CLEVR-Ressourcen

IFS Cloud is a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform designed to manage essential business functions—from finance and inventory to manufacturing and supply chain operations. While it offers a strong foundation, making direct changes to it often does more harm than good. Manual customization risks breaking future upgrades and ends up increasing your IT team's backlog of requested features.

Fortunately, keeping pace with growth and adopting new technologies doesn’t require replacing your ERP or taking unnecessary risks. By extending your IFS system with Mendix low code development, you can quickly add a flexible layer on top, enhancing functionality without disrupting the stability of your core systems.

Short on Time? Here's a Brief Overview

• Preserve your investment: You can keep your stable IFS Cloud system for essential business operations while adding new capabilities.
• Speed up innovation: You can build new features in weeks instead of months with visual development tools.
• Reduce development costs: Create custom applications without expensive specialized programmers.
• Connect everyone: Give employees, customers, and suppliers intuitive access to your ERP data.
• Protect your upgrade path: You can add functionality without modifying your core ERP system.

The Innovation Bottleneck: Why ERP Alone Can't Keep Up

ERP systems are great for standardized processes like accounting, inventory management, and order processing, but this standardization makes rapid change difficult.

Customization problems

Organizations running IFS often find themselves weighing the benefits of new functionality against the risks and costs of customization. Customize your ERP directly, and you can face several practical problems:

• Direct code modifications often break during system upgrades.
• Each customization requires specialized developers who charge premium rates.
• The more you customize, the harder future changes become.
• Testing and quality assurance consume significant resources.

IT backlogs delay critical business capabilities

Your business constantly evolves, and technological requirements only get more complex. For instance, sales teams request mobile apps for field representatives, operations departments need enhanced reporting dashboards, and finance requires specialized approval workflows. Every request joins an ever-growing queue that your IT department must try to address even while maintaining existing systems.

When organizations lack effective ways to handle these needs, departments often create independent solutions, such as stand-alone spreadsheets, isolated databases, or unauthorized shadow systems. Such fragmentation creates inconsistent data, wastes time, duplicates efforts, and increases error rates throughout your organization.

What Is Mendix and How Does It Work Alongside IFS?

Mendix is a low code development platform—a visual environment where you build applications by dragging and dropping elements instead of writing thousands of lines of code. The platform transforms complex programming into visual design, making application development more accessible to a wider audience across your organization.

Let’s see how it would work in a real-word example. Creating a customer portal with Mendix would typically involve:

• Visually designing screens by dragging elements like tables and buttons.
• Connecting these screens to your data using point-and-click tools.
• Adding logic with visual flowcharts instead of complex programming.
• Testing and deploying with built-in tools that handle technical details automatically.

With IFS, Mendix works as an extension layer that connects through secure APIs (application programming interfaces—essentially code that lets systems share information). This allows your extensions to leverage IFS Cloud's Industrial AI features, bringing advanced analytics and intelligent automation into your business workflows.

The result? Create modular, composable applications that can be quickly adapted as needs change.

For example, you can maintain customer master data in IFS but use a Mendix application where sales representatives update contact information and view order history on their tablets. The information stays synchronized automatically, without duplicate data entry.

Use Cases: How Organizations Extend IFS With Mendix

Companies in manufacturing, retail, energy, and financial industries use Mendix to enhance their IFS systems in various ways without disrupting core stability.

1. Self-service portals

Many businesses need to give external partners access to ERP data. Mendix excels at creating intuitive portals for vendors, customers, and field personnel.

With Mendix portals connected to IFS, organizations can provide real-time access to relevant data while maintaining security controls. Suppliers can view purchase order statuses and delivery schedules, customers can track their orders and access invoicing information, and field personnel can access work assignments and update job progress—all without requiring direct ERP system access or consuming internal resources for routine inquiries.

2. Mobile workforce solutions

Field service management works better when mobile apps connect technicians with your ERP. Mendix applications let field teams access work orders, update job statuses, and record time—even offline.

VodafoneZiggo, a Dutch telecommunications provider, had technicians complaining about juggling multiple systems during service calls. Its new application integrates data from multiple systems into one unified mobile tool. With technicians saving an average of 10 minutes per truck roll, VodafoneZiggo has seen significant efficiency gains.

3. Process automation and workflow

IFS offers standard workflows, but companies often require custom approval sequences or specialized notifications. Mendix can handle these unique workflows while keeping transactions in the ERP.

CED, a European specialist in claims management within the insurance industry, transformed its entire claims process using Mendix. Previously, handling the approximately one million claims worth more than €2.5 billion annually involved extensive paper processes, manual work, and duplicated efforts. Working with CLEVR, CED developed a platform that handles all process flows related to a claim—from initial damage report to final payout. The new automated system reduced the time required for the entire claims handling process by 50%.

4. Legacy application replacement

Many IFS customers have older applications alongside their ERP. These aging systems often create problems due to outdated technology and high maintenance costs. Mendix applications can replace these systems while connecting smoothly with IFS. This digital transformation strategy focuses on step-by-step modernization rather than replacing everything at once.

Integration and Governance: IT Still in Control

For IT leaders worried about system sprawl and security risks, Mendix offers governance features that maintain central control while enabling broader development capabilities.

Security and access control

Mendix applications integrate with your existing security infrastructure through multiple layers of protection. For instance, single sign-on seamlessly connects with your identity providers, while row-level security and role-based permissions ensure that users access only the appropriate data. Additionally, comprehensive audit logging tracks all system activity for compliance and security monitoring purposes.

Deployment management

IT maintains control through a structured deployment pipeline with dedicated environments for development, testing, and production use. The platform offers one-click deployment between environments and provides full version control with rollback capabilities, eliminating the need for complex manual processes.

Enabling citizen development safely

Mendix's visual development tools enable business analysts to build applications within guardrails established by IT, utilizing pre-approved components, standardized templates, and secure integrations. Automated quality and security checks prevent common mistakes throughout the development process.

Why CLEVR? Your Partner in IFS + Mendix Excellence

At CLEVR, we bring specialized expertise in connecting Mendix with ERP systems, such as IFS. With nearly 300 professionals across 18 countries serving over 500 clients, we understand both the technical details and business considerations in these integrations.

What really sets us apart is the fact that we work closely with business and IT teams to identify opportunities for enhancing their IFS environment. Our experts design Mendix applications that connect securely with your IFS ERP while meeting your specific business requirements. Using agile methodologies, we build, test, and refine applications with regular feedback to ensure they deliver exactly what you need.

Extend, don't rebuild

The best enterprise systems today use a single platform that combines specialized tools working together, rather than one system that does everything poorly. The IFS and Mendix combination gives you:

• Speed: Build customer portals, mobile apps, and workflows in weeks instead of months.
• Right Fit: Create exactly what your business needs without compromising.
• Safety: Protect your core ERP investment and upgrade path.
• Flexibility: Adapt quickly as your business evolves without expensive rework.

Creating a "best of both worlds" scenario, your trusted IFS system handles core business transactions while Mendix provides the agility to address changing market needs quickly. You can build an interactive user experience that puts the right information at your staff's fingertips. And governance topics like security, compliance, and system management remain straightforward with clear processes and responsibilities.

Mendix and IFS can work together for your company. Contact CLEVR for a personalized demo of our integration capabilities.

Research Methodology

This article combines insights from customer case studies with technical information from IFS and Mendix platform documentation. All implementation details reflect actual capabilities verified through practical application in enterprise environments.

FAQs

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No. Mendix applications connect through supported APIs, allowing you to maintain your IFS upgrade path without modifying core code. When upgrading IFS, integration points typically need only minor adjustments rather than complex rewrites.

","title":"Does extending IFS with Mendix affect our upgrade path?"},{"content":"

Most organizations deploy their first applications within six to 12 weeks. Simpler solutions may take just three to four weeks, while more complex applications require eight to 12 weeks—still much faster than traditional development approaches.

","title":"How long does it typically take to implement Mendix extensions to IFS?"},{"content":"

You'll benefit from having business analysts who understand your processes, IFS specialists who know your ERP configuration, and Mendix developers who build the applications. People can become productive Mendix developers with just two to three weeks of training, even without extensive programming backgrounds.

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At many organizations, business teams typically identify a problem and rely on IT teams to build a solution. While this traditional separation of roles can be effective in certain cases, it often leads to delays, inefficiencies, and a lack of alignment between the end product and original business needs.

This happens because there is often a disconnect between how business and IT teams communicate their goals and capabilities, which often leads to friction. This gap is only getting worse as organizations strive to digitize their operations and keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies.

However, agile workflows that leverage low code development tools offer a solution. In this guide, we’ll explain how.

Short on Time? Here's a Brief Overview

• Agile workflows are essential to innovation because they enable faster software deployment and greater collaboration between business and IT users.
• Low code allows business and IT users to work in the same digital space, build feedback loops, and share ownership of digital transformation initiatives.
• Together, agile workflows and low code development ensure better alignment between business and IT teams, speed up software delivery, and reduce IT backlogs.
• When implementing agile workflows and low code, it’s important to consider governance, integrations, and change management.

The Case for Agile Workflows

Agile workflows are a series of project management and software development approaches that emphasize flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement. They can result in stronger fusion between business and IT users, which in turn speeds up digital transformation and yields higher-quality software products that better meet business needs.

An agile methodology is especially essential in today’s fast-paced business environment, where traditional, rigid workflows often struggle to keep up with change. The introduction of generative AI—and the potential business uses that come with it—clearly demonstrates the need for development workflows that accommodate rapid change in the face of technological innovation.

However, there’s significant friction between the agile framework and how companies traditionally approach collaboration between business and IT teams. In a recent survey, only 43% of IT professionals in enterprise-scale companies reported that agile principles are being used effectively. Siloed workspaces and vastly different communication methods can significantly hinder collaboration and harm business-IT alignment.

What Is Low Code Development?

Low code development is an approach to software development that uses customizable templates, drag-and-drop design tools, and pre-made content blocks. It minimizes the amount of code needed to create software tools such as apps, workflow automations, or integrations.

Since low code requires less code than traditional development approaches, it enables business users to act as citizen developers alongside IT professionals. For example, business analysts can design and build an analysis pipeline on their own, with little to no coding required. The democratization of development using low code has played a crucial role in helping many companies achieve rapid digital transformation.

How Low Code Bridges the Gap Between Business and IT

Low code is key to more effectively implementing agile principles and enabling business and IT users to work together.

First, low code platforms offer built-in tools to promote collaboration within cross-functional teams. Business employees can prototype in the same workspace as IT employees, which helps to break down silos in how they discuss ideas and suggest changes. The drag-and-drop interfaces and premade content elements also enable business employees to jumpstart the creation process while IT employees write code for more custom features.

Low code development also encourages faster iteration cycles in line with an agile approach. It’s much easier to quickly modify a piece of software when there are no concerns about breaking complex code or disrupting critical IT infrastructure. This faster pace of development helps eliminate project backlogs and supports agile teams overall.

Another way low code helps bridge the divide between business and IT users is by enabling feedback loops. The flexible nature of low code makes it easy to incorporate new ideas and continuously improve software to better meet business needs.

As a result, low code promotes transparency within and cross-functional ownership of digital transformation projects. Business and IT users are using the same tools and speaking the same language, which results in much stronger alignment between them.

Real-world use cases for low code

Low code platforms are very flexible and can be used for a wide range of digital transformation efforts. Example use cases include:

• Building internal tools for approvals, employee onboarding, asset tracking, and data analysis.
• Creating customer-facing apps for mobile shopping, account access, product tracking, and more.
• Modernizing outdated IT systems with new user interfaces or custom integrations for new business software.

Key Benefits for Business and IT

Implementing agile workflows with low code has several benefits for both your business and IT teams.

For business users, one of the most significant benefits is being able to play a bigger role in digital initiatives. With more visibility into and control over the development process, business users can ensure software products are well-aligned with their needs. This eliminates the problem that many companies currently face: wasting time and money on building custom software that employees don’t actually want to use.

Another key benefit is that you can deliver digital solutions faster. Since business users are empowered to design large portions of new software solutions on their own, they aren’t as dependent on overburdened IT teams. That reduces bottlenecks and speeds up time to deployment.

Apart from these, agile workflows and low code seem to shift some development responsibility onto business users, which brings a great deal of benefits for your IT team. IT employees can focus on more complex project components, such as architecture and security and significantly reduce their overall workload, helping prevent backlogs that can hinder your company’s digital transformation effort.

Challenges and Best Practices

While low code enables agile workflows and offers numerous benefits for business and IT teams, there are some challenges to be aware of when implementing this approach.

First, it’s important to think about software governance—how to control what types of developments business users can take on versus what types of development IT employees should be responsible for.

Good governance is essential to software quality and ensuring your business doesn’t end up with dozens of overlapping apps. As a rule of thumb, IT employees should remain in control of low code platforms and be required to oversee any new development, even if no code is required.

Another challenge is ensuring that low code software integrates smoothly with existing systems. Seamless integration is vital to prevent data silos and disconnected workflows. All new proposed development should involve a plan for how it will be integrated into your business’s core systems.

Lastly, it’s essential to manage the pace of change. Both business and IT employees need to buy into low code development and new forms of collaboration. It’s a good idea to start with a small pilot project to demonstrate the effectiveness of low code and agile approaches before adopting them more broadly.

How CLEVR Enables Agile, Low Code Transformation

CLEVR serves as an expert partner to help businesses implement agile workflows and low code development. The company has deep experience working with enterprise-scale companies across numerous industries to help them achieve digital transformation.

CLEVR’s approach supports both business users and IT teams by offering scalable platforms, proven collaboration methods, and assistance in identifying digitization opportunities.

It also implements enterprise-grade governance and change management strategies, ensuring that your business can quickly overcome challenges and maximize the benefits of agile and low code.

Check out customer success stories to learn more about how CLEVR can help you accelerate innovation with agile workflows and low code development.

The Future is Collaborative

Greater collaboration between business and IT teams is key to innovation. Agile workflows and low code development unlock shared product ownership, faster iteration, and greater alignment.

Check out CLEVR’s comprehensive guide to low code to learn more.

Research Methodology

This guide is based on input from business and IT leaders who use agile workflows and low code to facilitate cross-functional collaboration. It also draws on surveys of IT professionals, digital transformation success stories, and insights from companies that have successfully implemented low code tools.

FAQs

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Low code enables agile workflows by speeding up the software development process, giving business users the ability to prototype and build software components, and eliminating IT bottlenecks. It also promotes collaboration between business and IT users and enables rapid feedback for continuous improvement.

","title":"How does low code boost agility?"},{"content":"

Agile workflows are designed to be fast and flexible, whereas traditional workflows are slower and more rigid.

In a traditional workflow, a lot of time is spent upfront on planning, and each phase must be completed before the next one can begin. In an agile workflow, multiple project phases can be executed simultaneously, and projects are continuously updated based on user feedback.

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German aerospace and defense contractors must be able to manage classified information securely while keeping projects moving forward. Securing Verschlusssache-Nur für den Dienstgebrauch (VS-NfD) data has become a make-or-break capability for companies seeking Bundeswehr (military) and NATO contracts.

Yet many engineering teams have scattered data systems and inconsistent security practices that put compliance at risk.

This guide unpacks how contractors can weave VS-NfD compliance into their everyday product development workflows.

Short on Time? Here's a Brief Overview

• VS-NfD classification represents the lowest tier of classified information in Germany, equivalent to NATO/EU Restricted, requiring specific security controls for handling.
• PLM systems provide the essential foundation for compliance by centralizing product data with integrated security controls and audit trails.
• Security features like encryption, role-based access, and audit logging are mandatory for systems handling VS-NfD information.
• Combining PLM with targeted low code applications enables organizations to build custom compliance workflows while maintaining security.

What Is VS-NfD and Why It Matters to A&D Contractors

Verschlusssache-Nur für den Dienstgebrauch (VS-NfD), which translates to “Classified-For Official Use Only,’ sits at the entry level of Germany's four-tier classification system. It ranks below VS-Vertraulich (Confidential), Geheim (Secret), and Streng Geheim (Top Secret).

According to the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), information tagged as VS-NfD could potentially harm German interests if it falls into unauthorized hands.

How it compares

German classification

English meaning

NATO equivalent

EU equivalent

Streng Geheim

Top Secret

COSMIC Top Secret

EU TOP SECRET

Geheim

Secret

NATO Secret

EU Secret

VS-Vertraulich

Confidential

NATO Confidential

EU Confidential

VS-NfD

For Official Use Only (Restricted)

NATO Restricted

EU Restricted

VS-NfD matches the NATO/EU “Restricted” level, requiring consistent protection for equivalent data in international projects. Even at this lower classification level, leaks of information like technical drawings or operational details could harm national interests, reveal capabilities, or provide adversaries with insights.

Handling VS-NfD data correctly is often mandatory for Bundeswehr contracts. Companies must commit to protection in accordance with specific guidelines, such as the VS-NfD Merkblatt. Non-compliance risks legal trouble and contract termination, while any accidental breaches could severely damage reputations and trust.

As such, strong VS-NfD compliance offers a competitive edge, since secure firms are better positioned in bids, while less secure businesses risk exclusion entirely.

The Role of PLM in Supporting VS-NfD Compliance

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems create a secure home for all product-related information. Instead of scattering sensitive data across multiple systems, PLM provides one central repository with built-in security controls.

Digital thread maintenance
PLM's strength in classification management lies in its ability to maintain the “digital thread” that connects all product information. When engineers create designs containing VS-NfD information, the PLM system preserves that classification as the design moves through development, manufacturing, and support. In short, sensitive information is prevented from slipping through security cracks.

Configuration and access management
Configuration management becomes straightforward with PLM. The system tracks every document version, recording who made changes, when they occurred, and what was modified. This means auditors and security officers can easily find exactly what they need.

Furthermore, access management in PLM applies the “need-to-know” principle essential for classified information. For instance, a hydraulic system engineer might review VS-NfD specifications for their component without accessing classified details about unrelated electronics.

Security Features A&D Contractors Should Look for in a PLM System

For a PLM system to properly support VS-NfD compliance, it needs specific security functions aligned with German standards.

Encryption and access controls
Strong encryption is vital in VS-NfD data protection. Your PLM should encrypt sensitive information both at rest and in transit.

PLM systems should implement encryption methods that comply with BSI Technical Guideline TR-02102, which specifies approved cryptographic algorithms (such as AES-256, RSA-2048, and ECDSA with P-256 or higher curves) and minimum key lengths. Systems should also support secure key management through hardware security modules (HSMs) that have received BSI approval for VS-NfD use.

Role-based access control with detailed permissions helps enforce the need-to-know principle. So, the PLM should let administrators set precise access rules based on job roles, projects, and security clearances.

Audit and classification features
Comprehensive audit logging captures a complete record of classified information handling. A good PLM system tracks who accessed information, when and where they accessed it, what actions they performed, and what changes they made. These logs should be tamper-resistant and available for security reviews.

Next, classification labeling ensures VS-NfD markings stay attached to sensitive information. The PLM should support classification tags that travel with documents throughout their lifecycle. Automatic marking of new documents prevents accidental exposure when information moves between systems.

Finally, integration with existing security tools rounds out the picture. PLM systems should connect with identity management systems, certificate authorities, and network security tools used for VS-NfD approval.

The link between PLM and low code (an optional extra)
Low code platforms can enhance PLM systems for VS-NfD environments by speeding up the development of security-focused applications. These platforms let organizations build custom interfaces and workflows for specific compliance needs while inheriting the PLM system's underlying security controls.

A contractor might use a low code platform to create the key processing for a dashboard showing all VS-NfD-classified components in a product, along with their current approval status and access history. This means security officers get a clear view of classification status without requiring deep PLM expertise.

Common Challenges and How To Overcome Them

Implementing VS-NfD-compliant systems presents several notable challenges for German aerospace and defense contractors.

1. Legacy systems and data migration
Legacy systems and scattered data create frequent headaches. Many contractors have sensitive information spread across various systems and moving this information into a secure PLM environment requires careful planning to maintain proper classification and access controls.

Companies that do that successfully typically begin with a thorough data inventory to identify all repositories that hold potential VS-NfD information. They then create a migration strategy with clear classification guidelines, ensuring that data receives appropriate security tags as it is moved to the new system.

2. Cross-border collaboration
Cross-border collaboration adds another layer of complexity. Defense projects often involve teams from multiple countries working under different security frameworks. A design classified as VS-NfD in Germany might connect with components governed by different classification schemes elsewhere.

Effective approaches include creating clear information exchange processes built on formal partner agreements. These typically establish security-equivalency mappings between classification systems and implement secure sharing portals.

3. Cultural resistance
Human factors can undermine even the best technical security measures. Engineers used to freely sharing information may view new security protocols as roadblocks to getting work done.

Companies that navigate this challenge successfully invest in practical training. They highlight the business value of compliance—securing contracts and avoiding penalties—while designing security procedures that minimize disruption to daily work.

About CLEVR and How We Can Help

CLEVR specializes in implementing secure solutions enhanced with low code capabilities for regulated industries. We understand the unique challenges faced by aerospace and defense contractors that need to manage VS-NfD-classified information across complex supply chains.

Our team brings together deep knowledge of Siemens Teamcenter PLM with advanced low code development expertise. We help organizations build secure foundations for managing classified product data alongside intuitive applications that make compliance straightforward.

Get in touch to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Research Methodology

This analysis draws on information from German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) publications, NATO security mechanisms, and established best practices for handling classified information in defense environments. We included insights from security specialists working in aerospace and defense and examined real-world implementation challenges.

FAQs

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VS-NfD and NATO Restricted are essentially equivalent classification levels; VS-NfD being Germany's national designation. Both require similar security approaches, including controlled access, secure storage, and managed distribution.

","title":"What is the difference between VS-NfD and NATO Restricted classifications?"},{"content":"

Commercial PLM systems typically don't come with direct VS-NfD approval. Instead, they provide security features that, when properly set up and combined with approved components like encryption modules, can satisfy VS-NfD requirements.

","title":"Do commercial PLM systems have VS-NfD approval from BSI?"},{"content":"

When sharing VS-NfD data internationally, establish formal security agreements that map classification systems, verify that all partners meet security requirements, and create secure exchange channels that limit exposure to only what's necessary for the collaboration.

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For European aerospace and defense companies, dual-use compliance is business survival. One export control error can freeze shipments, cancel contracts, and trigger penalties in the millions. With regulations tightening across the EU following geopolitical shifts, companies handling items with both civilian and military applications face unprecedented scrutiny.

The costs of getting compliance wrong extend far beyond fines, creating ripple effects through operations, reputation, and market access. Let's look at why forward-thinking organizations are discovering that robust compliance can be a competitive edge.

Short on Time? Here's a Brief Overview

• Dual-use items account for 2.5% of total EU exports, valued at approximately €147 billion annually.
• A single documentation gap can trigger investigations and penalties even when physical exports were properly licensed.
• Sanctions violations can result in fines of up to 5% of worldwide turnover or fixed penalties up to €40 million.
• Modern PLM systems reduce compliance processing time while minimizing the risk of non-compliance.

The Risks of Non-Compliance

According to the European Commission's official statistics, dual-use items account for roughly 2.5% of total EU exports, with a value of approximately €147 billion in 2021. The same report indicates that the EU processed applications for dual-use trade valued at €45.5 billion, with 568 applications being denied despite the reported high approval rate.

With dual-use items being such a significant part of trade, there's a careful balance that regulators must maintain between facilitating legitimate trade and enforcing security controls.

1. Fines and legal penalties
Under EU Directive 2024/1226, companies breaching sanctions face fines of 1% to 5% of total worldwide turnover or fixed penalties between €8 million and €40 million. Intentional embargo violations result in at least one year of imprisonment, while negligent export restriction violations can incur fines up to €500,000.

2. Operational impact
There are repercussions to consider beyond potential fines. When compliance flags appear, shipments stop completely. For aerospace manufacturers in just-in-time supply chains, even a one-week customs hold can trigger contract penalties and production halts across the network.

Defense procurement increasingly favors suppliers with robust, digitally enabled compliance systems. So companies without verifiable compliance trails find themselves eliminated early from bidding processes, regardless of their technical capabilities or competitive pricing.

Once flagged for compliance issues, rebuilding trust becomes exceptionally difficult. The aerospace and defense sector operates within small networks where reputation travels quickly. A compliance failure with one customer can lock you out of entire market segments.

Real-World Compliance Failures

However important, not all companies have succeeded in implementing it correctly. These recent real-world examples bring the importance of getting dual-trade right:

• ΡTX (formerly Raytheon) reached a $200 million settlement with the US State Department for violations involving employees traveling with laptops containing sensitive military program data to sanctioned countries.
• 3D Systems faced a $2.77 million penalty for unlicensed exports of controlled aerospace technology. The violations included emailing military electronics design drawings to a Chinese subsidiary and storing controlled technology on a server in Germany.
• A 2024 case in Germany saw individuals sentenced to seven years in prison for exporting battlefield electronics to Russia via intermediaries. The court ordered the profit confiscation of €2.1 million from one individual and €3 million from a related Swiss company.

Evolving EU/NATO Standards

Dual-use regulations are continuously changing, driven by geopolitical tensions and technological advancements.

The European Commission adopted a significant update to the EU dual-use export control list in September 2024, while recent EU sanction packages targeting Russia have removed exemptions for dual-use items that could enhance military capabilities. This means that companies are now required to implement more sophisticated monitoring of end-users and end-uses.

But also regulatory authorities have moved from periodic reporting to expectations of continuous compliance readiness. Annual self-certifications are giving way to audit-ready systems that can demonstrate compliance at any moment.

Why Traditional Systems Can't Keep Up

Many aerospace companies still rely on compliance approaches designed for a different era, creating serious vulnerabilities.

Spreadsheets, shared drives, and email approvals introduce unacceptable risks. Manual classification and tracking processes inevitably produce inconsistencies as products, regulations, and teams change.

When regulators request audit trails, these fragmented systems often can’t produce the coherent evidence needed. And when engineering, compliance, and logistics operate in separate systems, critical handoffs become vulnerability points.

Design changes may not trigger compliance reviews, and compliance teams may approve configurations without visibility into recent engineering modifications.

Building Compliance into the Workflow With PLM

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems transform compliance by embedding it directly into product development and management processes. Here’s how:

Compliance by design
With a modern PLM system like Siemens Teamcenter, compliance becomes an integral part of the product lifecycle. Classification and export control parameters become attributes of the product record itself, ensuring visibility at every stage from design to delivery.

Aerospace and defense companies can implement role-based access controls, ensuring only authorized personnel can view, modify, or transfer controlled information. The system maintains comprehensive audit trails of all product-related activities, creating verifiable records of who accessed information, when, and what changes were made.

Automated classification and change management
Advanced PLM systems automate much of the compliance burden through rules-based classification. When engineers modify designs, the system automatically flags potential compliance implications. And when export control regulations change, these updates can be systematically applied across the product portfolio.

Oil and gas leader Optime Subsea experienced this benefit when it implemented a PLM solution with CLEVR. Its unique engineering-to-order business model required meticulous recordkeeping and history tracking. CLEVR helped it establish uniform business processes and agile integration that streamlined supplier collaboration while ensuring data security—important for companies dealing with dual-use technology.

Single source of truth for audit readiness
The most significant advantage of PLM-enabled compliance is creating a single, authoritative source of truth for all product information. This centralized repository becomes the definitive record for regulatory documentation, component histories, and material compositions.

Nexans, one of the world's largest cable suppliers, turned to CLEVR to move its processes onto Siemens Teamcenter. With 25,000 employees in 40 countries, its previous systems often contained unreliable data that needed double-checking. Through its PLM implementation, the company improved data quality and standardized working methods—allowing staff to work faster, with greater accuracy, while maintaining compliance.

The CLEVR Approach: Compliance Without Bottlenecks

Implementing compliance-focused PLM requires both technological expertise and a deep understanding of aerospace regulatory requirements. CLEVR specializes in helping A&D companies implement Siemens Teamcenter and other PLM solutions that embed compliance into everyday workflows.

CLEVR integrates compliance requirements directly into engineering and operational processes, ensuring teams work efficiently while maintaining audit readiness. Engineering, quality, procurement, and legal departments can all work with one traceable system.

For companies operating under multiple regulatory frameworks (ITAR, EAR, EU dual-use regulations), CLEVR's implementation expertise ensures PLM systems accommodate these overlapping requirements while navigating both NATO and EU requirements.

Turn Compliance From a Cost into a Competitive Edge

Forward-thinking aerospace companies recognize that compliance excellence represents a strategic opportunity.

When properly implemented, advanced compliance capabilities become a competitive edge. Prime contractors increasingly favor suppliers who can demonstrate robust compliance systems, both to minimize their own risk exposure and to simplify their supply chain management. For tier-one and tier-two suppliers, documented compliance excellence can open doors to higher-value contracts and strategic partnerships.

Companies with mature, PLM-enabled compliance capabilities can also respond more quickly to new business opportunities. When RFPs arrive, they can immediately determine classification requirements and licensing timelines, allowing for more accurate bidding and delivery commitments.

For more information on PLM solutions for A&D, get in touch with CLEVR today.

FAQs

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Dual-use items in aerospace include components, software, and technologies with both civilian and military applications. Examples include composite materials, inertial navigation systems, thermal imaging equipment, encryption technologies, and high-performance computing systems. The EU's Regulation 2021/821 provides a comprehensive control list in Annex I, with Category 9 specifically addressing aerospace and propulsion items.

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Start by examining technical specifications against relevant control lists, including the EU's dual-use list in Regulation 2021/821. Consider the product's inherent capabilities and its potential end-users and end-use. Modern PLM systems can automate much of this classification process, but final determination should involve qualified export control specialists familiar with aerospace and defense requirements.

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Yes, modern PLM systems can be configured to address multiple regulatory frameworks simultaneously. Leading implementations incorporate both EU dual-use regulations and US controls like ITAR and EAR, mapping product attributes to appropriate control parameters for each jurisdiction. It's particularly valuable for European aerospace companies with US-origin components or technologies in their supply chain.

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Over the past several years, I’ve watched closely as low code platform Mendix cultivated strategic partnerships with major software vendors such as Snowflake, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and SAP.

These partnerships have matured at an impressive rate and now include platform-supported integrations and connectors to quickly integrate critical cloud-based and on-premises services with Mendix low code solutions. They represent a significant leap forward in how businesses can use Mendix to build customizable, scalable solutions.

However, I’ve found that many companies aren’t aware of all that Mendix offers or how it can help them achieve full digitization.

In this guide, I explain the power of deploying Mendix in combination with strategic Mendix partners and share insights from my experience using these platforms together.

Why Use Cloud Platforms Like Snowflake and AWS with Mendix?

Mendix offers many capabilities, including the ability to build flexible apps, develop custom integrations, and digitize production lines. However, the platform is even more powerful when used with strategic partners like Snowflake, AWS, and SAP.

Let’s look at some of the key capabilities these partnerships enable:

Mendix makes data warehousing more approachable
One of the most complex challenges companies face when undergoing digital transformation is determining the best way to warehouse their data. Cloud storage providers like Snowflake and AWS offer relatively inexpensive storage and advanced tools for data manipulation.

Alone, these tools aren’t sufficient for building a comprehensive data warehousing solution. Companies also need to be able to effectively access, analyze, and use the data they store in the cloud. That requires significant development in SQL, plus custom connectors to ensure a steady flow between cloud data containers and critical software systems.

Mendix navigates this challenge by offering ready-made data connectors for Snowflake and AWS, making it seamless to stream data between custom low code apps and the cloud. Thanks to these Mendix connectors, far less SQL development is needed, and data warehousing is way more approachable.

Just as important is the support Mendix provides for non-SQL experts approaching data warehousing systems for the first time. You can use Mendix’s blog—a five-minute read—and know what you need to do instead of diving into a big pile of AWS documentation. It’s easy to underestimate how important this documentation is, but it enables a low code developer to actually build a data solution and end up with something secure.

Cloud platforms enhance scalability and performance
Another benefit of cloud platforms is that they enable limitless scalability. Solution components deployed on Snowflake or AWS can scale to additional resources or new geographic locations to increase bandwidth and reduce latency for users worldwide.

This is much harder to achieve with Mendix low code apps deployed on local systems only. Scaling up these systems requires direct investment in new IT infrastructure, and that new hardware will need to be maintained for years to come.

Leveraging clouds like AWS makes a lot of sense from an architectural perspective. You can benefit from Mendix’s easy-to-use low code building blocks to design your user interface and orchestrate your business logic. Various AWS services can add the ‘final touch’ to utilize the latest LLMs via Amazon Bedrock, or offer a high-performing search experience with Amazon OpenSearch Service. Just to name a few examples.

It’s worth noting that, by default, the Mendix Public Cloud is already built on top of an industry-standard and highly resilient cloud architecture in AWS. When needed for your enterprise, a Private Cloud deployment of your entire Mendix stack is possible for AWS, Azure, and other major cloud providers too. This is especially relevant to companies that are already heavily invested in a certain cloud environment.

Mendix is designed to work across platforms
When you start building a low code app with Mendix, you’ll probably run into some boundaries. And that’s not a limitation of Mendix, if you ask me. It’s just a boundary of having a regular web application with a Java runtime—because that’s what Mendix is. While Mendix can be used as a standalone platform to build low code apps, it has always been intended to be deployed in combination with other technologies when needed.

If you need more advanced technology to build your app—for example, a high-performance search index or something with generative AI—you need to shop around for a platform that supports that development. With a platform like AWS, it’s easy and efficient to use the Mendix-supplied AWS connectors to implement your desired features.

In other words, deploying Mendix alongside Snowflake, AWS, and SAP is a natural fit for companies that want to integrate the latest technologies, digitize more of their existing processes, and use low code to drive innovation. Mendix provides a foundation and enables developers to quickly implement advanced cloud tools without needing deep experience in AWS development or data warehousing.

All you need to know is what kind of data you need to send to the cloud and what kind of data you need to get back. Mendix narrows the process down to just implementing a specific feature and removes the complexity of understanding cloud services or AWS to a deep level.

That’s a big deal for companies that want to digitize and fully leverage their data but lack the resources to embark on a lengthy and expensive AWS-only development project.

Tips for Implementing Mendix in Combination with Strategic Partners

I’ve worked with dozens of companies to deploy Mendix, and along the way, I’ve discovered effective practices for using the platform’s strategic partnerships. Based on my experience, here are three tips for how your company can successfully implement Mendix and cloud platforms together:

Invest in foundational training
Training before implementing Mendix low code or integrating Mendix with cloud systems like AWS and Snowflake is crucial to a smooth deployment.

Not all employees need to be experts in low code development or data warehousing, but they should all have a basic understanding of what these technologies can achieve. This way, everyone knows what they’re working with and the process will not be uncomfortable or risky. It enables the team to make the right decisions early in the process.

For example, you can provide a basic introduction to Mendix, an overview of the transformative impact of low code, and examples of what’s possible by combining Mendix with cloud data services. For experienced Mendix developers, it is good to know the pros and cons of the main cloud services and Snowflake. In practice, developers with such knowledge can fulfill an architect role at the start of a project.

Your training can also involve creating a framework for developers and non-technical employees to talk to one another about key features that a software project will need.

Without this training, stakeholders won’t know why they’re using Mendix or the cloud and implementation will be a bumpy ride for no reason. If they know when to use it properly in the first place.

Introduce guardrails
When using Mendix in combination with strategic partners for the first time, it’s important to set clear guardrails — both financial and operational.

A good place to start is by establishing a defined budget. This enables you to try data connectors and features without overspending. Both AWS and Snowflake offer fine-grained cost monitoring and alerting.

Remember, a budget isn’t meant to constrain your team’s ability to experiment with low code deployments. Rather, it’s to ensure your team remains on track and uses financial resources wisely. It’s not good internal marketing for your project if you have to admit you spent thousands of dollars on random resources because you thought an experimental feature would be neat to try out.

Guardrails also apply on the operational side. For example, it’s possible to allow certain users to only add data to certain schemas in Snowflake, instead of allowing them to create their own. For services like AWS, it is advisable to combine resources for a solution in an account with pre-defined guardrails, as discussed with the team. This prevents accidental deployments of services that are not approved or outside the scope of the solution.

Lean on expert partners
Finally, I want to emphasize how valuable it is to work with experienced low code partners like CLEVR. That’s because they’re essential to empowering—not replacing—your existing development team.

I find that while I have a decent background in AWS development, the in-house low code developers working on a project might understand AWS a bit less. They can build everything they need with Mendix, but they don’t know how to configure AWS in terms of data security, authentication, and the like. Here, a partner can step in and help provide that AWS configuration, enabling them to start building the application they need without the barriers.

Expert low code partners can also speed up your digital transformation process and reduce costs by ensuring the systems you develop address real business needs. In addition, they help you identify opportunities for combining low code with strategic cloud platforms and make sure your new systems offer the scalability and flexibility your solution needs.

Challenges Surrounding Mendix and Cloud Deployments

While deploying Mendix in conjunction with other technologies can be extremely powerful, I’ve also seen companies face some challenges with this multi-system approach.

The first is that developing across more systems requires more knowledge. Developers in smaller teams need to be familiar with Mendix and AWS or Snowflake, which requires familiarity with more programming languages and development patterns.

Another challenge is cost. Cloud services can become very expensive very fast, and it’s easy not to notice how quickly the costs add up. Having a budget helps keep costs within reason, but it’s also necessary to design applications that use cloud-based services efficiently.

Finally, there’s a challenge around what I call observability: companies’ ability to monitor the low code apps they’ve built and track data movement across their systems. Without observability, companies end up building redundant or throw-away apps, which can quickly turn into a landscape that is challenging to maintain. Fortunately, this is easy to overcome when sufficient attention is given from the start.

The Future of Mendix and Strategic Partnerships

Mendix’s strategic partnerships have enabled a new degree of connectivity between low code apps and state-of-the-art cloud vendors and data warehousing systems. I see two trends for how companies can use these strategic partnerships going forward:

Using Mendix for back-end systems
Mendix low code has long been used to build standalone customer or employee apps because of its simplicity, lower cost of ownership, and flexibility. However, companies were initially wary of deploying low code into more complex back-end systems that serve as critical IT infrastructure.

However, I’ve seen that starting to change—largely due to Mendix’s investments in strategic partnerships. All the connectors for AWS, Snowflake, and other services make deploying Mendix in critical back-end systems a realistic use case. Various large enterprises have positioned Mendix as their go-to technology for over a decade already.

In addition, while low code systems might not be as computationally efficient as traditional high code systems for some very specific back-end applications, the gap has closed significantly. In a growing number of cases, I’ve seen companies decide that the much lower cost of low code development outweighs a slight decrease in operational efficiency.

I now find that companies that have built many low-code apps with Mendix are comfortable using it to replace outdated back-end systems. This is especially true when 1) companies don’t have enough developers or 2) their developers are tied up, but they have a Mendix license and a lot of apps. These businesses realize they can build the updates they need with low code in weeks and save a lot of resources along the way.

Combining Mendix and cloud data warehouses to support generative AI
You can also use Mendix’s strategic partnerships with Snowflake and AWS to integrate generative AI into low code software. The cloud platforms offer tools to use large language models (LLMs) with your company’s data in a secure fashion, while Mendix offers connectors to make the user experience seamless with minimal custom coding.

This is exciting because it enables companies to experiment with generative AI relatively cheaply. If you’re using Mendix and you’re open to using cloud vendors like AWS and Snowflake, you can get started with a generative AI prototype in just two hours. That lowers the bar for trying something out and deciding whether it fits your business well. It avoids the need to select one of hundreds of “hype tools” for a similar PoC.

Low code applications with generative AI integrations can also give companies new ways to analyze their data. We often refer to this as “retrieval-augmented generation”—using generative AI to ask questions about your data. As an example, I’m currently working with one customer who has hundreds of pages of legal documents. With generative AI, they can interact with all those documents to see what’s relevant to a specific case, and the AI will highlight what bits of the data it used to answer a particular question. This contributes to explainable AI.

Conclusion

Mendix’s strategic partnerships with Snowflake, AWS, and SAP make it easy for companies to connect low code apps with cloud-based data. They enable companies to quickly develop, iterate, and scale applications that fully leverage their data and unlock the full potential of low code.

To learn more about how your company can deploy Mendix with strategic partner platforms, check out CLEVR’s full suite of Mendix services and solutions.

