In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, innovation and adaptability are key drivers of success. For global manufacturers, integrating complex systems and digitizing legacy processes while maintaining operational excellence is no small feat. At the heart of this transformation lies low-code development—a powerful enabler for delivering connected, scalable, and efficient solutions.

The Challenges of Legacy Systems

Many manufacturers face the challenge of managing outdated legacy systems developed decades ago in various programming languages. These systems often lead to high maintenance costs, technical debt, and inefficiencies, limiting IT teams’ capacity to innovate. Furthermore, traditional development approaches struggle to keep pace with the growing demand for digital transformation.

This is where low-code platforms come into play, enabling manufacturers to reimagine their processes and meet the demands of modern manufacturing with speed and efficiency.

Why Low-Code Is a Game-Changer

Low-code development empowers organizations to build and deploy applications quickly by leveraging visual interfaces and prebuilt components. This approach not only accelerates application delivery but also fosters collaboration between business and IT teams, bridging communication gaps and ensuring solutions align closely with business needs.

For manufacturers, low-code platforms offer several distinct advantages:

• Rapid development: Applications can be built and deployed in weeks, not months.
• Seamless integration: Low-code platforms can easily connect to core systems such as ERP, PLM, and MES.
• Flexibility and scalability: Applications can be tailored to specific processes and scaled across global operations.
• Cost-effectiveness: Licensing and development costs are optimized, ensuring a high return on investment.

Success Stories in Low-Code Manufacturing

Adopting a low-code platform has enabled manufacturers to rebuild critical applications, digitize manual processes, and optimize operations. One notable example is the development of an aircraft configuration management system in just two months in Sonaca company. The application, integrated with systems like SAP and Teamcenter, automates complex processes, eliminating manual interventions and ensuring product accuracy. Sonaca company utilized the Mendix low-code platform.

In another instance, a paint shop application was developed in six months to replace an unwieldy Excel-based system. This solution reduced nonconformities by 100% within a month of implementation. Such results demonstrate how low-code can transform shop floor operations and improve compliance with stringent quality standards.

Building a Foundation for Sustainable Growth

To maximize the benefits of low-code development, organizations need to:

1. Invest in training: Developers can become proficient in low-code in just a few weeks, enabling them to create impactful solutions quickly.
2. Adopt agile methodologies: Collaborative, iterative development ensures that applications meet business needs effectively.
3. Leverage reusable components: Building a library of reusable integrations and templates accelerates future development.
4. Foster business-IT collaboration: Engaging stakeholders early and frequently results in better-aligned solutions.

The Path Forward

For manufacturers, low-code is more than a tool—it’s a strategy for driving digital transformation. It bridges gaps between legacy systems, eliminates inefficiencies, and provides the agility needed to respond to evolving business demands. By adopting a low-code platform, manufacturers can focus on innovation, deliver better products, and scale their operations globally.

As the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, low-code platforms will play an integral role in creating smarter, more connected solutions. For organizations looking to enhance their agility and scalability, low-code offers a clear path forward—a path that unlocks new possibilities and drives long-term success.