In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, Rob Koplowitz and John Rymer discuss the evolving landscape of low-code application development, particularly in light of the rise of AI and its implications for SaaS. They explore various vendor perspectives, the challenges of integration and orchestration, and the shift towards process automation. The conversation highlights the strengths and weaknesses of established players like Microsoft, Pega, ServiceNow, Camunda, OutSystems, Mendix, Workato, and UiPath, as well as newer entrants in the market like Writer. The episode concludes with insights into their upcoming research report on the AI Application Platform Race.

In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, hosts Rob Koplowitz and Dave Marcus engage with Daniel Meyer from Camunda to explore the intersection of low-code development, AI, and process automation. They discuss Daniel's journey to Camunda, the evolving role of AI in business processes, and the importance of BPMN in managing complex workflows. The conversation also touches on the future of open-source software, the integration of RPA and IDP technologies, and the concept of the autonomous enterprise, highlighting how organizations can leverage these advancements to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency.

Takeaways

• Daniel Meyer shares his journey from sound engineering to process automation.
• AI is viewed through the lens of automation at Camunda.
• The evolution from manual processes to task automation is crucial.
• Measuring productivity gains is essential but not the end goal.
• Personalization of customer experiences will define future success.
• BPMN serves as a bridge between business and IT.
• Dynamic execution patterns in BPMN can accommodate AI decision-making.
• Robust orchestration is necessary for integrating various technologies.
• The definition of applications is shifting towards unstructured interactions.
• The future of business processes will be more autonomous and proactive.

In this episode, Angela Stewart discusses the transformative impact of AI on business development and citizen development. She shares her journey from a business background to a tech-focused role, emphasizing the importance of creativity and governance in AI implementation. Angela highlights success stories of AI applications, the evolution of ideation to production, and the risks associated with AI development, particularly in regulated industries. The conversation concludes with insights on the future of work and the necessity for creativity in leveraging AI technologies.

Takeaways
-AI has revolutionized application development processes.
-Citizen development empowers business users to create solutions.
-Governance is essential in managing AI implementations.
-Creativity will be a key skill in the future workforce.
-AI can significantly reduce the time from ideation to production.
-Tech debt remains a critical concern in AI development.
-Successful AI applications can emerge from simple ideas.
-The role of business analysts is evolving with AI tools.
-AI can enhance productivity by automating administrative tasks.
-Collaboration between business and tech teams is crucial for success.

We've all heard it: software applications in the future will be completely different. Ok, how? We pulled in an old friend and colleague to dive into  the question. Julie Ask of Julie Ask Advisory joins Low Down on Low-Code with Rob Koplowitz, John Rymer and Andy Bartels to discuss. The old friends and colleagues dive into the topic of what the future of applications will look like with more AI, copilots and agents. The four attempt to separate the hype from reality and provide some crunchy advise on where to place your bets now and in the future. 

In this episode of the Low Down on Low-Code podcast, hosts John Rymer and Ryan Duguid engage with Nathan Rose, a functional architect and Microsoft MVP, to explore the evolving landscape of low-code and no-code development. They discuss Nathan's journey into the low-code space, the role of AI and agents in automation, the skills required to work with these technologies, and the importance of governance and manageability. The conversation also addresses the fears surrounding AI and the future of low-code professionals in a rapidly changing environment.

Takeaways
-Nathan Rose has 15 years of experience in low-code.
-Functional architects focus on user needs rather than technical coding.
-AI is a significant theme in low-code development.
-Deterministic automation is effective for known processes.
-Stop catastrophizing about AI; it's an opportunity.
-Hands-on experience with AI can lead to new opportunities.
-Governance in AI and low-code is crucial to prevent issues.
-The future of low-code professionals may require new skills.
-Domain expertise will remain valuable in the age of AI.
-AI will change the landscape of many jobs, creating new opportunities.

In this episode of Lowdown on Low-Code, Rob Koplowitz and John Rymer engage with Richard Riley, General Manager of Low-Code Marketing at Microsoft, discussing the evolution and impact of the Power Platform. They explore Richard's journey to Microsoft, the role of citizen developers, the integration of AI in low-code development, and the importance of governance and community in successful low-code adoption. The conversation also touches on the future of SaaS and the potential of agents in transforming business processes.

Takeaways

• Power Platform has evolved significantly over the years.
• Citizen developers play a crucial role in low-code adoption.
• AI is reducing barriers for non-technical users to engage with low-code tools.
• Community support is essential for low-code success.
• Governance is necessary to manage risks associated with low-code development.
• The future of SaaS may lean towards custom development with low-code solutions.
• Agents will transform how businesses automate processes.
• Low-code tools should be accessible to a broad audience.
• Training and change management are vital for low-code adoption.
• The integration of AI will enhance the capabilities of low-code platforms.