Article originally published here

In my experience, one of the most common challenges companies face when implementing low code is establishing governance to manage how it’s used. I frequently see companies adopt low code with no governance at all—or, in some cases, heavy-handed governance processes that lead to shadow IT development.

However, when implemented correctly, low code governance can help companies build and innovate faster while also ensuring that software is scalable and future-proof.

In this guide, I’ll take a closer look at low code governance and explain how to balance flexibility and control within your organization.

Low Code, Mission-Critical Systems, and Governance

While good governance has long been essential for low code, it’s more important today than ever before. That’s because low code is increasingly being used in mission-critical systems.

It’s easy to miss this trend because most companies haven’t yet adopted low code for their systems of record, such as their enterprise resource planning (ERP) or customer relationship management (CRM) systems. However, they’re increasingly using it for their systems of differentiation, including customer portals—and customer-facing software like this should be considered just as mission-critical as more complex back-end systems.

Incorporating low code into these applications is very beneficial for companies, especially those with complex IT landscapes. It enables them to reduce time to market for new features, optimize internal processes, and scale more readily.

At the same time, though, it underscores the need for low code governance. As low code is used more widely throughout organizations for a broader range of systems, both the benefits of good governance and the consequences of poor governance become more pronounced.

Why Does Low Code Governance Matter?

Good governance is crucial to realizing the full benefits of low code and preventing potential downsides that can come from a disorganized IT environment. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key reasons why every organization using low code needs to think carefully about governance.

Boosts development speed
Companies I’ve worked with are afraid that implementing low code governance will slow them down. But actually, the opposite is true. When executed well, governance can actually speed up development.

That’s because it’s cheaper and faster to fix errors before they’re written into an application or propagate across systems. So, if your governance process includes a design phase, you can catch problems before they get baked into new software.

This approach might require a few extra steps in your development process, but it ultimately saves time and doesn’t impede your organization’s flexibility or agility.

Prevents shadow IT
Another benefit to having governance processes in place is that they prevent shadow IT—that is a situation where business users create their own low code apps and tools without consulting IT. Shadow IT can result in isolated apps that don’t play well with the rest of your IT infrastructure, creating confusion and inflating future development costs.

Governance prevents this by putting IT users in control of development processes while keeping them closely in touch with the needs of business users. For example, you can create guidelines for proposing new development needs to IT and establish a regular schedule for IT to publish software updates.

Ensures quality and cost control
Enterprise-scale apps need to meet strict quality standards. They must perform well, offer low downtime, scale with your business, and be relatively future-proof.

At the same time, they also need to be on budget—even if your organization uses an agile workflow that deemphasizes concerns about cost.

Achieving all these different requirements depends on using governance processes, such as performance testing and codebase management, to control quality and cost. Otherwise, it’s nearly impossible to make sure you’re checking all the boxes and still meeting tight deadlines to push new software to market.

Our Hybrid Approach to Governance

At CLEVR, we use a hybrid approach for low code governance that blends agile and waterfall methodologies.

The agile methodology brings speed and flexibility, which is especially helpful when the solution to a complex problem isn’t immediately clear. It allows us to experiment, iterate quickly, and explore different solutions before determining what we need to build.

The waterfall methodology brings structure and precision. Once we’ve identified the right solution through agile exploration, this methodology enables us to deliver it efficiently: on time, within budget, and with a strong focus on quality.

This hybrid methodology is fundamental to our success in helping enterprise-scale companies across industries implement and govern low code. It balances speed and quality in low code governance while also giving organizations a new way to approach future development.

5 Tips for Balancing Flexibility and Control

So, how can your business achieve a similar hybrid approach and balance flexibility and control in low code governance? Here are four top tips based on my experience at CLEVR:

1. Get business and IT users on the same page

Business and IT users can often be at odds when it comes to low code development because they’re looking at different parts of the same puzzle.

Business users are concerned about getting functional products to market as quickly as possible, while IT users often focus on software architecture and security. Both speed and quality are important, but any software development effort represents a trade-off between the two.

To address this, it’s essential to ensure that IT users and business users of low code understand each other’s needs and concerns. IT users need to understand the end-goals that business users are trying to achieve, and business users need to understand what it takes to deliver that solution from an IT perspective.

This understanding can be framed in terms of the ultimate goal of serving the same customer from different parts of your organization. That way, business and IT users can ask how they can work together and focus on what each needs from the other to be successful.

The net result is greater synchrony within your organization and a clearer understanding of the importance of governance for everyone involved.

2. Manage expectations around continuous development

What I often see when I’m working with IT to launch a new application is that everyone in the organization, at first, is excited. There’s a lot of attention, a lot of support, and a lot of patience to ensure the product gets off the ground.

However, once that application is live, expectations from business users change dramatically. They frequently assume that adding a small feature to an existing application or updating its functionality is an easy and quick change.

That’s hardly the case. In my experience, modifying an existing app is often more complex than building a new one, as it introduces risk to existing dependencies and functionality. And, as I said earlier, low code apps are increasingly used in mission-critical systems—where failure isn’t an option. Yet, if business users feel like updates are taking too long, they’re more likely to go around IT and your organization’s governance processes.

So, it’s crucial to manage expectations around how apps are continuously developed, improved, and scaled after launch. I recommend clearly communicating that updates can take longer than expected and that access to modify existing low code apps is strictly limited to IT users who understand the stakes of making changes.

3. Use timeboxing as a form of governance

One of my favorite approaches to low code governance is to use timeboxing to break complex projects into smaller pieces. Timeboxing ensures speedy delivery of milestones while leaving time for essential quality checks.

For example, I once worked with a product manager who told me that the software he wanted was too complex to document. Of course, if it was too complex to explain, it was certainly too complex to build.

I worked with the product manager to break the app he wanted into bite-sized pieces, each scoped to a timebox of several weeks for manageable, focused delivery.

Each timebox gave the IT team the flexibility to complete the design, building, and testing phases, ensuring they could find the appropriate solution to the problem the business team had identified. At the same time, delivering updates at the end of each timebox showed business users we were making real progress and gave them a chance to share feedback along the way.

This timeboxing method can be used for many low code projects and works well within the context of the hybrid agile-waterfall governance approach I discussed earlier.

4. Focus on building smaller, more manageable apps

Your governance process can also benefit from focusing on building smaller, connected apps instead of a single “super-app” that tries to solve all business problems at once.

Smaller apps are easier to manage and update, with less risk to mission-critical systems. They’re also more future-proof since you can replace or upgrade them without overhauling large parts of your IT infrastructure.

This approach should start during the design phase of your governance process. IT teams should look for opportunities​ to break down solutions into multiple interconnected parts, especially when each part aligns with a distinct business function or goal.

5. Make sure your organization is ready for low code

Last but not least, it’s essential to ensure your organization has the foundations in place to adopt low code. These include having the right people, the right projects, the right development processes, and the right low code platform.

CLEVR has created an online tool to help you assess your organization’s low code maturity. I highly recommend using this to identify gaps in your low code readiness, including potential improvements you can make to your existing software development governance processes.

Strong Governance Enhances Low Code’s Potential

I can’t overstate how essential strong governance is to experiencing the full benefits of low code—from faster product delivery and greater innovation to future-proofing your organization’s IT infrastructure. To get started, focus on better aligning business and IT users, managing expectations around continuous software development, implementing timeboxing, and focusing on building smaller connected apps.

Lastly, consider conducting a low-code maturity assessment with CLEVR to ensure your business has the necessary foundations for successful low code adoption. With these steps, your business can confidently leverage low code to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Manufacturing engineers and product designers face a common frustration: designs that look perfect in CAD become production nightmares on the factory floor. This misalignment between design and manufacturing often results in costly revisions, manufacturing delays, and quality issues that could have been avoided with proper planning.

In fact, research shows that over 70% of a product's cost is determined at the design stage, making early intervention not just helpful, but essential.

That’s where Design for Manufacturing (DFM) comes in. By integrating manufacturing considerations at the earliest design stages, DFM helps teams prevent issues before they arise. In this guide, we'll explore what DFM is and how digital tools are changing this manufacturing methodology in 2025.

What Is Design for Manufacturing?

Design for Manufacturing is an engineering methodology that optimizes product design for efficient and cost-effective manufacturing. At its core, DFM involves considering manufacturing constraints and capabilities during the design phase rather than after the design is complete.

By making the right decisions early, when changes are least expensive, DFM helps prevent costly issues that might otherwise surface during production.

DFM can also be part of a broader design to manufacturing optimization strategy known as DFMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly). Let's look at how they complement each other.

DFM vs. DFMA

While DFM focuses on optimizing individual parts for production, DFMA takes a more comprehensive approach. DFMA integrates DFM principles with Design for Assembly (DFA) methodologies for a holistic optimization strategy that considers both how components are manufactured and how they come together in the final product.

These methodologies are complementary but serve different purposes:

• DFM is primarily about using material selection, process optimization, and part geometry to reduce manufacturing complexity and cost.
• DFA focuses on minimizing assembly operations through part consolidation, standardization, and optimized assembly sequences.
• DFMA combines these approaches to achieve system-wide optimization that neither could accomplish alone.

For example, while DFM might suggest simplifying a part's geometry to reduce machining time, DFMA could recommend combining multiple parts into a single component to eliminate assembly steps entirely—potentially introducing a more complex manufacturing process that's justified by the overall system savings.

Companies that implement both methodologies often see the greatest benefits, as they address different aspects of production inefficiency.

The Five Key Principles of DFM

Manufacturing excellence begins with strong design principles. The fundamental elements that guide successful DFM implementation are:

• Process selection. The choice of manufacturing process significantly impacts product cost and quality. DFM guides teams in selecting optimal processes based on factors like production volume, material properties, and economic constraints. For instance, while CNC machining might be cost-effective for low-volume precision parts, injection molding could be more suitable for high-volume plastic components.
• Design simplification. Minimizing complexity is a cornerstone of effective DFM. This means reducing the number of parts, standardizing components where possible, and eliminating unnecessary features. DFMA studies show part count reductions averaging 54%, drastically reducing assembly steps. Design simplification reduces production costs but also improves reliability and makes the assembly process more straightforward.
• Material optimization. DFM principles encourage selecting materials that balance cost, manufacturability, and performance requirements. This includes considering factors like material availability, processing requirements, and the potential for waste reduction. For example, choosing materials that can be processed at lower temperatures or require fewer secondary operations can significantly reduce manufacturing costs.
• Environmental considerations. Products must be designed to withstand their intended operating conditions while meeting environmental regulations. DFM helps engineers anticipate these challenges during the design stages, ensuring products maintain quality and reliability throughout their lifecycle.
• Compliance and testing. Modern manufacturing must adhere to various industry standards and regulatory requirements. DFM methodology incorporates these considerations early in the design process, ensuring products meet quality control standards and certification requirements without costly late-stage modifications.

The Business Benefits of DFM

When properly implemented, DFM delivers substantial advantages across multiple business metrics.

Lower manufacturing costs
DFM significantly reduces material waste and production time, with many real-world examples highlighting its impact. BMW's implementation of DFM principles in its new EV platform is expected to cut manufacturing costs by 25% compared to 2019 levels and Whirlpool's DFMA implementation in its kitchen appliance line reduced parts by 29% and assembly time by 26%.

Faster time-to-market
DFM's early-stage optimization minimizes the need for multiple design iterations and revisions during production. This is backed up by evidence as industry studies have showed product development time reductions of 45% through DFMA implementation. As such, companies can launch products more quickly and respond faster to market opportunities.

Enhanced product quality
DFM practices help eliminate design features that might cause quality issues during production, such as tight tolerances or difficult-to-manufacture geometries. The result is higher-quality products with fewer defects.

Improved supply chain efficiency
Using standard components and materials, combined with simplified designs, makes supply chain management more straightforward. It reduces inventory complexity and streamlines relationships with suppliers.

Digital integration and Industry 4.0
Modern DFM increasingly leverages digital tools and smart manufacturing capabilities. According to SME, DFM can integrate Industry 4.0 technologies to enable more efficient, accurate, and innovative operations, paving the way for a new era of manufacturing excellence.

Challenges in Implementing DFM

Despite the clear benefits of DFM, organizations often face a few hurdles when implementing these practices.

Legacy system limitations
Many manufacturers operate with older systems and software that weren’t designed for modern DFM practices. As such, older Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) often require exporting data to separate DFM tools, creating a fragmented and inefficient workflow.

Cross-department collaboration
ABB Robotics' Tom Black explains that "DFM is a collaborative process between R&D and manufacturing engineers that helps eliminate issues that stand in the way of delivering innovative products to market faster." So breaking down traditional silos between these departments might necessitate cultural change and new workflows.

Adapting to Industry 4.0 and AI
Even though the evolution of manufacturing technology can be rewarding, it requires constant adaptation. Modern digital tools can enhance DFM practices, but companies must continuously update their knowledge base to account for new manufacturing processes, materials, and automation capabilities.

How Low Code Platforms Enhance DFM

Low code development platforms are transforming how manufacturers implement and maintain DFM practices.

Automating design validation
Low code platforms enable the rapid development of custom applications that automate DFM checks and analyses. This helps identify potential manufacturing issues early when they're easier and less expensive to fix.

Real-time collaboration and data integration
Modern manufacturing operations require seamless data flow between different systems. Low code platforms excel at creating applications that integrate data from multiple sources, including PLM, CAD, MES, and ERP systems. Design engineers can get immediate feedback on manufacturability, and production teams can better understand design intent.

Smart factory implementation
In the era of Industry 4.0, low code platforms help bridge the gap between traditional manufacturing systems and smart factory capabilities. They enable manufacturers to create custom applications that connect design data with IoT sensors, production metrics, and quality control systems, providing real-time feedback for DFM decisions.

CLEVRAssist, a digital industrial assistance system developed using low code, demonstrates how these solutions can facilitate real-time communication between design, machines, and human operators.

Faster prototyping and iteration
Low code platforms significantly accelerate the development of custom tools for DFM analysis and validation. Companies can quickly create and modify applications to support evolving DFM requirements without lengthy IT development cycles.

Transform Your Manufacturing With CLEVR

Navigating legacy systems while implementing modern DFM practices doesn't have to be overwhelming. CLEVR's low code solutions help manufacturers modernize their DFM processes while maintaining seamless integration with existing systems.

CLEVR enables:

• Rapid development of custom DFM validation tools
• Seamless integration between design and manufacturing systems
• Real-time collaboration across departments
• Smart factory connectivity for Industry 4.0 initiatives
  

Learn how CLEVR’s manufacturing solutions can help you achieve operational excellence through enhanced DFM practices.

Research Methodology

This guide collates insights from manufacturing industry leaders McKinsey, Deloitte, Gartner, and the Lean Enterprise Institute. To identify proven DFM best practices, we've analyzed implementation data from multiple sectors, including automotive, medical devices, electronics, and industrial equipment.

FAQs

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Design for Manufacturing (DFM) helps make individual parts more straightforward and efficient to produce. Design for Assembly (DFA) focuses on how parts come together during assembly. While DFM looks at manufacturing processes and costs, DFA aims to reduce assembly time and complexity.

","title":"What's the difference between DFM and DFA?"},{"content":"

DFM should be implemented from the earliest stages of product development, ideally during the conceptual design phase. Early implementation allows for the most cost-effective design modifications and helps prevent expensive changes later in production.

","title":"When should DFM be implemented in the product development cycle?"},{"content":"

Small manufacturers can start with basic DFM principles like standardizing components and simplifying designs. Low code platforms offer an accessible way to digitize DFM processes without significant IT investment.

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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.

Short on Time? Here's a Brief Overview

• Low code platforms cut development time significantly, letting you deploy custom solutions quickly.
• Low code can lower industrial machinery operational expenses by automating manual processes, simplifying systems so they’re easier to maintain, and reducing application development costs.
• Non-technical staff, or “citizen developers,” can build apps using low code. This can spark fresh ideas tailored to your needs.
• Manufacturers like Schaeffler and Tronrud have proven low code’s effectiveness in areas like predictive maintenance, production scheduling, and inventory optimization.

Low Code in Industrial Machinery

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.

Practical Use Cases: Low Code in Industrial Machinery Operations

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.

Quantifiable Benefits: Cost, Speed, and Scalability

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.

Integrating Low Code With Existing Systems

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.

Getting Started: Your Low Code Checklist

Ready to implement low code application development for your industrial machinery operations? Here’s a practical approach:

1. Identify essential use cases. Determine your pain points—whether in predictive maintenance, scheduling, or inventory—to see where low code can make the most impact.
2. Pick a platform. Choose an enterprise-focused system with robust PLM and enterprise resource planning (ERP) connectors compatible with your systems, such as Mendix.
3. Test small. Launch a pilot project, like a maintenance tracker, to check ROI and evaluate its fit before scaling.
4. Collaborate effectively. Encourage collaboration between IT and operations to ensure solutions meet practical needs.
5. Ensure system interoperability. Integrate low code solutions with existing systems, leveraging APIs for real-time data exchange.

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.

Final Thoughts

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.

Research Methodology

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.

FAQs

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Low code development relies on visual tools and pre-built components, minimizing manual coding. Unlike traditional methods, which demand extensive programming expertise, this accelerates development and opens it to non-developers.

","title":"How does low code differ from traditional development?"},{"content":"

Yes, platforms like Mendix support industrial needs by blending visual development with custom code. For instance, manufacturers can use Mendix to rapidly build predictive maintenance apps that monitor equipment health and prevent downtime.

","title":"Can low code handle complex applications for industrial needs?"},{"content":"

The first step in adopting low code is to conduct a gap analysis targeting a high-impact area—like equipment maintenance—and launch a small pilot. You’ll get an assessment of benefits with minimal risk before broader adoption.

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The manufacturing sector has long relied on digitization to enhance operational efficiency and scalability. Over time, basic automation has driven significant gains in factory output and helped reduce labor costs.

Today, emerging technologies like AI, robotics, digital twins, and IoT are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the factory floor. In this article, we’ll explore how smart factories and advanced manufacturing processes are leveraging these innovations — and how you can start implementing them today using low-code solutions.

What Is a Smart Factory?

A smart factory is a manufacturing facility that uses interconnected cyber-physical processes and data analysis to optimize physical systems. In essence, it’s a factory that can leverage data to learn and improve over time. In contrast, traditional factories are relatively static, and any applications of data (such as speeding up a production line) must be performed manually.

There are three defining features of smart factories:

• Interconnected systems: Smart factories use wireless networks to connect equipment, sensors, and software and share data between them.
• Real-time data collection: Smart factories collect immense amounts of data from factory floors in real time to power automations and decision-making.
• Automation: Smart factories use AI to power advanced automations and optimize workflows. They also leverage robotics, which are controlled by AI systems.

What Is Smart Manufacturing?

Smart factories are key to achieving smart manufacturing, a strategy that involves integrating digital technologies throughout the design, procurement, production, and logistics processes. Through digitization, smart manufacturing can unlock operational efficiency and help companies pivot in the face of changing customer demands.

Smart manufacturing depends on some of the same technologies driving what’s known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. Some of these smart manufacturing technologies include:

• AI: Computer systems designed to learn, problem-solve, and make decisions based on data.
• Digital twins: Simulations of physical systems that enable virtual testing and optimization.
• IoT: Wirelessly networked sensors that support real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
• Cloud computing: Off-site IT infrastructure that provides manufacturing companies access to advanced data analyses and AI models.
• Robotics: AI-controlled machines that can take over production processes to improve product quality and worker safety.

Key Benefits of Smart Factories

Smart factories are widely seen as the future of manufacturing because they offer a massive competitive advantage over traditional factories. Let’s dive deeper into what their benefits are.

Reduced production costs
Advanced manufacturing technologies such as robotics, IoT and AI play a key role in reducing production costs. Robotics lowers labor expenses and minimizes human error, while IoT and AI work together to enable predictive maintenance — significantly reducing expenses compared to traditional reactive maintenance approaches.

Enhanced production efficiency
AI plays a key role in enhancing smart factory efficiency by identifying bottlenecks and uncovering opportunities for process improvement. Robotics boost productivity by performing repetitive tasks faster and more consistently than humans. Meanwhile, interconnected systems help minimize production delays by, for example, automatically detecting when a product is ready to move to the next stage in a multi-step manufacturing process.

Better decision-making
Large-scale data collection and AI-driven analysis can unlock powerful insights into your operations and support more informed decision-making. Building on that, digital twins are also extremely useful for analyzing potential trajectories from a process change or business decision, helping you choose the best path forward with greater confidence.

Improved sustainability
Smart factory technologies can also help reduce environmental impact through smarter and more efficient resource usage. More specifically, predictive maintenance can extend the lifespan of equipment, while AI-driven process optimization helps to significantly reduce energy consumption. On top of that, automated quality control minimizes material waste by catching defects early and consistently.

Greater flexibility
Smart factories are scalable and customizable, making them more competitive in a rapidly changing business landscape. Technologies such as robotics enable efficient small-scale product runs, while AI can forecast both bottlenecks in supply chains, and changes in customer demand.

Implementing a Smart Factory: The Four Evolutionary Stages

Existing manufacturing facilities can be converted into smart factories through a digital transformation process, which can be broken down into four stages to minimize disruption to ongoing operations.

Stage 1: Data collection
The first step in transforming your business’s existing factory is to digitize as many processes as possible. This involves adding IoT-connected sensors to existing equipment, digitizing analog data streams, and building databases to store your factory’s data.

Stage 2: Data contextualization
Once your factory processes are fully digitized, it’s time to interconnect your systems. Data must be shared across departments and integrated with hub software for analysis and decision-making.

Stage 3: Automation
The next stage of transformation involves integrating AI into your factory and giving it access to your real-time data flows. AI can then be used to optimize processes and help drive decision-making.

Stage 4: Self-optimization
Once AI is fully integrated into your smart factory, it can begin a process of learning and self-optimization. This enables smart factories to adapt to changes in real time by seamlessly combining AI- powered self-optimization with strategic human intervention.

Challenges in Implementing Smart Factories

The process of transforming a factory into a smart factory can be extremely difficult, especially for companies that lack experience with digitization. Some of the biggest challenges manufacturing companies face include:

• High initial investment: Apart from the cost of new tech, the transition towards smart manufacturing can cause temporary disruptions to production, leading to downtime and potential revenue loss.
• Outdated infrastructure: Legacy or outdated IT systems and equipment can be difficult to connect with new AI-powered software or IoT sensors.
• Cybersecurity: Increased connectivity exposes factories to cyber threats, so companies must plan for improved security.
• Workforce skill gap: Many factory employees are unfamiliar with IoT devices or data analytics tools and will need training to work effectively in a smart factory.

How Low Code Accelerates Smart Factory Implementation

One of the best ways to address smart factory implementation challenges is to use low code development. Low code enables you to build apps and integrations quickly using customizable templates, drag-and-drop design interfaces, and ready-made content elements.

Low code has several important advantages over traditional, full code approaches to digitizing factories:

• Seamless integration: Low code enables you to build integrations between legacy systems and modern software quickly.
• Faster development: Low code development proceeds much faster than traditional development, meaning you can rapidly build, customize, deploy, and iterate new applications.
• Eliminates bottlenecks: Low code doesn’t require professional developers, which saves your business money and removes blockages in the digital transformation process.
• Scalability: Low code systems are highly scalable and flexible, enabling quick adjustments to manufacturing processes to meet market changes.

Transform Your Manufacturing With CLEVR

Transforming from a traditional factory to a smart factory can unlock efficiency, improve the flexibility of your manufacturing processes, and help you make better decisions about the future of your company.

CLEVR serves as a trusted partner for your digital transformation. The company is a certified Mendix low code partner provides end-to-end support for modernizing legacy systems, implementing new technologies like AI, and making your manufacturing processes smarter.

Ready to learn more? Check out CLEVR’s manufacturing operations management solutions and customer success stories.

Research Methodology

This guide is based on input from engineering, operations, and IT managers in the manufacturing industry. It also draws on digitization success stories from industry publications and insights from companies that have used low code to modernize their manufacturing processes.

FAQs

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Smart factories can track any type of data related to your manufacturing processes or equipment. For example, sensors can track how quickly components move through an assembly process or how much a specific machine is being utilized. Equipment-specific sensors can track data like temperature, current, and acoustic signals to identify potential maintenance needs.

","title":"What data does a smart factory track?"},{"content":"

Industry 4.0 is the term used to describe the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a global shift to digitization that is affecting every industry. Smart manufacturing is a term specifically used to describe how Industry 4.0 is being implemented in the manufacturing sector. Both Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing rely on digital technologies like AI, IoT, digital twins, cloud computing, and robotics.

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At CLEVR, we believe low code isn’t just about speed anymore. It’s about delivering strategic value as it is fast, flexible, and effortlessly connects with both modern and legacy systems. Simply put, low code has all the elements you need to build software that’s not just important but absolutely critical to your business.

From Prototypes to the Core of Your Business

Low code has come a long way. What started as a way to quickly prototype and build internal tools, has grown into a mature development approach. Today’s low-code platforms are robust enough to handle the complexity, scale, and security requirements of business-critical systems. With the right approach and mindset, it’s not only possible but proven to work.

But before we go deeper, let's lay the groundwork of what we actually mean by “business-critical software”.

What Is Business-Critical Software?

Business-critical software refers to the systems that your organization simply cannot function without. These are the backbone of your operations and if they go down, the consequences are immediate and serious:

• Operational disruptions
• Economic loss
• Reputational damage
• Regulatory or legal risks

Think about order processing, financial operations, supply chain planning, customer service—functions at the heart of your business. These are not just systems of convenience; they are essential.

Why Low Code Is the Smart Choice for Scalability and Simplicity

By 2025, Gartner predicts that 75% of all new enterprise applications will be built using low code technologies. That is no coincidence.

With a growing need for faster innovation and a shortage of IT talent, low code serves as an accelerator. It enables businesses to develop software faster, iterate more quickly, and fosters better collaboration between IT and business teams.

At CLEVR, we have been working with low code for over two decades. We have seen it grow from a way to solve small-scale challenges to a strategy for managing systems that handle thousands of daily transactions, ensure compliance, and support critical customer-facing operations.

However, building business-critical systems with low code is more than just plug-and-play. Success depends on doing it right.

The CLEVR Way: Building in Balance

To meet these challenges, we have developed a proven methodology known as The CLEVR Way. This approach combines the speed and flexibility of low code with the discipline required for enterprise-grade applications.

The CLEVR Way focuses on creating the right balance between key aspects of your business:

• Speed & Control
• Agility & Scalability
• Flexibility & Security

This is a collaborative process to ensure shared responsibility, which is especially crucial in Agile environments. From day one, we work closely with your team to define clear requirements and align them with your architecture.

What You Gain

When implemented correctly, low code delivers significant advantages for business-critical systems:

• Faster Time to Market: New features and updates go live in days, not months, thereby enabling you to react quickly to change, even in high-impact systems.
• Lower Build & Run Costs: With visual development and reusable components, you reduce both development time and maintenance overhead.
• Seamless Integration: Modern low code platforms are built API-first and integrate smoothly with everything from legacy systems to modern cloud data lakes like Snowflake. We often pair low code with iPaaS integration layers for maximum impact.
• Better Business-IT Collaboration: Visual development bridges the gap between business and IT, which is critical when building complex, business-critical applications that demand deep mutual understanding.
• Cloud-Native by Default: With cloud-native platforms like Mendix, a globally recognized leader in low-code and trusted platform by major enterprises and corporations worldwide, you get unmatched flexibility in deployment, hosting, scalability (both vertical and horizontal), and high availability. All critical for handling business-critical workloads.

At CLEVR We Leverage an Architecture-First Approach

Want to make low code a strategic pillar in your IT architecture? At CLEVR, we rely on two robust models to guide this process:

• Gartner’s BOAT Model: Positions low code as a front-end and logic layer, which is ideal for driving innovation while keeping your core systems intact.
• Gartner’s Pace Layered Model: An established framework that separates your IT landscape into systems of record, differentiation, and innovation. Low code excels in the top two layers, where speed and adaptability matter most.

By thinking “architecture-first,” you ensure low code isn’t just a tool but a long-term enabler of innovation.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Low code is powerful, but it’s not immune to missteps. A common mistake for example? MVPs that quietly evolve into business-critical systems without the right governance in place.

To avoid this, here are some lessons from the field:

• Conduct a Business Impact Analysis (BIA): Understand the risks of downtime and define recovery strategies.
• Use an Application Portfolio Matrix: Assess business value vs. technical health, and take action where needed.
• Don’t Ignore Non-Functionals: Performance, security, maintainability, they all matter just as much as features.
• Think Long-Term: Our solution architects are embedded in every project to ensure alignment with your target architecture.
• Document Thoughtfully: Agile doesn’t mean “no documentation.” For critical systems, clear documentation is essential.

The Bottom Line

Low code is no longer just a fast track to MVPs and small business applications. It’s a fully matured enterprise-grade technology. With the right architecture, governance, and collaboration model, you get the best of both worlds: agility and stability.

At CLEVR, we help organizations implement low code as a strategic enabler, rather than a temporary fix. Together, we make it a fundamental part of a future-ready IT architecture.

Want to Learn More?

We are hosting a series of breakfast sessions where our experts (and customers) can dive deeper into what it really takes to build critical systems with low code.

Interested? Let’s talk.
Reach out directly to svddeijssel@clevr.com or call +31 6 52601544.

FAQs

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Generative AI tools like chatbots and virtual assistants have the potential to dramatically enhance the customer journey at retail businesses and drive increased sales. They can provide personalized shopping experiences to returning customers, engage with new customers across all channels at all times, and deliver 24/7 customer support.

However, implementing AI chatbots can be a significant challenge. A recent survey of major retailers found that only 4% have successfully scaled generative AI tools across their businesses.

That’s why we’ve compiled this guide. Below, we explain how retailers can rapidly deploy AI chatbots and virtual assistants with low code and begin harnessing the power of generative AI.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• AI chatbots and virtual assistants can boost customer engagement, increase sales, and reduce customer service costs.
• Traditional development approaches make deploying an AI chatbot costly and time-consuming. They struggle to address challenges like data silos or privacy requirements and require professional developers.
• Low code cuts AI chatbot deployment time by reducing the need for professional developers and offering tools to sidestep data challenges. Low code is also more flexible and scalable than traditional development.
  
  

Why Retailers Need AI Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

AI chatbots and virtual assistants hold massive promise for the retail industry. These tools can transform the customer experience while enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.

One key way AI chatbots can achieve this is by engaging directly with customers. If a customer clicks on a product in your online store, for example, a chatbot can answer questions about it or suggest similar items the customer might like. This direct engagement can increase conversions and boost your business’s revenue.

Generative AI-powered virtual assistants can also build loyalty among existing customers. For example, they can analyze a customer’s preferences to suggest new products or help them choose the right size in a new outfit. This personalized attention is similar to what a customer would get from a personal shopper, and it can lead to a major increase in repeat sales.

The benefits of AI chatbots and virtual assistants extend beyond enhancing customer experiences and boosting sales. They also reduce costs by automating many aspects of customer service. Customers can speak with a chatbot to ask about the status of an online order or initiate a return, freeing human agents to focus on more complex issues. This reduces retailers’ overall staffing needs, increasing operational efficiency and saving money.

The Challenges of Traditional Chatbot Development

Despite AI chatbots' promise, few retailers currently use them expansively. That’s because traditional approaches to chatbot development are costly, time-consuming, and challenging to scale.

These approaches rely on professional developers to build chatbots from scratch, integrating natural language processing models with workflows for collecting and analyzing customer data. This is a slow process that often requires bringing in data scientists to find the best way to harness your business’s data.

To make matters worse, developers can run into numerous challenges along the way. Data silos, data privacy issues, and outdated IT systems that don’t easily support data sharing can all slow down development and increase costs. The result is that what might seem like a simple project at the outset can significantly drain your company’s IT resources.

How Low Code Accelerates AI Chatbot Deployment

The good news is that there’s a way around these challenges: low code development.

Low code approaches eliminate much of the coding traditionally required for chatbot development and deployment. Instead of code, low code platforms use customizable templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and pre-made content elements to help you build AI-powered tools.

Low code accelerates AI chatbot deployment in a few key ways.

First, low code platforms minimize the code needed to build a chatbot. Many come with pre-built integrations for popular AI models, so all you need to do is provide the data and design the user interface.

This means you can lean on your existing IT team to spearhead development rather than hire a team of developers working around the clock. So, it’s possible to get started on your project right away instead of waiting until a new team is in place. The overall cost of building an AI chatbot or virtual assistant is also dramatically lower with fewer developers involved.

Another benefit to low code development is that it sidesteps many issues that pop up during traditional development approaches. For example, low code tools make it easy to build custom data pipelines and automated databases that break down data silos instantly. They also provide granular data security controls, ensuring sensitive customer information can be handled safely. With fewer problems to navigate, development can proceed much more quickly.

Additionally, low code approaches enable flexibility and scalability in a way that often isn’t the case with traditional development methods. With low code, you can develop a basic chatbot for one customer-facing channel—like your online store—and then expand it to more channels and add more capabilities later.

This stepwise approach also increases the likelihood of project success. You can deploy a prototype chatbot quickly and immediately see results in your conversion rate or customer satisfaction ratings. Then, based on customer feedback, you can iteratively improve your chatbot.

How To Deploy AI Chatbots With Low Code

Building an AI chatbot with low code starts with choosing a low code platform.

CLEVR works exclusively with Mendix low code because of its advanced features for AI integration and data security. Mendix is also highly flexible, making it ideal for various retail businesses and chatbot deployments.

Using your chosen low code platform, you can integrate your business’s data flows with a generative AI model. Then, you can build a new data pipeline for your chatbot or continuously stream data from your existing databases to the AI model.

Finally, deploy your chatbot on your online store, mobile app, and customer service platform. Mendix offers tools to streamline these integrations and ensure customer interaction data is fed back into your business for in-depth analysis.

CLEVR can serve as an expert partner for your business throughout this implementation process—providing end-to-end support, including identifying opportunities for generative AI within the customer journey and assisting in building a capable chatbot or virtual assistant with Mendix. Additionally, CLEVR ensures the AI tools remain flexible and scalable, enabling continuous improvement of the customer experience.

How We Researched This Article

This guide is based on a survey of retail executives and the latest insights from retail industry publications. It also draws on input from IT leaders, retail operations managers, and customer experience experts currently using low code and generative AI tools.

FAQs

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Low code development approaches can be much less costly than traditional methods for building and deploying AI chatbots. Low code requires fewer developers and shortens development cycles, enabling businesses to spend less on developer salaries. It’s also less likely to disrupt critical business operations, preventing costly outages.

","title":"Is low code less expensive for AI chatbots? "},{"content":"

Low code platforms make it easier to implement AI chatbots and virtual assistants on outdated or legacy retail IT infrastructure. They enable you to create custom data pipelines for sharing information with an AI model. Low code also makes it possible to build seamless integrations between existing retail software and new generative AI tools.

","title":"Does low code work with legacy retail systems?"}]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "field_types" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"colors":"group","faq":"group","padding":"group","squeeze":"choice","squeeze_position":"choice","structured":"boolean"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "label" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}null{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "module_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}61963180038{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "path" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"/clevr/modules/clevr_faq"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "schema_version" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}2{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_objects" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}[]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"NOT_SMART"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "squeeze" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"s"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "structured" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}true{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "wrap_field_tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"div"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% end_module_block %}

Success in retail requires technology that can quickly adapt to changing customer behaviors, competition, and opportunities. Yet, many retailers still use outdated legacy systems that waste resources, slow down progress, and don't meet modern consumer demands.

The good news is that moving forward doesn't mean throwing away your existing investments or undergoing expensive system replacements. Low code development offers a practical solution for retail’s unique needs.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Technical debt, also caLegacy systems consume huge portions of retail IT budgets through maintenance and support costs, all while making it harder to innovate.
• Low code platforms dramatically speed up development. Retailers can launch new applications fast—perfect for seasonal opportunities.
• You can connect low code platforms to your existing systems instead of replacing them. This makes the transition easy for your staff and invisible to your customers.

Why Legacy Coding Is Holding Retailers Back

Outdated systems limit company growth and create significant challenges for both executives and employees. A McKinsey survey found that businesses spend an additional 10-20% of project costs just fixing technical problems. Even more concerning, 60% of CIOs say their technical debt problems are only getting worse.

For retailers, legacy systems introduce several problems:

• Customer data is scattered across different systems, preventing a complete view of your customer base. Without this information, you’ll struggle to personalize experiences and make informed decisions.
• Reactions to market dynamics are slow because changes take too long to implement. This makes it difficult to adjust quickly to evolving market definitions and emerging customer segments.
• It’s tricky to create new customer support programs. Features like personalized experiences and loyalty programs—things modern consumers expect—take a lot of time to develop on older systems. You risk losing customers to your more agile competitors.
• Maintenance costs keep rising as the pool of experts who understand legacy technologies continues to shrink each year. Finding and retaining specialists for outdated systems gets expensive, often requiring external consultants or training programs.
• Security risks are high due to vulnerability exposure and lack of support for outdated software components.
• It’s hard to connect with online and mobile platforms because legacy systems weren’t designed with modern API integrations and cloud connectivity in mind. Customers get a fragmented experience where online orders, in-store purchases, and mobile app interactions exist in separate silos rather than the seamless omnichannel experience they demand.

Retailers clearly need to move on from their aging systems. Many have succeeded by switching to simpler, more versatile development methods like low code.

What Is Low Code, and How Does It Help Retailers?

Low code makes creating apps easier through visual, drag-and-drop tools instead of complex programming. As the name suggests, little to no coding is involved.

Here’s what low code platforms provide and how they can help retailers:

• Visual design tools that make app creation simple for non-technical staff who understand your retail workflows.
• Ready-made connections that work efficiently with existing systems, from cash registers to customer databases.
• AI connections that add powerful large language model (LLM) tools from providers like OpenAI—without complex setup.
• Automatic testing and launching that reduce mistakes and speed up new features, perfect for time-sensitive retail campaigns.
• Multi-device development that creates web and mobile interfaces together, making it easier to reach customers everywhere.
• Cloud options that grow automatically to handle your busy times, like the holiday season.

With low code, retailers can create fully working applications in a fraction of the time it takes to build them using traditional programming. Low code also makes it easy for different departments to develop apps that align with their priorities—e.g., marketing teams can build apps for customers while operations teams create inventory tools.

This approach to product development means you can quickly respond to feedback or implement new customer programs, such as personalized loyalty apps or targeted promotional campaigns.

Cost savings: How low code helps retailers spend less on IT

Building apps with low code costs much less than traditional programming, primarily because low code speeds up development time. Real-world examples show that apps are built up to four times faster using low code.

Additionally, retailers typically use dozens of apps for sales, inventory, promotions, vertical markets, deal management, etc. Low code platforms made for retail connect these systems without massive rebuilding. Each app built with low code saves money while delivering better results to individual market segments.

Low Code vs. Traditional Development: A Comparison

Aspect

Traditional development

Low code development

Development time

2-8 months for typical retail apps

1-3 weeks for similar solutions

Technical knowledge needed

Needs specialized programmers who know multiple languages

Business users can build apps with basic training

Cost

Higher initial and maintenance costs

Lower development and support costs

Customization

Complete control but takes longer

Pre-made templates with good customization options

Integration

Complex, needs special expertise

Ready-made connections for common retail systems

Updates and
maintenance

Time-consuming, needs programmers

Business users can make many changes themselves

Growth potential

Very flexible but needs further development

Grows easily through cloud systems

How Retailers Can Switch From Legacy Systems to Low Code

Moving to low code doesn’t mean replacing everything at once. Follow these steps to make the switch:

1. Begin by examining processes, not technology. Look for the biggest problems in customer experience (e.g., disconnected loyalty programs) or operations (e.g., slow inventory counting). Write down current workflows, find bottlenecks (such as slow promotion updates or store communications), and define what success looks like to you before seeking solutions.
   
   
2. Use connectors to link old systems. Instead of replacing core systems, modern low code platforms use APIs—digital bridges that let systems talk to each other. Open up key functions (like inventory checks or customer data) through standard APIs so new apps can smoothly use existing resources.
   
   
3. Start small with one focused app. Pick something noticeable enough to show value but small enough to finish quickly. For example, Dutch retailer Blokker started with promotion management—a specific process with clear benefits. It moved from using clunky Excel files to a well-oiled automated process. Thanks to CLEVR's low code solution, Blokker was able to spin up this system quickly.
   
