WHITE PAPER

How to deliver on the

low-code promise
Easy, engaging and smart enterprise applications
 Contents
Executive summary 3

Low-code platforms: IT’s new strategic asset 4

Low-code meets IT’s growth challenge… 4

…and the bigger win is to create more engagement with information 4

The OpenText low-code approach: A new way to unlock information 5

Architect for engagement with a common information layer 5

Create smarter low-code applications 6

…with the right organizational structure 6

…and access to artificial intelligence 6

Make development easy 7

Easy path to meet business requirements 7

Easy path to productivity 7

Easy iteration 7

Easy reusability and portability 8

Seamless extensibility with hybrid low-code/custom code 8

Instant browser and mobile readiness 8

Built-in consistency and governance 8

How to deliver on the promise of low-code development 9

How to deliver on the low-code promise 2/10

 Executive summary
Low-code platforms are becoming one of the most strategic investments for IT
organizations. These platforms have grown from tools for simple, departmental
applications into tools for digital transformation, changing the ways users interact
with organizations, and the ways organizations interact with information.

OpenText sees low-code development as the key for every enterprise or

government organization to increase user engagement with its most valuable asset:
information. While organizations have long sought a “single source of truth” for
key information objects at the center of their operations—such as customers,
vendors, contracts and the like—the reality is that this information still exists in a
variety of enterprise systems and content repositories. A fragmented information
environment leads to significant barriers to digital transformation, including:

• Disjointed tasks that reflect content silos.

• Rigid processes that meet the needs of a few internal users but can’t easily be
modified for a broader audience, such as customers who desire self-service.

• Disconnected processes with manual steps filling in the gaps.

• Significant efforts to deploy functionally rich applications that must integrate

with disparate systems.

• Lacking insight into process execution.

System-to-system integration technologies, such as the enterprise service bus

(ESB), pull information from one system and insert it into another. However, they
fail to expose information in a way end users can interact with it, nor do they help
developers easily make use of enterprise information. OpenText aims to change that.

OpenText™ AppWorks™ enables developers to efficiently access information from

disparate systems and repositories. Users can then interact with that information
through applications aligned to their personal and business needs, rather than to the
data models and workflows in the internal systems. AppWorks combines information
from core enterprise systems, creating a common information layer that users can
engage with to drive action. Once the information is brought into the platform,
developers can use it to build new processes or new applications that serve different
user populations than those of the core systems. The information can be modeled
through a process or lifecycle to express complex business processes, including:

• Workflows that orchestrate cross-function processes, where the end users

see a consistent user interface and consistent interactions regardless of the
systems being accessed.

• System-to-system workflows that remove manual steps for application end users.

The AppWorks platform powers digital transformation that’s engaging, smart and
easy to deploy. By building low-code applications with OpenText, organizations gain:

• Greater ability to tap into existing information assets to generate more business
value for the organization, its stakeholders and its customers.

• Significantly lower costs to deploy functionally rich applications.

• Rapid deployment, enabling the organization to live-trial new ideas and adapt
based on learnings.

• Stronger collaboration between business and IT.

• Lower risk, with built-in consistency and governance.

How to deliver on the low-code promise 3/10

 Low-code platforms: IT’s new strategic asset
Over the last two years, low-code application development platforms have taken on
an increasingly important role in enterprises and government organizations. Adoption
statistics indicate that they will soon be one of IT’s most strategic investments:

• Forrester Research predicts that low-code software will be a $10B market by 2020.1

• IDC expects spending on low-code platforms to exceed spending for traditional

application platforms running developer-written custom code by 2018.2

Some in the industry view low-code platforms only as a means to build simple
applications with limited functionality, filling gaps in the IT portfolio. OpenText
sees low-code platforms as the key to unlock new interactions with enterprise
information, engaging users with functionally rich applications that touch multiple
enterprise systems.

This white paper discusses the need for this new breed of low-code applications
and the OpenText approach for empowering IT organizations to deliver applications
in partnership with business stakeholders.

Low-code meets IT’s growth challenge…

It shouldn’t be any surprise that the rise of low-code platforms coincides with a new
wave of digital transformation in virtually every industry. Low-code platforms offer
significant advantages for organizations with many projects to deliver:

• Much faster application development: A recent OpenText customer survey3

shows that IT now wants the capability to deploy applications in a matter of
weeks and iterate many times per year.

