Low-code development – what is it? Discover examples of how low-code platforms are used

What are low-code platforms?

Low-code platforms are applications that enable developers to build IT solutions faster by reducing the amount of manual coding required. These platforms provide many ready-made mechanisms and components out of the box, so users don't have to build everything from scratch. Development teams can leverage these pre-built elements while still coding custom solutions wherever necessary. Low-code technology is used to deploy websites, web and mobile applications, and internal company systems for business process automation.

What does low-code application development look like in practice? A developer logs into the low-code platform and configures a large portion of the system's functions directly within the interface, rather than working in a code editor from the start. Only when more custom functionality is needed – which the platform doesn't offer – do they supplement the solution with their own code within the platform.

Benefits of low-code development for businesses

As you might have guessed, the primary goal behind creating low-code platforms was to accelerate the development process for applications and various types of systems. This was mainly driven by the rapid pace of digitalization and the growing demand for new IT solutions. More and more companies needed business application development services, while the market faced a shortage of specialists. Consequently, there was a need to build applications in a faster and more accessible way.

Over time, however, it turned out that low-code tools offer companies other benefits as well:

• Lower costs – low-code reduces the amount of programming work required to create an application, making deployments more affordable than traditional development.
• Easy maintenance – solutions based on ready-made components are easier to scale and modify, often without needing to involve a developer for every minor change.
• Rapid changes – low-code platforms allow for more efficient adaptation of applications to new business needs, process changes, and market requirements.

Digital transformation has thus made the creation of even complex applications more accessible, even for small businesses.

Low-code or no-code development? Know the difference

In addition to low-code development, another new technology used in software creation is no-code, an approach that allows for building solutions without writing any code at all. The most important difference between these two lies in the ability to interact with the code.

No-code relies primarily on ready-made components and visual configuration, whereas low-code additionally allows you to extend the solution with your own code when the platform's built-in features prove insufficient. In practice, no-code is often better suited for simpler applications and automations, while low-code technologies are preferred where more complex logic, integrations, or greater flexibility are required. However, the line between these approaches is not always clear, as some no-code platforms also allow for coding specific elements.

You can read more about the differences between these two software development approaches in our article: "Low-code vs. no-code – what are they and how do they differ? Which one should you choose for your company?"

Examples of our low-code and no-code projects

At Sagiton Automation, we have been using NCLC (No/Low-code) platforms for several years to develop business applications for our clients. To give you a better idea of how NCLC technologies can be used, we have prepared 3 case studies from our implementations.

Automating B2B sales processes using low-code platforms

We carried out this project for a company offering B2B products and services that operated four independent sales departments. The client was looking for a low-code agency to help organize and automate lead management, accelerate sales response times, and better integrate their existing sales tools.

What problems was the company looking to solve?
The biggest challenge was a fragmented inquiry handling process. Leads arrived from several different forms, their distribution among sales reps was manual, and the existing CRM did not allow for proper segmentation of qualification stages. As a result, the company struggled to distribute inquiries evenly and maintain short response times.

What solution did we create?
We built a centralized lead management system that collects inquiries in one place, supports their qualification, and automatically assigns them to the appropriate sales representatives. The system also monitors response times, sends notifications and messages to customers, pushes qualified leads to the CRM, and provides managers with data and intuitive sales dashboards.

How did we use low-code?
The solution is built on two low-code platforms: Airtable and n8n. We used Airtable as a flexible database and a layer for managing lead information, statuses, and process parameters, while n8n handles workflow automation and integrations between individual applications. This allowed us to connect Airtable with the tools the client was already using, such as WordPress, GetResponse, Livespace, Google Workspace, and SMSAPI, without having to build the entire system from scratch.

No-code application for managing a drugstore chain

We carried out this project for a company managing a chain of drugstores. The goal was to create a single application that would streamline the process of ordering marketing materials by individual stores, simplify accountability, and replace several fragmented tools previously used for this process.

What problems did the company have?
The marketing material ordering process involved many people, making it unclear who was responsible for a given order and what stage it was at. Additionally, employees used several different applications, which made it difficult for managers to keep track of order statuses. Another challenge was the cost of building such an extensive application using traditional development methods. Quotes from other providers significantly exceeded the client's budget.

What solution did we create?
We designed a multi-level application to handle the entire ordering process—from selecting item parameters by store employees to monitoring fulfillment status at the manufacturer. Different access levels helped organize permissions and clearly define responsibilities among users. The entire application was deployed within 8 weeks, and thanks to the use of no-code technology, the implementation cost was about 30% lower than with a standard development approach.

How did we use NCLC?
We built the application on the Bubble.io no-code platform, which provides pre-defined elements for interface design. This allowed us to build an extensive system faster without having to program every element from scratch. The built-in admin panel also allowed the client to add new system users and change certain settings independently, without needing to involve technical staff for every minor update.

AI system using low-code for Anda Śruby

We carried out this project for Anda Śruby, a company specializing in the sale of fasteners for B2B clients. With the growing number of quote requests, the company was looking for a way to shorten customer service time, reduce manual work for sales reps, and make better use of data in their CRM.

What problems did the company have?
A large part of the quoting process was done manually. Sales reps had to analyze the content of messages and attachments, check product availability, update data in HubSpot, and prepare information for further customer service. An additional problem was the lack of complete data regarding the progress of sales conversations.

What solution did we create?
We developed an AI-based solution that automatically analyzes incoming messages, identifies quote requests, processes attachments, and prepares a list of products along with their specifications. Our low-code solution also supports lead qualification, updates CRM data, analyzes sales calls, and provides sales representatives with the information needed to prepare a proposal.

How did we use low-code and no-code?
One of the key components of the solution was n8n, a low-code platform for building automations and integrations between applications. We used it to connect tools such as email, HubSpot, AI tools, OCR, and the company's internal systems. The second important element, as in the first automation we described, was Airtable. We created a dashboard there in which sales reps could verify products identified by the AI, correct results, and prepare a proposal for the client. As a result, the automation saved the company approximately 200 hours of work per month.

In summary – why are companies choosing low-code development?

Low-code development allows entrepreneurs to build applications, automate processes, and integrate tools faster without having to build everything from scratch. Predefined components and the ability to extend solutions with custom code mean that projects can be delivered faster, more flexibly, and often at a lower cost than with a traditional approach.

As the examples above demonstrate, low-code platforms are effective for sales automation, order processing, and AI-driven solutions alike. For many companies, they are a way to implement changes faster and scale applications in line with growing business needs.