Low Code Is the Future of Software. We’re Betting on Claris FileMaker as the Solution, and You Should, Too.
As the world dramatically changed this spring amid tragic headlines and concerns about COVID-19, organizational leaders took stock of the situation. With stay-at-home mandates the norm, businesses felt the impact not only in their current operations but also within their IT infrastructure. For many firms, one area of significant impact was software development, which is pivotal to achieving change in organizational systems.
With developers, testers and Ops teams suddenly working remotely, collaborative software delivery became impractical. Even as change requests stacked up in many firms, savvy business leaders were seeking an alternative. One approach that sparked a lot of interest, and that we believe will guide the future of software development, is low code.
We are also confident that the best platform for low-code development is Claris FileMaker, and we are not the only ones. So relevant is Claris FileMaker to the low-code movement that CNBC reported on it in early May. In the article, “An Apple business you may not know that’s poised to boom from coronavirus crisis,” CNBC interviewed Claris CEO Brad Freitag. “There is a massive opportunity for low code to help in the COVID-19 situation,” said Freitag.
Streamlining Application Development
Low code isn’t new – the term was coined in 2014 by research firm Gartner, and the concept has been around for decades. In a classic example of “what’s old is new again,” it has come back into prominence for several reasons.
Low code is a visual approach to application development that simplifies the process, incorporating drag-and-drop components and a graphical user interface (GUI). As such, it is suitable for nearly any development environment, regardless of coder skillsets. This modular approach also facilitates automation of tedious tasks, enabling developers to create large, complex applications much more quickly.
More importantly during the current pandemic, modularity makes it easier for developers in remote locations to work on individual bits of functionality, checking them in as they complete them. Using this approach, they never come into direct contact with their other team members.
Evolution of a Winner: Claris FileMaker
Now that I have you excited about low code, let’s turn to Claris FileMaker, and why you will want to license it for your low code work. Here’s the scoop.
FileMaker first debuted as a data engine integrated with a platform-agnostic GUI, enabling users to easily make modifications to the database by dragging new elements into layouts, screens, or forms. Subsequent improvements, including cross-platform support, the use of a relational database, and robust security made it even more appealing.
These features were incorporated into a professional version of FileMaker – FileMaker Pro, that has been the top seller in the Claris lineup since 1995. Since then, the product has evolved even more, incorporating script variables, enhanced debugging, and copy-and-paste support for field definitions, scripts, script steps, and more.
Keeping Your SDLC Safe and Sound
Recently, FileMaker Pro was rebranded as Claris FileMaker, a fitting “upgrade” given its significantly enhanced functionality. Recent improvements and Claris FileMaker’s modular design provide the optimal platform for low code development. Your code is freed from the constraints of traditional environments while your coders are free to innovate remotely. It’s even possible for other teams, from QA to Ops, to work on and check in code if desired. From the CIO to your greenest developer, everyone is safe and all your code is sound.
To learn more about FileMaker Pro or the FileMaker platform, or to explore in detail why we are putting our weight behind it, check out this recording of our June launch release overview. Or contact our Director of Application Development Colin Keefe to schedule a complimentary consultation on how our team can help.
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