• Better use of scarcer resources: OpenText estimates that a project staffed with
skilled low-code developers (not necessarily developers) can save more than
20 percent of cost and time versus traditional projects. Leveraging staff with
capabilities that are different than traditional developers is essential since
Forrester Research estimates the US economy alone will have a gap of 500,000
developers by 2024.4

• Joint business-IT ownership: Business leaders want levels of visibility and

control that they don’t always get with traditional development. In addition,
consumer and departmental do-it-yourself cloud applications have reset their
expectations of how an IT project should proceed.

…and the bigger win is to create more engagement with information

Organizations have long sought a “single source of truth” for the key information
objects at the center of their operations: customers, vendors, contracts and the
like. Yet even after decades of application consolidation and system-to-system
integration projects, few have reached their goal. The barriers remain high:

• Users want the right application for the right job. Even organizations that
have standardized on a single ERP system usually have additional point
solutions or custom-built applications serving specific audiences, for example
customers or partners.

1 John R. Rymer, “Vendor Landscape: A Fork in the Road for Low-Code Development Platforms,” Forrester Research,
Inc., July 31, 2017

2 https://blogs.opentext.com/information-centric-design-broadens-variety-use-cases-low-code-application-
platforms/

3 OpenText survey of 100 customers, May-June 2017

4 Jeffrey S. Hammond with Christopher Mines, Claudia Tajima, “The (Social) Future Of Software Development,”
Forrester Research, Inc., May 4, 2016

How to deliver on the low-code promise 4/10

Does your low-code platform unlock • Different business problems demand different perspectives on the same
your information assets? information. For example, a customer applying for a loan needs to see what
information is required and where the application sits in the process. The loan officer
• Can you bring in all the data
needs a similar view, but the loan processor should be focused on uncompleted
you need?
tasks. The customer-facing application needs to evolve along with trends in user
• Can you filter data before
interaction patterns, while the internally facing application should be more stable
displaying it?
to reduce training costs.
• Can you define relationships
between the data being • The application landscape is continuously growing. With each new business
integrated and information from application comes a potentially new set of integration points.
other systems?
• Valuable information sits outside of enterprise systems, stored in a variety of
• Are you able to add rules on what
content repositories in unstructured or semi-structured form.
gets displayed?
• Can you update systems of record System-to-system integration technologies, such as the enterprise service bus
based on user actions in the (ESB), pull information from one system and insert it into another. However, they fail
low-code application? to expose information to end users in a way that they can interact with it.

Even when system-to-system integrations are accessible within a low-code platform,

the low-code developer must navigate the complexity of the external system’s API.
For example, a low-code developer who wants to display an overview of an individual
customer’s orders must understand the nitty-gritty details of fetching pages of orders
by customer ID using the CRM system’s definition of the customer object. Any mistakes
could result in poor information integrity.

The OpenText low-code approach: A new way to

unlock information
OpenText has been working to solve the enterprise information challenge for
more than a decade, and has approached low-code development with this
broader perspective. The AppWorks platform enables low-code developers to
efficiently bring in information from disparate systems and repositories. Users
can then interact with that information through applications that are aligned to
their personal and business needs, rather than aligned to the data models and
workflows in the internal systems.

Architect for engagement with a common information layer

AppWorks opens an organization’s systems of record to the world of low-code by

creating a common information layer, called entities. This common information layer is
the key to evolving low-code development beyond limited-functionality applications
into functionally rich applications that can serve different user populations, while
bringing together all the information and systems at the core of the enterprise.

Entities are the basic concepts or units of information at the core of each low-code
application. Low-code developers can bring entities in from any external database, or
they can create them within the application itself. Once a unit of information is encoded
as an entity, it can be modeled through a process or lifecycle and trigger complex
business processes, including:

• Master workflows that orchestrate cross-system processes, where end users

see a consistent user interface regardless of the systems being accessed.

• System-to-system workflows that remove manual steps for application end users.

