Being a Low-Code Engineer – Interview with Armando Homann
A candid interview with ProSolutions' Technical Director on the realities of low-code development, how it fits into an enterprise environment, and what it means for software engineers.
We sat down with Armando Homann, Technical Director at ProSolutions Integration, to discuss what low-code development really means in practice for engineers, for enterprises, and for the future of software development.
1. Tell us more about the unique working environment at ProSolutions.
At ProSolutions we truly offer the full-stack development experience as you get to write applications using the latest frameworks with the flexibility to innovate whilst doing so. Our environment is challenging and dynamic. Our developers and integration specialists are exposed to all the moving parts of a project while adhering to patterns and standards, delivering work in an agile fashion.
2. What does a typical day involve at ProSolutions?
A typical day starts with a strong cup of coffee followed by a game of foosball to get the creative juices flowing. At 9 AM sharp we have our team stand-up this helps us manage current projects, client expectations, and aligns us for the day. Client meetings take place throughout the day to ensure we deliver on schedule and remain aligned with specifications.
3. What is low-code and how do you implement it?
The low-code approach to software development relies on visual interfaces, drag-and-drop features, simple logic, and minimal coding to build applications and processes. Both professional developers and "citizen developers" can use these platforms to build applications that address business demands, automate processes, and help organisations accelerate their digital transformation.
4. How does low-code add value compared to traditional programming?
Traditional software development will always deliver value when the correct methodology is used. However, if you are looking for quick-to-market delivery, the ability to design more solutions, and reduced maintenance costs, low-code is the way to go. While traditional development requires highly skilled teams with in-depth code knowledge, low-code is more inclusive developers with varying experience levels and even business analysts can deliver applications within required timelines.
5. How does low-code fit into the ProSol tech strategy?
ProSolutions has been using a low-code development platform since the inception of i-Con in 2003. Our strategy aims to have a fully SaaS solution supported by our Huawei cloud partnership. We are also continuously adding more low-code components to the i-Con toolbox.
6. What is your view on enterprise adoption of low-code?
Enterprise adoption should begin with Business Process Management streamlining focusing on quick wins through automating paper-based activities and managerial approvals. Success requires combining the right platform with a proper strategy to prevent a siloed approach to development from emerging.
7. How does i-Con implement low-code?
i-Con's implementation of low-code consists of a toolbox offering drag-and-drop interfaces. Each component is configurable to perform specific tasks such as email, file data collection, database connections, or API consumption. A modular approach provides out-of-the-box functionality that works without any special installation or configuration.
8. What advice would you give to a software engineer considering low-code?
It is important to understand that low-code is not anti-code. Low-code platforms are tools within the toolkit of a software engineer. Used correctly, they dramatically decrease time to market and deliver high-quality custom applications. There will always be a need for engineers who understand the inner workings of a system to solve unique and challenging problems.
“Product teams that thrive in the age of low-code tools will embrace them when they make sense and build custom tools when they don't.”
Armando Homann, Technical Director at ProSolutions Integration