Häufig gestellte Fragen
What is a low-code platform and how does it differ from no-code?
A low-code platform is a development environment in which applications, forms and workflows are built largely visually via drag and drop and configuration, rather than being programmed entirely by hand. The difference from no-code is that low-code deliberately keeps a door open to real programme code — for example through custom scripts, formulas or calls to external services — whereas no-code largely dispenses with code and is aimed at pure business users. Market analysts such as Gartner classify low-code application platforms (LCAP) as accelerated development by professional developers and emphasise that even complex applications can be built with them — a key advantage over no-code. For ERP extensions, low-code is therefore usually the more robust choice, because complex integrations rarely get by without supplementary code.
Do I still need developers at all for a low-code platform?
Low-code lowers the entry barrier far enough that business-savvy users — so-called citizen developers — can build simple apps and workflows themselves without formal developer training. Gartner defines a citizen developer as a user who creates applications for others using tools approved by IT, and forecasts that by 2026 around three quarters of new applications will be built with low-code technologies. For demanding logic, performance-critical components, security requirements and deep ERP integrations, however, professional developer expertise generally remains necessary. In practice, business departments and IT therefore often work in tandem rather than developers being replaced entirely.
How is a low-code application connected to an existing ERP system?
The connection is typically made via pre-built connectors or open interfaces, so that the low-code application can read data from the ERP and write it back. REST or GraphQL interfaces are common for this; if an older system lacks modern protocols, it can often be wrapped with a dedicated REST API that the platform then addresses. It is important that the extension runs alongside the ERP and does not intervene in its core, because this preserves the standard system's ability to receive updates and new releases. When selecting a platform, it is therefore worth taking a close look at which connectors already exist for the specific ERP in use.
Which low-code platforms are widely used in the market?
The most frequently cited international providers include Microsoft Power Apps, Mendix, OutSystems, Appian, ServiceNow and Salesforce, which Gartner ranks as Leaders in its Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Low-Code Application Platforms (most recently 2025). Microsoft Power Apps is particularly attractive for companies that already work in the Microsoft 365 and Azure environment, while OutSystems and Mendix are positioned for large, long-lived application portfolios. Among German mid-sized companies, ERP-related and industry-specific low-code tools also play a role, for example as an integrated extension layer of individual ERP products. This list is illustrative and does not constitute a rating or ranking; the right choice depends on the ERP landscape, requirements and existing expertise.
What risks and limits does the use of low-code platforms have?
A central risk is dependence on the vendor, because the applications created are tied to its runtime environment and proprietary building blocks, and a later platform switch is usually laborious. Added to this is the danger of uncontrolled sprawl and shadow IT when many business users build their own apps without clear governance; industry experts therefore recommend binding rules, often in the form of a Center of Excellence that governs approvals, data protection and interface access. Licence and operating costs also frequently scale with user numbers or data volume and can become substantial with broad adoption. An honest assessment of which projects are suited to low-code and at what level of complexity classic custom development makes more sense therefore belongs in every selection decision.
Does a low-code platform replace ERP customising?
No, as a rule the two approaches complement each other rather than replacing one another. Adaptations close to the standard core process still belong in classic ERP customising or system parameterisation, while low-code platforms close the gap between standard functionality and expensive custom development — for example for supplementary apps, mobile data capture or department-specific workflows alongside the ERP. The advantage of this separation is that extensions do not intervene in the core system's source code, which protects its ability to be updated. The specific division varies, however, depending on industry, company size and the customising depth of the respective ERP setup.