Francis Carden and Rob Koplowitz host Pega Chief of Launchpad, John Huehn. Launchpad is a radical departure from Pega's traditional business and holds the promise to upend ISV software development. The group discusses the transformative potential of low-code platforms, and how that can now extend to the ISV market. John, a key figure at Pega, shares his journey from the telecom industry to leading customer service innovations and now spearheading Launchpad.They explore the integration of AI in this space, the implications for private equity, VCs and self-funded ISV approaches, and the future landscape of software development.

Takeaways

• Low-code platforms are revolutionizing application development.
• Pega's Launchpad offers an end-to-end solution for SaaS.
• AI integration is crucial for modern software development.
• The shift from traditional coding to low-code is significant.
• Private equity sees potential in low-code solutions.
• Companies can focus on unique IP rather than infrastructure.
• Launchpad simplifies the development process for software providers.
• The future of software is about delivering outcomes efficiently.
• Low-code enables faster time-to-market for applications.
• Understanding the model is key to leveraging low-code effectively.

Content and unstructured data are an incredible part of an automation strategy. In this episode of Low Down on Low-Code, Rob Koplowitz interviews Jitesh Ghai, CEO of Hyland, discussing the intersection of low-code development, automation, and the management of unstructured data. They explore Jitesh's journey in technology, the critical role of low-code in achieving business outcomes, and how Hyland is uniquely positioned to drive automation strategies in regulated industries. The conversation also delves into the transformative potential of AI in content management and the future of business processes through agentic automation.

Takeaways
-It's important to have a plan but also let life reveal its plan.
-Hyland focuses on business outcomes, not just document retention.
-Low code is critical for enabling organizations to meet their processes.
-Engaging business users is essential for successful deployments.
-Hyland has deep expertise in regulated industries.
-AI has been a part of automation for decades.
-The future of enterprise technology will be radically different.
-Agents will replace business processes, not people.
-Generative models can structure unstructured data effectively.
-Hyland is positioned at the confluence of AI and mission-critical data.

Summary
In this Low Down on Low-Code episode, hosts Rob Koplowitz and John Rymer engage with Rafsan Huseynov, a solution architect and Microsoft MVP, to explore the evolving landscape of low-code development and citizen development. Rafsan shares his journey from a non-programming background to becoming a pro-code developer, emphasizing the importance of improving business processes through technology. The conversation delves into the critical shift needed between business and IT, the role of change management in citizen development, and the significance of frameworks like those from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Additionally, they discuss the implications of AI in business, the necessity of governance, and how individuals can prepare for an AI-driven future.

Takeaways

• Rafsan's journey from economics to citizen development highlights the importance of improving workflows.
• The shift in dynamics between business and IT is crucial for successful low-code implementation.
• Change management is essential for engaging users in the development process.
• The PMI framework provides a structured approach for citizen developers.
• AI governance is necessary to mitigate risks associated with AI implementation.
• Every organization is becoming a software company, necessitating a shift in mindset.
• Understanding business needs is critical for IT professionals.
• Citizen developers can evolve into pro-code developers with the right tools and training.
• AI should be used where reasoning capabilities are needed, not for simple automation tasks.
• Becoming a domain expert is key to leveraging AI effectively.

Timestamps
02:01 - Rafsan's Journey to Citizen Development

05:52 - The Shift Between Business and IT

09:46 - The Role of Software in Business

12:34 - Change Management in Citizen Development

17:00 - Insights from the Project Management Institute

21:04 - Navigating the AI Landscape

26:30 - Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

In this episode of Lowdown on Lowcode, hosts Rob Koplowitz and John Rymer engage with Ian Barkin, a founding partner at 2B Ventures and co-author of 'All Hands on Tech, the AI-powered Citizen Revolution.' The conversation explores the concept of citizen development, emphasizing the importance of empowering business people to drive innovation and improve processes. Ian discusses the roles of citizen developers and citizen data scientists, the significance of robotic process automation (RPA), and the evolving landscape of AI in business applications. The episode highlights the need for collaboration between business and IT, the value of democratizing technology, and the importance of fostering a culture of innovation within organizations.

Takeaways

• Citizen development empowers business people to innovate.
• Understanding customer needs is crucial for process improvement.
• RPA can bridge gaps between systems and improve efficiency.
• AI is changing the landscape of business applications.
• Collaboration between business and IT is essential for success.
• Citizen data scientists can drive significant value through data analysis.
• Organizations should encourage citizen innovation and scouting.
• Training in technology is important but mindset matters more.
• Democratizing technology leads to better customer experiences.
• Leadership should incentivize and support innovation efforts.

Timestamps
05:03 - The Evolution of RPA and Citizen Development

10:16 - Understanding Citizen Data Scientists

15:09 - The Role of Business in Automation

19:56 - AI's Impact on Business Applications

25:16 - Encouraging Innovation in Enterprises