   
4. Create a guidance team for quality control. Make rules for development standards, data security, and design guidelines. Give platform control to an individual business unit while encouraging all departments to innovate. With a team focused on the transition, you’ll help prevent disruption while maximizing value across departments.
   
   
5. Grow step by step with modular pieces. Build on your first success by improving related processes. For instance, after creating an inventory app, you could add supplier tools and then connect to forecasting systems. Intratuin, a 60-branch garden center retailer, used this step-by-step approach with support from CLEVR—starting with basic product management, then adding vendor features over time. Now, Intratuin’s internal data-management department and individual branch managers effortlessly work together on one workflow.
   
   

Final Thoughts

Retailers face massive challenges with legacy systems—systems that are hard to change, expensive to maintain, and difficult to develop. Low code solutions reduce these technical problems. You can implement changes gradually to keep your business proposition strong and expand your portfolio of products, all without disrupting essential operations.

For a better market understanding of how low code can improve your retail operations, take a look at CLEVR's retail industry solutions or learn more about how digital transformation is revolutionizing retail.

Research Methodology

This analysis focuses on retail by combining information from industry publications, surveys, and research. It considers real examples of global retailers using low code between 2020 and 2025 and compares these to traditional development measurements for accurate time and cost comparisons.

FAQs

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Yes, modern low code platforms come with built-in connections for common retail systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and online stores. They also support custom connections for specialized needs and can help you achieve greater depth of market reach.

","title":"Can low code platforms handle the complex integrations retailers need?"},{"content":"

Most retail applications require only a basic knowledge of business processes. Low code platforms use visual interfaces that eliminate coding while making it easy for business and IT teams to work together.

","title":"How much technical knowledge do retail employees need to use low code platforms?"},{"content":"

Some of the most effective options currently are customer portals, promotion systems, inventory tools, and data analysis dashboards. These solutions often combine information from multiple sources, improving your business proposition and expanding your product portfolio.

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Like poorly written code or half-baked integrations, technical debt can wreak havoc on enterprise companies. It holds them back from digital transformation efforts that can streamline business, increase productivity, and unlock innovations. Technical debt also slows down future development and increases costs by as much as 20%.

The good news is that there’s a quick way out of technical debt. Low code platforms enable you to build modern, scalable digital solutions rapidly so your team can focus on innovation and future-proofing your IT infrastructure.

In this guide, we explain how low code platforms help enterprises cut down technical debt.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Technical debt refers to work that’s been left for future software developers to address. It’s an accumulation of shortcuts over time in an attempt to roll out software products like apps and integrations quickly.
• Technical debt makes current and future development projects more costly and time-consuming. It also hinders innovation since companies can’t easily experiment with new digitization efforts.
• Low code platforms enable your team to build highly flexible and scalable software with little to no new code, replacing or bypassing existing code that creates technical debt.
• When implementing low code, it’s important to create a governance framework to ensure future projects are flexible and well-documented.

Understanding Technical Debt in Enterprise IT

Technical debt, also called tech debt, refers to shortcuts that IT teams and developers take to reduce the time to market for software and technical infrastructure. These can include writing messy code, building narrow integrations that aren’t easily scalable, or cobbling together multiple existing databases instead of creating something new and less complex.

At the time, these shortcuts can seem like a good thing—they enable your company to roll out new capabilities, like workflows or integrations, more quickly. However, development shortcuts can create massive headaches down the road.

For example, say your company wants to add more capabilities to a piece of software, but the original code was written sloppily for faster deployment. Building on that poorly organized code will take much more time and money than building on code that was correctly written. It may not be possible to rewrite the original code if critical applications are running on it, and it can’t be taken offline. So, your team has to spend time figuring out what each piece of the existing code does and how to make it compatible with new development.

Tech debt results from the accumulation of many development choices like this, which prioritize speed or convenience now over flexibility and scalability later. That debt has to be paid back by future developers, who have to rewrite or work around the old code. This means new development takes longer, costs more, and can disrupt critical business processes.

How Low Code Reduces Technical Debt in Enterprises

Low code development offers a way to get your company out of technical debt quickly.

Low code platforms use a combination of pre-made templates, drag-and-drop content elements, visual interfaces, and artificial intelligence to enable software development with little to no coding. They offer a straightforward user experience and can be used to create software integrations, automated workflows, web apps, and more. In short, low code platforms are suitable for a wide range of digitization efforts.

Low code reduces tech debt by enabling developers to bypass some problems your company faces with existing code and outdated legacy systems. For example, low code can allow your team to build new integrations that work alongside existing code without requiring disruptive changes to code that’s already in use. Alternatively, the ease and speed of development using low code makes rebuilding integrations or apps from scratch a much more cost-effective option.

Even better, since there’s little to no coding involved, applications built using low code approaches don’t create additional technical debt. Low code is flexible and scalable, ensuring your company’s IT infrastructure is future-ready.

Another benefit to low code is that it’s accessible to semi-technical business users, not just professional software developers. This enables project managers to play a larger role in new development, leading to software products that fully address your team’s needs.

How To Implement Low Code To Fix Technical Debt

When using low code to fix technical debt, it’s important to think carefully about your implementation process.

Giving anyone in your business access to low code tools, for example, can result in a flood of single-purpose applications that aren’t integrated with your broader IT systems. At the same time, using low code to build new applications without regard for the code your company already has can result in a “shadow” IT system operating parallel to existing software.

The key to avoiding these risks is to create a strong governance framework around low code development. Managers and semi-technical employees should be encouraged to work as citizen developers alongside professional developers—rather than on their own—to build new integrations and apps. This lets experienced developers play a guiding role in each project to ensure that it’s flexible and scalable to meet future needs.

You can also implement documentation requirements around any new low code development. This allows future developers to understand what was done in the past when building on existing apps or integrations, which speeds up future development and prevents duplicated efforts.

How CLEVR Can Help

CLEVR’s experts use low code platforms like Mendix to help enterprises reduce technical debt. They work alongside your development team to build innovative and purpose-driven low code applications.

CLEVR can also assist development teams in identifying problematic code, setting project goals, and establishing governance frameworks to prevent technical debt from accumulating in the future. The company provides support through the entire process to unlock the full potential of low code for your business.

Final Thoughts

Technical debt makes every development effort more time-consuming and expensive, holding your business back from innovation. The best way to cut down technical debt is with low code development, which requires little to no new coding and can help your team replace or bypass poorly written code. Low code software is highly flexible and scalable, ensuring you can build on top of it as new needs arise.

Want to learn more about how low code can help your business reduce technical debt? Check out CLEVR’s comprehensive guide to low code today.

Research Methodology

This guide draws on conversations with software development managers and IT leaders who have experience navigating technical debt in enterprise companies. It also builds on CLEVR’s experience working with enterprise businesses to develop low code solutions to resolve existing technical debt.

FAQs

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Low code development typically doesn’t introduce new technical debt because it requires little code. The applications created with low code platforms are highly flexible and scalable, enabling your team to build on them in the future. Low code development can also be very effective at reducing existing technical debt by replacing or bypassing sloppy code that your business currently relies on.

","title":"Does low code create technical debt?"},{"content":"

The best way to approach technical debt is to identify the most problematic portions of your business’s codebase. Often, a small amount of messy fundamental code is responsible for most of a company’s technical debt. You can then use low code platforms to redevelop these critical applications and integrations quickly.

","title":"What is the best way to approach technical debt?"}]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "field_types" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"colors":"group","faq":"group","padding":"group","squeeze":"choice","squeeze_position":"choice","structured":"boolean"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "label" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}null{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "module_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}61963180038{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "path" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"/clevr/modules/clevr_faq"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "schema_version" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}2{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_objects" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}[]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"NOT_SMART"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "squeeze" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"s"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "structured" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}true{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "wrap_field_tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"div"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% end_module_block %}

Stability and Reliability: Keeping the Core Strong

For business-critical applications, stability and reliability are non-negotiable. Scheduling planned maintenance windows is essential to prevent unexpected downtimes and keep operations running smoothly without disrupting key processes.

Another crucial aspect is monitoring—especially for integrations. Business-critical apps often rely on various integrations to function properly. If one fails, the entire workflow can be disrupted. By using robust monitoring tools such as Datadog, issues can be detected early, minimizing potential damage. CLEVR employs Datadog for all supported customers.

While updates and patches are necessary for security, performance improvements, and bug fixes (or small enhancements), they can occasionally introduce unexpected issues. A structured update testing strategy—including staging environments and thorough regression testing—is vital to avoid disruptions in production. CLEVR has extensive experience with automated testing tools, and these tests can be further integrated into a CI/CD pipeline. Mendix continues to mature in this area; however, in collaboration with customers, sometimes an Azure-based CI/CD pipeline may be the better alternative.

At CLEVR, we take charge of your upgrade schedule to ensure the application always runs on a supported Mendix version. Our specialized upgrade team has conducted numerous customer upgrades, allowing them to become increasingly adept at avoiding common pitfalls. We also schedule regular monitoring tasks to confirm that all widgets, modules, and the Mendix platform itself are updated to the latest released versions.

Incident & Change Management: Proactive and Agile Support

A well-structured incident and change management process is key to quickly resolving issues. Setting clear target solution times enables teams to act with urgency, reducing downtime for critical business processes.

Good governance on deployments is also crucial for preventing instability. Establishing clear guidelines for releasing new features and updates reduces risks associated with untested changes. Consider implementing automated regression testing and CI/CD pipelines to mitigate the risk of downtime or negative impacts. At CLEVR, for example, we never release on a Friday night—one of many best-practice guidelines we’ve developed to ensure smooth rollouts.

Another common challenge in Mendix development is versioning. Over time, businesses can accumulate multiple application versions, complicating consistency and collaboration. At CLEVR, we’ve honed a best-practice approach to versioning Mendix applications. This ensures smooth rollbacks when necessary and minimizes conflicts, particularly important in environments where a project team focuses on new features while a support team handles small improvements and incident fixes.

Security Compliance: Protecting Sensitive Data

Security is a top priority for business-critical applications, and compliance can be challenging—especially in low-code environments. Proper access control, including role-based access (RBAC), is a fundamental requirement but can be complex to configure. CLEVR offers specialized tooling to streamline this process, ensuring users have precisely the access they need—no more, no less.

Audit and compliance requirements can also be demanding because low-code platforms sometimes lack traditional code-level security features. CLEVR helps businesses navigate these challenges by implementing Mendix security best practices.

Some organizations require custom security measures beyond Mendix’s out-of-the-box capabilities, such as advanced encryption or custom authentication. CLEVR has established security best practices to address these specialized needs. We also developed a support module that we include in every project delivery. This module features handy tools to manage data distribution and archiving, along with an additional security layer for the MxAdmin account.

Finally, working with a specialized penetration testing (PENTEST) partner is highly recommended. A qualified PENTEST provider with Mendix expertise can detect vulnerabilities that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Monitoring & Logging: Ensuring Long-Term Health

Effective monitoring and logging are critical for maintaining business-critical applications. CLEVR uses Datadog for real-time monitoring and alerting, enabling quick detection and resolution of potential issues before they escalate.

In addition to monitoring, maintaining code quality is equally important. QSM from the Software Improvement Group (SIG) helps check the quality of Mendix applications, providing insights into maintainability, performance, and security. CLEVR is an implementation partner of SIG.

Conclusion

Maintaining business-critical Mendix applications requires a comprehensive approach that includes stability planning, robust incident and change management, strict security compliance, and proactive monitoring. By following these best practices and leveraging CLEVR’s expertise, businesses can ensure their Mendix applications remain reliable, secure, and high-performing throughout the entire application lifecycle.

FAQs

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Schedule planned maintenance, monitor integrations proactively, and test updates thoroughly. CLEVR uses tools like Datadog for real-time monitoring and follows a structured upgrade and testing process to prevent disruptions.

","title":"How do I ensure my Mendix app stays reliable and stable in the long term?"},{"content":"

Updates are essential for security and performance but can introduce risks. CLEVR uses staging environments, automated regression testing, and CI/CD pipelines to validate updates before production. Our dedicated upgrade team manages the full upgrade process safely.

","title":"What’s the best way to handle updates and upgrades in Mendix?"},{"content":"

CLEVR follows strict incident and change management processes with defined target resolution times, clear deployment governance, and best practices—like avoiding Friday night releases—to ensure application stability.

","title":"How does CLEVR manage incidents and changes for business-critical apps?"},{"content":"

CLEVR applies a best-practice approach to versioning that supports both feature development and support activities. This ensures smooth collaboration, clear version control, and easy rollbacks when needed.

","title":"How can I maintain multiple Mendix app versions without conflicts?"},{"content":"

Role-based access control (RBAC), audit readiness, and custom security layers are essential. CLEVR offers specialized tooling and practices, including enhanced MxAdmin protection and support for PENTEST validations.

","title":"What should I consider for security and compliance in Mendix apps?"},{"content":"

Combine real-time monitoring with code quality checks. CLEVR uses Datadog for alerts and SIG’s QSM tooling to measure maintainability, performance, and security, ensuring long-term application health.

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Organizations are increasingly challenged to develop business-critical applications that are both highly adaptable and reliable. Custom software offers many possibilities but often takes time to develop and can be difficult to align with evolving business needs. Low code platforms like Mendix offer an alternative: accelerating development through visual modelling, without compromising on performance, scalability, or reliability.

Mendix is no longer just suitable for simple workflow apps. The platform has evolved into a full-fledged enterprise solution that supports the entire application lifecycle. In this blog, we’ll explain why Mendix is a good fit for business-critical solutions, how it integrates with modern architectural models (such as microservices, API-first, and event-driven architectures), and how the platform works seamlessly with existing ERP and CRM systems. We’ll also cover how Mendix strengthens collaboration between business and IT and how CLEVR, as an experienced Mendix partner, helps organizations set up and scale these types of solutions.

Architectural Models and Mendix

Enterprise architecture is not one-size-fits-all, and different layers within your IT landscape require their own approaches. When looking at application-level architecture and related secondary systems, we often see recurring patterns—such as microservices for modular components, an API-first strategy for integrations, or an event-driven architecture for real-time processing. Mendix provides a high degree of flexibility to support these models with built-in tools.

According to Gartner, platforms like Mendix fall under the “BOAT Platforms” category—Business-Orchestrated Automation & Transformation—which combine integration, orchestration, and user experience. Mendix aligns well with this through visual development, a cloud-native architecture, and extensive integration capabilities. In this blog we’ll highlight three common architectural patterns and how Mendix fits into them.

Microservices Architecture

More and more organizations are opting for a microservices architecture, where large applications are broken down into small, independent services. Mendix is a great match here. Each Mendix application runs in a stateless runtime, enabling both horizontal and vertical scalability. Apps can be deployed, updated, and maintained independently.

It’s also easy to develop smaller, standalone applications. Teams can build multiple Mendix apps that communicate via APIs or events. Mendix Connect (formerly Data Hub) acts as an internal service catalog. Apps can expose data via OData, making it reusable by others without duplicating it.

Integration is as simple as drag and drop: a developer can drag a Remote Entity from the Data Hub into their data model and use it instantly. This setup ensures Mendix microservices remain loosely coupled, each with its own lifecycle, while still working together as a unified solution.

API-First Integration

In many enterprise environments, an API-first approach is the norm. Mendix is well equipped for this. The platform supports both building and consuming REST and OData APIs. With just a few clicks in Mendix Studio Pro, you can publish a REST service or OData feed based on your data model. URL structures, JSON/XML formats, and error handling are automatically configured.

Consuming external APIs is just as simple: Mendix supports REST calls and handles responses within microflows. This makes Mendix an ideal integration or orchestration layer between existing systems. For example, you can create an application that pulls data from an ERP system via OData, retrieves customer info from a CRM via REST, and presents it all in a single user interface.

Mendix supports standard authentication protocols like OAuth 2.0, ensuring secure API access. Thanks to these API capabilities, you can build integrations or integration services quickly—without expensive custom middleware. Mendix becomes the agile glue between existing systems and new digital solutions.

Event-Driven Architecture

Event-driven architecture is increasingly popular, especially for real-time processes. Mendix is a strong player here too. While the platform doesn’t include a native message broker, it integrates easily with platforms like Kafka, RabbitMQ, Azure Service Bus, or Solace.

Using built-in connectors or Java actions, you can send and receive messages. Mendix is well suited for small event-driven applications that automatically respond to incoming events. A microflow can be triggered to perform a task whenever an event is received.

For instance, think of a dashboard that updates automatically when an IoT device sends a status change. Through a REST integration with an event broker, Mendix can receive and process the event immediately. Combined with an event platform, this creates a scalable and flexible integration where Mendix handles the business logic, while the event platform manages reliable message delivery.

Mendix can both send events—for example, a notification when a process completes—and receive them, enabling you to build responsive applications that act on real-time data and triggers.

Mendix at the Edge of the Core IT Landscape

One of Mendix’s strengths is its ability to operate alongside core systems like ERP, CRM, or legacy databases. Rather than replacing these systems, you can use Mendix to innovate around them—creating flexible edge applications that deliver value fast, without disrupting the core. This approach is often called "wrap and extend".

Mendix apps can pull data from multiple backends and present it in a unified interface. For example, a company using SAP and Salesforce can build an order management app in Mendix that calls both systems via APIs. The app creates orders in SAP, retrieves customer data from Salesforce, and adds custom logic not present in either system.

This way, you create added value without needing major overhauls. You also extend the lifecycle of your core systems—getting more out of them with less risk.

A concrete example: VodafoneZiggo co-developed Field Tool 2.0 with CLEVR, an app that integrates data from over 40 backend systems into one fieldwork tool for technicians. The core systems remain unchanged, while Mendix delivers a modern frontend via APIs and events.

Another case: the Splash app at Eneco, built on top of Ortec’s planning engine. It provides customers with a clean portal for managing appointments. Developed using Mendix in collaboration with Ortec and Eneco, this app has become a vital part of the service offering.

In short, Mendix is an ideal layer on top of your core IT. It forms the “edge” where you can deliver new functionality fast—without compromising the stability of existing systems. This aligns with the concept of composable architecture: building new capabilities modularly, while your core systems continue to do what they do best.

CLEVR’s Role and Expertise

Successfully using Mendix for business-critical applications requires more than just a great platform. You need a partner that understands both the technology and your organization. CLEVR is that partner. As a Mendix Platinum Partner, we have extensive experience building scalable solutions within complex IT environments.

Our teams work closely with architects and IT managers on challenges around integration, security, governance, and maintenance. We translate these requirements into robust Mendix architectures that fit within existing environments—whether you’re working with microservices, traditional ERP landscapes, or something in between.

CLEVR has delivered many business-critical solutions, including:

• VodafoneZiggo: Field Tool 2.0, a technician app integrating over 40 backend systems.
• Eneco: Splash, a service scheduling portal built on top of Ortec’s engine and integrated with existing CRM systems.
• Winst uit je Woning: a sustainability services platform built as a flexible layer around core processes.
• Telenet: various innovative solutions in the telecom sector.

In each project, we closely collaborate with our clients’ internal teams. We believe in “build together, grow together”: our experts become an extension of your team. This ensures that the end result meets both technical requirements and business goals.

We also continuously invest in expertise and quality. We stay up to date with the latest Mendix developments (like Mendix 10), follow relevant publications (such as Gartner’s BOAT model), and apply best practices in our projects. Whether it’s setting up an integration layer, building a DevOps pipeline, or scaling Mendix deployments—we’ve got the experience.

Conclusion

With Mendix, you can build business-critical applications that fit seamlessly within modern enterprise architecture. The platform combines the speed of development with the robustness required for large-scale use. Whether you're working with microservices, an API-first strategy, or event-driven integration—Mendix supports these models without compromising on speed or quality.

CLEVR helps organizations get the most out of Mendix. As an experienced Mendix partner, we support your architecture, development process, and implementation journey. Together, we ensure that low-code isn’t just fast—it’s sustainable, secure, and fully integrated into your IT landscape.

Conclusion

Feel free to reach out to CLEVR for a no-obligation conversation. We’d be happy to show you how Mendix can help your organization deliver flexible and reliable digital solutions.

FAQs

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Manufacturing software comprises several key technologies, including CAD, CAM, CAE, and PLM. Each plays a specific role in streamlining product development and manufacturing processes.

Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) are two foundational manufacturing technologies—one focused on design and engineering, the other on production planning and execution. You need to understand the various CAD vs. CAM use cases because using the right tools at the right time can dramatically improve your product development process. Let’s examine the differences to help you understand which tools match your needs.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• CAD software enables product design, engineering documentation, and data management through precise 2D and 3D digital models.
• CAM software turns design blueprints into step-by-step instructions for machines, helping manufacturers quickly and accurately produce parts.
• While CAD is used primarily by design engineers, manufacturing engineers and process planners favor CAM.
• Modern enterprise manufacturing often integrates both technologies through platforms like Siemens NX to smooth the flow from design to production.

CAD vs. CAM Explained

When considering the differences between CAD vs. CAM, remember that these technologies often work together. CAD software creates detailed 3D digital models of products, showing their shape, size, and how different parts fit together. It also generates technical drawings and specifications that manufacturing teams need to build the product. With CAM software, users develop comprehensive manufacturing plans and determine the most efficient ways to produce parts while optimizing resources and processes.

Think of it this way: CAD defines what needs to be made and provides specifications, while CAM determines how to make it effectively. Design engineers use CAD to specify products and their requirements, whereas manufacturing engineers use CAM to plan and execute optimal production processes.

This specialization allows each system to excel at its core purpose—CAD for complete product definition and CAM for manufacturing process optimization. Together, they form an integrated system.

Key differences between CAD and CAM

CAD

CAM

Primary purpose

Product design, engineering documentation, data management

Manufacturing process planning and optimization

Main users

Design engineers and product developers

Manufacturing engineers and process planners

Core functions

3D modeling, technical documentation, engineering analysis, product data management

Process planning, toolpath generation, manufacturing optimization

Output

Complete digital product definition, including models, documentation, and specifications

Optimized manufacturing processes and machine instructions

Skills required

Design principles, engineering analysis, product data management

Manufacturing processes, tooling, CNC programming

Software examples

Siemens NX, Solid Edge

NX Manufacturing, Solid Edge CAM Pro

Key benefits

Comprehensive product definition, engineering documentation, virtual validation

Optimized production, process planning, reduced errors

Integration points

PLM systems, simulation (CAE), requirements management

Machine tools, production planning, quality systems

The Role of CAD

Modern CAD software has transformed product development through comprehensive digital product definition. Software like Siemens NX provides a complete environment for product design and engineering that works in two complementary ways:

• Parametric modeling builds designs systematically with mathematically linked elements. If you change one part of the design, related parts automatically adjust to maintain the overall design integrity. Changes flow automatically through the model based on defined relationships and constraints.
• Direct modeling lets engineers make immediate changes to their 3D designs by clicking and dragging parts of the model. Engineers can quickly adjust designs while the software automatically maintains the correct relationships between connected parts.

Siemens Synchronous Technology uniquely combines these two approaches, providing the speed of direct modeling while preserving the control of parametric design.

Today’s CAD software excels at handling complex designs with many interconnected parts. It can check how parts fit together, simulate movement, and keep track of all the design details from start to finish.

Manufacturing Process Planning with CAM

CAM software connects product designs to manufacturing by creating detailed plans for making those products efficiently.

First, the software analyzes product data to understand manufacturing requirements and constraints. It recognizes geometric features and specifications that require specific manufacturing operations.

Next, CAM develops comprehensive process plans and determines operations sequences, tooling requirements, and machining strategies. These plans consider many factors, such as manufacturing capabilities, material properties, quality requirements, and cost targets.
It then creates and validates detailed machining instructions, optimizing production speed and resource efficiency.

Manufacturing Process Planning with CAM

Manufacturing complexity is rising because modern products often require innovative techniques. For example, instead of just cutting away material (subtractive manufacturing), companies now add 3D printing to build up components layer by layer (additive manufacturing).

Modern CAM software can seamlessly blend these approaches. It plans processes that might start with 3D printing a basic shape and then use precision cutting tools to refine the details. This “hybrid manufacturing” allows for more complex, lightweight, and precisely engineered products, such as aerospace components or medical implants, that would be impossible to create using traditional methods.

The Power of Integration

Enterprise solutions like Siemens NX combine CAD and CAM in one platform. Integrating these tools maintains the digital thread between design and manufacturing while eliminating data translation issues.

Consider manufacturing a turbine blade: An engineer fully defines the blade in NX CAD, specifying the geometry, materials, tolerances, and other requirements. When this moves to NX CAM, all product data remains connected. The system leverages this information to suggest appropriate manufacturing strategies based on best practices.

Software Solutions for Different Needs

Various manufacturing scenarios require different combinations of capabilities:

• Siemens NX: NX is a comprehensive enterprise platform for large manufacturers, particularly in aerospace and automotive. Its integrated CAD/CAM capabilities support complex products requiring sophisticated manufacturing processes. The software includes specialized tools for mold and die, sheet metal, and multi-axis machining. NX is available as a local version (NX) or a cloud-native SaaS version (NX X).
• Solid Edge: Designed for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the manufacturing sector, Solid Edge combines accessible CAD tools with practical CAM capabilities. The software excels at machinery design and industrial equipment manufacturing, offering synchronized technology for flexible design changes and integrated CAM for common manufacturing operations.

These solutions scale to match business needs, from individual seats to enterprise deployments with full PLM integration.

The choice between enterprise platforms like NX and more focused systems like Solid Edge depends on your manufacturing complexity, production requirements, and organizational scale.

Large enterprises that manufacture complex products often benefit from integrated solutions like NX, which maintains digital continuity across design and manufacturing. SMBs may find Solid Edge’s accessible CAD/CAM capabilities better suited to their needs.

Final Thoughts

When comparing CAD vs. CAM technologies, remember they serve different purposes but work together to streamline product development and manufacturing. CAD creates precise digital designs, while CAM translates those designs into manufacturing instructions.

Integrating CAD and CAM enables your company to innovate faster, reduce costly errors, and bring increasingly complex products to market with unprecedented precision and efficiency.

CLEVR specializes in implementing integrated CAD and CAM solutions that connect design and manufacturing processes. With Siemens NX and Solid Edge, CLEVR helps companies create efficient workflows that reduce errors and speed up production.

FAQs

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Computer-aided design (CAD) software enables engineers to create complete digital product definitions, including 3D models, engineering documentation, and specifications used throughout product development.

","title":"What is CAD?"},{"content":"

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software develops optimized manufacturing processes, converting product designs into validated production plans and machine instructions.

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For engineers working on complex mechanical systems—from aircraft components to industrial machinery—using the right design tools can mean the difference between success and failure. The wrong choice can lead to costly delays, compatibility issues, and difficulties scaling production. Meanwhile, pressure to reduce time to market while maintaining quality standards continues to increase.

While many are familiar with general computer-aided design (CAD), specialized mechanical CAD (MCAD) software provides targeted capabilities for intricate mechanical engineering challenges.

Understanding the differences between these tools and their specific applications can help you make the right tech decisions. This article answers your questions like what is MCAD, who uses MCAD, and how to select the right solution for your needs.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• MCAD software enables engineers to create detailed 3D models and technical documentation for mechanical components and systems.
• Advanced simulation and analysis tools help validate designs before manufacturing.
• Integration with manufacturing systems streamlines the production of complex mechanical parts.
• Industry-specific features support aerospace, defense, and heavy equipment requirements.
• Options range from comprehensive enterprise platforms to specialized tools for specific needs.
  
  

What Is Mechanical CAD Software?

While general CAD software focuses on basic geometric modeling and drawing, MCAD adds specialized capabilities for mechanical engineering work. Its deeper focus details how parts will be manufactured and function together as mechanical systems. For example, CAD might help an architect draw a building’s shape, while MCAD helps an engineer design an aircraft engine with thousands of moving parts that must work together perfectly.

MCAD platforms provide specialized tools for designing mechanical components, assemblies, and systems with high precision and detail. Engineers use parametric modeling to create feature-based 3D designs that can be modified as needed. They also use assembly modeling to work with complex multi-part systems and analysis tools to validate mechanical performance. The software generates essential manufacturing documentation, including detailed drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and assembly instructions.

The software includes mechanical-specific features like tolerance analysis, kinematic simulation, and interference checking to help engineers identify potential issues early in the design process. Integration with computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems creates a smooth transition from design to production.

Who Uses Mechanical CAD Software?

MCAD software serves industries with complex mechanical engineering needs:

Aerospace and defense
Engineers in the aerospace and defense industries use MCAD to design aircraft structures, propulsion systems, and mission-critical components. The software helps optimize weight, strength, and aerodynamics designs while meeting strict safety and regulatory requirements. In addition, advanced surfacing tools and composite material modeling support aerospace-specific workflows.

Industrial machinery
Manufacturing equipment designers rely on MCAD to create production machinery, automated systems, and factory automation solutions. The software handles large assemblies and helps validate machine kinematics and performance before building physical prototypes.

Heavy equipment
Construction and mining equipment manufacturers use MCAD to design durable machinery that withstands harsh operating conditions. They also use tools for structural analysis and hydraulic system design that help create reliable equipment while controlling costs.

Consumer products and retail
Product designers use MCAD to develop everything from household appliances to consumer electronics. The software supports the rapid iteration needed for competitive markets while managing complex supply chains and manufacturing requirements.

Engineer-to-order manufacturing
Engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturers rely on MCAD to create custom-designed products for specific customer requirements. The software helps manage unique specifications and one-off designs while maintaining efficiency and quality standards.

Mechanical Engineering Software Related to MCAD

MCAD works alongside several other software categories to support mechanical engineering workflows:

• Computer-aided engineering (CAE): CAE software analyzes MCAD designs through simulation and testing. Engineers use CAE tools to validate mechanical performance, structural integrity, and thermal behavior. Popular options include Siemens Simcenter, Ansys, and Altair HyperWorks. These tools catch potential issues before physical prototyping begins.
• Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM): CAM software converts MCAD designs into machine instructions for production. It generates toolpaths for CNC (computer numerical control) machines and supports both additive manufacturing (adding material through 3D printing) and subtractive manufacturing (removing material through cutting and milling). Leading CAM platforms include Siemens NX CAM, Mastercam, and AutoCAD CAM.
• Product data management (PDM): PDM systems like Siemens PDM and Enovia manage MCAD files to track versions and control access across engineering teams. They maintain links between related files and manage complex product structures.
• Product lifecycle management (PLM): PLM platforms like Siemens Teamcenter PLM coordinate all product-related data and processes throughout development. They integrate MCAD with other business systems for comprehensive product management.
• Electronic design automation (EDA): For products combining mechanical and electronic components, EDA software works with MCAD to design printed circuit boards and electronic systems. Tools like Altium Designer and KiCad complement mechanical design workflows.

Leading MCAD Solutions

The MCAD market offers several sophisticated platforms, each with distinct advantages:

Siemens NX
A comprehensive platform for advanced mechanical design, Siemens NX offers complex surface modeling and large assembly handling. Its integrated simulation capabilities make it popular in the aerospace and automotive industries. NX excels at:

• Managing massive assemblies with thousands of parts
• Advanced surface modeling for complex shapes
• Direct integration with manufacturing systems
• Built-in validation and optimization tools

Siemens Solid Edge
Siemens Solid Edge combines powerful modeling capabilities with an accessible interface. It suits both big manufacturing companies and smaller engineering teams. Key strengths include:

• Synchronous technology for flexible design modifications
• Sheet metal design specialization
• Integrated simulation and analysis
• Cost-effective deployment options

CATIA
Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA focuses on systems engineering and complex mechanical design. It supports:

• Knowledge capture and reuse
• Requirements management
• Systems architecture design
• Multi-disciplinary optimization

PTC Creo
Creo emphasizes design flexibility and manufacturing integration with:

• Augmented reality capabilities
• Additive manufacturing tools
• Direct modeling options
• IoT integration features

Autodesk Inventor
Inventor combines mechanical design tools with visualization capabilities:

• Automated stress analysis
• Frame generator
• Tube and pipe design
• Sheet metal tools

Choosing MCAD software

Start by assessing the complexity and scale of the mechanical systems you design. Large assemblies with thousands of components need robust platforms like NX, while smaller projects can be well-suited to Solid Edge.

Consider how the software will integrate with your existing systems, from PLM to manufacturing tools. Your IT infrastructure and available technical resources shape implementation success—some platforms need significant computing power and specialized expertise.

Look for industry-specific features that match your sector’s requirements—aerospace needs different capabilities than consumer products. The ideal platform balances these factors while supporting your current needs and future growth plans.

The Power of Integration

Enterprise solutions like Siemens NX combine CAD and CAM in one platform. Integrating these tools maintains the digital thread between design and manufacturing while eliminating data translation issues.

Consider manufacturing a turbine blade: An engineer fully defines the blade in NX CAD, specifying the geometry, materials, tolerances, and other requirements. When this moves to NX CAM, all product data remains connected. The system leverages this information to suggest appropriate manufacturing strategies based on best practices.

Final Thoughts

MCAD software is enabling innovation across a wide range of industries. The right MCAD solution combines powerful modeling capabilities with industry-specific features and seamless integration across the product development process.

CLEVR specializes in implementing and optimizing MCAD solutions, particularly Siemens NX and Solid Edge, as part of comprehensive digital transformation strategies. By combining MCAD expertise with low code development and PLM implementation capabilities, CLEVR helps organizations create seamless workflows from design through manufacturing.

Research Methodology

This guide includes information from technical documentation, implementation examples, and industry analyses focused on MCAD applications in aerospace, defense, and industrial manufacturing. The research examined how different MCAD platforms address complex engineering requirements, drawing on real-world examples of successful implementations across these sectors.

FAQs

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Mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD) is software that creates and modifies designs for mechanical components, assemblies, and systems. The software includes specialized tools for mechanical engineering tasks like tolerance analysis (ensuring parts fit together correctly), kinematics (analyzing how parts move), and structural design (making sure parts are strong enough for their intended use).

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While general CAD helps create basic shapes and drawings, MCAD adds special tools for designing mechanical parts and machines. These tools help engineers ensure parts fit together correctly, see how moving parts will work when built, and create detailed instructions for manufacturing.

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Product development teams often work with systems that don’t communicate effectively. It’s not uncommon for engineering updates made in one system to take days or weeks to reach manufacturing, and sales teams find it hard to access current product specifications. These disconnected processes can slow down production and introduce errors that affect product quality.

Product lifecycle management (PLM) integration addresses these challenges head-on by connecting core systems and automating data flow between them. Let’s take a look at the practical benefits of PLM integration with real-life examples from manufacturers who have transformed their operations through connected systems.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• PLM integration automates information flow between CAD, ERP, CRM, and other business-critical platforms.
• Connected systems create a unified source for product data across departments.
  Integration streamlines approvals and updates, with documented improvements in development speed.
• Modern low code approaches simplify PLM integration implementation.
  Manufacturing companies report measurable improvements in time to market after system integration.

The Benefits of PLM Integration

PLM systems are central to modern product development, managing everything from initial concepts through manufacturing and service. While PLM software organizes product data, its real power becomes evident when integrated with other business systems. PLM integration can connect your PLM platform with computer-aided design (CAD), enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), and other critical business systems.

With PLM integration, data flows automatically between systems and eliminates manual transfers and synchronization issues. That makes it possible for teams to access current information without switching between applications. The result is a connected environment that supports innovation while reducing errors and administrative overhead.

For manufacturing and retail companies, especially those with complex products or strict regulations, PLM integration provides the foundation for digital transformation.

A unified product data environment

When product data is stored in separate systems, consistency is challenging. For example, engineering changes in CAD systems may not immediately reflect in ERP, and production teams might be working from outdated specifications. These disconnects create inefficiencies and quality issues.

PLM integration creates a unified environment where changes propagate automatically between systems. When engineers update a design, the changes flow to connected systems, keeping all teams aligned with current product information.

Nel Hydrogen demonstrates this benefit in practice. Working with CLEVR to implement Siemens Teamcenter, the sustainable energy provider centralized product data access across the organization, improving project management and visibility. The integrated system also helped maintain compliance and streamline operations.

Manufacturing, in particular, benefits significantly from integrated PLM systems, especially in quality control. When test data and inspection results automatically sync with product specifications and engineering models, teams can quickly identify trends and address potential issues.

Automated workflows improve efficiencies

Product development involves numerous handoffs and approvals between teams, which is necessary. However, manual processes for these interactions consume time and increase the risk of error.

Connected PLM systems automate many of these interactions. When a design passes review, the system notifies relevant teams and automatically advances the process, reducing administrative overhead and helping to maintain process consistency.

Connected teams accelerate development

Product development requires coordination between multiple disciplines—design, engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and quality teams all contribute to the process. Disconnected systems create barriers between these groups.

PLM integration removes these barriers by providing shared access to product information. Engineering can view supplier data during design, while quality managers can access production metrics alongside specifications.

Subsea oil and gas leader Optime Subsea achieved this collaboration by integrating Siemens Teamcenter with other tools via a low code solution. The integration improved configuration and change management processes by connecting engineering data with other departments.

Another advantage of integrated PLM is that change management becomes more robust. When an engineering change is initiated, the system automatically assesses the impact across connected platforms, from bill of materials (BOM) costs in ERP to production schedules in your manufacturing execution system (MES).

Supply chain integration improves coordination

Product development extends beyond internal teams and includes suppliers and partners. To keep all stakeholders in the loop, PLM integration can incorporate these external collaborators into connected workflows.

Integrated systems enable:

• Secure sharing of product specifications with suppliers
• Automated tracking of supplier quality metrics
• Coordinated change management across the supply network
• Streamlined procurement processes
  
  

Product decisions based on hard data

Effective product decisions need information from multiple sources: cost data from ERP, design history from CAD, quality metrics from manufacturing, and customer feedback from CRM. Isolated systems make this synthesis difficult.

PLM integration aggregates this data to provide visibility into product development. Teams can analyze trends across systems and base decisions on complete information rather than partial views.

Nexans exemplified this approach by partnering with CLEVR to centralize its PLM data across locations. The integration improved project visibility while maintaining consistent quality standards throughout their operations.

Accelerated product development

According to research from Gartner, 76% of CIOs report increased demand for new digital products and services. Traditional development methods often can’t meet these accelerated timelines, but PLM integration helps companies respond to this pressure by removing systematic bottlenecks.

The Mendix Barometer 2024 found that companies experienced measurable improvements after implementing integrated systems. Design cycles accelerated by 50%, and time to market decreased by 20%.

Scalable system architecture

Business requirements evolve through growth, market expansion, or the adoption of new technologies. Modern PLM integration approaches, particularly those using low code platforms, create adaptable connections that support this evolution.

The flexibility allows organizations to:

• Incorporate additional systems and data sources
• Modify workflows to match process changes
• Scale to support organizational growth
• Integrate emerging technologies
  
  

Final Thoughts

PLM integration transforms product development by connecting systems, automating workflows, and providing comprehensive data visibility. While implementation requires careful planning, the documented benefits of faster development cycles, reduced errors, and improved decision-making support the business case for integration.

As product complexity increases and market pressures grow, connected PLM systems provide a foundation for sustainable competitive advantage via improved operational efficiency.

CLEVR specializes in implementing and optimizing PLM integrations for manufacturing companies. By combining deep expertise in PLM systems like Siemens Teamcenter with proficiency in low code development, CLEVR helps organizations create connected environments that streamline product development and drive innovation.

Research Methodology

This guide is based on documented PLM implementations across manufacturing industries. The insights and examples come from verified case studies and measured outcomes in actual manufacturing and retail environments.

FAQs

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PLM (product lifecycle management) systematically manages product information and processes throughout the complete lifecycle—from concept through design, manufacturing, service, and eventual retirement. PLM software coordinates product data and team collaboration across these phases.

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PLM integration connects product lifecycle software with business systems like CAD, ERP, and CRM to create automated information flow between platforms. These connections streamline processes and coordinate work across departments.

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The retail industry is experiencing an unprecedented talent shortage. Businesses across the sector are finding it difficult to retain skilled workers and train them on new processes. Many face inventory management inefficiencies, inconsistent customer service, and overwhelmed store operations teams.

Low code platforms offer a way to bridge talent gaps. Retailers are using the technology to automate processes, enhance customer engagement, and empower existing staff to accomplish more with limited resources. This article explores how.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Retail talent gaps continue to widen as businesses need employees with an increasing range of skills.
• Low code platforms help retailers automate key processes and reduce dependency on specialized developers.
• Existing staff can build custom applications for inventory management and customer service.
• Low code solutions integrate with existing systems for seamless deployment.
  