Entities connect with enterprise information via Enterprise Information System

(EIS) connectors, which then connect directly to semi-structured content and
documents stored in repositories or to enterprise systems via a connector
framework. The EIS connector separates low-code developers from the complexity

How to deliver on the low-code promise 5/10

“Pro developers bring of external systems’ APIs. A developer knowledgeable with those systems codes
connectors based on the exposed APIs, and then low-code developers can access
a keen understanding
the full functionality of these integrations via drag-and-drop tools, just like any other
of application design, information object in an entity.

maintainability, AppWorks offers pre-built connectors for common systems like SAP® and
Salesforce®. The AppWorks community has also contributed a wide range of
performance and
connectors for sources such as AS400, Microsoft® Exchange and more than two
reliability; business dozen industry standards. AppWorks can interact with virtually any system via a REST
or web services API, so developers can build as many other integrations as they like.
experts know exactly
Entities are different from traditional object types used by business process
what they need when
management (BPM) systems because they don’t force the low-code developer into
they see it in an app.” a particular functional approach. For example, a BPM system may define an invoice
as a document. This structure works well for accepting scanned paper images, but
Forrester, “Use A Light Touch To
makes it challenging to add collaboration steps within invoice processing. With entity
Govern Low-Code Development
modeling, the functional approach follows the business goals of the application.
Platforms,” February 2017.

Create smarter low-code applications

…with the right organizational structure

Low-code applications may be fast to build, but they should still be built with best
practices in mind. AppWorks and its entity modeling structure support a business/
IT partnership. Business users bring their domain expertise and knowledge of
information flows, while IT injects a perspective on the overall IT landscape.

With AppWorks, IT may play one or more of the following roles:

• Best practices oversight: IT can review application design to ensure applications

don’t have a negative performance impact on other systems and can be
maintained and improved upon over time.

• Information model review: Building an application from the beginning helps it

grow more successfully over time. IT experts can look at the business problem of a
single application in the context of all of the systems and repositories across the
enterprise. They can identify systems of record and prevent data duplication.

• Integrations: IT can build integrations, which are then available to all low-code
developers through the graphical development interface.

• Low-code development as a shared service: IT can develop low-code apps

with direction from the business, in an accelerated version of the traditional
application development model.

…and access to artificial intelligence

AppWorks can tap into artificial intelligence and big data analytics for smarter
automation, utilizing virtually any dataset that could guide user actions or drive
outcomes within a process. For example:

• An insurer could adjust insurance claims faster and eliminate human touch by
giving systems more data to make decisions.

• A government employee processing court dockets could get suggestions that

would improve efficiency.

• Digital business automation applications could include analytics that provide

management with insights to reengineer processes going forward.

With AppWorks, developers can incorporate algorithms anywhere in their

applications where analysis is surfaced.

How to deliver on the low-code promise 6/10

An entity modeling example: Make development easy
Loan processing
AppWorks improves work for low-code developers. In addition to providing simple
A low-code developer working for a access to enterprise information, the platform is designed for fast deployment,
bank could define an entity for loan. easier iteration and easy growth.
They would then add properties to
it, e.g., request date and customer Easy path to meet business requirements
relationship as well as building
With AppWorks, once the low-code developer defines the set of entities at the core of
blocks such as History to keep
the application, they use predefined building blocks to add information or attributes
track of history, Lifecycle to manage
and create the functionality that moves the entity through a process or lifecycle.
the loan lifecycle and processing
activities, Content to manage
documentation that applicants must Entity
submit and Tracking to monitor
BuildingLifecycle
blocks: Mobile App Security Email
progress to funding.
• Life cycle
• Mobile App Building blocks
• Security History
Discussion
• Email (Audit)
• History(Audit) Entity
• Tracking
• Business
Web Services Tracking
• Workspace
Assignee
• Deadline
• Content
Web
• Content
Business Workspace Deadline Assignee
Services
• Discussion

The building blocks are prepackaged functionality, like LEGO® bricks that the
low-code developer builder uses to construct the application. Examples of building
blocks include identification numbers, forms, task assignees, attaching a document,
generating an automated email or capturing an audit trail. Each building block is
functionally rich, scalable and designed for localization and a responsive user
interface. Each delivers instant functionality to the application, accelerating
application deployment.

Easy path to productivity

Entity modeling lets the low-code developer choose between information-first or

process-first development. In other words, the developer can start by defining the
information that requires action (the entities) or by defining the process model or
lifecycle that the application will automate. Either method provides full access to all
predefined building blocks. Whether the low-code developer is a business analyst or
a professional developer, they can employ the method that makes the most sense and
enables the easiest communication with subject matter experts. As a result, it’s easy
to get started, easy to develop and easy to keep all stakeholders on the same page.

Easy iteration

The OpenText compositional development approach is based on building blocks,

prepackaged functionality that makes it practical to deploy an initial application
quickly and modify or add to it in short cycles. Because entities don’t assume
there is specific functionality attached to them, low-code developers can seamlessly
add building blocks to entities at any point in time—or add more entities to the
application, with their own lifecycles.

