your existing systems and databases, giving you a consistent flow of data across all platforms.
API Control: With in-house tools, you have full control over API integrations, providing you with a reliable and secure connections between systems.
Data Ownership and Security:
Data Control: Building in-house ensures that you have complete control over your data, reducing risks associated with data breaches or loss due to third-party mishandling. You can host the data where you need to and have access to it, easily at all times.
Enhanced Security: Custom tools can be designed with your specific security protocols in mind, offering higher levels of protection compared to off-the-shelf solutions. Although, you are reliant upon your team understanding the risks and staying up to date with changes in security methodology.
Scalability:
Adaptability to Growth: In-house tools can be scaled and adapted as the business grows and evolves, without the constraints often imposed by third party platforms. You don’t need to commit too early. You can grow the tools as your ideas and decision making impact your business.
Performance Optimisation: Custom solutions can be optimised for the needs of the business.
Cost Efficiency:
Avoiding Vendor Lock-In: Building in-house eliminates dependency on a third-party vendor, which can help avoid potential issues with price increases, service downtimes, or discontinued services.
Less Recurring Fees: There will of course be the cost for hosting the solution in-house and there will be support costs for staff to manage the resources. But these might be similar or overlap with the staff that also develop the system.
Scalability: Custom solutions can be designed to scale with your business, avoiding costly upgrades or pricing tiers often associated with SaaS products.
Competitive Advantage:
Proprietary Technology: Developing unique tools can provide a competitive edge, because they have features not available in standard off the shelf SaaS solutions.
Innovation: In-house development enables innovation and experimentation, which will help teams identify opportunities because they have a greater understanding of the information the business holds. Your team can easily work with your developers to generate what-if scenarios to test out ideas.
True Understanding: Using your own team to develop your internal workflow means you have the business knowledge in hand to create what you need with a workflow that suits your team.
Ownership and Control:
Full Control: Developing in-house gives your business complete control over the tools, including its development roadmap, feature updates, and maintenance schedules. You can reprioritise as you go.
Intellectual Property: Owning the software outright can be a valuable intellectual property asset, which can potentially offer a competitive advantage and add value to your own balance sheet; also opening up the potential for licensing and monetisation.
User Experience:
Enhanced User Experience: Tools can be designed in collaboration with the end-users, who work with the developers to create a greater understanding of the problems they are trying to solve.
Faster Adoption: The team will be bought in to the development process and therefore keen to use the tools once they are ready.
Support and Maintenance:
Dedicated Support: With in-house development, support can be more responsive and aligned with the business's priorities.
Continuous Improvement: The business can continuously improve and update the tool based on user feedback and as they go along.
Control Over Updates: You can schedule updates and maintenance at times that are least disruptive to your business operations.
Conclusion
The evolution of business technology has come full circle, from early in-house solutions to the SaaS revolution, and now back to customised platforms. No-code and low-code tools have democratised software development. This means businesses can create tailored solutions that align with their own objectives.
Building in-house not only gives businesses control over the direction of their platforms but also enables them to own valuable intellectual property. Bespoke solutions can precisely match team workflows, meaning higher productivity and hopefully a competitive edge.
Any business taking this approach would hope for more better decision making, because they have more of the data they need at hand, and geared towards the goals of the business.