How does no-code change the daily life of finance departments?

The no-code revolution is on its way! Promoted by platforms such as Bubble, Zapier orMicrosoft PowerApps, but above all acclaimed by millions of users who were previously spectators of digitalization, no-code has a bright future ahead of it. Microsoft even talks about the “future of computing“.

But what is the no-code? What are the concrete use cases? We give you some answers.

What is no-code?

Definition

No-code gives the possibility to develop applications, websites or business tools without having to type a single line of computer code. It is inseparable from “low-code” which works on the same principle, but requires some programming knowledge to obtain the desired result.

In reality, the “no-code” is not a novelty: it is a concept that has existed for a good fifteen years:

• Since 2004, WordPress allows you to create a website using predefined elements.
• Since 2006, Shopify offers the possibility to create an online store without computer knowledge.

The development of telecommuting and the growing need for customized digital solutions have led to an explosion of “no-code” tools and platforms. The general public has also discovered its existence and benefits.

Benefits

The promise is simple: no more need for programmers to develop the digital solutions you need.

What was true for websites is now also true for applications and corporate IT tools: customization is within reach, and accessible to all

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of no-code and low-code is that, especially for companies, the possibilities of creation and customization are limited by the tool used.

What can be the use of no-code for a finance department?

The example of self-built websites illustrates how no-code works, but its application to finance departments is not necessarily relevant. To identify possible use cases, it is often necessary to ask yourself what recurring tasks you would like to automate:

• Extract data from the CRM or accounting software to integrate them into a report
• Create an invoicing module with automatic sending of invoices
• Automate the production of dashboards

If you can’t build a complete application, “no code” tools allow you to automate certain tasks by creating small computer programs. Zappier makes it easy to create connections between different tools or to extract data to put them in an Excel table.

Example:

BI software allows you to obtain pre-programmed reports, but also to build your own reports according to your company’s needs, whether on a one-time or recurring basis. There is no need to call on the IT department to obtain an overview of the evolution of the gender pay gap in the company over the last 10 years, or the monthly sales report: with just a few clicks, the “no-code” tools allow you to obtain this information.

The advantages for the finance department are therefore numerous:

• Cost reduction
• Process optimization
• Accelerated digitalization of the company
• Better control and monitoring of data
• Agility and flexibility

The importance of consulting in a no-code environment

It may seem paradoxical, but the proper use of a no-code environment requires solid knowledge, both of computers and of the company’s operations. No-code” does not mean the disappearance of consulting firms or the programming profession.

First, the distinction between “no-code” and “low-code” is not trivial:

• The “no-code” is indeed accessible to all, but it is also much more limited.
• Low-code” offers many more possibilities, but requires programming knowledge.

In addition, an efficient and optimal use of no-code tools often requires a good understanding of business processes and solid IT knowledge.

Depending on the size and complexity of your use cases, it may be appropriate to go it alone or to seek help from an external partner.

Learn to use the tools

The vast majority of “no code” tools are intended for “non-computer scientists” but this does not always mean that they are easy to use for the average person.

It may seem counter-intuitive to train on a “no code” tool, but it can be interesting for :

• Know the tool and its interface
• Learn to use it
• Explore the functions
• Implementing automatic solutions
• Discover the different possibilities

A number of tutorials and articles also allow for free and easy training on these tools.

Depending on the company’s objectives, it is possible to use only the simplest and most standard “no-code” services, or on the contrary to optimize the possibilities offered to have solutions that meet the company’s exact needs.

In conclusion, the simplicity, pragmatism, efficiency and performance offered by no-code services are a definite benefit to any company.

👆 You have recurring tasks that you would like to automate, call on the Altermès teams to help you understand the business processes and automate these tasks.