How to deliver on the low-code promise 7/10

 Easy reusability and portability

With AppWorks, a single data domain model can be shared across all low-code
applications to eliminate data duplication and minimize the number of integration
touchpoints. Low-code developers can reuse entities and business objects across
systems. For example, the same contract object can live in a low-code legal
application built by the organization and in OpenText™ Contract Center. An employee
in OpenText™ People Center™ is also a contract signer in OpenText Contract Center,
leveraging the same employee entity.

Seamless extensibility with hybrid low-code/custom code

AppWorks is fully extensible so that professional developers can supplement

low-code applications with custom code as needed to meet their business
goals. Custom-coded functionality can directly interact with entities built using
the low-code platform to extend or replace its capabilities. For example, a customer
might want a custom front-end on a customer onboarding application to deliver the
exact brand experience they require, while taking advantage of the efficiency that
low-code brings to case management and integrations.

Developers can use OpenText™ AppWorks™ Gateway to deploy and manage APIs, web
services and mobile applications.

Instant browser and mobile readiness

AppWorks enables low-code developers to design functionality once and use it

anywhere at build time for mobile-ready applications. Applications built through the
low-code platform will automatically resize for mobile devices and tablets. In addition,
developers can efficiently build smartphone apps and manage their distribution
through AppWorks Gateway. AppWorks also eliminates the challenges of multi-browser
support, which can be quite time-consuming to optimize with traditional development.

Built-in consistency and governance

AppWorks guides developers to achieve consistency and governance in several ways.

First, all entity models are based on a single integrated metamodel. This approach
to building an application not only captures the structure, but also the information
on the (graphical) visualization, constraints, the building and packaging procedure and
so forth. A key objective of the low-code design interface is to deliver application
consistency. AppWorks also discourages data duplication by promoting a “single
source of truth” for data.

How to deliver on the low-code promise 8/10

 How to deliver on the promise of low-code development
Low-code development offers the most efficient way to connect users (and
systems) with the right information in the context of the tasks they’re performing
or processes they’re completing. And it can do so without creating new data silos
across the enterprise. The OpenText approach to low-code development positions
the AppWorks platform as the strategic low-code application platform that is
quickly emerging as a must-have for IT.

The evolving role of strategic low-code platforms

Yesterday Today and tomorrow

Tactical applications are ready in Strategic applications are ready in

days or weeks. weeks, not months or years.

IT saves money by leaving IT saves money by eliminating expenses

development to business users. in designing, writing, testing and
maintaining code and by coordinating
work with business developers within IT
and in business units.

Applications automate simple Applications unlock the value of

business processes. information residing in existing
enterprise systems and content
repositories.

Here are guidelines on how to drive the most success from the low-code
movement today:

1. Use low-code for strategic, customer-centric applications, not just tactical

tools. Empower users to take action that’s aligned to customer needs, rather than
the data models and workflows in your internal systems. By doing so, you’ll gain
more value from the information in your systems of record. Look for a low-code
platform that offers a comprehensive information layer, not just system-to-system
integration that requires extensive development resources in order to support
functionally rich applications.

2. Build a roadmap to start fast and iterate faster. With low-code applications,
you can deliver better functionality faster by deploying and learning from your
users. Keep low-code developers focused on your organization’s immediate
needs and leave stakeholders’ wish lists for future releases.

3.Think about low-code and traditional custom-coded applications as a spectrum.

There’s no hard line where one approach is for simple apps and the other for
serious applications.

4.Architect for a business/IT partnership, not for business-focused developers

to go it alone. Build your applications to last, and build them with room to grow. To
maximize maintainability, look for a platform that encourages consistency and
supports an enterprise-wide governance structure. Think now about how you’ll be
able to incorporate new technologies such as artificial intelligence.

OpenText AppWorks makes low-code applications engaging, smart and easy to

develop and deploy. Contact OpenText to explore the platform today.

How to deliver on the low-code promise 9/10

 About OpenText
OpenText, The Information Company, enables organizations to gain insight through
market leading information management solutions, on-premises or in the cloud. For
more information about OpenText (NASDAQ: OTEX, TSX: OTEX) visit: opentext.com.

Connect with us:

• OpenText CEO Mark Barrenechea’s blog
• Twitter | LinkedIn

opentext.com/contact 10/10

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