Industrial machinery operating managers will agree that it’s tough to work with aging systems, tight deadlines, and a shortage of tech talent. The push for modernization in the industry is relentless, and traditional software development can feel like a slow, expensive slog.
But what if there was a way to build custom tools fast—without a team of expensive coders? Low code is that answer.
This guide explains how the industrial machinery sector uses low code software and why it could be the perfect solution for you.
Low code platforms provide visual interfaces and pre-built parts to enable app creation with minimal coding required.
For industrial machinery companies, this means rapid prototyping and deployment of solutions that interface with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) ecosystems.
Low code directly also addresses some of the major challenges of industrial machinery: protracted development cycles, high dependency on scarce programming expertise, and the challenge of modernizing legacy infrastructure.
Let’s examine how low code delivers measurable improvements across the industrial machinery sector’s core operational domains.
Predictive maintenance via IIoT integration
Unplanned equipment downtime reduces productivity and increases maintenance costs. Low code platforms help you quickly build predictive maintenance apps.
Schuler, a leader in sheet metal processing equipment, uses Siemens Industrial Edge and low code platform Mendix to process machine data in real time. Its customers can detect issues early and schedule maintenance effectively, enhancing overall equipment efficiency and customer experiences.
Quality assurance through real-time monitoring
Compliance with ISO 9001 or sector-specific standards requires robust quality control. Low code makes it easy to build apps for continuous process monitoring.
High-precision manufacturer Schaeffler Group developed a TPM (total productive maintenance) app with Mendix to track machine data, ensuring quality metrics are met across all its production lines. This level of oversight strengthens compliance and reduces defect rates.
Inventory management and supply chain synchronization
Inventory mismanagement—whether shortages or overstock—disrupts workflows. Low code streamlines the process. For example, CLEVR built a system for Tronrud Engineering using Mendix to optimize production planning and resource allocation, cutting planning time significantly.
Production scheduling optimization
Missed deadlines disrupt operations, and effective production scheduling demands alignment with ERP and real-time shop floor data. Low code enables the development of scheduling tools that integrate with your systems and optimize production.
Schaeffler Group also used Mendix to create a lot size simulation tool connected to SAP, enhancing scheduling accuracy and operational efficiency. Such precision aligns with lean manufacturing principles by minimizing waste in scheduling workflows.
Low code delivers operational and financial advantages:
Reduced development costs
By minimizing reliance on specialized programmers, low code slashes the labor-intensive coding traditionally required for custom applications. Schaeffler Group, for instance, deployed over 30 applications in under two years using Mendix—a scale unattainable with conventional development due to high programmer costs and extended timelines.
Productivity improvements
Manufacturing operations are more efficient when using low code. According to Forrester, businesses adopting low code tools achieve productivity improvements of up to 30%—and many believe this to be a conservative estimate.
Operational scalability
Low code enables scalable solutions that adapt to growing production demands without proportional cost increases. Tronrud’s significant reduction in planning time is a perfect example of how low code enhances process efficiency, a benefit that scales across multiple facilities or product lines.
Accelerated development
Low code shrinks the gap between concept and deployment. Because applications go live sooner, their return on investment (ROI) begins accruing earlier. Businesses can swiftly implement changes and customize applications to fulfill changing market needs.
Staff empowerment
Lastly, low code empowers your entire workforce, not just IT. “Citizen developers”—your non-technical staff—can use low code development to create applications. For instance, your quality control managers or floor supervisors can use low code development platforms to build tailored tools, like a defect-tracking application, without coding expertise.
This means professional developers are free to tackle complex applications (e.g., AI-driven analytics), while frontline workers address immediate operational technology (OT) challenges. This enhances both user experiences and process agility.
One of low code's biggest strengths is its ability to integrate with your current infrastructure, a key factor for industrial machinery companies reliant on legacy systems. Platforms like Mendix provide connectors for tools such as Siemens PLM, SAP, and internet of things (IoT) devices.
As a real-world example, CLEVR developed a Mendix low code PIN Tool solution for Optime Subsea. This software integrates with Teamcenter to streamline issue reporting and change management. It leverages existing product lifecycle management (PLM) data while offering an accessible interface for non-technical staff, reducing silos and boosting collaboration.
And it’s not just about looking backward. Low code can bridge gaps between production systems and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, enhancing predictive capabilities in manufacturing and accelerating digital transformation initiatives.
Ready to implement low code application development for your industrial machinery operations? Here’s a practical approach:
This phased methodology mitigates risks and builds scalability, aligning with continuous improvement frameworks like Six Sigma and streamlining the development process. For detailed support, CLEVR offers custom guidance on adopting low code in your organization.
Low code platforms are a quiet revolution for industrial machinery companies. They let you build solutions fast, save money, and empower your team to innovate.
Interested in exploring this further? Review CLEVR’s low code solutions for actionable next steps or look at some of CLEVR’s manufacturing client success stories.
This article draws on CLEVR's extensive experience implementing low code solutions as well as recent research from Gartner and Forrester. It is rooted in real-world applications and data and tailored to the industrial machinery sector.