  
  

Understanding Talent Gaps in Retail

Many retailers are struggling with a hidden challenge: a growing gap between their teams’ skills and the skills they need. Half of all employees say they feel ill-equipped to respond to unexpected changes at work.

The pandemic turbo-charged digital transformation, suddenly making tech skills vital for even the most traditional retail roles. What used to be simple customer service or inventory management now requires digital know-how.

High turnover rates compound the problem, with US retailers seeing an employee quit rate 74% higher than the US average, making it difficult to maintain consistent staffing levels and develop long-term expertise.

Skills like data analysis, digital customer experience design, and smart inventory management have become make-or-break capabilities. Without these capabilities, retailers struggle to compete online.

The Role of Low Code in Addressing Retail Challenges

How does low code fit into this equation? Low code platforms make it easier to build software applications. Retail companies can use visual interfaces and pre-built components to create applications with minimal hand-coding. This makes software development accessible to business users who understand retail operations but lack traditional programming skills.

According to Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Low-Code Application Platforms, low code development will dominate new retail applications by 2025. This trend fundamentally changes how retailers approach technology implementation and talent development. Let’s look at why retailers are turning to low code.

The Benefits of Low Code for Retail Businesses

Low code offers a practical solution to talent shortages:

• Store managers and operations teams can build custom applications to automate routine tasks.
• Marketing teams can create personalized customer experiences.
• IT departments can focus on strategic initiatives while empowering other departments to solve their own challenges.

Low code delivers measurable advantages for retailers facing talent constraints. The most immediate benefit comes from increased operational efficiency. Teams can automate manual processes like inventory counts, reordering, and customer communications.

The financial impact is also a draw. Low code platforms reduce development costs by minimizing the need for specialized developers and consultants. Plus, retailers can leverage existing staff knowledge to create solutions that lower project expenses compared to traditional custom development.

Another key advantage is scalability. As seasonal demands fluctuate or new needs become apparent, retailers can quickly adapt applications. The flexibility helps businesses maintain continuity even with limited personnel.

Employee satisfaction also improves. By automating routine work, staff can focus on higher-value activities like customer service and merchandising. This shift in responsibilities helps with retention while developing new skills in existing teams.

Applying Low Code to Bridge Talent Gaps

Retailers successfully use low code across multiple operational areas to overcome staffing limitations. Let’s examine specific applications that deliver measurable results.

Optimizing inventory management

Low code platforms excel at streamlining inventory processes. Retailers can build custom dashboards that track stock levels, predict demand, and automate reordering. These solutions integrate with existing systems and require minimal technical expertise to maintain.
A specialty retailer might use low code to create a mobile inventory app that reduces manual counting time. Store associates can scan items with phones to automatically update central inventory systems. With low code, the solution would take weeks rather than months compared to traditional development.

Streamlining store operations
Daily store management involves countless tasks that strain limited staff resources. Low code applications help by automating routine processes and providing clear visibility into operations.

Common use cases include:

• Employee scheduling and task management
• Store performance tracking and reporting
• Training and onboarding systems
• Maintenance request processing
• Visual merchandising compliance

Take Etos, for example. The Dutch chemist chain moved from manual, spreadsheet-based promotional processes to a centralized system that automates campaign management. This change freed employees to focus on strategic tasks while providing comprehensive dashboards that managers use to improve processes.

Enhancing customer experience

Modern retail requires personalized customer engagement across channels. Low code enables rapid deployment of customer-facing applications such as self-service portals, mobile apps, and automated support systems.

For example, a fashion retailer could build a clienteling app that helps sales associates track customer preferences and purchase history. The app would take around six weeks to develop and deploy, compared to an estimated six months using traditional methods.

Empowering e-commerce and omnichannel retail

The rise of omnichannel retail creates complex technical challenges. Low code platforms help integrate online and offline channels while maintaining consistent customer experiences.

Retailers use low code to build:

• Order management systems
• Click-and-collect solutions
• Real-time inventory visibility
• Cross-channel loyalty programs
• Personalized marketing campaigns

Intratuin is another great example of low code transformation. This Dutch garden center retailer chose CLEVR to maximize the value of its Product Data Management (PDM) and Product Information Management (PIM) applications. CLEVR implemented a promotion management application that streamlined the entire process—from product orientation to enriching product information—making it faster, more efficient, and more flexible. As a result, Intratuin’s internal data management team and individual branch managers now collaborate seamlessly within a unified workflow.

How to Get Started with Low Code in Retail

Most retailers start small with low code and learn as they go. The key is to look at your current challenges with fresh eyes. What tasks are eating up your team’s time? Where are customers experiencing frustration? These are your golden opportunities for improvement.

Think about what matters most to your business. You’ll want a low code platform that plays nicely with your existing systems, looks great on mobile, and keeps your data secure. Look for vendors who really understand retail, demonstrate expertise, and offer solid support along the way.

Start with a single project that could make a real difference. Maybe it’s streamlining inventory or creating a better scheduling system. Involve your frontline staff—they know your business best and can provide invaluable insights. By working together, you’ll create solutions that make everyone’s job easier and fill those skills gaps.

Final Thoughts

Retailers face a persistent talent shortage that hinders their ability to innovate and meet customer demands. Low code platforms offer a robust solution by empowering existing teams to build custom solutions.

Instead of succumbing to the limitations of a shrinking talent pool, retailers should embrace low code as a strategic advantage. CLEVR specializes in bridging talent gaps through strategic low code solutions. With over 20 years of experience and a team of 260 professionals across 18 countries, CLEVR helps retailers transform their operations. CLEVR’s deep expertise in retail technologies enables us to develop custom applications that address specific business challenges.

We work closely with retailers to assess operational limitations and design targeted low code solutions. Then, we implement seamless integrations with existing systems and provide ongoing support and optimization.

Our goal is to empower retail teams to develop digital skills, automate processes, and create more value for their organizations. We help retailers turn talent constraints into opportunities for innovation and growth.

Research Methodology

We base our analysis on the latest retail industry insights from industry publications. We reviewed real-world examples of effective low code applications in various retail sectors and incorporated our experience in developing low code solutions for retailers. The findings also reflect input from retail operations managers, IT leaders, and customer experience experts currently using low code tools.

FAQs

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A skill gap occurs when an organization lacks employees with specific capabilities to perform critical business functions effectively. Some examples are digital technology expertise, data analysis skills, and smart inventory management.

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Common retail skill gaps include expertise in digital commerce, data analytics capabilities, knowledge of modern inventory management, and technical skills needed for omnichannel operations.

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Financial institutions often struggle with inefficiencies. Every day, loan officers juggle approval workflow spreadsheets, compliance teams manually review thousands of transactions, and customer service reps switch between multiple systems to answer basic queries. These challenges cost financial institutions dearly in time and money while hurting customer satisfaction.

A growing number of institutions have discovered that low code platforms can dramatically simplify these complex operations. This article explores how low code technology transforms financial operations and provides practical guidance for implementation.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Low code platforms accelerate financial application development by providing visual tools and pre-built components.
• Financial institutions can automate key workflows while maintaining security and compliance.
• Integration capabilities connect legacy systems without requiring complete replacement.
  Organizations report major efficiency gains and cost reductions after implementation.
  Solutions scale from simple process automation to complex enterprise applications.
  
  

Operational Challenges in Finance

Process inefficiency is a central issue in finance—essential functions like loan approvals, account reconciliation, and regulatory reporting often rely heavily on manual work. For example, a single loan application might pass through ten different people and systems before approval, with each handoff introducing delays and potential errors.

Data fragmentation compounds the problem. Customer information, transaction records, and compliance documentation typically sit in separate systems—data silos. When a customer calls about a loan application, service representatives might need to check three different systems just to provide a status update.

Legacy infrastructure in financial institutions makes it difficult to improve processes. Core banking systems built decades ago still handle critical functions but lack modern capabilities. Complete replacement brings enormous costs and risks, leaving many institutions maintaining aging technology while struggling to add the features customers now expect.

Many financial institutions are finding low code development can help them meet these challenges.

What Is Low Code, and Why Is it Relevant to Finance?

Low code development is a fundamental shift in how organizations build software applications. Instead of writing thousands of lines of traditional code, developers use visual tools and pre-built, drag-and-drop components to rapidly create solutions.

Studies show that low code platforms can reduce application development time by 50-90% compared to traditional methods.

Leading low code platforms offer several essential capabilities:

• Visual development tools for rapid application creation
  
• Built-in collaboration features for business and IT teams
  
• Flexible deployment options across cloud and on-premises environments
  
• Integration capabilities with existing systems
  
• Governance and security controls

Financial services, in particular, benefit from low code platforms that provide specialized features for customer onboarding, compliance tracking, and process automation.

How Low Code Drives Operational Excellence in Finance

We recommend four key strategies to help managers address the challenges of communicating about PLM and get through to company leadership.

Streamlining core processes
The most immediate benefit of low code comes from automating manual workflows. Financial institutions can use low code platforms to quickly build applications that handle routine tasks like these:

• Document processing and validation
• Account opening and maintenance
• Transaction monitoring and reconciliation
• Customer onboarding and updates
• Regulatory reporting and filings

These automated processes take far less time and have fewer errors than manual work.

Strengthening compliance and security
Modern low code platforms include robust security and compliance capabilities:

• Role-based access control protects sensitive data
• Audit trails track all system changes and user actions
• Built-in encryption safeguards data in transit and storage
• Automated checks verify regulatory requirements
• Quick updates when regulations change

The Dutch Emissions Authority partnered with CLEVR to leverage low code for environmental governance, achieving 100% compliance in their EU ETS year-end cycle for the first time through automated monitoring and reporting.

Creating better customer experience

Low code enables rapid development of customer-facing solutions that meet modern expectations:

• Self-service portals and mobile apps
• Automated application processing
• Real-time status updates and notifications
• Integrated communication channels
• Personalized service offerings

For example, Rabobank used low code to deliver new web and mobile banking experiences, improving customer satisfaction while reducing development time and costs.

5 Steps to Implement Low Code in Financial Institutions

Successfully implementing low code requires a structured approach. You can modify these steps according to your specific goals:

1. Assess the current situation: Begin by mapping existing processes and systems. Identify high-impact areas where automation or new capabilities would bring the most value. Consider both customer-facing and internal operations.
2. Choose the right platform: Select a low code platform with strong security, the compliance features you need, and integration capabilities. Look for financial services experience and a track record of successful deployments. You should also consider factors like scalability and total cost of ownership.
3. Start small but strategic: Begin with a focused project that can demonstrate clear results. Common starting points include automating a simple manual process or building a customer self-service portal. Use this initial project to build expertise and prove value.
4. Build internal capability: Train both technical and business teams on the platform.
5. Create governance for development standards and security requirements, and be sure to document best practices and reusable components.
6. Scale methodically: Expand successful solutions across the organization and look for opportunities to reuse components and standardize approaches. While scaling, keep security and compliance in focus. You’ll also want to monitor and measure results to demonstrate ROI.
   
   

Common Concerns About Low Code in Financial Services

Financial institutions considering low code adoption often raise valid concerns about implementing this technology.

Security and risk management
Many financial organizations worry that low code platforms might introduce security vulnerabilities. Since security is a high priority, that’s a valid concern. Modern low code platforms, however, incorporate enterprise-grade security features from the ground up, with built-in encryption, access management, and automated compliance checks.
Banking-specific security requirements receive dedicated attention. For example, Mendix built its platform to meet strict financial industry standards around data protection and regulatory compliance.

Technical depth and complexity
A common concern is whether low code platforms can support sophisticated financial applications. The reality is that modern low code solutions have been successfully implemented in banking and finance. For example, DLM Finance used low code to build Trade Manager, an enterprise-grade portfolio and treasury management system. This platform processes complex derivatives and ensures compliance with regulatory reporting requirements.

Integration with core systems
Many financial institutions rely on legacy core banking systems, making integration a top concern. Experience shows that leading low code platforms excel at connecting disparate systems.

Pre-built connectors for common banking platforms reduce integration complexity, while standard API support enables connectivity between legacy and modern systems. These capabilities help organizations wrap existing functionality and gradually modernize applications rather than replacing everything at once.

How CLEVR Can Give You the Advantage

CLEVR combines deep financial services expertise with proven low code capabilities, particularly through its partnership with Mendix. Working with CLEVR brings several key benefits:

• Industry experience: CLEVR has helped numerous financial institutions modernize operations using low code platforms. Past projects include automated customer onboarding, compliance tracking, and integrated service portals.
• Technical excellence: As a Mendix Platinum Partner with extensive certifications, CLEVR ensures solutions follow best practices for security, scalability, and maintainability.
• Proven process: CLEVR’s implementation approach balances quick wins with strategic goals. Organizations can start with high-impact projects while building toward comprehensive operational excellence.

For more information, read more about CLEVR’s impact in the financial sector through our recent success stories:

• CED, a European specialist in claims management handling approximately one million claims worth more than €2.5 billion, cut claim handling process time by 50% through its Automatic Damage Settlement Platform (ADSP). The move transformed its IT from a cost center into a revenue-generating SaaS solution.
• The DSI Foundation implemented a secure Disciplinary Law Complaint application for handling complaints filed through the Tuchtrecht Banken (Court of Discipline for Banks) website, meeting strict legal guidelines and security requirements.
• Zilveren Kruis, one of the largest health insurance companies in the Netherlands with over five million policyholders, created a center of excellence for low code development that accelerated application delivery while maintaining cost control.
  
  

Research Methodology

This article uses insights from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive view of low code in finance. Primary sources include IDC research reports, Gartner analysis, and documented case studies of low code implementations in financial services. The recommendations reflect approaches validated through successful deployments across multiple institutions.

FAQs

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Low code is a visual approach to building applications that minimizes traditional programming. It uses drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built components to create solutions quickly while maintaining enterprise security and scalability.

","title":"What does low code mean?"},{"content":"

Operational efficiency reduces costs, minimizes errors, speeds up processes, and improves customer satisfaction. It helps institutions compete effectively while meeting regulatory requirements and evolving customer expectations.

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Rapid technological advances, such as artificial intelligence, 5G connectivity, and robotics, are catapulting industry into a new era. In fact, these advancements are so profound they’ve been dubbed the Fourth Industrial Revolution—Industry 4.0. You’ve probably heard of it. But what is Industry 4.0, exactly?

This technological shift is reshaping the way companies operate. They’re more productive, efficient, and safer while reducing costs. Companies that adapt quickly will gain a competitive edge, but companies slow to adapt risk falling behind.

This guide will help your company get ready for the future. We’ll explain what Industry 4.0 is, how new technologies are currently applied, and how your business can prepare for the changes ahead.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Industry 4.0 involves four core concepts: digitization of physical systems, increased connectivity between industrial devices, big data analysis, and advanced automation.
• Technology like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and digital twins drive Industry 4.0. Applications include optimizing supply chains and enhancing automation.
• Transitioning to Industry 4.0 can help companies expand despite challenges and risks.
  Preparation for Industry 4.0 is critical.
• Preparation for Industry 4.0 is critical.

The Core Concepts of Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is the next step in a long history of industrial advancements. It builds on earlier moves to automation and digitization and is driven primarily by advances in four key areas.

Digitization of physical systems

Physical machinery is increasingly integrated with digital systems, creating new ways to control and monitor equipment. Today, individual pieces of equipment have far more computing power than mainframe computers did during Industry 3.0.

Wireless connectivity
Equipment used in manufacturing, healthcare, energy production, mining, and other industries centralizes systems and other machines through wireless networks. It enables remote equipment monitoring and control, real-time data collection, and data sharing between devices.

Big data analysis
Companies can now collect and analyze enormous amounts of digital information about their equipment and processes. This information allows them to make more informed decisions and is foundational for new techniques like predictive analytics.

Advanced automation
Automation today is far more advanced than automation in Industry 3.0. Facilities can be automatically controlled through a combination of sensors, robots, and AI-powered decision-making tools.

The Technologies Driving Industry 4.0

Technological advances almost unthinkable just 10 or 20 years ago are driving the core changes that characterize Industry 4.0. Let’s look closer at some of these key technologies:

• Internet of Things (IoT): IoT involves wirelessly connecting physical devices—like machinery and sensors—to share data. IoT also enables connected devices to share data with centralized computer systems, which is key for collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data.
• Cloud computing: The internet has enabled data storage and processing in the cloud—off-site servers hosted in a data center and managed by another company. Cloud computing allows companies to store and process data cost-effectively and offers the flexibility to scale their computing resources as needed.
• AI: AI empowers companies to analyze all of the data they collect. It’s crucial for automating control of industrial systems, optimizing operations, robotics, and much more.
• Digital twins: Digital twins are virtual representations of a piece of equipment or a manufacturing process that can be continuously updated with real-time data. Creating and experimenting with digital twins is a cost-effective way to optimize processes and products.
• Edge computing: Edge computing involves processing data on the same device where it’s collected. It reduces processing time so automated equipment can manage real-time changes.
• Robotics: Industrial robots have gained significant precision and flexibility, aided partly by AI and edge computing. Using robots can reduce labor costs, make factories safer, and enhance product quality.

Prominent Applications of Industry 4.0

The latest technologies enable many innovations in manufacturing, logistics, and other sectors. Let’s look at four examples of how Industry 4.0 is already having an impact.

Supply chain optimization
Companies use IoT, cloud computing, and AI to manage their supply chains better. For example, manufacturers can use connected sensors to monitor the production of raw materials for a product line and AI to analyze this data in the context of product demand. The analysis allows manufacturers to predict material shortfalls or surpluses and adjust their operations accordingly.

Predictive maintenance
Businesses can also use AI and IoT to predict when equipment needs maintenance. Internet-connected sensors deliver data about a machine’s temperature, vibration patterns, acoustic signals, and more, and AI analyzes that data to find pattern changes that indicate a problem.

Autonomous systems
Companies have increasingly automated their systems, some to the point of replacing manual labor. Amazon warehouses, for example, now use robots to pick packages, reducing the need for humans to perform this time-consuming, laborious task. In addition, manufacturing sectors are using robots to take over dangerous processes, which reduces demand for labor.

The Benefits of Industry 4.0 Adoption

Industry 4.0 clearly benefits companies that lean into the change and embrace new technologies.

First, automation can dramatically enhance operational efficiency. Companies can reduce labor requirements, increase productivity, and ensure processes perform optimally at all times.

Real-time data analytics helps companies make better decisions about day-to-day operations, further enhancing efficiency. AI can also predict potential outcomes of major changes, giving managers and executives more information when faced with difficult choices.

Yet another key benefit of Industry 4.0 is the ability to implement predictive maintenance systems. Early results in manufacturing show that predictive maintenance can reduce equipment maintenance costs by up to 25% and decrease equipment downtime by up to 50%. Predictive maintenance can also enhance safety and improve product quality.

Adopting Industry 4.0 can even open new lines of business. For example, the flexibility of robotics and faster computing allows companies to offer more customization or operate small-scale product lines, which in turn helps them better meet customers’ needs.

The Challenges Businesses Face in Adopting Industry 4.0

While Industry 4.0 holds enormous promise, transitioning to this new era can be challenging for companies built around Industry 3.0 technologies. Some of the main challenges include:

• Cost: Upgrading existing technologies or purchasing new equipment and software can be expensive.
• Integrating existing equipment: Existing equipment is often not designed to interface with modern software. Integration is usually possible but can require intensive development that risks disrupting operations.
• Cybersecurity risks: Highly connected industrial systems are vulnerable to digital attacks. To mitigate these risks, companies must invest in cybersecurity systems and train employees in digital best practices.

How Businesses Can Prepare for Industry 4.0

You can prepare your company for the move to Industry 4.0 in several ways.

Assess your digital readiness

The first step is conducting a digital readiness assessment. Audit your existing systems to determine the level of development required to integrate Industry 4.0 technologies. For example, is a piece of equipment readily compatible with IoT sensors, or is a custom integration solution needed?

This assessment can help you identify low-cost opportunities for digitization. Starting your transition to Industry 4.0 with relatively easy projects can serve as a proof of concept and prepare your workforce for change.

Invest in low code software

Low code software is a development platform that dramatically reduces the need for coding to build custom integrations and automations. It uses templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and prebuilt software components to enable non-technical employees to digitize existing systems.

Low code software can significantly reduce the cost and time required to transition to Industry 4.0. It also empowers existing employees to build necessary integrations and software tools, ensuring they have a stake in your business’s transformation.

Partner with experts

Partnering with experts who understand your sector’s specific needs and the advantages of new technologies is key to maximizing the value of digital transformation. Experts will help you identify the highest-value opportunities for digitization and assist in developing solutions tailored to your business.

Upskill employees

Training your employees on new technologies ensures your business can operate without disruption as Industry 4.0 systems come online. Training also makes employees feel included in the transition process and boosts retention.

Final Thoughts

Industry 4.0 is the next era of industrialization, and technologies like IoT, AI, robotics, and cloud computing are driving it. It promises to transform company operations, enhance productivity, and open doors to new growth opportunities. However, transitioning to Industry 4.0 can be challenging for many companies because of the cost and complexity.

Implementing low code software with an experienced partner like CLEVR can help your business navigate the transition and emerge as a leader in Industry 4.0. Check out our low code solutions to learn more.

Legacy systems may form the backbone of your company’s IT, but they can hinder growth as they age and fall behind modern technological advancements. This frustrates your employees and customers while stifling innovation.

Many businesses stick with outdated systems because overhauling or replacing them is expensive, complex, and disruptive. However, you don’t have to start from scratch to modernize legacy systems or integrate them with newer, more agile technologies.

Low code development provides a fast, cost-effective, and less disruptive way to upgrade your IT systems. This guide explores navigating legacy systems with low code development and how this approach can help modernize your business.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Legacy systems can reduce productivity, increase costs, and complicate regulatory compliance. However, they’re often challenging to upgrade because they’re essential to critical business processes.
• Low code development offers a fast, cost-effective, and flexible way to integrate, extend, redeploy, or migrate legacy systems with minimal disruption.
• Low code platforms offer solutions for all industries, including financial services, energy, retail, manufacturing, and healthcare.
• Collaboration between business and IT employees helps ensure successful legacy system modernization with low code platforms.

The Legacy System Dilemma

As any business owner who’s struggled with outdated software can tell you, legacy systems can be problematic. Here’s why:

1. They inflate costs and decrease productivity by forcing employees to do work manually that modern systems automate.
2. For example, an outdated HR system may require administrators to manually duplicate employee details across your payroll system, employee directory, and other critical software. This wastes time and increases the likelihood of expensive errors, like incorrect payroll runs.
   
   
3. They limit your business’s ability to adapt to market changes.
4. For instance, a retailer aiming to reach new audiences through omnichannel selling (combining digital and in-person sales) might find its existing software supports only in-person transactions.
5. Likewise, an energy company looking to incorporate renewable sources like solar and wind could face challenges because its system can’t handle highly variable energy generators.
   
   
6. They can threaten your business’s ability to comply with regulations.
7. For example, in the financial industry, outdated systems can result in data silos that hinder anti-money laundering efforts. The potential consequences could be costly.
8. 
   Despite these issues, legacy systems are often indispensable because they continue to work well and solve problems. Many companies rely heavily on legacy software for basic operations, sales, or safety. However, these same critical systems can keep your company from pursuing new lines of business and waste your employees’ time.
9. Modernizing these systems also presents a challenge. Attempting to update them risks damaging critical software and leaving your business worse off than when you started. Today’s software-as-a-service environment has also made modernization more costly and difficult, as CLEVR solution architect Jeroen Appel points out:
10. “Legacy systems are increasingly being proactively updated by the vendor. Every customization in this system will make upgrades more expensive, harder to test, and more risky. Additionally, customizations are mostly done in either complex high-code plugins or vendor-specific languages.”
11. All of this makes building a replacement system from scratch too costly and time-consuming for most companies. Even if you have the budget, transferring legacy data and training your workforce on a new system can be overwhelming.
12. But that’s where low code comes in.
    
    

How Low Code Development Can Help

Low code platforms offer a solution to the legacy system dilemma. They enable you to build automated workflows and integrations with little programming.

Instead of coding, low code software offers a visual interface and customizable templates to help you build apps and integrations. You can drag and drop inputs, triggers, and outputs to create an automated workflow or build a mobile app for customers by arranging pre-built elements on a template. More advanced applications can incorporate code, making low code platforms endlessly extensible, but no coding is required for many legacy software updates.

This means anyone in your company, including semi-technical and non-technical employees, can take ownership of improving outdated systems and build the solutions needed to solve business challenges. You no longer have to bring in developers for every project, which saves time and money.

Involving non-technical employees in development also results in better business outcomes. As Louis Balla, a NetSuite enterprise resource planning (ERP) software expert at Nuage Consulting, points out:

“An essential advantage of low code environments is the ability to involve non-technical stakeholders in the development process…Hands-on participation [leads] to higher user adoption rates and substantially reduced training periods post-implementation.”

Low code development is particularly effective for integrating legacy systems with modern applications. Your employees can easily design workflows that import data from legacy systems or automate tasks that previously had to be completed manually. For example, the compliance team at a financial services company could use low code automation to seamlessly transfer data from multiple disconnected systems into a single database, thereby eliminating data silos.

Importantly, these low code solutions can extend your business’s digital capabilities without impacting critical functionality in your legacy systems. It prevents significant business disruptions and reduces the time to launch new IT products.

Strategies for Using Low Code to Modernize Legacy Systems

Your company can take several approaches to modernizing legacy systems with low code platforms.

Integrate
One of the most effective ways to use low code development is to integrate legacy systems with modern technologies. You can incorporate data from legacy systems into automated workflows, AI-driven analyses, and any new software your business adopts. Low code integration leaves your legacy system intact, so there’s little to no risk of disrupting critical IT infrastructure.

Low code software platforms offer hundreds of pre-made integrations, which makes connecting legacy systems with today’s popular business software easy. For example, Mendix offers integrations for ERP platforms like SAP and Oracle and business intelligence platforms like Microsoft Power BI.

Integration can also enable you to share data between platforms that were previously unable to communicate. As CLEVR team lead Robert Huisintveld explains:

“With low code, you can invoke and use multiple data silos in one application. It allows you to connect and optimise processes without having to merge the underlying data sources first.”

That makes low code a powerful way to break down data silos created by disconnected legacy systems.

Extend
Another way to achieve legacy application modernization is to use low code development to develop modules and workflows that plug into your existing software system. It simply extends the capabilities of your legacy system without modifying its core codebase.

Extension is often combined with integration. For example, you could extend a system’s functionality by integrating other standalone software to conduct a data transformation. The transformed data can then be sent back to your legacy system for use in downstream processes.

Redeploy
Redeployment involves moving certain operational features of your legacy IT systems to the cloud. This enables you to take advantage of cloud computing's key advantages, such as more scalable storage and processing power, enhanced data security, and reduced infrastructure costs.

Redeployment can also involve low code development to run computing-intensive processes, like data analysis, in the cloud. You can then use new cloud-based AI models or other cloud-based software to process your data. You can also redeploy a specific piece of legacy software, like a CRM system, into the cloud to make it more secure and to free up space on your legacy IT infrastructure.

Migrate
Legacy system migration involves moving data from your existing software onto a more modern system. It’s a way to replace the functionality of outdated technologies without interrupting their core processes.

For example, you can use a migration strategy to forward data from an old customer information system to a new customer relationship management (CRM) platform. Your legacy system can continue operating and automatically forward any new data to the modern CRM platform. This way, you get all the benefits of a more sophisticated software system without replacing your business’s web forms and other channels for collecting customer data.

Migration can also involve moving data from your legacy system into the cloud for long-term storage. It’s less expensive than storing data on your own IT infrastructure, and you can scale up your business’s cloud storage space without purchasing any new computing equipment. In addition, warehousing data in the cloud makes it more accessible for remote and field service employees.

Real-World Applications Across Industries

Low code development can help companies in all major industries address their legacy systems and adapt to changing business demands. Let’s look at some real-world applications below.

Financial services
Many financial services businesses face challenges complying with increasing regulations around anti-money laundering, financial reserves, customer privacy, and more. Meeting these regulatory requirements requires accurate real-time reporting and automated compliance checks to prevent costly mistakes.

Low code development platforms can help by automatically importing data from disparate legacy systems, breaking down data silos, and enabling compliance employees to generate up-to-date, comprehensive reports. These platforms also help build automated compliance checks, eliminating much of the manual work involved in approving account applications or managing fraud claims.

Additionally, low code development can integrate legacy systems with modern fintech tools, such as a consumer-facing payments app or an online loan application system. This is especially powerful for banks and other consumer-facing businesses looking to enhance the client experience.

Energy and utilities
Energy and utilities companies face a rapidly changing market as new forms of energy generation come online and regulations around grid management shift. Many energy providers rely on outdated—and sometimes even analog—legacy systems to manage infrastructure and balance grid loads. This makes adapting difficult.

Low code applications can address this by empowering energy providers to create new asset management systems that integrate with existing devices or automate data collection from the grid using Internet of Things (IoT)-connected devices.

Businesses can also use low code platforms to build and scale hybrid energy management solutions. These solutions can merge legacy systems for fossil fuel-powered generation sources with new renewable sources, like solar and wind farms.

In addition, energy companies can use low code approaches to quickly update system controls as regulations change and automate compliance checks. This makes it easier to adapt to shifting energy policies while minimizing operational disruptions.

Retail
Retailers are often held back by legacy systems when trying to roll out new omnichannel shopping experiences to keep up with changing consumer preferences.

Low code development enables retail businesses to integrate new sales channels with legacy pricing management, inventory management, and payment processing systems. Sales teams can be involved to ensure customer experiences are personalized and consistent across each channel.

Low code platforms are especially valuable for retail businesses considering creating (or upgrading) consumer-facing mobile apps. The visual design interfaces and templates are ideal for app development and enable rapid prototyping to help retailers launch their apps faster.

Manufacturing
Manufacturing businesses can see significant productivity increases and cost reductions by integrating IoT devices into their operations. However, legacy systems don’t support digital monitoring devices, preventing companies from using them.

Low code platforms allow for seamless integration of IoT devices into legacy processes without costly development. They also offer a straightforward way to leverage IoT devices to optimize manufacturing lines, monitor equipment for preventative maintenance, and automate quality control processes.

Just as important, low code solutions don’t require overhauling legacy systems—which are often critical for production lines to run safely. Steve Payerle, president of managed technology services company Next Level Technologies, describes the potential of low code development for manufacturing businesses:

“We worked with a manufacturing client where we employed low code tools to improve their system’s operational efficiency without replacing the entire infrastructure. This not only ensured cost-effectiveness but also maintained business continuity…This approach has consistently reduced implementation times and increased system usage across our client base.”

Healthcare
Healthcare providers face overlapping challenges related to increasing demand for health services, shortages of qualified medical professionals, and rising costs.

Low code platforms can help healthcare systems introduce automations to eliminate manual processes such as data entry and sharing medical records. They can also integrate different healthcare platforms while meeting the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA) security and privacy requirements. In turn, this reduces the number of systems healthcare providers need to navigate.

As AI plays a more significant role in healthcare, businesses can also use low code platforms to create AI-powered applications that ease the burden on providers.

Overcoming Barriers to Low Code Adoption

Despite the advantages of low code development for application creation, some businesses hesitate to use this approach to improve their legacy systems.

Some are concerned about security or scalability. Others face skepticism from their IT employees who prefer traditional, full-code solutions yet have limited bandwidth to implement the necessary changes.

The truth is that low code solutions make legacy systems more secure and more scalable, not less. They offer granular settings to control data access and sharing while encrypting unprotected data within legacy systems. As Steve Payerle notes:

“Many small businesses risk data breaches by relying on outdated infrastructures. Through our managed IT services, we’ve helped clients implement low code solutions that bolster security protocols.”

At the same time, low code solutions are highly flexible and easy to scale as your business grows. They offer the potential to integrate with almost any business software, plus empower employees to act as citizen developers to create the workflows they need to be maximally productive.

To skepticism, clearly communicate these benefits to your stakeholders. Also, ensure the low code platform you select represents a collaboration between business and IT from the start. Begin by having non-technical business users design workflows or app prototypes using visual tools that require no technical expertise. Then, work with your IT department to customize and improve the product.

Future-Readiness with CLEVR

Ready to confront your legacy systems and pursue digital transformation through low code? CLEVR is here to help.

CLEVR can serve as a strategic partner to help you save time, reduce costs, and adapt to rapid changes in your business environment using low code development.

The company brings decades of experience, industry-specific insights, and proven methodologies to ensure its solutions are precisely what your business needs to thrive—not just right now but well into the future. CLEVR also provides end-to-end support for modernizing legacy systems, from identifying digitization opportunities to building custom solutions and helping you scale systems as your business grows.

To learn more about how CLEVR can help you navigate your business’s legacy systems with low code, check out these customer success stories.

Final Thoughts

Legacy systems can cost your business and limit your ability to adapt to a changing market—but they can be challenging to update since they’re often crucial to business operations.

Low code development provides the answer. It enables you to modernize legacy systems through integrations, extended capabilities, and automations while empowering your employees to build the solutions they need to address real business challenges.

FAQs

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You can modernize legacy systems by integrating with newer software, using development to extend capabilities, and migrating data into another application. Low code platforms can help with all of these modernization efforts and ensure your business doesn’t suffer disruptions.

","title":"How do you modernize legacy applications?"},{"content":"

Yes, you can use low code platforms to build new software systems that replace your legacy systems. For example, a retailer can use low code tools to build a new product management system. A utilities business can use low code platforms to develop a new grid management software.

You can also use low code tools to migrate data from legacy systems to your new platform.

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Computer-aided design (CAD) software is essential for engineers who design and refine products. Choosing the top CAD solution enables your business to develop innovative new products while enhancing collaboration and reducing production costs.

Many CAD tools are available, all with strengths and weaknesses that make them suitable for various business and design processes. However, choosing the right one for your business is critical, and since CAD software is a significant investment, you’ll want to do some research.

This guide compares NX vs. other CAD tools to help you choose the best CAD platform for your needs.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview:

• NX (Siemens): Best for 3D modeling and PLM integration
• Solid Edge (Siemens): Best CAD software for basic projects
• AutoCAD (Autodesk): Best for 2D product design
• CATIA (Dassault Systèmes): Best for the Aerospace & Defense Industry
• Fusion 360 (Autodesk): Best budget CAD software

Why CAD Tools Matter in Engineering and Manufacturing

CAD tools are central to product design, prototyping, refinement, and manufacturing across various industries. Engineers rely on them to visualize new products, assess design changes, and streamline collaboration during product design.

As product designs and workflows have become more complex, CAD tools have evolved to integrate with broader business systems. For example, they can be linked with product lifecycle management (PLM) software, which tracks a product’s progress from initial design through production and distribution. Integration provides complete visibility into product data and informs data-driven decisions at every stage of design and manufacturing.

Comprehensive Comparison of CAD Tools

Let’s compare five top CAD solutions so you can decide which is right for your business.

1. NX (Siemens)

Siemens NX is a CAD platform designed for complex engineering and manufacturing applications. It offers advanced modeling and simulation, including the ability to create digital twins to simulate how design changes can impact your manufacturing processes. NX also includes industry-specific workflows for automotive, aerospace, marine, and medical manufacturing, reducing your design time and helping you bring products to market faster.

NX can be fully integrated with the entire Siemens ecosystem, including Teamcenter PLM software and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Multiple software tiers are available, making NX suitable for all businesses, from startups to enterprise-scale companies.

Key Features:

• Advanced modeling and simulation capabilities
• Integration with Teamcenter PLM software
• Generative design and topology optimization

Strengths:

• Scalable for large teams and complex projects
• Excellent for aerospace and automotive industries

Challenges:

• Relatively expensive
• Steep learning curve

2. Solid Edge (Siemens)

Solid Edge is another excellent CAD software package from Siemens. Compared to NX, it offers fewer advanced capabilities and focuses primarily on prismatic modeling, which works best for simpler designs. However, Solid Edge is significantly more straightforward and affordable than NX and integrates seamlessly with other Siemens products like Teamcenter.

Solid Edge is a good choice for startups and medium-sized businesses that don’t need cutting-edge modeling features.

Key Features:

• Synchronous technology for faster design iterations
• Integration with Teamcenter PLM software

Strengths:

• Intuitive user interface and moderate learning curve
• Affordable solution compared to NX

Challenges:

• Less advanced simulation and generative design capabilities compared to NX

3. AutoCAD (Autodesk)

AutoCAD offers powerful tools for 2D product design and has a low learning curve compared to Siemens software. It uses AI to help automate routine tasks, such as comparing drafts, replacing blocks, and counting objects, which can save time in your design process. AutoCAD also offers ready-made design toolsets for specific industries and flexible collaboration tools, making it suitable for large teams.

While AutoCAD supports 3D modeling, its simulation features are limited compared to NX or Solid Edge. The software integrates with Autodesk PLM and PLM software from Siemens, SAP, and other providers.

Key Features:

• Capable 2D drafting features
• Industry-specific design toolsets

Strengths:

• Used across a wide range of industries
• Extensive library of resources and plugins

Challenges:

• Limited 3D modeling and simulation features

4. CATIA (Dassault Systèmes)

CATIA is a 3D modeling-focused CAD platform with advanced features for generative design. It fully integrates with Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which offers cutting-edge tools like digital twin analysis, customizable workflows, and seamless collaboration tools. CATIA is one of the most powerful CAD solutions for multi-disciplinary engineering teams, and it’s especially ideal for complex applications in the aerospace and defense industries.

However, CATIA’s feature-rich platform isn’t the best choice for simple projects. It has complex implementation requirements and a steep learning curve, and it’s also one of the most expensive CAD solutions on the market.

Key Features:

• Best-in-class 3D modeling tools
• Supports digital twin simulations

Strengths:

• Seamless integration with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform
• Flexible collaboration tools and customizable workflows

Challenges:

• Very expensive
• Complex to implement

5. Fusion 360 (Autodesk)

Fusion 360 is Autodesk’s premier platform for 3D modeling and product simulation. With it, you can build in 3D and then quickly convert to 2D drawings for refinement and collaboration. The software is also highly extensible, with add-on toolsets for additive manufacturing processes, component optimization, and bill of materials (BOM) management.

Fusion 360 is affordable and flexible, offering all the same collaboration tools as Autodesk. That said, Fusion 360 lacks industry-specific workflows and provides limited support for automation.

Key Features:

• All-in-one solution for product design and manufacturing
• User-friendly 3D modeling and simulation tools

Strengths:

• Very affordable compared to other CAD platforms
• Cloud-based deployment is fast

Challenges:

• Lack of automation limits scalability for enterprise companies
• Doesn’t include industry-specific workflows

How to Choose the Right CAD Tool

Let’s review some of the key factors to consider when choosing the best CAD software for your business.

• Project complexity: Complex projects require more advanced CAD features, such as 3D modeling, simulations, and support for digital twins. However, more complex software is often expensive and less user-friendly, so it's important to choose a platform that matches your project requirements.
• Team size: Larger teams or teams of different types of engineers need built-in collaboration tools. Look for features like versioning, annotations, and user permissions.
• PLM integration: Seamless data flow between CAD and PLM systems is essential for a complete view of your products and processes. Look for providers that offer both CAD and PLM solutions with ready-made integrations.
• Scalability: Look for CAD platforms that offer add-on modules or marketplaces so you can continue adding features as your business grows. Investigate providers to be sure they consistently add new features to their software as technology improves.

CLEVR’s Role in Maximizing CAD and PLM Potential

CLEVR can help you choose and customize integrated CAD and PLM solutions to meet your business’s unique needs. We have experience implementing CAD tools like NX and Solid Edge for manufacturing, marine, and aerospace businesses and can integrate them seamlessly with Siemens Teamcenter PLM. Our approach enables your company to streamline your design process, accelerate innovation, and save money through operational efficiency.

Ready to learn more about combining CAD and PLM and how it can boost your business? Check out our comprehensive guide to PLM.

How We Researched This Comparison

We conducted an in-depth evaluation of each CAD software package and evaluated 2D drawing and 3D modeling capabilities. Our analysis also incorporated customer reviews and insights from product and design engineers. In addition, we relied on expert recommendations to provide well-rounded guidance on selecting the best CAD software for your needs.

FAQs

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We recommend Siemens NX as the overall best CAD tool for most manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and marine companies. NX offers advanced 3D modeling and simulation capabilities, industry-specific workflows, and flexible collaboration tools. It also integrates seamlessly with Siemens Teamcenter PLM.

","title":"What is the best CAD software?"},{"content":"

Costs for CAD software vary widely depending on the features you need. Many platforms offer multiple pricing tiers. Siemens NX starts at $191 per month for the basic Essentials package but goes up to $1,019 for the top-tier Premium package. AutoCAD’s lowest price is $250 per month, but many users will need paid add-ons.

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Product lifecycle management (PLM) can enhance every aspect of a business, from improving productivity on the shop floor to enabling more informed decisions in the board room. Despite these benefits, achieving buy-in for implementing a PLM solution can be challenging.

The problem is that communicating effectively about the value of complex PLM systems is difficult. Managers must bridge the gap between technical teams and company leadership to translate technical details into strategic insights. Without clear communication, leadership may struggle to see how a PLM aligns with your organization’s goals or produces a measurable return on investment (ROI).

This guide takes a close look at how to craft effective messaging for PLM implementation and clearly communicate the impact of PLM benefits.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Employees in different functions within your business may see different benefits from PLM. Shop floor employees focus on enhanced operational efficiency, mid-level managers focus on stronger collaboration, and executives focus on increased profit.
• Operations, product, and IT managers may struggle to communicate with executives about PLM because of these different priorities. It’s also difficult to translate technical jargon into business language and convey the intangible benefits of PLM.
• You can address these communication challenges by tailoring your message to explain how PLM can benefit executives’ priorities. You can also use data visualizations to make your case and encourage more communication between employees at all levels of your organization.
  
  

Understanding the Role of PLM across Functions

A solid understanding of how a PLM system can benefit all aspects of your business, from the shop floor to the board room, is critical to communicating its potential. So, let’s consider some of the key advantages of PLM.

Shop floor: Operational efficiencies
PLM enhances operational efficiency on your shop floor by streamlining manufacturing workflows and eliminating bottlenecks that can hold up production. For example, NEL Hydrogen was able to scale up production by 10x after transitioning to a fully automated manufacturing line with the help of CLEVR and Siemens Teamcenter software.

PLM also reduces production errors, which improves product quality and saves money.

Mid-level management: Collaboration and data accessibility
PLM supports your organization’s mid-level management by centralizing data, improving communication, and assisting in decision-making. These systems can make design processes more collaborative and ensure that design and production teams are fully aligned.

PLM can also break down data silos and enable more seamless information flow between your organization and vendors.

Board room: Strategic impact and ROI
At a high level, PLM reduces time-to-market for new products and cuts the cost of new product deployments, which boosts your company’s bottom line and ensures a positive ROI for your PLM system. Enhanced collaboration supports innovation, while supply chain management tools benefit strategic goals like sustainability.

PLM also helps companies manage increasingly complex regulatory requirements across a wide range of markets.

The Challenges in Communicating PLM Benefits

Operations, product, and IT managers face three main hurdles in communicating PLM benefits to executives.

1. Misaligned priorities: Shop floor teams are often focused on enhancing efficiency and view a PLM through this lens. However, executives focus on profitability and growth and may not view productivity gains on the shop floor as an immediate priority.
2. Translating technical jargon to business language: Managers frequently discuss the benefits of PLM in terms of operational metrics. However, executives may not understand how these metrics relate to bottom-line impacts or strategic priorities—the language of the boardroom.
3. Intangible benefits are difficult to measure: Many of the most important benefits of PLM, including enhanced collaboration, faster innovation, and long-term scalability, are difficult to measure. That makes it more challenging for managers to make a case to executives that a PLM system is worth the investment.

How Can You Bridge The Communication Gap?

We recommend four key strategies to help managers address the challenges of communicating about PLM and get through to company leadership.

Tailor your message for your audience
Show that your priorities align with those of company leaders when communicating about PLM. Identify what executives are concerned about and focus on how PLM can address those concerns. Be sure to connect improvements in key operational metrics to impacts on your company’s bottom line.

As an example, instead of framing PLM-enabled automation as a way to boost granular productivity metrics, operations managers can present it as a way to make your business more competitive and pave the way for future growth. This approach speaks to executives’ strategic initiatives and enables them to see the potential ROI of a PLM system.

More broadly, you can make PLM part of your organization’s growth narrative. Be specific about how PLM can drive critical outcomes like innovation, sustainability, and market competitiveness. Speaking the language of the board room can help company leaders fully understand the strategic value of PLM.

Leverage data visualizations
Data visualizations can be extremely effective at breaking down communication barriers and enabling everyone in your business to speak the same language, whether you come from the shop floor or the board room. It gives you an opportunity to contextualize key operational metrics and clearly show how they correlate with large-scale business outcomes like profitability.

Visualizations can illustrate everything from productivity gains and compliance improvements to time-to-market reductions. In addition, data from past operational changes can show its impact and help project the potential impact of implementing a PLM system.

Encourage cross-functional communication
More communication between shop floor teams, mid-level managers, and company leaders is critical to getting everyone on the same page. When company leaders understand the challenges that shop floor employees face, they’re more likely to find solutions. Likewise, operations, product, and IT managers need to understand executives’ strategic goals to communicate effectively about PLM and its benefits.

Many options exist for facilitating cross-functional communication. For example, executives can hold town hall-style meetings or launch an internal newsletter to communicate their strategic vision. Operations managers can invite product managers and executives to the shop floor. Mid-level management can also organize task-specific groups of employees from all levels of your organization.

Communicate about PLM success
Once your business takes the first steps towards implementing PLM, it’s essential to be transparent with executives about the process and share early indicators of success. Set milestones for the implementation process and keep company leaders informed as you reach these milestones.

After implementation, share data with executives about the indicators you mentioned in earlier discussions and clearly connect them to business impacts. Company leaders can then evaluate the success of the new PLM system and gauge its potential ROI. Demonstrating success early on is key to encouraging further investment in PLM.

How CLEVR Can Help

CLEVR has experience working with businesses across a wide range of sectors to create tailored low code PLM solutions that support priorities from the shop floor to the board room. We offer end-to-end support to help your company identify goals, implement a custom PLM, and prepare for future growth.

Ready to take the next step in empowering your organization with PLM? Explore how our PLM solutions can drive organizational alignment and innovation today.

FAQs

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Some of PLM’s key benefits include enhancing productivity, reducing product time-to-market, improving collaboration, reducing compliance risks, and speeding up innovation. Shop floor employees, mid-level managers, and executives may focus on different benefits, so consider your audience’s goals when communicating about the impacts of PLM.

","title":"What are the key benefits of PLM?"},{"content":"

When communicating about PLM with executives, remember to address their strategic concerns, such as market competitiveness, innovation, growth, and profitability. Avoid jargon and show a clear connection between the operational and strategic benefits of a PLM system.

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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been working to accelerate the development of new technologies for both commercial and military applications. These “dual-use” technologies face a complex, fast-growing web of regulations that govern how they’re built and shared.

Ensuring compliance with dual-use regulations can be a major challenge, especially for companies that have focused only on defense or commercial applications in the past. Failure to comply can result in steep penalties, which creates pressure to get dual-use compliance right.

The solution is product lifecycle management (PLM), an approach that ensures full supply chain traceability and compliance at every stage of the product lifecycle. In this guide, we explain how your company can navigate NATO and dual-use regulations with PLM.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Dual-use regulations impact products with both commercial and military applications. They include end-to-end supply chain traceability, limitations on technology export, and requirements in data security.
• Existing compliance systems often struggle to keep up with evolving dual-use regulations. They may involve manual processes or lack strong security measures.
• PLM supports compliance by centralizing data management, enabling end-to-end traceability, automating compliance workflows, and ensuring data is secure.
• Your business can implement PLM by assessing your current compliance challenges, choosing a PLM solution, partnering with a PLM expert, and training your team to use PLM effectively.

NATO and Dual-Use Regulations Explained

Dual-use technologies face conflicting demands because of their dual commercial and military applications. They must be commercially successful but, at the same time, face strict export controls to prevent their spread to adversary nations. In addition, production must be affordable but rely only on domestic or friendly-nation supply chains to ensure continued production during times of conflict or war. And finally, companies building these products must weather cyberattacks, espionage, and sabotage from countries looking to gain a technological edge or thwart the NATO alliance.

These challenges have led to the emergence of a complex, stringent set of regulations governing dual-use technologies, especially in the aerospace and defense manufacturing industries. Some of the biggest compliance challenges that companies building dual-use technologies face include:

• Requirements for 100% supply chain traceability
• Limitations on technology sales and export
• Requirements around data security and confidentiality

Due to these products’ defense impacts, financial penalties for non-compliance are steep. Companies that fail to maintain compliance also risk severe reputational damage and could lose valuable defense contracts.

The Challenges of Manual and Legacy Compliance

Currently, the systems and processes that many companies rely on for compliance aren’t suitable for use with more complex dual-use regulations. All too often, companies built legacy systems over decades in an ad hoc manner that involves inefficient manual workflows. They simply can’t keep up with the pace of change in today’s defense technology and regulatory landscape.

Furthermore, existing systems don’t automate adherence to changing export controls or track compliance across multiple product lifecycles and teams. Data silos can also make it difficult to achieve full supply chain traceability and can lead to reporting delays that incur costly penalties.

Importantly, outdated systems are less secure and can expose your company’s technology to hostile adversaries.

Companies need a new approach to ensure compliance with dual-use regulations. This is where PLM can help.

How PLM Can Simplify NATO and Dual-Use Compliance

PLM is a technological approach to manufacturing that helps companies manage all aspects of a product, from design and production to marketing and sales. It offers four key benefits that can dramatically simplify compliance with NATO and dual-use regulations.

Centralized data management
PLM centralizes data about a product, including details about the supply chain for key components, production and quality metrics, distribution, and more. That enables compliance officers to use your PLM system as a single source of truth for regulatory documentation. It also reduces the time needed for compliance and ensures that all data is current.

In addition, as regulations change, compliance officers can update your PLM so that supply chain and production managers are fully aware of the new requirements. It makes it easier to keep up with the rapid evolution of dual-use regulations.

End-to-end traceability
PLM plays a key role in keeping your supply chains fully traceable. You can track components from source to finished product and record detailed information to limit the scope and cost of a recall.

PLM also lets you capture data about your production processes, including critical quality metrics. You can use this data to quickly spot potential compliance issues or adjust processes to enhance product quality.

Workflow automation
Another benefit of PLM systems is that they offer complex workflow automations that save time and reduce human error.

For example, you can automatically check distribution lists against export restrictions to prevent products with controlled components from being shipped to blocked entities. You can also generate regulatory reports automatically, freeing up your team to focus on other aspects of compliance.

Secure collaboration
PLM systems help secure sensitive data while facilitating collaboration among stakeholders both inside and outside your business. You can customize permissions at a granular level to control who can view and share specific information.

In addition, PLM systems offer audit logs and alerts that help you monitor who is accessing information in real time. This is a key feature for preventing data theft and identifying potential vulnerabilities.

Steps to Implement PLM for Compliance

Here’s how your business can implement PLM to streamline compliance with dual-use regulations.

Step 1: Assess compliance challenges
Begin by assessing the compliance challenges your business currently faces. The goal is to identify where your existing compliance processes fall short and how PLM can help. This assessment should involve compliance officers as well as operations and supply chain managers who may have additional insights into how your processes fall short or could be optimized.

For your initial implementation, focus on one or two key shortcomings that PLM could quickly solve. Starting with simple tasks is proof of concept and can provide momentum for tackling more complex compliance challenges.

Step 2: Select a PLM platform
Choose a PLM platform with tools to help your business address the challenges you identified in your assessment. At CLEVR, we use Siemens Teamcenter for compliance because it provides robust support for collaboration, streamlined process templates, and integrated quality management tools.

For more options, check out our full guide to the top PLM solutions.

Step 3: Partner with experts
Partnering with experienced PLM specialists can simplify your implementation process and make sure your PLM system is customized to your business’s specific needs. A partner like CLEVR can help your business use PLM to its full potential and lay the groundwork for scaling your system in the future.

Step 4: Train your teams
Finally, train your teams on PLM so they know how to use your new system. Training can empower employees to use PLM to proactively solve compliance challenges and boost collaboration among your design, production, supply chain, and compliance teams.

How CLEVR Can Help You Simplify Compliance

CLEVR is here to serve as an expert partner and help you streamline compliance with PLM. We have deep experience building custom PLM solutions for businesses across the highly regulated manufacturing, marine, and energy and utilities industries. Our solutions are secure, efficient, and scalable to prepare your business for the future.

Check out our comprehensive guide to PLM to learn more about CLEVR’s tailored PLM solutions.

How We Researched This Guide

This guide draws on research on NATO and dual-use regulations and best practices for compliance. It’s also based on our own experience using PLM software for compliance in heavily regulated industries.

FAQs

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PLM assists regulatory compliance by securing and centralizing data and enabling end-to-end supply chain traceability. Compliance officers can spot problems quickly and more easily to ensure accountability among teams and get a single source of truth for compliance reporting. PLM systems also support automated workflows that can save time on reporting and reduce compliance errors.

","title":"How is PLM good for compliance?"},{"content":"

The main elements of a PLM system include a central data repository, bill of material management tools, and process management tools. Together, these features help you track and manage a product’s entire lifecycle from design to production and distribution and ensure compliance at every step of the way.

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Product development teams must manage complex product data while maintaining quality and compliance standards. From scattered information and version control problems to integration complexities, it’s not easy to keep costs down and operations running smoothly.

A Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution brings everything together by automating workflows, centralizing data, and connecting teams across your organization.

In this article, we compare Teamcenter, one of the top PLM systems, with other leading platforms to help you find the right fit for your needs.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview:

• Your choice of PLM tool should align with your business needs and existing systems.
• Teamcenter excels at enterprise-wide product data management.
• Windchill brings strong IoT capabilities and digital twin support.
• Aras offers exceptional flexibility through its open architecture.
• Working with an experienced implementation partner maximizes your PLM investment.

What to Look for in a PLM Platform

Modern PLM platforms enable innovation and drive digital transformation. While every company’s needs are different, several features are highly advantageous for any PLM platform:

Core functionality

Robust data management capabilities are the foundation of any effective PLM platform. A modern PLM system acts as a single source of truth for product data, managing everything from initial requirements through design iterations to final specifications.

Quality control should span the entire product lifecycle. This includes validating initial requirements, monitoring manufacturing processes, and maintaining service documentation, creating a complete view of product quality at every stage.

Integration capabilities

PLM software must be able to interact with your existing systems. This connectivity turns scattered information into a coherent product story across your enterprise:

• Native computer-assisted design (CAD) integration lets engineers work naturally in their design tools while maintaining version control across models, drawings, and documentation.
• Connecting to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems keeps product and manufacturing data in sync, maintaining accurate costing and inventory.
• The ability to exchange data with shop floor systems, quality tools, and customer platforms creates an unbroken digital thread.

Scalability

Your PLM platform should grow smoothly with your organization. Cloud deployment gives you the flexibility to scale resources while reducing infrastructure overhead.

Additionally, supporting multiple sites and time zones becomes vital for global operations. Tools for managing data replication and access speeds keep teams productive across regions. You’ll also want user management features to handle growing teams and varying access requirements.

Customization options

Every organization has unique processes that standard software might not fully address. Modern PLM platforms offer low code development tools for modifying workflows and creating custom applications without extensive programming. Some even provide industry-specific templates as strong starting points that you can refine based on your needs.

Customizations should remain upgrade-safe, allowing them to continue through new software versions without requiring rework.

Industry alignment

Your chosen platform should understand your industry’s specific workflows. For example, an automotive manufacturer faces different challenges than a medical device company or an aerospace supplier.

Ensure the platform’s compliance tools match relevant standards, such as ISO 9001, AS9100, or FDA regulations. Also, look for vendors with solid references from similar organizations who demonstrate a real understanding of your industry’s trends and requirements.

Teamcenter: A Deep Dive

To kick off our comparison of the best PLM solutions, let’s explore one of the most popular options, Teamcenter.

Teamcenter is a comprehensive enterprise PLM solution that excels in complex manufacturing environments. It provides extensive product data management capabilities while supporting global collaboration through both cloud and on-premises deployment options.

With its sophisticated configuration management and quality control features, the platform is built to handle the most demanding product development scenarios. Teamcenter’s manufacturing focus is especially evident in its process planning tools, which create a seamless bridge between engineering and production.

Pros

• Comprehensive integration capabilities across CAD platforms and enterprise systems
• Strong manufacturing process planning capabilities
• Flexible deployment options, including cloud, on-premises, and hybrid
• Extensive quality control and compliance features

Cons

• Complex implementation requiring significant planning and resources
• Higher initial and ongoing costs compared to simpler solutions
• 
  

Alternative PLM Solutions

While Teamcenter is a strong choice, each PLM platform brings unique advantages. Here’s how some of the major alternatives stack up:

Windchill

PTC Windchill is a PCM tool with strong Internet of Things (IoT) integration capabilities, making it particularly valuable if you want to use IoT data in your product lifecycle. Windchill+ offers cloud-native deployment options while maintaining enterprise-grade security and scalability.

Pros

• Advanced IoT integration and digital twin capabilities
• Strong CAD data management features
• Cloud-native architecture with software as a service (SaaS) options
• Comprehensive configuration management

Cons

• Can face integration challenges with non-PTC systems
• Higher training requirements

ENOVIA

ENOVIA is a great PTC for design-centric industries, as it offers deep integration with CATIA and other Dassault Systèmes tools. The platform provides sophisticated 3D data management capabilities and forms part of the broader 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It particularly shines in industries requiring advanced visualization and complex product structures.

Pros

• Seamless integration with CATIA and other Dassault tools
• Advanced 3D visualization capabilities
• Built-in collaboration tools
• Cloud-based deployment options

Cons

• May require significant investment in the Dassault ecosystem
• Less robust for enterprise-wide PLM

Aras Innovator

Aras Innovator takes a unique approach to PLM with its highly flexible, open platform architecture. It offers a subscription model that includes all upgrades regardless of customization level.

Aras emphasizes adaptability and extensibility, making it particularly appealing for organizations with unique requirements or those wanting to maintain control over their PLM implementation.

Pros

• Extensive customization capabilities
• Robust API and integration options
• Active user community and support
• All-inclusive subscription model

Cons

• Smaller market share
• Limited out-of-box functionality compared to competitors

Autodesk Vault

Vault focuses on providing straightforward PLM capabilities for small to medium-sized organizations, with particular strength in Autodesk tool integration. The platform emphasizes ease of use and quick implementation while maintaining core PLM functionality. It’s well-suited for organizations using Autodesk design tools.

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Strong AutoCAD and Inventor integration
• Simplified implementation process
• Cost-effective for smaller teams

Cons

• Limited scalability for large enterprises
• Restricted integration with non-Autodesk tools

SAP PLM

SAP PLM offers deep integration with SAP’s ERP and business systems. The platform provides good compliance tools and integrated analytics, and it’s most valuable for organizations heavily invested in SAP technology. It excels in connecting product development with broader business processes.

Pros

• Seamless SAP system integration
• Strong compliance and quality management
• Built-in analytics and reporting
• End-to-end business process support

Cons

• Requires SAP expertise
• High total cost of ownership

Teamcenter vs. Other PLM Tools

Teamcenter is perfect for complex manufacturing environments where comprehensive capabilities matter most. Its strengths in manufacturing support and enterprise scalability particularly benefit large organizations.

Organizations with simpler needs often find better value in platforms like Autodesk Vault. Or, if you’re looking for extensive customization, you may prefer Aras. SAP PLM makes sense for organizations that are heavily invested in SAP technology.

Choosing the Right PLM for Your Business

1- Assess your current state by documenting existing processes, systems, and pain points. Map out which teams handle product data and where bottlenecks occur in your workflows.

2- Evaluate technical requirements, including integration needs with CAD, ERP, and manufacturing systems.

3- Document your industry-specific needs, such as regulatory requirements, compliance standards, and specialized workflows.

4- Calculate your budget and timeline, including software costs, infrastructure needs, implementation services, and ongoing maintenance. Factor in training requirements and potential productivity impacts during the transition.

5- Build your implementation team combining IT expertise with representatives from engineering, manufacturing, and quality departments. Work with an experienced implementation partner like CLEVR that understands both PLM technology and your industry’s challenges.

6- Create a phased rollout plan starting with a pilot project to validate the solution.

7- Define clear success metrics aligned with business goals, such as reduced time-to-market, fewer errors, or improved collaboration.

How CLEVR Can Help

Selecting the right platform is just the beginning. Maximizing your return on investment (ROI) from a PLM tool requires expert implementation and integration. CLEVR can be an excellent partner for this.

CLEVR combines deep PLM knowledge with advanced low code capabilities to create solutions that precisely match your business needs. The company starts by understanding your specific challenges and goals. Then, it configures and customizes your chosen PLM solution. You can benefit from:

• Role-specific user interfaces
• Automated workflows
• Seamless system integrations
• Mobile solutions
• Real-time monitoring dashboards

CLEVR supports you through every phase—from initial training through ongoing optimization—to help you realize the full potential of your PLM investment.

Final Thoughts

While Teamcenter leads in enterprise capabilities, other PLM platforms offer distinct advantages for different scenarios. Success depends not just on tool selection but also on effective implementation and integration with your broader technology ecosystem.

For deeper insights into PLM selection and implementation, explore CLEVR’s comprehensive guide to PLM and article on optimizing product development with Teamcenter.

Research Methodology

The comparison focuses on PLM features and capabilities most relevant to organizations seeking to improve their product lifecycle management processes. It draws from product documentation, customer feedback, and real-world implementation experience across multiple PLM platforms to evaluate each solution based on functionality, integration capabilities, scalability, and performance.

FAQs

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A PLM tool manages product data and processes throughout the entire lifecycle, from concept through design, manufacturing, service, and retirement. PLM software centralizes product information and automates related workflows.

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PLM focuses on product development and engineering data management, while ERP handles business operations like finance, procurement, and manufacturing execution. They complement each other in managing product and business processes.

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Every component in aerospace and defense manufacturing carries immense responsibility. A single missing traceability record or compliance gap can ground aircraft, delay vital defense programs, and put lives at risk. Quality teams spend countless hours maintaining documentation across complex supply chains while compliance officers navigate regulations that carry severe penalties for violations.

The good news is that advanced product lifecycle management (PLM) platforms offer practical ways to automate these complex requirements. This article shows you how to strengthen your traceability and compliance programs while reducing the burden on your teams.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Missing or incomplete traceability records lead to costly production delays and compliance violations.
• Aerospace and defense regulations continuously evolve and require flexible systems that can quickly adapt while maintaining strict documentation.
• PLM systems provide a single source of truth for product data, streamline documentation, and connect disparate systems.
• Organizations using integrated PLM solutions can expect significant reductions in compliance-related delays.
• 
  

The Importance of Traceability in Aerospace and Defense

When a critical part fails in an aircraft or defense system, manufacturers need to know exactly where that component came from, who handled it, and which other systems might have similar parts. This complete history—from raw materials through manufacturing, assembly, delivery, and maintenance—forms the foundation of traceability. Without it, a single missing record or counterfeit part can ground entire fleets, halt military operations, and put lives at risk.

We only have to look at the discovery of counterfeit components in aircraft engines in 2023. The investigation revealed these parts had entered the supply chain through multiple tiers of suppliers, affecting major airlines worldwide. From this example alone, it’s clear that maintaining a chain of documentation is imperative for safety.

For defense contractors, military equipment often requires decades of maintenance support, making detailed component histories essential for long-term sustainment. Defense manufacturers must track physical components and technical data to comply with strict security regulations across various jurisdictions. In the US, for example, this includes International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), while European manufacturers must comply with similar export control regulations.

In short, traceability protects both manufacturers and customers. When quality issues arise, manufacturers can quickly pinpoint affected components and trace them to specific production batches, suppliers, or manufacturing processes.

The Challenges of Regulatory Compliance

Aerospace and defense manufacturers face mounting pressure to manage vast amounts of compliance data while maintaining perfect accuracy. A single oversight can trigger severe consequences, such as:

• Financial penalties reaching millions of dollars
• Program delays causing ripple effects through defense supply chains
• Loss of certifications halting production lines
• Reputational damage affecting future contract opportunities

They must also navigate various regulations, including:

ITAR and export controls

Export control regulations like ITAR govern how defense-related items and technical data move across borders. For manufacturers, this means tracking:

• Component origins down to the raw material level
• Employee nationalities and security clearances
• Access controls for technical documentation
• Export licenses and agreements
• Data storage locations and transfer methods

A single ITAR violation can result in fines of up to $1 million per incident and criminal penalties. Beyond monetary costs, violations can lead to the revocation of export privileges, effectively shutting down international operations.

AS9100 quality management

AS9100 builds on ISO 9001 standards to address aerospace-specific requirements. The standard emphasizes:

• Design controls that document every engineering decision
• Risk management across the entire supply chain
• Configuration management to track product variations
• First article inspection processes
• Systems to prevent counterfeit parts

Meeting AS9100 requirements involves creating and maintaining detailed documentation at every step. For example, initial article inspection reports must verify that production processes consistently meet design specifications. That requires careful coordination between engineering, production, and quality teams.

Aviation authority requirements

Aviation authorities worldwide maintain strict oversight of manufacturing through comprehensive regulations. In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforces 14 CFR Part 21, while the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) oversees European manufacturing. These frameworks require the following:

• Production records showing compliance with approved designs
• Component life tracking systems
• Maintenance documentation
• Airworthiness certification records

These requirements don’t exist in isolation—they form an interconnected web of compliance obligations. A single component might need to satisfy multiple export controls, quality requirements, and airworthiness standards simultaneously, making aerospace and defense compliance extremely challenging.

How PLM Systems Address These Challenges

Product lifecycle management (PLM) systems manage product information and processes throughout the entire product lifecycle—from initial concept through design to eventual retirement. Modern PLM systems make complex aerospace and defense manufacturing programs manageable even as regulations grow more demanding. Here’s what they offer:

A single source of truth

Modern aerospace and defense manufacturing generates massive amounts of product data. Without a central system, this information ends up scattered across departmental databases, spreadsheets, and paper files. PLM solves this by creating one authoritative source for all product information.

A good PLM system can track:

• Complete component histories from design through retirement
• Design documentation with full revision control
• Manufacturing process specifications and controls
• Quality control records and test data
• Supplier certification and compliance documentation
• Maintenance and service records

When an auditor or customer requests documentation, you can instantly pull up the complete record. You’ll know it’s accurate and up-to-date because everyone works from the same central system.

Configuration management

Aircraft and defense systems are often built in several configurations, each with specific components, documentation, and compliance requirements. PLM systems shine at managing this complexity.

Take a military aircraft program as an example. Each customer will require different avionics packages, weapons systems, or communication gear. Every variation needs its own set of documentation and certifications. A PLM system will track:

• Multiple product variants and versions
• Links between components and their documentation
• Engineering changes and downstream effects
• Customer-specific configurations
• Compliance requirements for each configuration

When an engineering change occurs, the system automatically identifies every affected configuration and updates the relevant documentation.

Supply chain integration

The aerospace and defense supply chain spans continents and includes thousands of suppliers. PLM systems help you maintain visibility and control across this complex network.

With a PLM platform, you can:

• Share technical data securely with suppliers
• Track supplier qualifications and certifications
• Monitor component quality metrics in real time
• Push change notifications instantly across the network
• Document supplier compliance with regulatory requirements

These capabilities made an enormous difference during recent supply chain disruptions. Manufacturers using PLM could quickly identify affected components and activate alternative suppliers while maintaining complete documentation of changes.

Automated quality processes

Quality management in aerospace and defense requires meticulous attention to detail. PLM systems automate many of these processes, reducing human error while speeding up routine tasks.

For quality management teams, this means automated:

• First article inspection reports
• Non-conformance tracking
• Corrective and preventive actions
• Audit scheduling and documentation
• Certification review reports

Take a first article inspection as an example. When manufacturing a new component, you must verify that the production process consistently meets design specifications. A PLM system can automatically generate inspection requirements based on the design. It can also track measurements, flag deviations, and compile the final report. All the while, it’s keeping a complete audit trail. This automation doesn’t replace human expertise—it amplifies it.

The Broader Impact of Strong Compliance

While meeting regulatory requirements is the primary goal, robust compliance systems deliver additional benefits that strengthen the entire organization. These include:

Operational efficiency

When compliance becomes automated and systematic rather than manual and reactive, operations improve across the board.

Development cycles speed up because teams spend less time on compliance paperwork, and quality improves through consistent application of standards. Supply chain management becomes more efficient with better visibility, while maintenance planning benefits from complete component histories.

Higher customer trust

Strong compliance programs build credibility with customers, regulators, and partners. This translates into:

• Faster approvals for new contracts and certifications
• Reduced scrutiny during audits
• Stronger relationships with key customers
• Better positioning for new business opportunities

Opportunities for innovation

Perhaps most importantly, when basic compliance tasks become automatic, teams can focus their energy on innovation.

Engineers can spend more time on design improvements, while quality teams can work on process optimization. Supply chain managers can explore new partnerships, and leadership can focus on strategic initiatives.

The shift from manual compliance to automated systems creates space for the creative thinking that drives aerospace and defense innovation forward.

Final Thoughts

Achieving perfect traceability and compliance in aerospace and defense might seem impossible. The regulations keep changing, supply chains grow more complex, and the stakes get higher every year. But manufacturers who embrace modern solutions like PLM systems are showing it’s possible to turn these challenges into opportunities for improvement.

Start by examining where manual processes and disconnected systems create operational risks. Then, explore how PLM solutions could help automate and streamline these areas. CLEVR’s complete guide to PLM offers practical insights to help you get started.

Research Methodology

This article draws on extensive research into aerospace and defense regulations, traceability requirements, and compliance best practices. Findings reflect both established standards and new developments in regulatory technology.

FAQs

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Aerospace and defense compliance means following strict regulations for design, manufacturing, maintenance, and documentation. These include quality standards like AS9100, export controls, and safety requirements from aviation authorities worldwide.

","title":"What is compliance in the aerospace and defense industry?"},{"content":"

Traceability protects safety and security by tracking components through their lifecycle. Highly accurate tracking capabilities prevent counterfeit parts, enable quick responses to quality issues, and document regulatory compliance from raw materials through maintenance.

","title":"Why is traceability important in aerospace and defense?"},{"content":"

PLM systems provide a centralized platform for managing all product-related data. This improves traceability by maintaining complete documentation throughout the product lifecycle, automating compliance processes, and connecting different parts of the organization.

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Managing and leveraging your business’s data can be challenging. There’s a lot of complexity involved in handling data and creating automated workflows, and it’s easy to get bogged down in digital transformation projects that fail to deliver.

Low code development platforms simplify this process, making it easy to build the custom workflows your business needs without hiring a team of professional developers.

This guide highlights 6 of the best low code platforms you can use to achieve digital transformation in 2025.

Short on Time? Here Are Our Top 6 Low Code Platforms

1. Mendix - Overall Best Low Code Platform for Custom Apps and Workflows
2. OutSystems - Best for Technical Development Teams
3. Appian - Best for Breaking Down Data Silos
4. Quickbase - Best for Rapid Application Development
5. Microsoft Power Apps - Best for Business Productivity
6. Zoho Creator - Value Pick for Small Businesses

Selection Methodology

We tested more than a dozen low code platforms, evaluating their integrations, scalability, security, and collaboration tools. We also assessed their overall customizability and security. Then, we narrowed our list to the top 6 choices for 2025.

6 Best Low Code Platforms: CLEVR’s Top Tested Picks

1. Mendix – Overall Best Low Code Platform for Custom Apps and Workflows

• Ease of integration: 4.5/5
• Scalability and performance: 5/5
• Security and compliance: 5/5
• User experience and collaboration: 4.5/5
• Customizability and flexibility: 4.5/5
  
  

The bottom line

Mendix is our top-rated, low code platform for businesses. This platform has a steeper learning curve than some other low code platforms, but you get a powerful suite of development, testing, and deployment tools to ensure your projects achieve all your aims.

The software works equally well for retail businesses building customer-facing apps, manufacturing businesses developing product lifecycle management solutions, and energy businesses creating grid management systems.

We especially like Mendix’s low code collaboration tools, which include project management features and an emphasis on agile development processes to keep your projects moving forward. It also offers built-in governance procedures and quality assurance checks to ensure workflows are fully validated and error-free.

Mendix has its own app store and hundreds of ready-to-run integrations, and it also provides robust support for legacy systems. The platform even includes native mobile apps for business users and developers, making it easy to adjust and monitor workflows on the go.

2. OutSystems – Best for Technical Development Teams

• Ease of integration: 4/5
• Scalability and performance: 5/5
• Security and compliance: 5/5
• User experience and collaboration: 3.5/5
• Customizability and flexibility: 4.5/5

The bottom line

Mendix is our top-rated, low code platform for businesses. This platform has a steeper learning curve than some other low code platforms, but you get a powerful suite of development, testing, and deployment tools to ensure your projects achieve all your aims.

OutSystems is another powerful low code platform that competes closely with Mendix. We like that it offers one-click deployment for new apps and workflows, a robust marketplace of pre-made integrations, and an intuitive app design interface. We also like OutSystems’ security settings and deep customization options, which are useful for IT teams wanting more control than other low code platforms offer.

That said, OutSystems isn’t the most suitable platform for non-technical users. The software requires users to download a desktop-based integrated development environment. There’s no cloud-based option available. In addition, OutSystems is more code-forward than other platforms we tested. Users need to be comfortable with a greater degree of programming than required to use Mendix or other services effectively.

Additionally, OutSystems charges per component rather than per user. We think this pricing structure works well for more experienced development teams that know what components they need and can keep costs down by adding custom code. For less technical teams, OutSystems’ component-based pricing can result in quickly spiraling costs.

3. Appian – Best for Breaking Down Data Silos

• Ease of integration: 4/5
• Scalability and performance: 5/5
• Security and compliance: 5/5
• User experience and collaboration: 4/5
• Customizability and flexibility: 4/5

The bottom line

Appian is an end-to-end low code development platform suitable for various uses. We recommend it for financial services companies needing custom compliance workflows or retail businesses that want to build generative AI-powered apps or customer portals.

What makes Appian’s low code solution stand out is its “data fabric” feature, which integrates data from across enterprise organizations to break down silos. We like this feature because it helps eliminate costly redundancies within your business processes and unlocks deeper insights that can help drive business growth. Importantly, you have granular control over security and sharing within the data fabric interface.

Additionally, Appian offers excellent team collaboration tools and has ready-made integrations for SAP, Salesforce, and Amazon Web Services.

However, one thing holding Appian back is its user interface, which can feel unintuitive at times and requires some coding to address bugs in workflows.

4. Quickbase – Best for Rapid Application Development

• Ease of integration: 4.5/5
• Scalability and performance: 4/5
• Security and compliance: 4/5
• User experience and collaboration: 4.5/5
• Customizability and flexibility: 4/5

The bottom line

Quickbase is an excellent platform for building and deploying simple customer apps and workflows. It offers a wizard-based builder that’s easy to use, even if you’re new to low code development. Quickbase’s low code solutions also use sandboxing and version controls to ensure you can thoroughly test everything before pushing projects live.

Another aspect of Quickbase we like is that it’s packed with integrations. It works with many popular business communication and cloud storage platforms to support collaboration. It also integrates with Salesforce, ServiceNow, Netsuite, and Autodesk to serve businesses across the retail and manufacturing sectors.

Quickbase uses data encryption, governance APIs, and granular security controls to ensure your data is safe. It also fully complies with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements — beneficial for healthcare companies. However, Quickbase doesn’t have built-in compliance workflows for businesses in the financial sector

5. Microsoft Power Apps – Best for Business Productivity

• Ease of integration: 4/5
• Scalability and performance: 5/5
• Security and compliance: 4.5/5
• User experience and collaboration: 3.5/5
• Customizability and flexibility: 5/5

The bottom line

Microsoft Power Apps is one of the most powerful low code development platforms available. It uses Microsoft’s Copilot AI to automatically generate code from just a description of the app or workflow you want, speeding up the development process. From there, you can directly edit the code, work collaboratively with Copilot to make adjustments, or use flexible drag-and-drop interfaces to fully customize your app.

Power Apps can feel overwhelming at first, especially since it gives you more access to the code underlying your projects than other low code software. However, this can be a plus for IT businesses with many employees with programming experience. For other companies, pre-built integrations and AI-powered suggestions help make the platform more approachable.

Beyond Microsoft Power Apps’s low code capabilities, we like its affordability, especially compared to competing platforms. Developers can start working in a test environment for free, and pricing starts at only $20 per user per month for unlimited apps and workflows.

6. Zoho Creator – Value Pick for Small Businesses

• Ease of integration: 4/5
• Scalability and performance: 5/5
• Security and compliance: 4.5/5
• User experience and collaboration: 3.5/5
• Customizability and flexibility: 5/5

The bottom line

Zoho Creator is our top pick for small businesses on a tight budget and companies that want to use internal citizen developers rather than professional programmers. Plans start at only $8 per user per month for a single app or $20 per user per month for unlimited apps.

The platform offers a friendly form-based app builder with a wide selection of ready-made fields to speed up development. Zoho Creator’s low code features are flexible enough to build internal business apps, customer portals, and product lifecycle management solutions. Just be aware that customizing your apps in Zoho Creator can be tricky since you’ll need to use a proprietary scripting language to make tweaks.

The platform has more than 800 plug-and-play integrations for all Zoho productivity and work management apps. It offers granular data security controls but is not HIPAA-compliant, so it’s unsuitable for healthcare companies.

Final Thoughts on Low Code Platforms

Low code platforms can help you quickly build custom apps and workflows to drive your business’s digital transformation. They’re designed to be flexible and easy to use while meeting the needs of companies across industries without an expert development team.

Want to learn more about how low code solutions can benefit your business? Check out CLEVR’s comprehensive guide to low code development.

FAQs

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When choosing a low code platform, carefully consider what apps and workflows your business needs now and might need in the future. Look for platforms that offer flexibility, a wide range of integrations, collaboration features, and customizable data security measures.

","title":"How do I choose a low code platform?"},{"content":"

Many low code platforms are free in the development mode only, meaning you won’t be able to deploy your app or workflow without purchasing a subscription. That said, open-source low code platforms like Budibase and Huginn let you deploy unlimited apps for free.

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Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting is fundamental to modern business operations. Companies must provide accurate, increasingly comprehensive reports on sustainability efforts and social impact. However, the manual processes and disconnected systems that many businesses use make this reporting time-consuming and prone to errors.

Low code platforms offer a way to simplify ESG reporting through automation and better data management. This article explains how businesses can use low code solutions to transform their ESG reporting from a complex burden into a streamlined process.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview:

• Major ESG frameworks, such as GRI, SASB, and ISSB, now require detailed tracking of carbon emissions, workforce diversity, and governance practices.
• New regulations like CSRD demand more frequent, granular sustainability reporting.
• Most companies struggle with fragmented ESG data spread across multiple departments and systems.
• Low code solutions connect data sources and automate calculations for faster, more accurate reporting.
• Modern low code platforms help organizations adapt quickly as reporting standards change.

The Challenges of ESG Reporting

ESG reporting measures and communicates how a business impacts the environment and society, along with how well it governs itself. For investors and regulators, these reports provide insights into a company’s long-term sustainability and risk management, but they’re becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

The complexity of ESG standards

The first hurdle in ESG reporting is navigating complex reporting standards and regulations. Leading standards-setting organizations include:

• The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) develops comprehensive sustainability reporting standards addressing organizational impacts on the economy, environment, and society.
• The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) creates industry-specific standards focused on financially material ESG factors.
• The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) works to establish a global baseline for sustainability disclosure standards.

Companies must often report against multiple standards simultaneously, each with specific metrics and disclosure requirements. Regional regulations create another layer of reporting obligations that vary by jurisdiction and industry.

For example, the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) affects around 50,000 companies and requires detailed reporting across environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices. Meanwhile, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed its own climate disclosure rules. This regulatory fragmentation means companies must carefully track and comply with evolving requirements across different regions.

Manual processes and fragmented systems

ESG reporting typically involves collecting data from numerous departments and systems. Facility teams track energy use, HR maintains workforce metrics, and legal departments document governance policies. Without automated systems, gathering and validating this information is a time-consuming manual process.

Regulatory scrutiny and investor pressure

Companies face growing pressure from regulators, investors, and business partners to provide more detailed and frequent ESG disclosures. Regulatory bodies are implementing stricter reporting requirements with potential penalties for non-compliance. Meanwhile, investors increasingly use ESG performance to inform investment decisions, demanding transparent and accurate sustainability data.

How Low Code Platforms Address ESG Reporting Challenges

Low code platforms provide visual tools for creating applications without extensive programming knowledge. Teams can then build custom solutions that automate ESG data collection and reporting without waiting months for traditional software development.

Here’s how you can benefit from low code development:

Better data integration

Most companies store ESG data across many systems, but low code platforms can connect these through pre-built integrations. Instead of manually copying data between systems, information flows automatically into a central ESG database.

Adapting to new ESG requirements

As reporting standards change, companies using manual processes scramble to update their methods. Low code platforms make these changes easier through:

• Modular design that lets you modify specific calculations or reports without rebuilding everything.
• Pre-built components that handle common reporting frameworks.
• Visual tools to create updates faster than traditional coding.
• Built-in testing to verify that changes work correctly.

Automated compliance tools

Manual ESG calculations create opportunities for human error. Low code platforms, on the other hand, solve this by automating complex formulas and data validation.

Take carbon footprint calculations as an example. A low code application can:

• Pull energy consumption data directly from utility systems.
• Convert different units (kWh, therms, gallons) into consistent carbon measures.
• Apply the latest emissions factors automatically.
• Flag unusual changes that might indicate errors.
• Generate audit trails showing how numbers were calculated.

Additionally, as ESG reporting requirements continue to evolve, low code platforms make it easier to adapt. New metrics can be added, calculations adjusted, and reporting formats modified without extensive redevelopment. This flexibility helps companies stay ahead of changing regulations and expectations.

Growing without system overhauls

ESG reporting requirements often expand as companies grow or regulations change. A business might start by tracking essential carbon emissions, but before long, it needs to add supplier sustainability data, workforce metrics, and governance indicators. Low code platforms handle this growth without requiring major system changes. The modular nature of low code applications means you can:

• Add new data sources without disrupting existing reports
• Scale up processing power to handle more data
• Expand user access as more teams need ESG information
• Create new reports and dashboards as requirements grow

Practical Applications of Low Code for ESG

When companies implement low code solutions for ESG reporting, they can create powerful tools that transform raw data into actionable insights. Here are four key applications:

Centralized ESG dashboards

Gone are the days of quarterly or annual ESG snapshots. Modern businesses need continuous visibility into their sustainability performance, and low code platforms make this possible through real-time dashboards that consolidate all ESG metrics into one place.

Automated compliance tools

Meeting ESG regulations demands sharp attention to detail and extensive documentation. Low code platforms turn these requirements into automated workflows that catch issues before they become problems. These tools can:

• Check data against regulatory requirements automatically.
• Flag potential compliance issues before submission.
• Generate required documentation in the correct formats.
• Maintain audit trails of all ESG data and calculations.
• Update automatically when regulations change.

Customizable reporting frameworks

Each interested party wants ESG information presented differently. Investors might focus on SASB metrics, while NGO partners prefer GRI standards. Rather than manually creating separate reports, companies can use low code platforms to generate multiple views from a single source of ESG data.

Better transparency

Building trust requires more than collecting accurate ESG data—your company needs to make that information accessible and understandable to all parties involved. Low code platforms accomplish this with customized portals and automated reporting tools.

A Practical Path to Implementation

Here’s a step-by-step guide to implementing low code ESG reporting solutions:

1. Map your current process: Start by documenting your existing ESG reporting workflow. Which systems hold your environmental data? Where does social metrics information live? How do you track governance data?
2. Define your requirements: List the specific requirements for each ESG framework you report against.
3. Choose the right platform: Select a low code platform that aligns with your needs. The Mendix platform, for instance, offers built-in ESG reporting templates and connectors to common enterprise systems.
4. Plan your data integration: Map out how you’ll connect your ESG data sources and consider both current needs and future requirements.
5. Start small and scale: Begin with a pilot project focused on a specific ESG metric or reporting requirement. For example, you might start by automating environmental data collection before tackling social metrics.
6. Build your solution: Develop your low code application using a phased approach. CLEVR can help create custom components that perfectly match your reporting needs while maintaining compliance with frameworks like GRI or SASB.
7. Test and validate: Thoroughly test your solution with real data. Verify calculations, check data accuracy, and confirm compliance with reporting requirements.
8. Train your team: Provide comprehensive training for all users, including technical training on the new system and education about ESG reporting requirements.
9. Monitor and improve: Set up regular reviews to assess system performance and user feedback, and track metrics like reporting time savings and error reduction.

Final Thoughts

As reporting requirements grow more complex and expectations rise, companies need efficient, reliable ways to manage their ESG data and reporting processes.

Low code platforms offer a practical solution that bridges the gap between complex reporting needs and limited technical resources. They enable companies to automate data collection, standardize calculations, and adapt quickly to changing requirements without massive IT investments.

For further information, explore CLEVR’s guide on how low code can streamline CSRD compliance or learn more about building smarter and faster with low code.

Research Methodology

This analysis draws on research from leading analysts and industry reports on ESG reporting trends and low code adoption. It incorporates implementation case studies and regulatory guidance to provide practical insights for organizations working to improve their ESG reporting processes.

FAQs

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ESG reporting involves measuring and disclosing an organization’s environmental impact, social responsibility initiatives, and governance practices. It helps businesses demonstrate sustainability commitment and compliance with regulations.

","title":"What is ESG reporting?"},{"content":"

ESG reporting requires gathering data from multiple sources, performing complex calculations, and meeting evolving regulatory requirements. Manual processes are time-consuming and error-prone, while disparate systems make data collection challenging.

","title":"Why is ESG reporting difficult?"},{"content":"

Low code platforms automate data collection and reporting workflows while providing built-in compliance tools. They reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and help organizations adapt quickly to new requirements.

","title":"How does low code help with ESG reporting?"}]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "field_types" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"colors":"group","faq":"group","padding":"group","squeeze":"choice","squeeze_position":"choice","structured":"boolean"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "label" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}null{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "module_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}61963180038{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "path" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"/clevr/modules/clevr_faq"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "schema_version" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}2{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_objects" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}[]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"NOT_SMART"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "squeeze" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"s"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "structured" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}true{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "wrap_field_tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"div"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% end_module_block %}

From managing renewable energy sources to tracking carbon output, the technical demands of achieving net-zero goals can overwhelm utility companies’ existing systems. Although most companies have ambitious net-zero targets, their aging technology can make it difficult to track and reduce emissions while keeping costs low.

Low code platforms offer a practical solution by making it simpler to build applications that automate sustainability initiatives and optimize resource usage. Let’s explore how this technology helps utility companies speed up their transition to clean energy operations.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Traditional utility systems lack the flexibility to integrate renewable energy sources and track emissions effectively.
• Low code platforms significantly speed up the development of sustainability applications compared to traditional coding.
• Built-in automation tools help utilities optimize grid management and resource allocation.
• Visual interfaces make it simple to create custom carbon tracking and reporting solutions.
• Pre-built components enable quick deployment of renewable energy management systems.
• 
  

The Challenges Utilities Face on the Road to Net-Zero

Look at a typical utility company’s infrastructure, and you’ll find systems designed decades ago for one-way power distribution from large fossil fuel plants. Now, these same systems must handle a completely different world—one with solar panels sending power back to the grid, wind farms that generate varying amounts of electricity throughout the day, and regulators demanding detailed emissions data.

Renewable energy adds new complications to grid management. Unlike coal or gas plants, which produce steady power output, solar and wind generation changes with the weather. Grid operators need sophisticated tools to balance these fluctuating sources with customer demand. Meanwhile, information about emissions and energy usage often remains trapped in disconnected computer systems.

New environmental regulations raise the stakes even higher. Agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US, the European Environment Agency (EEA) in the EU, and similar national environmental regulators elsewhere mandate detailed tracking and regular reports on emissions. Meeting these requirements with outdated systems forces utilities to spend countless hours on paperwork instead of progress.

The Role of Low Code Platforms in Overcoming Challenges

Low code platforms give energy and utility companies visual tools for building custom applications without extensive programming. That means you can quickly assemble solutions by combining pre-made components and see numerous benefits:

• Rapid application development: Instead of spending 6-12 months coding a new application from scratch, utility teams can create working solutions in weeks. This speed helps companies respond faster when they spot opportunities to reduce emissions or improve efficiency.
• System integration: Low code excels at connecting different systems through built-in connectors and APIs. By bringing together previously isolated data, utilities get a clear view of their emissions, resource usage, and grid performance across all operations.
• Cost-effective solutions: Visual development means existing staff can build and maintain sustainability applications with minimal training. You’ll no longer rely on hard-to-find programming specialists, which means less development time and lower ongoing costs.
• Flexible architecture: As environmental requirements evolve, low code applications can adapt quickly. Their modular design makes it simple to add new features or modify existing ones without disrupting core operations.
• 
  

Practical Applications of Low Code for Net-Zero Goals

For energy and utility companies aiming to meet their net-zero goals, there are several clear applications for low code platforms:

Carbon tracking and reporting

Custom carbon monitoring tools built with low code pull data automatically from multiple sources, eliminating manual data entry while ensuring consistent tracking. The Dutch Emissions Authority, for example, achieved 100% compliance using the Mendix low code platform to monitor industrial emissions.

A low code platform’s visual interface can also automatically generate regulatory reports in required formats. Built-in validation catches potential errors before submission to stakeholders and regulators, reducing compliance headaches.

Renewable energy management

Low code enables utilities to build sophisticated monitoring and control systems for renewable energy integration. Instead of coding, the visual tools simplify the creation of dashboards that track generation, demand, and grid stability in real time.

Applications can also be used to automatically adjust power distribution based on renewable availability and usage patterns. For example, when solar output drops, the system can smoothly transition to alternative sources while maintaining service quality.

Grid resilience and modernization

Low code applications analyze operating data to find ways to improve efficiency. By monitoring equipment performance, power flow, and usage patterns, these tools help utilities cut waste and make better use of renewable resources.

The Benefits of Low Code for Utilities

Energy companies that put low code development into practice benefit from:

• Accelerated innovation: The quick development cycle helps utilities rapidly test and implement new sustainability ideas. Teams can try solutions, get feedback, and make improvements without long delays.
• Improved efficiency: Low code platforms include powerful automation that streamlines sustainability processes. From gathering data to creating reports, automated workflows reduce tedious manual tasks while improving accuracy.
• Enhanced decision-making: By connecting previously separate systems, low code applications give users a complete view of operations. This fuller picture leads to better choices about resource use and emissions reduction strategies.
• Future-proof solutions: The flexible nature of low code applications helps utilities adapt to changing environmental requirements. When new regulations or better technologies emerge, companies can quickly update solutions to stay effective.
• 
  

The Path Forward: Steps Utilities Can Take

Energy companies can follow these steps to get started with low code development:

1. Identify specific sustainability challenges where low code could make the biggest impact. Evaluate areas like emissions tracking, renewable energy management, and environmental reporting automation.
2. Map out your existing systems and data sources. Understanding what you currently have helps you plan better integrations and spot opportunities for improvement.
3. Build a team that combines operations expertise with basic technical skills. While low code reduces the need for programmers, you still need people who understand both utility operations and basic software concepts.
4. Create a focused pilot project to demonstrate value. Choose something contained but meaningful that can serve as a model for future work.
5. Invest in appropriate training for your team. Though low code tools are intuitive, training ensures teams can use advanced features effectively for sustainability projects.
6. Set clear metrics to measure success. Define the expected improvements in areas like emissions reduction, reporting time, or resource efficiency.
7. Start small and iterate based on feedback. Regular assessment helps identify ways to expand or enhance solutions as your sustainability program grows.
8. Document everything you learn. Create guides and best practices to help future projects succeed faster.
9. 
   

CLEVR’s Commitment to Driving Utility Sustainability

CLEVR helps utility companies accelerate their net-zero journey through the strategic use of low code technology. As a certified Mendix support partner, CLEVR brings expertise in both low code implementation and utility-specific challenges.

Let’s take look at two case studies:

Eneco

The partnership with Eneco, one of the Netherlands’ leading sustainable energy companies, demonstrates CLEVR’s impact. Eneco’s 200 in-house technicians and partners visit over 250,000 customers annually to service and install central heating boilers, district heating systems, and sustainable solutions like heat pumps and solar panels.

CLEVR developed Splash, a scheduling system that reduced failed visits from 40% to just 2-5%, significantly cutting unnecessary travel and associated emissions.

Building on this success, CLEVR is now developing a second application that connects with Eneco’s Internet of Things (IoT) platform to optimize district heating service and maintenance.

Unica

CLEVR’s work with Unica, the Netherlands’ largest independent technical service provider, showcases the power of workflow automation. CLEVR created a centralized system that manages hundreds of daily customer reports across 14 branches, integrating data from multiple channels, including IoT sensors. The solution streamlined operations for over 2,000 employees while enabling better resource tracking and optimization.

For utilities pursuing net-zero goals, CLEVR offers comprehensive support, including integration capabilities with enterprise systems like SAP and Salesforce, along with 24/7 global support to ensure continuous operations.

Final Thoughts

Low code platforms give utility companies practical tools to achieve their net-zero goals through better efficiency, automation, and innovation. By making it easier to create custom sustainability solutions, these tools help utilities overcome technical barriers to environmental progress.

To learn more about accelerating your sustainability initiatives, explore our guides on low code development and digital transformation for energy companies.

Research Methodology

This analysis draws on documented case studies, industry research, and direct experience with utility digital transformation projects. The recommendations incorporate insights from successful low code implementations across the energy sector, focusing on practical applications for sustainability goals.

FAQs

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Low code platforms enable quick creation of custom applications that automatically collect, analyze, and report emissions data from multiple sources. Built-in validation and calculation tools ensure accurate tracking while reducing manual effort.

","title":"How do low code platforms help with emissions tracking?"},{"content":"

Low code combines rapid development capabilities with robust integration features, letting utilities quickly build and deploy solutions that connect existing systems, automate workflows, and adapt to changing environmental requirements.

","title":"What makes low code suitable for utility sustainability projects?"},{"content":"

Yes, low code platforms support sophisticated monitoring and control applications for smart grid management, including renewable energy integration, demand response, and automated resource optimization.

","title":"Can low code applications handle complex grid management?"}]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "field_types" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"colors":"group","faq":"group","padding":"group","squeeze":"choice","squeeze_position":"choice","structured":"boolean"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "label" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}null{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "module_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}61963180038{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "path" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"/clevr/modules/clevr_faq"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "schema_version" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}2{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_objects" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}[]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"NOT_SMART"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "squeeze" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"s"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "structured" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}true{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "wrap_field_tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"div"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% end_module_block %}

Manufacturing companies often face a significant challenge: isolated pockets of data spread across different departments, systems, and locations—commonly known as data silos.

Named after the cylindrical storage towers traditionally used in agriculture, these silos block communication, slow down production, and make it harder to innovate. For industrial machinery manufacturers, the impact runs deep—from delayed product launches to quality control issues.

In this article, we examine how Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) can eliminate data silos and bridge the gap between all your manufacturing systems.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Data silos occur when information gets trapped in separate systems or departments, making it inaccessible to others who need it.
• PLM systems create a central source of truth by connecting design, engineering, production, and supply chain data.
• Modern PLM platforms integrate with existing software to preserve investments.
• Breaking down silos leads to faster product development, better quality control, and improved data.
• 
  

Understanding Data Silos in Industrial Machinery Manufacturing

First, let’s examine why data silos happen in industrial machinery manufacturing.

For one, manufacturing companies adopt specialized tools based on what each team needs to excel at their work. Design teams, for example, use sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) systems for product development. Production managers, meanwhile, rely on manufacturing execution system (MES) software to run their operations, and maintenance teams track equipment through dedicated management platforms.

This autonomy can result in isolated systems that can’t easily share data, otherwise known as data silos.

System age adds another layer of complexity. Many manufacturers use a combination of old and new technology, and legacy systems from decades ago often can’t connect with modern cloud platforms.

Why break down data silos?

Data silos negatively affect every aspect of manufacturing operations:

• Design teams may work uninformed: Engineers waste hours searching multiple systems for needed information. A designer working on a new machine component might never learn about maintenance problems with similar parts simply because that data lives in another system.
• Production can fall behind: Manufacturing teams often build products using outdated information because they can’t see the latest design changes. Even minor modifications can take days or weeks to reach the shop floor.
• Quality issues often take longer to fix: When defects occur, quality teams must search through disconnected systems to find the cause. They might notice patterns in their quality data but lack access to the design specifications or production parameters needed to solve the problem quickly.
• The supply chain loses efficiency: Supply chain managers can’t optimize inventory without a complete picture of demand, engineering changes, and production capacity. They may end up with too much stock of some items while running short of others.
• 
  

How PLM Systems Break Down Data Silos

Modern PLM systems can connect disparate systems and create a unified flow of information. PLM capabilities specifically address common data silo challenges in several ways:

Centralized data management

PLM systems create a single information source for product-related information, making it accessible to all authorized users regardless of their department or location. This solution works through a combination of the following:

• Version control and change management: PLM tracks all changes to product data, maintaining a complete history of who made what changes and when. Everyone works from the current version while maintaining access to historical information when needed. For example, if a design change affects manufacturing processes, the system automatically notifies relevant team members and updates related documentation.
• Structured data organization: Instead of scattered files across multiple servers, PLM organizes product data in a logical structure that mirrors the product lifecycle. Finding information is intuitive—from initial concept sketches to final manufacturing instructions and service manuals.
• Access control and security: While making data accessible, PLM systems maintain tight control over who can view and modify different types of information. Engineers might have full access to design files, while manufacturing teams get view-only access to approved production documents.

Enhanced collaboration

PLM platforms provide tools that actively promote collaboration across departments. These include:

• Visual collaboration tools: Modern PLM systems include built-in visualization capabilities that let non-CAD users view and mark up 3D models and technical drawings. A production supervisor can quickly review a new design and add comments about manufacturability without needing specialized software.
• Automated workflows: PLM workflows automatically route information and approvals to eliminate manual handoffs. When an engineer submits a design change, the system automatically notifies affected departments, collects necessary approvals, and updates related documentation.
• Cross-functional project spaces: Digital workspaces within PLM systems let teams collaborate on specific projects. For example, a new product development team might include engineers, manufacturing specialists, quality experts, and supply chain managers with the same up-to-date information.

Integration with legacy systems

PLM doesn’t replace existing software—it connects systems. Changes in one system automatically update connected systems. When engineering updates a design in CAD, for example, production systems receive the new information immediately. Production data flows back to engineering, creating a continuous feedback loop.

Modern PLM platforms can connect to other systems, including legacy systems, in multiple ways. There can be direct links to common engineering and manufacturing software, open connections for custom software integration, basic file sharing for older systems, and web connections for cloud applications.

This way, each department can keep the tools that work best for them while gaining access to information from other teams.

Practical Applications in Industrial Machinery Manufacturing

PLM’s connected data approach delivers measurable improvements, including:

Faster design and engineering

PLM changes how engineering teams work by giving them direct access to real-world feedback. Engineers can then see how their designs perform in production without leaving their desks. They can access quality data, operator feedback, and production metrics right next to their design tools, leading to better designs with fewer revisions.

PLM also links between product requirements, design decisions, and manufacturing results. Teams can trace the reasons for changes and understand their impact, simplifying compliance and speeding up future improvements.

Smarter production

Connected data through PLM is part of smart manufacturing. Production teams work from up-to-date documents, and if engineering makes a change, work instructions and quality checks update automatically.

Then, if production spots quality issues, they can send feedback to engineering immediately. Teams can see the complete picture—design specifications, production parameters, and quality data—to fix problems quickly.

Better supply chain management

PLM extends data connections beyond company walls. Through secure online portals, suppliers can directly access the specific product data they need. They can see design requirements and changes immediately, reducing errors and speeding up the supply chain.

When designs change, PLM helps you assess the impact on parts and suppliers. Procurement teams can quickly identify affected components and work with suppliers on updates.

Steps to Breaking Down Silos with PLM

Breaking down data silos through PLM typically happens in three stages: planning, implementation, and monitoring.

Assessment and planning

To get started, map out where your product data lives, from design files and engineering specifications to production records and quality reports. Note which teams create and use different data types, and pay special attention to gaps where information gets stuck or lost between systems.

Next, talk with your teams about their daily data challenges. These pain points help identify which data silos cause the most problems and should be first in line for attention.

With a clear picture of your current state, set specific objectives for your PLM implementation. Pick one or two high-impact areas rather than trying to solve every data challenge at once. For example, you might focus first on connecting engineering data with production systems to eliminate manual file transfers and reduce errors.

When selecting a PLM system, focus on how well it integrates with your existing software. The right solution connects to both modern and legacy systems, scales to handle your data volume, and provides appropriate security controls.

Implementation

Start small with implementation, choosing one department or product line for your pilot project. You can test your approach, work out integration issues, and demonstrate value before expanding.

For the pilot to succeed, invest time in training your teams. Show them how to use the PLM system and explain how it makes their work easier. Create quick reference guides for everyday tasks and identify power users who can help their colleagues. When users see tangible benefits in their daily work, adoption follows naturally.

Continuous improvement

Monitor the system's performance and how teams use it. Are people finding information faster? Are there fewer errors from outdated data? Use these metrics to fine-tune your approach and build support for a wider rollout. As your teams get comfortable with the basic functionality, you can add more advanced features and integrations.

Think of PLM implementation as a continuous journey rather than a one-time project. Your needs will evolve as your business grows and technology advances. Build flexibility into your implementation plan, and keep communication channels open with your teams.

Final Thoughts

Breaking down data silos through PLM implementation delivers tangible benefits for industrial machinery manufacturers. From accelerated product development to improved quality control, connected data drives better outcomes across the organization. Working with experienced partners can help navigate common challenges and accelerate time to value.

For additional insights and practical steps, explore CLEVR’s “Extending PLM Capabilities with Low Code” whitepaper.

Research Methodology

We combined an analysis of industry research and case studies with practical implementation experience. We also examined data from manufacturing organizations across multiple sectors to identify common challenges and successful approaches to breaking down data silos through PLM adoption.

FAQs

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Information silos slow product development, increase errors, and make it harder to collaborate effectively. Teams waste time searching for data, work from outdated information, and miss opportunities to improve quality and efficiency.

","title":"What are the challenges of information silos in manufacturing?"},{"content":"

Break down data silos by implementing systems that connect information across departments. PLM platforms create a single source of information while integrating with existing software to improve data flow and collaboration.

","title":"How do you break down data silos?"},{"content":"

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is a systematic approach to managing product information from concept through end of life. PLM systems provide design, engineering, manufacturing, and service tools while connecting data across the organization.

","title":"What is PLM?"}]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "field_types" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"colors":"group","faq":"group","padding":"group","squeeze":"choice","squeeze_position":"choice","structured":"boolean"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "label" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}null{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "module_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}61963180038{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "path" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"/clevr/modules/clevr_faq"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "schema_version" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}2{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_objects" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}[]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"NOT_SMART"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "squeeze" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"s"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "structured" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}true{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "wrap_field_tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"div"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% end_module_block %}

The growing threat of cyberattacks on retail companies and the introduction of complex new privacy regulations mean retailers need airtight data security systems. A breach or privacy violation can result in hefty fines and a steep loss in customer trust, which can threaten a retail business’s future.

Unfortunately, data security in the retail industry often relies on a patchwork of legacy systems, making it difficult to implement strong cybersecurity measures. But rebuilding these systems is expensive, and an overhaul risks exposing sensitive customer data and disrupting your business’s day-to-day operations.

Low code development offers an alternative solution. In this guide, you’ll learn why low code is a game-changer for ensuring data security and maintaining—even growing—customer trust in retail.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview:

• Retailers face increasing cyberattack threats and more complex data privacy regulations but often rely on legacy systems with outdated security measures.
• Low code platforms enable retailers to integrate legacy systems with modern data security tools and build custom data handling processes to ensure compliance.
• Applications, workflows, and integrations developed with low code are highly secure, scalable, and editable to meet your business’s needs as threats and regulations evolve.
• When adopting low-code for retail, assessing your organization’s readiness and choosing an expert low-code partner is essential. You should also consider cybersecurity in everything you build, train your employees on the importance of data security, and plan for future changes to your business’s security needs.

What Are the Key Challenges in Ensuring Retail Data Security?

Retailers face a more challenging data security environment than ever before. Cybersecurity threats are increasing, with an estimated 25% of all cyberattacks targeting the retail industry. In 2023, nearly 70% of retailers in the US were confronted with ransomware attacks, which involve threats to expose stolen information.

At the same time, retailers must navigate new, overlapping privacy regulations, such as Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Ensuring your business complies with these regulations can be time-consuming and costly if your company relies on outdated information systems that don’t support automation.

The consequences of falling prey to a cyberattack or falling out of compliance with privacy regulations can be severe. In addition to paying a ransom or fine, you risk losing customers’ trust in your business. In a recent survey, 66% of US consumers said they would not trust a company after it lost their data to a breach, and 44% said they would blame the company for failing to secure their data. In light of those grim statistics, it’s absolutely essential that retailers keep customer data secure.

However, legacy systems often fail to secure data because they rely on outdated security tools and can’t integrate data across channels. Retailers need scalable systems that can manage vast amounts of customer data from multiple sources.

While building this type of system from scratch would be cost-prohibitive to many companies, using low code tools is inexpensive and fast.

How Low Code Platforms Solve These Challenges?

Low code platforms are development tools that require very little coding. Instead, they use customizable templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and premade components.

That’s important because it reduces the time and complexity required to build new integrations, automations, and data security features. For example, low code tools enable you to integrate legacy systems with new identity management software in days instead of weeks or months. You can also integrate legacy systems with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, digital touchpoints, and other data sources to create a unified data management platform.

Other ways to use low code to address data security challenges include creating real-time monitoring dashboards for fraud detection, building workflow automations for compliance, and establishing custom reporting systems.

Since low code development is speedy and low cost, your team can quickly iterate through prototypes to build a robust data management solution for your business. In addition, systems created through low code are highly scalable. These capabilities ensure the products you build can keep up as you collect more customer data, regulatory requirements change, and cyber threats evolve.

Why Low Code is a Game Changer for Retail Data Security?

Low code software has several important benefits for retail data security.

First, it can enhance basic data security measures for your frontline defense against cyberattacks. Low code platforms, for example, can help you build applications with embedded encryption, implement secure authentication protocols, and design fraud detection algorithms.

Second, low code can make it easier to comply with privacy regulations by automating many aspects of compliance. You can track all required compliance data and assemble reports automatically, freeing up your compliance team to work on more complex projects.

Another benefit of low code development is that it costs less than traditional development and shortens development cycles. That means you can reduce spending on security applications while quickly acquiring more robust security measures. As threats and regulations change in the future, you can easily modify your low code applications to adapt.

These capabilities reduce your business’s susceptibility to data loss and position your company as a security leader in the retail space. Best of all, they ensure customers feel safe doing business with you.

Strategic Considerations for Adopting Low Code in Retail

While low code can be transformational for your business’s data security, you’ll want to be sure your business is ready to take on low code development. Here are several steps you can take to prepare for low code adoption:

Assess organizational readiness

Before implementing low code solutions, evaluate your business’s internal security capabilities and shortcomings. You can use this analysis to identify opportunities for low code automation or integrations that make a difference. It’s also an opportunity to establish clear goals for your business’s low code development program.

Choose the right low code partner

When you’re sure your organization is ready for change, focus on choosing the best low code platform and a low code adoption partner, such as CLEVR, that can ensure the success of your security transformation. Your low code partner can build tailored solutions for your retail operations and help your security team adopt agile development processes for the future.

Embed cybersecurity at every step

Ensure everything your team builds using low code software complies with the latest security standards. You can use your low code platform’s built-in security tools or integrate with your business’s existing cybersecurity platforms. All low code platforms support role-based permissions, and you should consistently implement them to ensure access to sensitive customer data is strictly controlled.

Train teams and align stakeholders

A key aspect of digital security involves your employees understanding the importance of protecting customer data and how low code tools help you achieve this goal. With appropriate training, employees are more likely to use the low code development tools you provide rather than turn to workarounds that could compromise data.

Plan for continuous evolution

Even before getting started with low code development, it’s worth creating a roadmap that charts how your business’s data security measures will evolve in response to changing threats and regulations. This roadmap can help you decide what security tools to build and how to structure them so they can be scaled or modified down the road.

Final Thoughts

In retail, growing threats and complex regulations make security teams’ jobs more challenging than ever. Low code development enables retailers to respond to these challenges by shortening development cycles, integrating legacy security systems, and making it easier to build custom security monitoring and rapid response tools. These enhancements can protect companies from costly attacks, boost their reputations, and more.

Ready to learn more? Check out CLEVR’S low code solutions for the retail industry.

Research Methodology

This guide relied on retail industry research, case studies of retailers using low code solutions, and CLEVR’s experience building data security products with low code. Recommendations are based on insights from successful digital transformation efforts by major retailers, with a focus on efforts to better secure customer data.

FAQs

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Low code development tools enable retail companies to integrate legacy systems with modern identity management systems, endpoint security tools, intrusion detection systems, and more. Retailers can also use low code platforms to build custom data-handling workflows or fraud detection systems.

","title":"How can low code development help retailers secure their data?"},{"content":"

Retailers can use low code tools to develop automated data handling workflows to ensure compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR. Low code tools can also be used to automatically build compliance reports, saving time and ensuring retailers catch non-compliant data uses early.

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Empowering your team to develop custom business applications with low code and no-code tools can reduce pressure on your IT team and speed up product development.

However, there’s a big difference between low code and no-code. Choosing the wrong platform could leave your business with buggy applications, frustrated employees, and skyrocketing development costs.

In this guide, we’ll compare low code vs. no-code development tools to help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of each. We’ll also explain when each platform type works best so you can decide which is right for your business.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Low code development platforms use visual interfaces and pre-built components to reduce the coding required to build custom applications and workflows. However, they still need some programming.
• No-code development platforms also use visual interfaces and pre-built components but don’t support custom code. As a result, no-code platforms are more suitable for non-technical users with no programming experience.
• When deciding between low code and no-code platforms, consider the complexity of your project, whether you have developers available to help, how quickly your project needs to launch, and whether you need to integrate with existing business software.
• CLEVR can help your business decide between low code and no-code solutions. We also provide end-to-end support for developing applications and integrations with low code and no-code tools.
  
  

How We Researched This Topic

At CLEVR, we have deep expertise in low code and no-code platforms to help businesses achieve digital transformation. We understand each software type's capabilities and which applications low code and no-code tools are best suited for. This guide is based on our knowledge and experience.

What Are Low code and No-code? Definitions and Key Characteristics

Let’s start with an overview of low code and no-code platforms and how they differ.

Low code Platforms

Low code platforms are development tools that require minimal programming compared to traditional development platforms (also called full-code platforms). They offer drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built components, and integrated development environments to help you incorporate code into your projects.

Since low code platforms support some coding, they give you more flexibility to create complex products. For example, low code tools are suitable for building integrations across software platforms and advanced systems for product lifecycle management.

Keep in mind that team members using low code platforms must have at least some programming experience, so they’re best for developers and semi-technical employees.

No-code Platforms

No-code platforms don’t require any coding. Instead, they rely entirely on drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built components to help you create custom apps and workflows. The user interface is usually simple and more intuitive compared to low code solutions.

No-code platforms usually can’t accept custom code, which makes this software less flexible for building complex or highly customized products. They’re best for creating simple apps, minimal viable products, and basic workflow automations.

Since they eliminate the need for coding, these platforms are accessible to non-technical users without programming experience. They enable your entire team to act as citizen developers.

Low code vs. No-code Overview

Here’s a breakdown of how low code and no-code development platforms differ.

Low code

No-code

Coding Required

Minimal

None

Application Complexity

Medium

Low

Ideal Users

Developers, semi-technical employees

Non-technical users

Example Use Cases

Software integrations, complex business apps, apps with critical security needs

Eliminating repetitive tasks, simple frontline apps, internal apps

When to Use Low code vs. No-code: Key Factors to Consider

Deciding between low code and no-code tools involves weighing several factors. Let’s take a closer look.

Application Complexity and Customization

The complexity of an application you want to build is often the deciding factor between a low code or no-code solution.

Since no-code platforms don’t support custom code, you’re limited to the pre-built components provided. These platforms work well for basic workflow automations and internal apps that don’t need to look particularly nice. However, most high-complexity or highly customized applications must use low code solutions, including those with strict security requirements.

User Expertise and Support Availability

The skills your team brings to a project can also dictate whether a low code or no-code solution is more appropriate. Low code solutions require some programming knowledge, whereas no-code solutions don’t.

Low code platforms may be practical for non-technical users if you have professional developers or IT staffers available to provide support. For example, non-technical employees can use a platform’s visual interface to design most aspects of an app and then work with developers to add custom features. The advantage of this approach is that you get the flexibility of low code solutions while minimizing your dependency on costly developers.

Development Speed and Project Urgency

No-code platforms are generally faster than low code platforms for high-priority projects, such as minimum viable products.

That’s because non-technical users can take charge of product development in no-code platforms, whereas you may need to involve development teams when using low code platforms. Coordinating between developers and non-technical employees can slow things down, especially if your development team is already busy with other projects.

Integration Needs

Low code development platforms are typically the best choice when integrating an application with existing enterprise software, such as CRM or enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Low code platforms enable you to write code to interact with a software’s application programming interface (API) to extract data, whereas no-code platforms do not.

No-code platforms are primarily suitable for standalone applications.

Choosing Between Low code and No-code for Your Organization

If you’re still unsure whether a low code or no-code platform is right for your business, here are some questions to ask:

• How complex is your application? Consider whether you can build your desired product using the pre-built components available in a no-code development platform. If you need more advanced functionality, a low code platform is likely required.
• Do you have developers available? You may need developers for only part of a project, such as adding a custom integration. However, if you don’t have an in-house development team or the means to outsource a developer, no-code is probably the best choice.
• How quickly do you need to launch? A no-code platform allows you to develop an app or workflow faster since it doesn’t require developers. For example, no-code tools can be suitable for building minimum viable products.
• Do you need to integrate with existing enterprise software? No-code development tools have limited integration capabilities. If you require integrations, such as with ERP, CRM, HR information, or IT management systems, you’ll likely need a low code platform.
• Does this application need to scale in the future? Low code platforms offer more flexibility to scale up an application in the future. If you develop an app with a no-code platform and need to expand beyond the features your tool supports, you may have to restart your project from scratch.
• How secure does your application need to be? No-code platforms offer basic security measures for your data, but you have limited control. Low code platforms give you more flexibility to introduce encryption and other security measures, which may be required in industries like healthcare.
  
  

CLEVR’s Expertise in Low code Solutions

CLEVR is a strategic partner for your business. We help you decide between low code and no-code tools and implement a customized solution based on your business’s needs. We offer end-to-end support for both low code and no-code projects and can integrate your business’s existing software to ensure seamless operations.

To learn how CLEVR can help your business thrive, check out our low code and no-code solutions.

Final Thoughts on Low code vs. No-Code

Low code and no-code platforms can help your business launch new applications and workflows faster by empowering employees to build the digital products they need to succeed. Low code platforms are more flexible but require some programming knowledge. No-code platforms require no coding and are suitable for non-technical employees, although they are more limited.

Ready to begin your business’s digital transformation? Explore our guide to the best low code platforms to get started today.

FAQs

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Low code development platforms require minimal programming, so employees with some technical knowledge can use them to build business apps, integrations, and automated workflows without professional developers. Low code platforms are more flexible than no-code platforms and can be used to create more complex applications.

","title":"What are the advantages of low code platforms?"},{"content":"

Low code and no-code platforms each have advantages, and the best choice for your business depends on your goals. Low code platforms are generally more suitable for building complex applications with the help of professional developers. No-code platforms are ideal for non-technical users to create simple applications.

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Shopping habits have changed dramatically over the last decade, with consumers moving seamlessly between physical stores and digital channels. According to Gartner research, improving customer experience is now a top-three priority for retail chief information officers (CIOs) who are investing in technology.

However, creating unified shopping experiences presents unique challenges: complex technology integrations, limited IT resources, and rising customer expectations. Many retailers also face fragmented data systems, slow development cycles, and the high costs of traditional software development.

So, what’s the solution? This article explores how low code platforms are making it faster and more cost-effective to build integrated retail applications.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Modern shoppers move freely between online and physical stores, making connected shopping experiences essential for retail success.
• Creating these unified experiences requires connecting many different retail systems and data sources.
• Low code platforms make building and connecting retail applications easier without large IT teams.
• These tools help retailers launch new features faster and adapt quickly to changing customer needs.

The Importance of Omnichannel in Retail

Today’s consumers like to move fluidly between physical and digital interactions with brands. Omnichannel retail creates a unified shopping experience across all touchpoints— from brick-and-mortar stores to mobile apps, websites, and social media platforms.

Several key trends are driving the adoption of omnichannel strategies in retail:

• According to Forrester research, global e-commerce retail sales grew from $1.3 trillion in 2014 to $4.4 trillion in 2023 and are expected to reach $6.8 trillion by 2028.
• Gartner research indicates that retail CIOs expect their IT budgets to increase by 5.4% in 2024, with customer experience enhancement ranking among their top three priorities for digital investment.
• McKinsey reports that more than 50% of consumers use online and in-store options to research and purchase items. This number rises above 60% for categories like sporting goods, leisure products, consumer electronics, and furniture.
• Hybrid shopping models offer an excellent return on investment. McKinsey research shows that omnichannel shoppers spend 15-30% more than those who shop through a single channel.

Challenges in Delivering Omnichannel Experiences

Retailers may find it hard to deliver cohesive omnichannel experiences due to several common obstacles:

Siloed data

Many retailers operate with disconnected systems that prevent them from building a complete view of their customers. When customer data lives in separate databases for online sales, in-store transactions, and marketing campaigns, it’s impossible to deliver truly personalized experiences or make informed business decisions.

Legacy systems

Many retailers rely on decades-old systems that weren't designed for modern omnichannel commerce. As a result, adopting digital technologies and artificial intelligence capabilities is slow and expensive.

Inventory tracking inefficiencies

To deliver omnichannel experiences, retailers need total visibility of their inventory across all locations. Without the real-time inventory tracking and smart allocation systems of e-commerce platforms, retailers struggle to fulfill orders efficiently and maintain accurate stock levels across locations—making an omnichannel experience impossible.

Customer experience gaps

Inconsistencies between online and in-store experiences create friction in the customer journey. When pricing, promotions, or product information doesn’t match across channels, it erodes customer trust and satisfaction. These gaps often stem from disconnected systems and processes that don't share data effectively.

How Low Code Enables Omnichannel Success

Low code platforms enable banking modernization through visual development tools and pre-built components designed for financial services. Rather than writing thousands of lines of code for each new application, development teams use visual, drag-and-drop interfaces to assemble applications from pre-tested components.

Think of it as building with digital building blocks, each representing a secure, tested functionality that can quickly connect to create complete banking applications. It transforms how banks tackle their biggest challenges, especially in areas where traditional development methods are weak.

Gartner predicts that in 2025, organizations will build 70% of new applications using low code or no code platforms. It’s a transformation that’s reshaping how financial institutions approach modernization.

Let’s look at the main areas where low code helps banks solve their biggest challenges in digital transformation:

Low code platforms offer retailers a practical way to build connected shopping experiences without massive IT investments or long development cycles. Let’s look at how these platforms make omnichannel retail easier to achieve.

Data integration

Traditional retailers often work with disconnected systems—separate databases for in-store sales, e-commerce platforms, loyalty programs, and inventory management. Low code platforms fix this problem by combining these data sources with pre-built connectors.

With connected data, retailers can personalize recommendations for each customer based on their shopping history. They can display accurate inventory levels online and in stores, run loyalty programs that work everywhere, and deliver better customer service by viewing all customer interactions in one location.

Streamlined operations

Low code development speeds up and simplifies the process of building applications that improve operational efficiency. For example, retailers can create inventory dashboards, order-tracking systems, and customer-facing employee apps in days or weeks instead of months. Companies can also build customer service portals and click-and-collect systems that work smoothly with their existing retail software.

Rapid innovation

The retail market moves quickly, and stores need to keep up with new trends and changing customer needs. Low code helps retailers test and launch new services faster than traditional development methods. According to CLEVR’s research, 73% of businesses launch products sooner using low code solutions.

Cost efficiency

Building connected shopping experiences often requires significant IT spending. Low code makes it more affordable by reducing the need for specialized developers while enabling faster design and implementation of new features. It also costs less to maintain these systems over time.

Store employees and business teams can even create their own solutions with low code tools, which takes pressure off the IT department. Additionally, the software they build can be reused in other projects, which means each new application is created faster and cheaper.

The Benefits for Retailers Using Low Code for Omnichannel

Let’s summarize the advantages of using low code to create omnichannel retail experiences:

• Enhanced customer experience: Retailers can create a seamless shopping experience by connecting all touchpoints—from mobile devices to in-store kiosks and beyond. This consistency builds loyalty and increases satisfaction.
• Agility and scalability: With low code, retailers can quickly adapt to changing market conditions and customer preferences. Likewise, they can scale applications to handle peak shopping periods without performance issues.
• Increased revenue: McKinsey’s research shows omnichannel shoppers spend up to a third more than single-channel customers.
• Future-proofing: Low code enables retailers to build flexible systems to incorporate new channels and technologies as they emerge
• 
  

CLEVR’s Role in Empowering Omnichannel Retail

Using the Mendix platform, which is rated a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Low Code Application Platforms, CLEVR helps retailers create unified commerce experiences that meet modern shopping demands.

Take a look at how CLEVR has helped these retailers succeed:

Premium Inc.

CLEVR worked with Premium Inc., an internationally operating athleisure-wear company, to implement Mendix Digital Lifecycle Management. The solution connected Premium Inc.’s ecosystem, improved department data sharing, and shortened communication lines.

Etos

For Etos, a major Dutch pharmacy chain, CLEVR built a centralized promotion management system that replaced manual spreadsheets. The new system helps Etos make smart decisions about which promotions to run and, at the same time, recommends against running others.

Welkoop

CLEVR created a promotional management system for Welkoop, a retail chain with 149 locations. The system connects marketing, inventory, and store operations, giving Welkoop better insight into promotion results. It also helps the company plan future campaigns more effectively.

Final Thoughts

Retail customers now shop across many channels: browsing on phones, buying online, picking up in stores, and returning items at the most convenient locations. Delivering smooth shopping experiences across all these touchpoints is now essential for retail success. The retailers who do it well see more loyal customers and higher sales.

Creating these connected experiences no longer requires months of complex development or big IT teams. Low code platforms give retailers the tools to quickly and affordably build integrated shopping experiences. They can connect systems, automate everyday tasks, and quickly create new features when customer needs change.

To learn more about implementing low code solutions for retail, explore CLEVR’s comprehensive guide to low code or learn more about its retail industry solutions.

Research Methodology

This article combines insights from leading research firms—including McKinsey, Gartner, and the International Data Corporation (IDC)—with real-world implementation experience. The analysis encompassed current retail industry trends, technological capabilities, and successful omnichannel transformations to provide practical guidance for retailers considering low code solutions.

FAQs

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During an omnichannel experience, customers browse products on their phones, check availability at a local store, reserve items for in-store pick-up, and receive personalized follow-up recommendations based on their purchases.

","title":"What is an example of an omnichannel experience?"},{"content":"

The 4 Cs of omnichannel are commerce across all channels, consistent experience everywhere, connected customer journey, and cohesive data integration.

","title":"What are the 4 Cs of omnichannel?"},{"content":"

Low code accelerates development, reduces costs, enables rapid innovation, and helps create unified shopping experiences across all channels while requiring minimal coding expertise.

","title":"What are the benefits of using low code in retail?"}]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "field_types" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"colors":"group","faq":"group","padding":"group","squeeze":"choice","squeeze_position":"choice","structured":"boolean"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "label" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}null{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "module_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}61963180038{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "path" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"/clevr/modules/clevr_faq"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "schema_version" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}2{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_objects" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}[]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"NOT_SMART"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "squeeze" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"s"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "structured" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}true{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "wrap_field_tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"div"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% end_module_block %}

The energy sector is transforming due to increasing demand for power, new production from renewable energy sources, and changing regulations for power delivery. These changes are pressuring energy utilities to modernize their grids and incorporate renewable energy more efficiently into their management approaches.

Many utilities face an uphill battle to make the necessary adjustments. Legacy grid management systems just aren’t compatible with renewable energy sources like solar and wind, and they don’t support the monitoring devices or automations needed to maximize grid efficiency.

Fortunately, low code development provides a solution by enabling energy providers to update their legacy systems with integrations, automations, and new capabilities. Read on to discover the benefits of low code for grid modernization and renewable energy management.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Legacy grid management systems make it challenging for energy utilities to integrate renewable energy sources and keep up with changing regulations.
• Low code platforms help energy companies develop custom integrations and automations for their legacy systems. They also make it easier to add renewable energy sources and monitoring devices to grid operations.
• The benefits of low code include faster development cycles, simplified compliance, enhanced grid resiliency, reduced costs, and more flexibility to adapt to changes in the renewable energy sector.
• When adopting low code for grid modernization, consider your organization’s readiness, cybersecurity needs, and potential partnerships with low code experts.

Challenges in Grid Modernization and Renewable Energy Management

Energy usage is rising by 4% per year, so leveraging your existing infrastructure is more important than ever. That means integrating distributed energy resources (DERs), such as wind and solar, and energy storage systems alongside traditional power generators.

However, legacy systems often get in the way of integration efforts. These systems aren’t designed to manage the highly variable power loads delivered by DERs. Many providers have developed stopgap solutions, but these are easily overloaded with data as new DERs and accompanying monitoring devices come online. As a result, utilities are struggling to scale their operations and use real-time monitoring to automate grid management.In addition, legacy systems can’t keep pace with evolving energy regulations for traditional and renewable energy sources. Your infrastructure could be putting your company at risk of costly penalties and reducing your ability to invest in grid modernization.

How Low Code Platforms Solve These Challenges

Low code development platforms offer a way to rapidly enhance your company’s existing systems and open the door to new energy management approaches.

They enable users to design seamless integrations, automated workflows, and new software capabilities with little to no programming. Instead of code, they use customizable templates, drag-and-drop interfaces, and pre-built components to create purpose-built software tools. As a result, grid managers and other members of your team can use low code platforms—not just developers.

The benefit is that your team can build the capabilities you need much faster than with traditional development tools. Timelines for building grid monitoring, optimization, and analytics tools can shrink from months to weeks.

Additionally, your team can use low code tools to simplify the integration of DERs and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring devices into legacy systems. They also let you develop real-time data dashboards and predictive models for renewable generation performance, which are crucial for load balancing on the grid. All these features make it far easier for your utility to incorporate renewable energy sources and automate grid management.

Another way low code platforms can help energy managers is by automating compliance. For example, you can use low code to build automated reporting workflows or get alerts when new regulations take effect. You can also update legacy grid management systems to ensure adherence to renewable energy mandates.

Key Benefits of Low Code in Energy Management

Low code has additional benefits for grid operators beyond these specific examples.

First, integrating more monitoring devices and data into grid management systems gives you a more holistic view of your systems. In turn, you can manage your grid more efficiently and predict infrastructure maintenance needs. Low code systems can also identify choke points that could compromise your grid’s resiliency.

On top of that, low code tools can help you better track your company’s carbon emissions and sustainability metrics. This is key to supporting compliance efforts—and can even make your utility more attractive to customers and investors.

Low code also benefits your company by shrinking development timelines. Instead of waiting months for developers to integrate a new monitoring device or build a critical automation, your team can actively develop and deploy software solutions independently. Eliminating reliance on developers can mean significant cost savings.Finally, one of the most valuable benefits of using low code development is that it makes your company more scalable and flexible. Low code solutions can readily adapt as the energy environment undergoes further change with more advanced technologies and new regulations. Your utility will be ready for the sustainable energy future rather than constrained by legacy systems.

Strategic Considerations for Adopting Low Code in Energy

While low code development can be transformational for energy businesses, you’ll want to lay the groundwork for a successful modernization effort. Here are three key factors to consider when adopting low code for grid modernization and renewable energy management:

Organizational readiness

Low code development works best at utilities with grid operations managers, renewable energy asset managers, and compliance officers who are empowered to solve challenges. To get the most out of low code, your business needs a culture of problem-solving and channels for cross-department collaboration.

In addition, low code development requires buy-in from employees, including IT staff, who may hesitate to use this approach. A good way to encourage support for low code is to include staff when identifying specific uses for low code development and selecting a low code platform.

Low code partnerships

Partnering with experts in low code development is a powerful way to speed up your business’s digital transformation and ensure your grid modernization effort is successful. Experienced providers can help you anticipate pitfalls and identify the best ways to apply low code to solve your business’s unique challenges. Look for partners that understand the specific needs of the energy industry and provide support throughout the implementation process.

Cybersecurity needs

Companies throughout the energy sector—whether on the supply or demand side—face significant cybersecurity threats, so low code integrations and automations must be fully secure. The good news is that low code applications can be more secure than full code software. That’s because full code approaches are prone to programming errors and often build on vulnerable code packages.

Many low code platforms offer highly customizable security tools and support for identity management systems to help you protect sensitive data. When choosing a low code platform, you’ll want to consider the security measures your business needs.

Final Thoughts

Low code platforms offer seamless integration of DERs and data-rich monitoring devices into legacy energy management systems. They can help energy businesses incorporate and manage renewable energy sources, enhance grid resiliency, and streamline compliance. Plus, low code platforms speed up development cycles and add flexibility, ensuring your business is ready for whatever changes to the energy sector lie ahead.
Check out CLEVR’s comprehensive guide to low code to learn more about how this approach can help your company meet the demands of today’s energy environment.

Why You Can Put Your Trust in CLEVR

CLEVR specializes in helping energy businesses benefit from low code for grid modernization and renewable energy management. The company can help you identify opportunities for low code development, choose the right platform for your needs, and build custom solutions.

CLEVR also provides end-to-end support and serves as a partner for the future, ensuring your company has the tools to scale grid management and remain flexible as the energy sector evolves.

FAQs

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Low code platforms can help utilities build smart grids by making it easier to integrate Internet of Things (IoT -enabled monitoring devices and develop automated grid management software. Low code can also be used to build analytics dashboards that identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency.

","title":"Can low code help build smart grids?"},{"content":"

CLEVR believes Mendix is the best low code platform for energy and utility companies because it supports Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled devices, AI-powered automations, and highly configurable security features. Mendix can also integrate with any legacy grid or energy asset management system.

","title":"What is the best low code platform for grid modernization?"}]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "field_types" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"colors":"group","faq":"group","padding":"group","squeeze":"choice","squeeze_position":"choice","structured":"boolean"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "label" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}null{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "module_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}61963180038{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "path" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"/clevr/modules/clevr_faq"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "schema_version" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}2{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_objects" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}[]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"NOT_SMART"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "squeeze" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"s"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "structured" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}true{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "wrap_field_tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"div"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% end_module_block %}

Most shoppers won’t buy from companies they don’t trust with their data. McKinsey research reveals that 87% of consumers would walk away if they had doubts about a company’s security practices, and 71% would stop buying from a store that mishandled their information. For retailers, this means maintaining data privacy requirements is essential for staying in business.

But achieving this isn’t always easy. Luckily, low code platforms with built-in security features make it easier to protect customer data and comply with privacy laws.

This article examines the challenges of data privacy and compliance in retail and how low code is helping retail businesses succeed.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Customer trust in retail data protection is low. A Salesforce report found that 32% of customers globally don’t trust companies to respect their privacy.
• RedHat analysis shows low code tools cut privacy implementation time by 50-90%.
• Pre-built security features help stores follow privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA.
• Simple visual tools make it easier to handle privacy tasks like customer consent and data deletion.

The Retail Compliance Challenge

Stores are spending more on privacy protection than ever. Gartner research indicates that 57% of retailers planned to buy more software in 2024, focusing on security and data management. They know they need better privacy practices to comply with the law and maintain customers’ trust.

But new privacy laws continue to emerge. Europe has enacted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and California has the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). More rules are undoubtedly coming. These laws give shoppers more control over their personal information—they can see, change, or delete it. Stores need dependable systems to handle these requests and keep records showing they’re following the rules.

A big challenge is that every segment of modern retail—loyalty programs, websites, mobile apps, and in-store systems—gathers information, and each collection method brings new risks. Even one breach can be costly. Data privacy studies show that GDPR violations can trigger fines of up to 4% of a company’s worldwide revenue. One company recently paid $180 million after exposing 400,000 customers’ data. Beyond the penalties, data breaches hurt customer trust in ways that can take years to fix.

How Low Code Platforms Address Data Privacy and Compliance

Low code solutions make it easier to build privacy-protecting software. Instead of writing thousands of lines of code, stores can use pre-built pieces and simple visual interfaces to quickly create secure systems that meet regulatory requirements. As a result, low code can help retailers do the following:

Automate compliance

Under the GDPR and the CCPA, stores have just 30 days to respond when customers ask to see their data. Without automation, however, someone must search multiple databases, spreadsheets, and systems to find every piece of that customer’s information. They might need to check the loyalty program database, e-commerce platform, marketing system, and in-store purchase records. Missing even one item could violate privacy laws.

Low code tools turn this manual process into an automated workflow. When a request comes in, the system first verifies the customer’s identity to prevent unauthorized access. It then searches every connected system using secure data connections. The system compiles all the found information into a standard format that’s easy for customers to understand.

Throughout this process, the system builds a complete timeline. It records when the request arrives, which systems are checked, what information is found, and when the response is sent. If regulators investigate, the retailer can clearly show how it handled every privacy request.

Enhance data security

Low code applications include strong, built-in security features. Instead of being added at the end, security is part of the system from the start.

For starters, these platforms make it easy to control who can see different types of customer information. For example, store managers might need access to local customer data, while marketing teams might need broader but more limited access.

The platform also handles basic but essential security tasks, such as encrypting data. When customer information moves between systems or is stored in databases, encryption keeps it safe from unauthorized access. Any connections to other software, including payment systems or marketing tools, go through secure channels that prevent data leaks.

Enable seamless integration

Most retailers use various systems—such as websites, apps, payment processing, and inventory management—that each collect and store customer data in their own way. A typical retail chain might have:

• Legacy point-of-sale system tracking in-store purchases
• Modern e-commerce platforms handling online orders
• Mobile apps with their own customer databases
• Marketing automation tools managing email lists and customer preferences
• Inventory management systems that predict what customers will buy

Customer data becomes fragmented and harder to protect without proper connections between these systems. For example, a customer might opt out of marketing emails through the website but still receive promotional texts because the mobile app’s database wasn’t updated.

Low code development platforms solve this by creating secure bridges between legacy and modern systems. When customers change their privacy choices in any channel, those changes automatically flow to all connected systems. The platform constantly monitors these connections to prevent data leaks or unauthorized access, creating a unified view of customer data that’s secure and compliant.

Future-Proofing Compliance with Low Code

Privacy protection regulations never stay the same for long. Each year brings new laws, updates to existing rules, industry standards, or fresh interpretations from regulators. For example, when the GDPR was introduced, many stores focused on getting customer consent for data collection. Now, they also need systems for data portability—letting customers move their information between different companies.

Changing privacy software built with traditional programming takes months of work. Professional developers must write new code, test it thoroughly, and carefully replace old systems without losing data.

But low code changes that. 451 Research’s study of development practices found that low code tools cut development time by 50-90%. Instead of writing new code from scratch, stores can add pre-built privacy features that already follow the new rules.

Low code apps also make testing easier and safer. Before any privacy changes go live, a low code platform can automatically check for problems like:

• Missing data protection in new features
• Gaps in privacy records
• Conflicts between different privacy rules
• Security weaknesses in system connections

Every change is recorded with details about what changed, who approved it, and how it was tested. These records prove to regulators that the store takes privacy seriously and follows a careful process for updates.

How CLEVR Can Help

CLEVR works with partners to build privacy-protecting systems using low code tools.

A prime example is CLEVR’s work on DataCross, a comprehensive compliance management system. Working with its partner Tec4U, CLEVR used the Mendix low code platform to create a solution that started with a specific focus: helping manufacturers track product safety compliance.

However, CLEVR designed the system knowing that companies face many compliance requirements that often overlap. A retailer selling electronics, for instance, needs to follow both product safety rules and customer data privacy laws.

DataCross evolved into a broader platform that helps companies manage multiple types of compliance from a central system. The platform now serves over 40,000 users and includes 24 different compliance tools—twice what similar systems offer. For retail privacy, these tools handle essential tasks like:

• Managing customer consent across different channels
• Tracking privacy preferences by region and regulation
• Creating audit-ready reports automatically
• Adapting quickly when privacy laws change

What makes DataCross particularly valuable for retailers is its flexible, modular design. Just as it helps companies track product safety compliance, its building blocks can be arranged to handle GDPR requirements, CCPA rules, or any new privacy regulations that emerge.

The platform shows how low-code development can enable digital transformations that grow and adapt to changing business needs.

Final Thoughts

Stores face growing pressure to protect customer data while meeting increasingly strict regulatory requirements. From securing multiple systems to responding to customer privacy requests in a timely fashion, the technical challenge is real.

Low code platforms offer practical solutions to these struggles. They combine easy-to-use tools with strong security features, helping stores protect customer data while adapting quickly to new privacy rules. The visual tools and pre-built components speed up development without weakening security.

Want to learn more about managing privacy requirements? Read CLEVR’s guides on:

• The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): How to comply in 2024?
• How Low Code Can Streamline CSRD Compliance

FAQs

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You can ensure data privacy compliance by starting with clear rules about how customer data should be handled. Encrypt data, control who can access different types of information, and keep detailed records of everything. Low code platforms can automate many of these tasks.

","title":"How do you ensure data privacy compliance?"},{"content":"

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a new EU law that requires companies to report how they handle and protect customer data. For retailers, this means demonstrating robust data protection practices, including how customer information is collected, stored, and secured across all business operations.

","title":"What is CSRD?"},{"content":"

Low code platforms include built-in security and compliance tools that help retailers protect customer data. They automate privacy tasks like handling customer consent and data deletion requests, create secure connections between different systems, and adapt quickly when privacy regulations change.

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Digital transformation uses technologies like low code development, product lifecycle management (PLM), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and augmented reality (AR) to digitize manual processes and create opportunities for innovation. It can help businesses work smarter, build better customer relationships, and simplify operations.

But it’s not always easy to see how these technologies translate into real-world impact. Without concrete examples, digital transformation can feel overwhelming and abstract.

This guide explores 7 examples of digital transformation from companies that are solving problems and preparing for the future.

Short on Time? Here Are 5 Digital Transformation Examples

• Starbucks introduced mobile apps to deliver product recommendations and allow customers to order ahead.
• Goldman Sachs leveraged AI to develop personalized banking products.

• Nel Hydrogen launched a PLM system to centralize engineering data and enhance operational efficiency.

• IKEA introduced augmented reality (AR) so customers can visualize products in their homes.
• UPS built a fleet management system optimized by machine learning to streamline driver routes and reduce operational costs.

• CED implemented low code automation to speed up insurance claims processing by 50%.

• The Mayo Clinic adopted cloud computing for faster patient data sharing, telehealth appointments, and AI-enhanced diagnoses.
  

7 Real-World Digital Transformation Examples

Let’s explore 7 outstanding examples of digital transformation strategies.

Starbucks: Leveraging Mobile Apps to Drive Growth

From a single coffee shop in Seattle, Starbucks has grown into a global coffee empire with more than 38,000 stores worldwide. A key driver of the company’s growth has been its customer-focused mobile apps, launched in 2009.

Initially, the Starbucks app provided basic features like store locations and drink information. But in 2015, Starbucks revolutionized the customer experience with Mobile Order & Pay, enabling customers to order via mobile devices and skip the lines. This innovation addressed a major pain point—long wait times—and improved customer satisfaction by simplifying the ordering process.

Since then, Starbucks has further enhanced customer experiences on mobile with AI-powered features that remember past orders, suggest new products, and deliver personalized promotions.

This digital solution has transformed Starbucks’ business. By 2019, nearly one-third of Starbucks customers used the app for payments, and in 2023, it accounted for 31% of all US sales.

Goldman Sachs: Harnessing Data to Meet Customers’ Financial Needs

Over the past 20 years, banking has shifted from branch-first to online-first as customer expectations evolve. In 2016, Goldman Sachs seized this opportunity and launched Marcus, its first line of personal banking products.

Marcus offers personal loans, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and credit cards through a fully online platform. AI models allow the platform to analyze vast amounts of data, market trends, and financial risks to tailor each customer’s financial products, rates, and terms.

More recently, Goldman Sachs expanded Marcus’ capabilities, using AI-powered tools to assist customers with portfolio management. By evaluating factors like customers’ risk tolerance, investment goals, age, and savings, the platform recommends personalized investment strategies and asset allocations.

The result is a highly personalized offering that resonates with consumers. By 2022, Marcus had grown to 15 million customers and generated $110 billion in deposits and $19 million in loans. The platform now accounts for nearly 30% of Goldman Sachs’ total deposits.

Nel Hydrogen: Using PLM to Centralize Data and Enhance Operational Efficiency

Nel Hydrogen is a manufacturing company that makes equipment to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. Its products are critical to the green energy revolution, and the company has seen demand skyrocket in recent years.

However, the 97-year-old company’s engineering and manufacturing processes were largely manual, preventing the company from scaling to meet demand. To address this, Nel Hydrogen embarked on a digital transformation effort focused on digitizing manual processes and establishing a cohesive information system for its engineering teams.

In partnership with low code specialist CLEVR and enterprise software provider Siemens, Nel Hydrogen implemented the Teamcenter PLM system.

This new system integrated with Nel Hydrogen’s existing enterprise resource planning software and allowed for seamless sharing of engineering documentation processes and procurement data. It’s also directly integrated with the company’s computer-aided design systems for product design and manufacturing.

Teamcenter enabled Nel Hydrogen to centrally track and share critical product data, increasing the company’s productivity and enabling it to quickly fulfill orders. Now, Nel Hydrogen is in a perfect position to further digitize its operations, such as by adding real-time monitoring to production lines and tracking equipment performance over its full lifespan.

IKEA: Leveraging Augmented Reality to Drive Online Sales

Swedish furniture giant IKEA has traditionally relied on its vast warehouses to attract customers and boost sales. However, in the digital age, competition from online-first marketplaces and retailers like Amazon and Wayfair has pushed the company to reimagine its business models.

As part of its digital transformation journey, IKEA launched a mobile app in 2019 that allows customers to browse and order products while receiving AI-powered personalized product recommendations. For in-store shoppers, the app offers additional features like scanning items for detailed information or saving them to a wishlist.

To enhance the customer experience even more, IKEA introduced augmented reality (AR) tools that let customers visualize furniture in their homes. By capturing an image of a room with their phone, users can digitally position IKEA products to see how they fit and look in the space.

These innovations have significantly contributed to IKEA’s online growth. E-commerce sales skyrocketed from $2 billion in 2017, when AR was first introduced, to $10.4 billion in 2023.

UPS: Optimizing Fleet Management with Machine Learning

As e-commerce sales boomed, UPS faced the challenge of delivering more packages without significantly increasing costs or its carbon footprint. The company turned to digital technology to improve its business processes and efficiency.

In 2012, UPS launched a custom fleet management system optimized with machine learning. The platform analyzes millions of potential routes for each driver, identifying the most efficient options to minimize distance and fuel consumption. Famously, it eliminated most left turns to reduce idle time.

To complement this fleet management system, UPS equipped vehicles with GPS devices that provide turn-by-turn directions while simultaneously feeding data into the company’s route optimization algorithm for continuous improvement.

Thanks to this digital transformation success, UPS saves an estimated 3.3 million gallons of fuel and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 31,000 metric tons annually. During the peak holiday shipping season, the company boasts an industry-leading on-time delivery rate of 97.5%.

CED: Automating Insurance Claims Handling with Low Code Automation

CED is a European insurance claims manager that handles more than €2.5 billion in claims annually. The company faced growing pains as it took on more claims because its processing pipeline relied heavily on manual processes and physical paperwork rather than digital workflows.

With the help of CLEVR and Mendix low code software, CED created an intuitive app for employees to input claims quickly. The company also developed an Automatic Damage Settlement Platform to digitize the claim-handling process.

The new system eliminated CED’s reliance on paper forms and reduced the time needed to settle claims by 50%.

In addition, CED has offered its Automatic Damage Settlement Platform as a software-as-a-service solution for insurance claims management. This represents a new line of business for CED, generating revenue that can be used to support further digitization efforts.

Mayo Clinic: Using the Cloud to Increase Clinician Capacity

The Mayo Clinic—a leading healthcare system with hundreds of hospitals, specialty healthcare facilities, and primary care clinics across the US—has faced rising healthcare demand and a shortage of qualified providers.

To address these challenges, the Mayo Clinic launched several digital transformation initiatives to enhance its capacity, improve patient outcomes, and ensure a high-quality employee experience.

In 2019, the Mayo Clinic partnered with Google Cloud to store medical data securely in the cloud. The move enabled providers across the system to access Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-protected patient records without delays. This helped simplify business processes and improve care coordination.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayo Clinic turned to the cloud to host telehealth appointments, which allowed providers to see more patients and safeguarded patient and provider health. Between 2020 and 2022, the healthcare system increased telehealth appointments by 500%.

Cloud computing has also enabled the Mayo Clinic to run AI-powered analyses of medical data to assist in early diagnoses. For example, its AI tools evaluate electroencephalograms (EEGs) to detect Alzheimer’s disease early, when treatment is most effective.

These digital transformation efforts have solidified Mayo Clinic’s reputation as a leading hospital system in many states it serves.

Final Thoughts on Digital Transformation Examples

These digital transformation examples highlight the incredible potential of technologies like AI, low code, PLM, cloud computing, mobile apps, and augmented reality to transform business processes. They also demonstrate the far-reaching impact of digital transformations across diverse industries.

Want to learn more? Explore CLEVR’s customer success stories for additional examples of digital transformation strategies and discover how low code development can help your business thrive.

FAQs

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Digital transformation integrates digital technologies—like AI and cloud computing—into your core business processes. The goal is to improve operations, enhance the employee experience, and boost customer satisfaction.

","title":"What is digital transformation?"},{"content":"

Successful digital transformation efforts may involve technologies like cloud computing, AI, augmented reality, mobile apps, the internet of Things (IoT), workflow automations, and robotics. A well-designed digital transformation strategy uses one or more of these tools to address specific business needs.

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Banking leaders face a stark reality: transform or fall behind. Digital-first competitors are capturing market share through streamlined services and superior user experiences. Meanwhile, legacy systems are preventing traditional institutions from delivering the seamless digital experiences more and more customers demand.

With nearly 75% of IT leaders acknowledging that development backlogs obstruct strategic initiatives, organizations face escalating maintenance costs alongside rising demands for digital services. Yet, traditional development methods remain prohibitively expensive and too slow to meet these challenges effectively.

Low code development platforms present a better option. This article looks at how these platforms are helping the banking industry embrace digital transformation.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

Banking modernization through low code delivers four key advantages:

• Faster development: Cut application delivery time compared to traditional methods.
• Reduced costs: Slash development expenses while improving operational efficiency.
• Enhanced security: Use built-in controls to protect sensitive customer data.
• Future-ready architecture: Modernize incrementally while reducing technical debt.

Research Methodology

This analysis draws from extensive market research, banking case studies, and CLEVR’s experience implementing low code solutions in the banking industry. The findings combine quantitative data on development speed and costs with qualitative insights from banking technology leaders about the modernization of their companies.

Digital Transformation in Banking: The Current Struggle

More and more fintech competitors are appearing in banking, each armed with impressive mobile-first services and AI-powered personalization. Traditional banks must find ways to compete with digital-only institutions that can offer 24/7 services across phones, tablets, and computers.

This gap between customer expectations and bank capabilities keeps widening. Younger customers demand instant service through digital channels, but many banks rely on core systems that were designed decades ago for branch-based banking. These aging systems and dated business processes cost millions to maintain yet can't deliver basic customer demands like real-time account updates or automated loan approvals.

The pandemic further pushed the shift to online banking. Customers now expect sophisticated mobile banking apps and web interfaces available 24/7. Banks must build these while keeping everything secure and following regulations, and traditional software development methods often don’t cut it.

How Low Code Addresses Banking Challenges

Low code platforms enable banking modernization through visual development tools and pre-built components designed for financial services. Rather than writing thousands of lines of code for each new application, development teams use visual, drag-and-drop interfaces to assemble applications from pre-tested components.

Think of it as building with digital building blocks, each representing a secure, tested functionality that can quickly connect to create complete banking applications. It transforms how banks tackle their biggest challenges, especially in areas where traditional development methods are weak.

Gartner predicts that in 2025, organizations will build 70% of new applications using low code or no code platforms. It’s a transformation that’s reshaping how financial institutions approach modernization.

Let’s look at the main areas where low code helps banks solve their biggest challenges in digital transformation:

Updating legacy systems

Legacy systems process millions of transactions daily and can't just shut down. Low code lets banks keep running while updating strategically, avoiding risky full-system replacements that disrupt operations. Modern interfaces and workflows build on top of existing systems, bridging old and new technology.

Technology architects call this the “Strangler Fig pattern”—replacing legacy functions gradually while keeping things running. It’s like renovating a house room by room rather than demolishing and rebuilding: The core structure stays while each part gets modern updates.

Banks can use low code to:

• Update customer-facing applications without disrupting backend systems.
• Add new features gradually through APIs and microservices.
• Keep valuable business logic while adding modern capabilities.
• Cut maintenance costs through automated testing and deployment.

Real-world example: Rabobank used low code to deliver new web and mobile banking experiences while preserving core system stability.

Meeting regulations and security needs

Banks need exceptional security and regulatory compliance—one breach or violation can devastate their reputation and finances. Low code platforms make security and compliance a fundamental part of each application by building these requirements into the development process.

Pre-configured components handle key regulatory requirements, such as Know Your Customer (KYC) verification for confirming customer identities, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks for preventing financial crime, and regulatory reporting. These components come pre-tested and update automatically as regulations change, cutting compliance risk while speeding up application delivery.

Real-world example: Using low code, the Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa) achieved 100% compliance in its regulatory reporting cycle, showing how these platforms handle complex requirements without sacrificing speed.

Improving customer experience

Low code platforms also change how banks create and refine customer experience. Their easy-to-use visual tools allow for quick prototyping and testing, helping business experts and technical teams collaborate on applications that work better for customers.

For example, banks that once took weeks to process loan applications can use low code platforms to create automated lending portals. These portals can:

• Walk customers through application steps.
• Automatically validate submitted information.
• Sort applications based on risk level.
• Provide real-time status updates.
• Connect with existing credit systems.

Real-world example: WaFd Bank used low code to build a complete digital banking platform in just six months, giving customers modern self-service tools while cutting operational costs.

Building new solutions faster

Additionally, low code platforms reduce development time while maintaining quality. Professional developers focus on complex features, while citizen developers—non-technical team members—contribute to basic application development.

Real-world example: Using low code, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) accelerated loan processing, created new digital services that support entrepreneurs, and made internal operations more efficient using low code.

The Benefits of Low Code for Banks

Low code platforms deliver measurable advantages for banking modernization:

Speed and efficiency

• Cuts development time by 50-90% compared to traditional methods
• Speeds up deployment of new features and updates
• Reduces testing and maintenance work

Resource optimization

• Lets business teams contribute directly to development
• Frees IT to focus on strategic projects
• Needs fewer specialized skills

Cost benefits

• Delivers high return on investment
• Lowers maintenance and support costs
• Makes better use of resources

Risk reduction

• Includes built-in security controls
• Automates compliance processes
• Standardizes development practices

Customer benefits

• Faster delivery of digital services
• Better customer satisfaction
• Quick response to market needs
• 
  

CLEVR’s Role in Banking Modernization

CLEVR builds banking transformation solutions using the Mendix low code platform, combining deep banking knowledge with proven methods that keep systems secure and compliant.

Take CED, a leading European financial services provider, as an example of how CLEVR drives transformation with low code. CED was struggling with paper-based claims processing before it partnered with CLEVR to create an Automatic Damage Settlement Platform using low code. The results?

• 50% reduction in claims processing time
• Improved customer satisfaction through faster settlements
• New revenue streams from platform-as-service offerings

CLEVR’s banking low code solutions focus on:

Secure integration

• Connects new applications with core banking systems
• Maintains data integrity across platforms
• Enables real-time information flow

Compliance automation

• Includes built-in controls for handling sensitive customer data
• Automates regulatory reporting
• Provides comprehensive audit trails

Rapid development

• Accelerates time-to-market for new products
• Enables continuous improvement
• Supports agile methodologies

Digital experience

• Creates seamless customer journeys
• Enables omnichannel banking
• Offers personalized service delivery

Final Thoughts

The banking sector faces unprecedented pressure to modernize. With their long development cycles and heavy resource requirements, traditional development methods can’t match the speed and flexibility modern banking demands. Low code platforms offer a proven path forward, combining rapid development with the enterprise-grade security banks require.

However, success requires more than modern technologies. It demands a clear digital transformation strategy aligned with business goals. For banks beginning their modernization journey, CLEVR’s comprehensive guide to low code provides a detailed roadmap for getting started. You can also explore CLEVR’s low code solutions designed for enterprise needs or contact the CLEVR team for a personalized consultation focused on your modernization goals.

FAQs

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Digital transformation helps banks compete by making operations faster, improving customer service, and cutting costs through automation and modern technology.

","title":"Why is digital transformation necessary in the banking sector?"},{"content":"

Low code platforms accelerate digital transformation by letting teams build applications quickly using visual tools and pre-built components instead of extensive coding.

","title":"What is low code in digital transformation?"},{"content":"

Low code platforms help banks build secure, compliant applications faster by combining visual development tools with financial industry features.

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Financial services companies must consistently modernize operations while maintaining security, compliance, and customer trust. But many struggle with this balance: 76% of chief information officers report rising demand for new digital products, while a third of transformation projects experience delays. These pressures create real operational risks, and the cost of maintaining legacy technology in the financial industry increases by 7.8% annually.

Low code platforms offer compelling solutions to these challenges. These platforms enable rapid application development with minimal coding, helping financial services firms accelerate digital transformation while maintaining compliance and security standards.

This article explores 5 pressing challenges in the financial services industry and demonstrates how low code solutions address each.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

Financial services firms face 5 key challenges that low code technology helps solve:

• Regulatory compliance burdens strain resources and slow innovation. Low code platforms automate compliance workflows and provide built-in audit trails, reducing manual oversight.
• Legacy systems and infrastructures create technical debt and restrict modernization. Low code enables gradual modernization through modern interfaces that connect with existing infrastructure.
• Cybersecurity threats and fraud demand robust yet flexible protection. Built-in security features and automated updates in low code platforms provide enterprise-grade protection.
• Rising customer expectations require seamless digital experiences. Visual development tools help teams rapidly build and refine customer-facing applications, reducing delivery time.
• ESG requirements add complexity to reporting and operations. Low code platforms improve sustainability tracking through automated data collection and flexible reporting tools.
• 
  

5 Challenges in Financial Services That Low Code Solves

The financial services industry grows more complex each year. New regulations, evolving customer preferences, and emerging technologies create both opportunities and obstacles. Low code platforms—visual development environments that minimize manual coding—help you tackle these challenges through rapid application development and built-in compliance features.

Let’s examine the five most significant challenges facing financial services firms today to understand how low code technology provides practical solutions.

1. Regulatory compliance

Regulatory compliance dominates financial services operations. Firms using traditional development methods must dedicate a significant portion of their resources to compliance tasks, which detracts from innovation and growth initiatives.

Low code development changes this by automating compliance workflows and enabling real-time monitoring. Instead of writing extensive custom code for each regulatory requirement, teams use visual interface tools to configure pre-built compliance components. This approach dramatically reduces development time while ensuring consistent standards.

It doesn’t stop there. Modern low code platforms also support:

• Automated tracking of system changes for audit purposes
• Flexible workflows that adapt as regulations evolve
• Pre-configured components for common compliance tasks
• Real-time monitoring and reporting
• Secure integration with existing compliance systems

Case study: The DSI Foundation is a good example of improved compliance capabilities. When the Netherlands implemented new banking conduct regulations, DSI needed a compliant handling system built in less than 2 months. Using Mendix low code with CLEVR, the DSI Foundation now has a system that processes sensitive customer data while meeting strict legal requirements. The system includes automated audit trails, encrypted data transmission, and regular security verification—all configured through visual tools rather than custom coding.

2. Legacy system integration

Many financial institutions rely on decades-old core systems. It’s a costly trap—critical systems become too expensive to replace yet too rigid to support modern needs.

Low code platforms provide an elegant solution through modern integration capabilities. Rather than attempting risky “rip and replace” projects, your company can gradually modernize by wrapping new interfaces and functionality around existing systems. In other words, you can preserve essential legacy operations while keeping up with customer demands.

Low code’s flexible architecture also supports:

• Modern web interfaces connected to legacy backends
• Gradual transformation of outdated processes
• Integration across multiple data sources
• Preservation of critical business logic
• Reduced maintenance through automation

Case study: Consider EOC, a marine insurance specialist transitioning from paper processes to digital operations. CLEVR transformed its application system without disrupting its core business logic or requiring a complete system overhaul. The new platform, built on Mendix, reduced processing time from days to hours while maintaining complete integration with existing infrastructure.

3. Cybersecurity and data protection

Beyond protecting massive amounts of sensitive data, financial institutions must adapt to evolving threats while maintaining regulatory compliance. Traditional security approaches often prove too rigid to keep pace.

Low code platforms build security into the development process itself rather than treating security as an afterthought. They include features for authentication (verifying user identities), encryption (scrambling data to prevent unauthorized access), and secure data handling.

Modern low code security capabilities also include:

• Automated security updates and patches
• Proactive threat detection
• Compliant data handling procedures

This “security-first” approach helps firms maintain robust protection without sacrificing development speed.

Case study: CLEVR helped CED, a European claims specialist handling €2.5 billion in transactions, create a secure claims processing system by using Mendix, a low code platform. The resulting platform includes granular access controls (precise management of who can access what data), end-to-end encryption (protecting data throughout its entire journey through the system), and secure communication channels—all configured through visual tools rather than complex custom code.

4. Customer experience transformation

Digital leaders like fintech firms have raised the bar for customer experience (CX). Traditional financial institutions must now deliver seamless digital interactions across all channels, greatly improving CX and customer satisfaction.

Low code platforms accelerate customer experience transformation through rapid development capabilities. Business users and developers collaborate using visual tools to quickly build and refine customer-facing applications, which speeds time to market while ensuring solutions genuinely meet user needs.

Beyond this, key customer experience capabilities include:

• Seamless multi-channel experiences
• Components optimized for financial services
• Quick refinement based on feedback
• Integration with customer systems

Case study: Zilveren Kruis, a health insurance organization serving over 5 million customers, used low code with CLEVR and gained a suite of customer applications without increasing costs. The platform’s pre-built components and visual development tools enabled rapid iteration based on user feedback. The result? Zilveren Kruis delivered better service while maintaining cost control.

5. ESG and sustainability requirements

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements create new challenges for financial institutions. Beyond tracking complex sustainability metrics, firms must develop green investment products to meet growing demand, which requires new capabilities for data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Low code platforms, such as Mendix, streamline ESG operations through automated data collection and flexible application design. This provides valuable insights while ensuring faster time to market for sustainable investment products.

The technology’s visual development tools also make way for:

• Sustainability reporting and analytics
• Green product development
• Regulatory compliance tracking

Final Thoughts

Low code platforms are excellent solutions for financial services challenges. Beyond accelerating development, they provide integrated security, compliance, and customer experience capabilities. This helps firms innovate while maintaining the high standards their industry demands.

Looking to learn more about low code solutions for financial services? CLEVR’s resources provide deeper insights:

• The Comprehensive Guide to Low Code
• Building Better Apps with Low Code Development
• Low Code for Financial Services | CLEVR

FAQs

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Regulatory compliance represents arguably the biggest challenge since it consumes significant resources (technical and human) while requiring constant adaptation to new requirements.

","title":"What’s the biggest challenge facing the financial services industry?"},{"content":"

A low code platform strategy combines visual development tools, pre-built components, and integrated security features to accelerate application development while maintaining compliance and reducing technical debt.

","title":"What is a low code platform strategy?"},{"content":"

Low code addresses the critical challenge of delivering secure, compliant applications at the speed that modern business demands.

","title":"What problem does low code solve?"}]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "field_types" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"colors":"group","faq":"group","padding":"group","squeeze":"choice","squeeze_position":"choice","structured":"boolean"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "label" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}null{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "module_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}61963180038{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "path" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"/clevr/modules/clevr_faq"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "schema_version" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}2{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_objects" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}[]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"NOT_SMART"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "squeeze" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"s"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "structured" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}true{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "wrap_field_tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"div"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% end_module_block %}

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming businesses through enhanced productivity, deeper data insights, and more effective decision-making. However, AI applications can require significant development, which is time-consuming and costly. Businesses that lack the budget or resources to hire a team of software engineers risk being left behind and missing out on significant benefits.

Low code AI is changing that by making automation more accessible, flexible, and scalable. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about low code AI and highlights how it can help your business.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Low code AI is a development approach that requires little coding to build AI-powered applications, including automated workflows and data analysis pipelines. 

• Low code AI platforms offer drag-and-drop interfaces, customizable templates, integrated development environments, and pre-built AI models to make creating AI applications easy.

• Employees with minimal coding experience can use low code AI tools. No-code AI tools are also available for non-technical employees without coding experience.

• Low code AI is faster and cheaper than traditional AI development. It reduces the time to deployment and empowers employees from across your company to build AI-driven solutions to business problems.

What Is Low code AI?

Low code AI combines low code development and AI-powered automation.

Low code development is a way to create custom apps and workflows with minimal coding. It uses visual tools like drag-and-drop builders, pre-made templates, and interactive components.

AI-powered automation involves using artificial intelligence or similar technologies, like machine learning, to handle tasks and uncover insights that are hard for humans to spot. These processes can run entirely on their own or include human involvement.

In a nutshell, low code AI is an approach to building AI-driven automations and analyses that doesn’t require extensive coding. It enables semi-technical and non-technical employees within your business to create custom AI-powered applications.

How Low code AI Differs from Traditional Methods

Traditional, or “full-code,” methods of developing AI-powered applications and workflows require extensive coding, often in multiple programming languages. This demands a team of software engineers, which significantly increases the cost and timeline of every project.

Low code AI is more accessible, faster, and cheaper. Employees with little to no coding experience can design workflows using the visual design tools available in low code platforms. 

While you may need to lean on developers for customizations and integrations, your non-technical employees can do most of the work building low code automations. As a result, low code platforms enable teams to iterate more quickly and shorten time to product deployment.

Key Elements of Low Code AI Platforms

Low-code AI platforms offer a wide range of tools to help you build workflow automations, data analyses, and AI-powered applications. Key elements are:

• Reusable templates. Low code platforms include templates for common AI functions, like data analyses and predictive modeling. You can customize these templates with your own data and software integrations.

• Drag-and-drop interfaces. Users can select triggers, outcomes, data fields, and other components from a menu and drop them onto an intuitive design interface to build custom applications.

• Integrated development environment. While low code platforms don’t require much coding, they enable you to adjust your applications and workflows with custom code. This unlocks deep customization and enables low code integrations with your business’s existing software.

• Pre-built AI models. Some low code platforms include pre-built AI models for data analysis, natural language processing, or generative text. These ready-to-run models speed up application development.

Low code vs. No-Code AI

While low code AI is much simpler than traditional AI development, it still requires some coding experience. That’s not the case for no-code AI, which relies entirely on visual interfaces and pre-built components to help non-technical employees craft AI-powered applications.

Low-code and no-code platforms have many similarities, but a key difference is that no-code platforms often don’t accept code and, thus, are less customizable. No-code AI tools are best for non-technical users who need to build basic AI tools for internal processes or design a minimum viable product.

The Benefits of Low Code AI

Let’s look more closely at some of the standout advantages of low code AI.

• Accelerated development: Low code AI empowers your employees to design and build the AI workflows and data analyses they need. Instead of waiting months for developers to be available, teams can quickly prototype, iterate, and launch AI-powered applications.

• Reduced costs: Software engineers are expensive, so using low code AI tools can help you slash development costs. Once deployed, automated workflows can also enhance productivity, helping your business realize an even greater return on investment.

• Empowered teams: Since low code AI is accessible to non-technical employees, more members of your business can contribute to building AI-driven solutions to real business problems. For example, your sales team can build automations to help them generate more leads, and your customer service team can leverage AI to respond to customers more quickly.

• Enhanced scalability and flexibility: Low code AI solutions can grow with your business over time as needs change and complexity increases. For example, you can easily add new datasets into existing workflows or build integrations for new software your business adopts. 

• Improved data insights: Many low code AI platforms include pre-built models for analyzing data, enabling your teams to draw insights that aren’t possible from spreadsheets. That, in turn, promotes better strategic decision-making across your business.

How CLEVR Supports Low code AI

CLEVR serves as a strategic partner for businesses looking to leverage low code AI.

We work with your company to identify opportunities for low code AI and use platforms like Mendix to build AI solutions tailored to your needs. Through data value analysis, we help pinpoint opportunities to unlock the full potential of your data, ensuring that AI-driven workflows integrate smoothly with existing systems like Siemens, SAP, Salesforce, IBM and more.

CLEVR supports your business through every stage—from identifying opportunities to implementing AI solutions—and ensure that your AI products continue to grow and adapt in the future.

To find out more about how CLEVR can help you transform your business with AI, explore our data science offering.

Final Thoughts on Low Code AI

Low code AI can help your business achieve automation and better harness data without requiring expensive and lengthy software development. Visual interfaces and pre-built AI models are accessible to non-technical employees, empowering them to build the solutions they need.

Want to know more about how low code works and how it can help your business succeed? Check out our comprehensive guide to low code.

FAQs

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We at CLEVR believe Mendix is the best low code AI platform because it includes highly customizable templates, an intuitive workflow builder, and pre-built AI models from Google Cloud.

","title":"What’s the best low code AI platform? "},{"content":"

Yes. Many no-code AI tools — such as Akkio, Obviously AI, and DataRobot — don’t require coding to create AI-powered automations and data analyses.

","title":"Can I create AI without coding? "},{"content":"

Low code AI is highly flexible to meet your business’s needs. For example, you could use low code AI to design automated workflows that eliminate repetitive tasks, such as digitizing data from documents. You could also use low code AI to build data analysis pipelines or produce reports that help you synthesize your business data and make strategic decisions.

","title":"What can low code AI do? "}]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "field_types" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"colors":"group","faq":"group","padding":"group","squeeze":"choice","squeeze_position":"choice","structured":"boolean"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "label" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}null{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "module_id" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}61963180038{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "padding" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}{"bottom":"xxl","top":"xxl"}{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "path" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"/clevr/modules/clevr_faq"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "schema_version" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}2{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_objects" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}[]{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "smart_type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"NOT_SMART"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "squeeze" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"s"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "structured" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}true{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "type" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"module"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% module_attribute "wrap_field_tag" is_json="true" %}{% raw %}"div"{% endraw %}{% end_module_attribute %}{% end_module_block %}

Getting all your business’s data in a single place is key for making decisions and using data to build productivity-enhancing automation. But doing so can be a massive headache, especially if your data is in legacy systems or spread across various software platforms. In many cases, integrating systems and sharing data across them requires custom development, which is time-consuming and costly.

That’s where low code integration can step in. It’s a fast and cost-effective alternative that can transform how you interact with your business’s data.

In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about low code integration and show how it can be used to harness data across a wide range of industries.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Low code integration enables you to share data between business software with little to no manual coding.
• You can use low code integration to extract, transform, and load data from multiple systems into a common database, synchronize data across platforms, and build data-driven automation.
• Low code integration is used extensively in various industries, including manufacturing, retail, energy, and more.
  
  

How We Researched This Topic

At CLEVR, we’re well-versed in low code integration. We help manufacturing, retail, energy, financial services, and healthcare businesses implement low code integration to better leverage their data. We work extensively with the Mendix low code platform to offer integration solutions, including data warehousing, synchronization, analysis, and automation. In particular, we specialize in integrations for Siemens, SAP, IBM, Salesforce, and SIG.

Low Code Integration: How Does It Work?

Low code integration enables you to connect and share data between software platforms without extensive code development in application programming interfaces (APIs).

Instead of coding, you can use a visual interface to define the platforms you want to connect and how data should be shared between them. For example, you could use a low code integration platform to synchronize employee data (like email addresses and phone numbers) between your HR and IT software in just a few clicks.

Low code development platforms typically offer a set of predefined categories for syncing and sharing specific types of data from popular business applications. Many also have built-in workflow automations to help you push data to a centralized database. You can augment these low code workflows with custom code if you need more flexibility or have highly complex applications.

The benefit of low code platforms is that they largely eliminate the need for professional developers and enable your employees to act as citizen developers. Employees are empowered to create the data integrations they need, and you can dramatically cut the development time to launch new integrations.

Types of Low Code Integration Processes

You can use low code integration to harness your business’s data in many different ways. Let’s look at three of the most common low code integration processes.

Extract, transform, load (ETL)

Extract, transform, load (ETL) is a three-step process that involves taking data from different software applications, transforming that data into a common format, and then loading it into a database or another application.

ETL integrations can be extremely useful for archiving legacy data or combining data from multiple platforms into a single database for business intelligence. You can also create ETL workflows that run regularly to back up data.

Data synchronization

Data synchronization ensures changes made in one system update across all systems that rely on that data.

For example, suppose you change an employee’s name in your HR system. Data synchronization would ensure the employee’s name is also changed in your IT system, workforce management software, and all other business platforms.

Data synchronization is critical for preventing duplication of effort and can eliminate repetitive tasks like updating records across multiple systems. It also ensures your employees are always working with up-to-date data.

Automation

Additionally, low code development platforms can be used to create automations that span multiple platforms. For example, you could use integrations to ensure a new lead in your customer relationship management (CRM) software triggers a new task in your sales team’s task management software.

Low code automation can significantly enhance productivity, prevent important work from being missed, and help your business achieve digital transformation.

Low Code Integration Use Cases

Next, let’s explore some examples of how low code integration can be used in different industries.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing companies can use low code integration in several ways.

For example, they can integrate data from legacy equipment with a computerized maintenance management system to better predict downtime and direct capital investments in new equipment.

Manufacturers can also use low code development to aggregate compliance data, reducing the time it takes to file required reports and eliminating costly errors.

Retail

Retailers can use low code development to better manage their supply chain by integrating their inventory management and procurement platforms.

These companies also integrate product lifecycle management tools with CRM, procurement, and product design software to create a single source of information for every product. This enhances collaboration between product, sales, and operations teams.

Energy & utilities

Energy companies can lean on low-code integration to achieve critical automations, such as creating warning systems based on data from multiple types of sensors or equipment.

Businesses in the energy sector can also integrate data from diverse systems to train AI models — which can, in turn, enhance the efficiency of power generation and delivery. For example, energy companies can integrate data from weather sensors and solar panels to predict solar generation and determine the most cost-effective energy mix.

Financial services

Financial services businesses can leverage low-code application development tools to build automated compliance workflows that pull data from multiple systems, including customer databases and transaction monitoring software. Companies can also create custom ETL processes to warehouse legacy data that regulators require.

Healthcare

Lastly, healthcare companies can use low code integration to develop data pipelines that comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and enable interoperability between billing and patient care systems.

These integrations can also eliminate repetitive tasks, such as record-keeping, which saves healthcare professionals time and enables them to deliver better treatment.

How CLEVR Supports Low Code Integration

CLEVR helps businesses implement low code integration across new and legacy systems, ensuring data flows seamlessly across all core operational tools. We’re a certified Mendix and Siemens partner with deep experience working with enterprise resource management (ERP), CRM, and product management software.

We work with companies in various industries and tailor our integrations to each business’s unique needs. Our process focuses on flexible and rapid application development so your business can respond quickly to market demands or organizational changes. We support you through the entire integration process — from ideation to implementation to scaling — ensuring your digital transformation is successful.

Check out our low code solutions to learn more about how CLEVR can help you integrate your business’s key platforms and harness your data.

Final Thoughts on Low Code Integration

Low-code integration can be a powerful tool for aggregating, syncing, and analyzing your business’s data across multiple systems. It eliminates the need for professional developers, saving your company time and money while enabling your employees to create the integrations they need to work effectively.

To learn more about how lowcode can boost your business, check out our comprehensive guide to low code.

FAQs

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We believe Mendix is the best low code integration platform thanks to its DataHub feature, which enables you to connect data streams from multiple platforms with just a few clicks.

","title":"What is the best low code integration platform?"},{"content":"

Low code development tools can help you integrate any systems your business uses, including ERP software, CRM software, HR information systems, IT service management platforms, and more. At CLEVR, we’ve developed custom low code integrations for various Siemens, SAP, IBM, Salesforce, and SIG software products.

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Manual processes within your business can create bottlenecks that limit your ability to grow. For example, time-strapped sales employees could miss out on potential revenue by not contacting customers. Manufacturing processes can be slowed down by manual approval workflows, holding back your productivity.

Traditionally, automating these processes required a team of developers and a lot of time and money. But low code automation tools make it much faster and easier while eliminating the need for deep programming experience.

In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about low code automation and show how it can help your business succeed.

Short on Time? Here’s a Brief Overview

• Low code automation is an approach to building automated workflows that requires little or no manual coding. Instead, you can create workflows using pre-made templates and a drag-and-drop designer to define triggers and outcomes.
• Low code automation is approachable for employees with minimal programming experience. That cuts the time it takes to roll out new workflows, empowers your employees to build the workflows they need, and reduces the cost of digitizing key business processes.

How We Researched This Topic

CLEVR specializes in helping businesses use low code automation to transform manual processes. We know how powerful low code automation can be for enhancing productivity and reducing the time it takes to launch new workflows. The team has deep experience using various low code automation platforms and building customized workflows for our clients.

What Is Low Code Automation?

Low-code automation is an approach to creating automated workflows that largely eliminates the need for programming knowledge. In contrast to “high-code” development, low-code development requires almost no manual programming. 

Instead, low code automation platforms offer pre-built workflow templates, plain-English commands, and drag-and-drop interfaces to help you build workflows. You get a visual representation of each step within a workflow, including how it will be triggered and the outcome. Plus, it’s straightforward to connect each workflow to a specific business process and link multiple workflows together.

These tools are easy to use, highly flexible, and accessible for non-technical employees. That enables managers across your business to take control of automating their own processes rather than wait for help from developers.

That said, low code tools may still require some programming, particularly for highly customized workflows. For example, you may need to write basic Javascript to customize the look of a customer-facing landing page. 

No-code automation is a related style of workflow development that requires absolutely no manual programming, so it can be a good option for employees without coding experience. Check out our low-code vs. no-code development guide to determine which approach is right for you.

The Benefits of Low Code Automation

Low-code automation can bring significant benefits to your business. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important reasons for using this approach.

Accelerated development

Traditional automation approaches require a lot of back-and-forth with developers, so it can take weeks or months to roll out a new workflow. With low code automation, you can quickly implement new workflows.

Low code platforms put your employees in charge of creating the necessary automations and give them tools to make development a breeze. The timeline for a new workflow to launch can shrink from months to days.

That’s a substantial competitive advantage for your business, especially if you need to build shop floor applications or customer-facing apps that directly impact your sales and brand image.

Empowered teams

Another benefit of low code automation is that it enables frontline employees to help shape how automations work. For example, customer service employees can help design better ways to route incoming questions. 

Having a voice in decision-making empowers your employees to become citizen developers—individuals who use easy-to-learn tools to build or improve workflows and apps. It also ensures your business’ automations will satisfy real company needs—and don’t create new problems in the process.

Furthermore, low code automation helps business users across teams collaborate more easily on cross-functional solutions. For example, your sales and customer support teams can work together on automations to ensure your company puts its best foot forward when communicating with customers.

Cost efficiency

Developers aren’t cheap, so reducing your reliance on them to create basic workflow automations can save your business a lot of money. In addition, the automations that low code solutions enable can enhance productivity and generate revenue, so this technology frequently has a positive return on investment. 

Enhanced flexibility and scalability

Low code automation also make your business more flexible and scalable. As your business processes change, your teams can update their workflows accordingly. You’re not stuck with outdated automations because the developer who originally wrote a piece of code is no longer with your business.

Additionally, automated workflows can easily accommodate growth in your business and integrate new software. If an application needs to be customized beyond what your non-technical employees can handle, low code platforms typically make it easy for professional developers to plug in custom code.

How Do You Achieve Low Code Automation?

A dedicated low code platform is the best way to implement low code automation in your business. 

These platforms offer the templates and visual builders you need to create workflows. They also have pre-made integrations for popular business software, legacy systems, and project management tools to promote collaboration across your teams. One of the best low-code automation platforms is Mendix. 

When comparing low code applications, consider how customizable they are, whether they meet your business’s security and compliance needs, and how they will scale as your business grows.

How CLEVR Supports Low code Automation

While low code automation is much easier than traditional development approaches, digitizing your business’s manual processes and integrating legacy systems can still require significant effort.

That’s where CLEVR comes in. We leverage low code development platforms like Mendix to build custom automation solutions tailored to your business’s needs. 

Our end-to-end approach ensures you receive collaborative guidance, a thorough initial assessment, and support during deployment and scaling. We specialize in integrating systems like Siemens, SAP, Salesforce and IBM to help businesses across the manufacturing, financial services, retail, healthcare, energy and utilities industries achieve seamless automation.

Check out our low code solutions to learn more about how CLEVR can help your business implement low-code automation.

Final Thoughts on Low-Code Automation

Low code automation can help your business automate key business processes without the need for manual coding. Pre-made templates and visual workflow builders make it easy for even non-technical employees to create workflows. It reduces the time and cost to launch automations and empowers employees to create solutions to real business problems.

Want to learn more about how low code can transform your business? Check out our comprehensive guide to low-code development.

FAQs

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Low code automation platforms eliminate the need for manual coding. You can build automated workflows using a visual interface that lets you define triggers, conditions, and outcomes for every step of your process. Many low-code automation platforms include pre-made templates and integrations to simplify the building process.

","title":"How does low code automation work? "},{"content":"

Low-code automation can be suitable for any business that wants to enhance productivity through automated workflows but doesn’t want to spend much time and money on development. At CLEVR, we’ve implemented low-code automations for manufacturing businesses, retailers, financial services companies, and others.

","title":"Is low code automation right for my business? "},{"content":"

In our opinion, Mendix is the best low-code automation platform thanks to its robust development, testing, and deployment tools. We also like Mendix’s collaboration tools, which make it easier for employees across teams to build cross-functional workflows. 

\n

For more software options, check out our guide to the best low-code platforms. 

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Digital transformations and sustainability are driven by technology, as well as the growing need for companies to meet regulatory requirements like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Low-code application development platforms like Mendix are making it easier for companies to meet these new requirements through more accurate reporting—not to mention the many benefits of using low code for improving other business processes.

While companies may initially turn to low-code applications for CSRD compliance or other reporting obligations, the technology’s potential stretches much further. Mendix can help entire industries streamline complex processes, create flexible applications for customers or behind-the-scenes operations, and help stakeholders adapt quickly to the evolving needs of other departments, partners, or the entire market.

Bridging Digital Transformation and Sustainability with Low-Code

The concept of a digital transformation can mean more than just modernizing business processes across the board with the flick of a digital wand; it also helps companies stay accountable through data records. With automation, real-time data collection, and the ability to incorporate legacy systems, companies are now able to track and report on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance with more accuracy.

This is particularly helpful for those needing to meet CSRD requirements, and low-code platforms like Mendix are making the collection, management, and reporting of such sustainability data relatively straightforward. But these platforms don't stop with compliance—they allow companies and their employees to get creative and innovate in ways that may have seem far-fetched even a few years ago.

Low Code for Compliance

The CSRD is a European Union initiative aimed at enhancing and standardizing the sustainability reporting process for companies. The initiative requires a wider range of companies to disclose their ESG impact for greater transparency and accountability.

Low-code platforms like Mendix are ideal for handling the complexity of establishing these new standards; through agile mechanisms that can be thought-up and conceptualized by non-technical professionals, speedy and scalable applications can come to life pretty quickly.

So, how can these low-code applications help?

1- Visual development and accessibility

Mendix lets companies use visual, drag-and-drop interfaces to build enteprise applications that can help with reporting. This accessibility allows non-technical personnel from legal, finance, and sustainability departments to participate in the development stage early on when creating an application that needs to interact with many data sources.

2- Rapid Application Development

Low-code development allows applications to be built up to ten times faster than traditional methods. Development speed is critical for evolving compliance needs, and businesses can make quick adjustments to their reporting processes as CSRD standards change. The ability to iterate quickly minimizes non-compliancy and development costs.

3- Old dogs, new tricks

Inevitably, compliance reporting will likely need companies to gather data from multiple systems—and that could mean legacy systems built well before cloud technology and the high expectations of automation. Low-code applications can be built to seamlessly integrate with existing systems, allowing companies and departments to gather real-time data and generate accurate reports. This also ensures that the data required for CSRD compliance is collected and reported without manual intervention.

4- Scalability and flexibility

CSRD compliance isn’t going to be a simple, static set of rules. As reporting needs become more complex, businesses need tools that can react accordingly. Mendix's low-code platform allows for horizontal and vertical scaling, meaning that as the volume of data increases or as new regulations are introduced, applications can be adjusted without a complete rebuild. Mendix also offers flexibility so experienced developers can add custom code if necessary.

Beyond Compliance

While companies may only initially need Mendix for creating reporting applications, they’ll quickly discover the potential for low-code applications to transform other areas of their organization. From automated workflows to real-time data dashboards, low-code technology allows companies to adapt and scale as customers increase, new products go to production, and departments merge.

1- Better workflows with low code

Low-code applications can automate workflows for increased efficiency while reducing manual processes and the chances of human error. From supply chain management to employee onboarding, low-code applications can carry out mundane or time-consuming tasks that give employees more time to focus on strategy.

2- Customer engagement

Low-code platforms can also create engaging customer-facing applications. Retail, banking, and hospitality businesses can use Mendix to develop personalized customer portals, mobile applications, or even interactive chatbots that enhance the brand's reputation.

3- Data dashboards

Access to real-time data is critical for decision-making in industries like healthcare, logistics, and energy. Mendix helps businesses build dashboards that consolidate real-time data from various sources, providing a comprehensive overview of operations. This can be used to track everything from factory performance to patient outcomes in healthcare.

CLEVR and low code

Are you looking into using low code for your business, or do you just want to learn more about the technology? Why not get in touch or take a look at our handy low code guide.

Some people have a hard time with the idea of low-code development. There, we said it. It's not the traditional "high-code" approach that experienced developers use, and that alone can make people suspicious.

So, it makes sense that as more businesses use low-code for their needs, misconceptions about its capabilities keep emerging. Below, we'll go through five misconceptions about low-code development platforms like Mendix and the applications resulting from this relatively new way of thinking.

As a reminder, low-code is a development approach that uses visual interfaces to create applications. It's a departure from hand-coded development, which requires extensive training and expertise (while conjuring up images of hackers behind a desk in shadowy rooms). Mendix is a popular low-code development platform for many businesses, and while low-code development is seen as a low barrier to entry for citizen developers, there is still plenty of room for customization in the hands of traditional developers.

1. Low-code platforms are only suitable for basic applications

People often think low-code development platforms like Mendix are only for creating simple applications for relatively easy tasks like scheduling systems or contact forms. In truth, these platforms can create enterprise applications capable of handling demanding processes across an entire business—no matter the size.

PostNL, for instance, rebuilt its core order management system using Mendix, which is now capable of processing over one million parcels a day. Low-code development uses a modular approach that breaks down larger applications into microservices to make things more flexible, which allowed Mendix to create two core service flows for PostNL: one to receive incoming customer orders and one to handle potential order changes.

To ensure high availability and maintain on-time deliveries, each service was assigned a duplicate version to act as a failsafe, while a combination of applications was used to transmit parcel routes and order updates across the PostNL ecosystem, allowing 4.5 million users to track and re-route deliveries as needed. Recognizing the system's complexity and its impact on maintenance, PostNL used Mendix to actively monitor the state of these new solutions. Clearly, this isn't a basic task.

2. Low-code development means low-quality applications

Another misconception is that low-code platforms are used to make subpar applications with a short lifespan. This just isn't the case. The Mendix platform comes with built-in best practices, reusable components, and frameworks that ensure development is quick and comprehensive. When you think about it, using pre-tested, reusable components actually reduces the chance of bugs or inefficiencies plaguing the final application.

This was the case for the Schiphol Today app, which was tasked with helping floor managers report incidents as quickly as possible across all areas of one of Europe's busiest airports. The relatively small amounts of coding used to create the app allowed it to pivot and support a whole new range of required processes as the first wave of COVID came along. Furthermore, its robust framework meant that even a considerable shift in functionality was seamless, ensuring that the app remained a high-quality and reliable reporting tool. This allowed the floor managers to focus on actual face-to-face customer interactions instead of spending hours filling out incident reports.

3. Professional developers aren't needed with low-code

A quick look at the benefits of low-code could have businesses—especially smaller startups—under the impression that highly skilled developers are an expense they can avoid. It's easy to see why, as low-code platforms promise a simplified development process that enables business users to create functional applications without extensive coding knowledge.

While low-code platforms simplify aspects of app development, professional developers can still be involved in more complex integrations, customizations, and managing architecture related to these low-code developed applications. Until then, they can focus on more strategic tasks that require hand-coding—which means far better resource allocation and bang of a business’s buck.

4. Low-code applications aren't secure

Security is a topic often raised when it comes to low-code development. After all, low-code platforms give technically inexperienced users the ability to create applications that manage and manipulate all sorts of data, so there's always the risk that security isn't the first thing that comes to a user's mind as they drag and drop their way to creating an app.

The reality is that low-code platforms like Mendix are built with enterprise-level security protocols in mind, such as GDPR compliance and ISO certifications. These platforms offer built-in security features like role-based access, encryption, and automated code scanning, which often surpass traditional development practices. Therefore, low-code platforms make it easier for businesses to ensure consistent security standards across multiple applications.

5. Low-code development is only for internal applications

Low-code applications are great for behind-the-scenes applications that grace the computers of backroom staff, the tablets of shopfloor assistants, and the graphic interfaces on factory machinery. However, low-code platforms can also develop sophisticated, customer-facing solutions across multiple industries. Whether it's building mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, or customer portals, low-code enables fast, scalable, and tailored solutions that are just as robust as traditional development methods.

For a more in-depth look at the capabilities of low-code development, why not take a look at our comprehensive low-code guide?

Engineer to Order (ETO) is a unique approach to manufacturing in which products are designed and fabricated according to individual specifications. Unlike more standardized manufacturing processes, ETO can be used to meet very specific demands.

However, this flexibility for customers comes with challenges for the manufacturer. Complex project management flows, intricate design requirements, and the even greater need for clear communication mean there are many opportunities for an ETO project to get derailed. This is where Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems can help create clarity.

Engineer to Order and Product Lifecycle Management

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems like Siemens Teamcenter help the ETO process by providing much-needed clarity as a single source of truth that also creates greater governance. Teamcenter is a platform designed to manage every stage of a product’s lifecycle—from initial ideation and design to production and retirement. By integrating all aspects of the product’s lifecycle, the platform ensures that every stakeholder works with the most up-to-date information, which helps reduce errors and improve efficiency in ETO manufacturing projects.

ETO projects typically involve multiple departments, from Design and Engineering to Manufacturing and Quality Assurance. Siemens Teamcenter can connect these departments (and often external manufacturers or raw material suppliers) to keep everyone on the same page regarding design expectations, ownership, and deadlines.

This single source of truth for information decreases the likelihood of errors and misunderstandings. For instance, the Design team can work closely with the Engineering team to ensure the specifications are accurate, while the Manufacturing team can provide input in real-time on feasibility—all through Teamcenter. This collaborative approach speeds up the process and improves the final product's quality.

How does ETO differ from other manufacturing processes?

Engineer to Order manufacturing sits at the top of the tree when it comes to customization. However, other manufacturing processes better suit specific companies and industries because of different demand curves and consumer behavior.

Make to Stock (MTS): With the Make to Stock process, products are manufactured based on forecasted demand and stored until sold. MTS is an efficient way to sell standardized products but lacks the customization that ETO offers. MTS is commonly used for consumer electronics products like smartphones, packaged foods, and clothing.

Make to Order (MTO): MTO products are only manufactured after an order is received, which reduces inventory costs. However, these products are generally standard designs with limited customization. Furniture manufacturers and industrial machinery makers often employ MTO processes in their business models.

Configure to Order (CTO): CTO allows customers to select from pre-defined options and components, offering more customization than MTS or MTO but still within a limited framework. Computers, new vehicles, and even some kitchen appliances can be configured with a specific color, fabric, or engine for consumers who have certain preferences.

ETO projects customization with CLEVR and Optime Subsea

PLM systems are designed to make the overall management process far smoother. Siemens Teamcenter handles everything from managing customer requirements and design specifications to the coordination between different departments involved in the project.

Companies like Optime Subsea specialize in ETO manufacturing, delivering the equipment needed to drill for oil and gas at eye-watering depths. This means engineering specifications and manufacturing must be aligned perfectly—anything that even slightly deviates from the requirements could be unusable due to the dangers of deploying machinery at such depths.

CLEVR helped Optime Subsea create a roadmap to implement Siemens Teamcenter, helping to organize existing files, CAD vaulting, and access issues. This represented Level 1, which focused on Product Data Management.

Level 2 highlighted the need for serialized structures and general Process Data Management. Serialized structures were established thanks to information from different sources collected in Teamcenter, making it easy for Optime Subsea to differentiate between each project by its specifications. This was especially important for two reasons: Firstly, although Optime Subsea manufactures equipment that broadly serves the same projects—namely deep-sea wells—each project requires slightly different specifications, so making sure these requirements are easily distinguishable is crucial. Secondly, because of the risks associated with deep-sea drilling, the equipment must have clear and auditable material sourcing information to maintain the integrity of Optime Subsea and the industry in general.

Serialization, brought about by PLM as a single source of truth, also allows for the accumulation of records of manufacturing and design, as well as the fulfillment of manufacturing (e.g., welding logs and certificates of conformity). Being able to edit and check against these records while ensuring everything is updated in real-time is key when looking to service pieces of equipment before redeployment or when starting a similar project that meets many of the same requirements. With Teamcenter, these changes can be managed easily, with all stakeholders updated in real time to ensure everyone is on the same page and the project progresses smoothly.

ETO Project management with Siemens Teamcenter and Easy Plan

Project management with Siemens Teamcenter is designed to handle the complexity of ETO projects that involve multiple stages and stakeholders. When a change in customer requirements forces a product redesign, Teamcenter’s tools, which include Easy Plan, ensure that these changes are managed smoothly. Easy Plan simplifies the creation and management of production plans by linking product and process data, enabling real-time updates and collaboration. This seamless integration ensures that all stakeholders remain informed and aligned, allowing the project to progress efficiently while maintaining consistency across the entire lifecycle.

CLEVR

CLEVR delivers digital transformation at scale by implementing Siemens and Mendix solutions to serve industries like manufacturing, retail, energy, and more. We leverage PLM, MOM/MES, and low-code technologies for manufacturing optimization and business process automation while ensuring seamless integration with other core systems like SAP, IBM, and Salesforce. CLEVR brings together technology and industry expertise to provide strategic solutions that streamline operations, drive efficiency, and enable digitalization to fit market demands.

So, what are the typical challenges encountered by manufacturing companies, and how can they transform these challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement?

Common Challenges in Scaling Manufacturing Operations

Scaling up is a critical phase for innovative manufacturing companies. It involves expanding production capabilities, managing increased complexity, and integrating new technologies—all while maintaining or improving operational efficiency. Common challenges include:

• Integration Complexity: Scaling necessitates sophisticated integration across systems and processes. Managing the seamless incorporation of new technologies across expanding operations is critical.
• Information Flow: Ensuring accurate information flow across departments becomes more challenging as companies grow. Miscommunication can lead to inefficiencies and errors.
• Resource Management: Efficiently managing increased human and material resources without compromising productivity or quality is essential. This includes recruiting, training, and retaining a skilled workforce.
• Balancing Innovation with Operations: Striking a balance between driving innovation and maintaining stable, efficient operations is crucial for sustainable growth.

By understanding common scaling challenges, manufacturing companies can develop strategic plans that prioritize optimization and digitization. Tailored solutions and expert guidance transform these hurdles into growth opportunities. At CLEVR, manufacturers are assisted in overcoming these hurdles through advanced Siemens and Mendix technology, focusing on optimizing and digitizing operations. But how does CLEVR help achieve this?

How CLEVR Addresses Manufacturing Challenges

As an end-to-end digital transformation partner, CLEVR leverages a blend of strategy, technology, and industry expertise to tackle growth challenges:

• System Integration and Optimization: Leveraging leading technologies like Siemens and Mendix to streamline operations, ensuring seamless communication across systems.
• Enhanced Data Management: Utilizing PLM systems to maintain accessible yet secure critical data, supporting informed decision-making.
• Scalable Solutions: Designing solutions that grow with the business, embedding scalability into the technological foundation.
• Training and Support: Providing comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure teams effectively utilize implemented solutions.
  
  

From Theory to Practice: Real-World Stories from Manufacturing Companies

From implementing Siemens Xcelerator solutions to leveraging Mendix low-code technology, let’s discover how leading manufacturing companies like Optime Subsea, Wheel.me, and tec4U have successfully navigated scaling challenges and driven transformative changes with CLEVR's expertise

1. Optime Subsea

Operating in the specialized subsea oil and gas sector, Optime Subsea faced challenges managing intellectual property and data as they scaled. Initially reliant on basic tools like Excel and isolated CAD systems, they struggled to manage their expanding IP and ensure innovation reliability.

CLEVR introduced them to Siemens Teamcenter, transforming their product lifecycle management, supply chain integration, and operations. CLEVR also trained Optime’s team to use Teamcenter innovatively, enhancing revision control and systematic design data management.

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This collaboration was transformative. Optime maintained a single source of truth for data, crucial for consistency and efficiency, and discovered new operational methods like digital twinning and service lifecycle management. This partnership showcases how expert guidance helps manufacturing companies thrive during scaling challenges in specialized industries.

2. Wheel.me

Wheel.me, a Norwegian robotics company known for its innovative autonomous systems, has experienced rapid growth, doubling its workforce to 80 employees across five locations, including Berlin, Detroit, Mexico, Oslo, and Fredrikstad. This expansion introduced challenges in version control, process management, and international coordination, especially with limited work hour overlaps with the U.S.

The introduction of Teamcenter and the unification of CAD systems under Siemens, guided by CLEVR, provided a robust digital backbone, streamlining operations, enhancing change management, and boosting productivity and quality. Previously reliant on Excel for BOM and a PDM system with minimal version control, Wheel.me struggled with inefficiencies, such as finding crucial CAD files.

Now, with Teamcenter as their PLM system and Rootstock for ERP, Wheel.me has improved change management, aligning engineering, sourcing, and production. They introduced strategic "friction" points to reduce errors and reworks, supporting their lean strategy. Development is divided into an early creative phase and a structured late phase to ensure scalability.

Wheel.me's structured workflow, where data flows from Teamcenter through release processes to purchasing and production, secures data integrity and enhances operational efficiency. Despite initial challenges in automating data flow, continuous feedback loops have maintained data accuracy.

Lessons from Wheel.me's journey highlight the importance of phased implementations, financial foresight, process simulation, and team involvement for successful digital transformation.

3. tec4u

tec4U, specializing in material compliance, developed the Data Cross Material Compliance application in close collaboration with CLEVR. Built using Mendix and recently updated to Mendix 10, this app is central to tec4U's business, serving over 200 manufacturing companies.

CLEVR and tec4U worked together to architect and refine the app, ensuring it meets compliance needs and user expectations. Data Cross helps companies manage complex regulations like REACH and RoHS, safety data sheets, and calculate the carbon footprint of products.

With the new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) that came into effect in 2023, Data Cross has become even more crucial. It aids companies in meeting rigorous standards for sustainability reporting, part of the EU Green Deal aiming for climate neutrality by 2050.

“We had a demo with a new and bigger customer. After the demo, they were so enthusiastic about the software, that they directly wanted to start using it!“ tec4U

The app's user-friendly design handles over 1,400 user stories, facilitating detailed documentation and evaluation processes required by the CSRD, which demands over 1,000 data points. Automated data flows enhance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and transparency in compliance.

Continuous collaboration with CLEVR ensures ongoing refinement of Data Cross, keeping tec4U at the forefront of compliance management technology.

The Role of a Trusted Partner in Digital Transformation

For manufacturing managers, automation managers, IT managers, and operational leaders, CLEVR is more than just a technology service provider. CLEVR is a partner in digital transformation in the truest sense of the word, deeply integrating with your team to understand your business from the inside out. With decades of experience helping many companies navigate scaling challenges, CLEVR delivers out-of-the-box solutions that enhance capabilities to innovate and scale efficiently. CLEVR’s expertise in manufacturing optimization and digitization ensures that as your company grows, so do your operational efficiency and capacity for innovation. CLEVR becomes a part of your team, committed to advancing your goals with tailored strategies and continuous support.

A Green Future, Sustainability, and a Better Tomorrow are not just ideals but urgent calls to action. With sustainability issues becoming increasingly critical, bold actions are necessary. The time for waiting is over; the time to act is now.

In this context, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is set to bring significant changes for European companies, especially in the retail sector. With new requirements coming into effect, many businesses still have much to learn and prepare for.

A survey from December 2023 found that 88% of companies don't feel ready to meet CSRD expectations, and 57% admit they know little or nothing about the new reporting obligations. This is significant since the first reports are due in 2025.

If your company is among those unprepared, you are in the right place. This article will provide a clear understanding of the CSRD, why it matters, and how to comply with its requirements.

But first, what is CSRD?

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is an initiative by the European Union aimed at enhancing and standardizing the sustainability reporting process for companies. It builds upon the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) but brings more rigorous requirements.

CSRD mandates that companies disclose detailed information on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, with the goal of increasing transparency and accountability. This directive applies to a wide range of companies, including large listed companies, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By ensuring that stakeholders have access to reliable, comparable, and relevant sustainability information, CSRD seeks to foster sustainable development and facilitate the transition to a more sustainable economy.

Next, let’s delve into what the CSRD means specifically for retail companies and how they can navigate these new requirements.

What CSRD Means for Retail Companies?

For retail companies, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is not just a regulatory requirement but a strategic opportunity. Proactive tracking of emissions and sustainability data is crucial to ensure compliance and promote a more sustainable future. The retail sector, being at the forefront of consumer interaction, is uniquely positioned to influence and drive sustainable practices. Enhanced transparency regarding ESG metrics can build trust with consumers making purchasing decisions based on a company's sustainability approaches.

Compliance with CSRD will also enable retail companies to identify and mitigate potential risks related to environmental and social issues, leading to long-term operational savings and a more resilient business model.

Benefits of Complying with CSRD

Complying with CSRD offers multiple benefits beyond regulatory compliance:

• Increased Operational Efficiency: Improved data management and integration for CSRD turn a time-consuming process into an efficient, automated workflow.
• Enhanced Transparency: Disclosing detailed information on ESG practices builds trust with consumers and investors.
• Boosted Credibility: Utilizing standardized and accurate data in sustainability reporting boosts credibility and trust among stakeholders.
• Improved Customer Loyalty and Brand Recognition: Transparent and accountable sustainability practices enhance customer loyalty and elevate brand recognition.

By leveraging these benefits, retail companies can turn regulatory compliance into a strategic advantage, fostering sustainable development and ensuring long-term business success.

Moving Towards a Sustainable Future with CLEVR: How do we help you Comply?

CLEVR provides the right tools and solutions to help you report and comply with CSRD based on a Mendix low-code solution. Here's how CLEVR can help you report better:

• Effortless File Uploads: Users can easily upload files through an intuitive interface. Each file is rigorously validated, ensuring that any invalid entries are flagged immediately.
• Secure Data Storage and Transfer: Validated files are securely stored and can be efficiently shared via API integration. This ensures that sensitive data is protected while being accessible to the necessary stakeholders
• Flexibility for Administrators: Administrators are empowered with the flexibility to manage various file types with configurable validation rules. This offers greater control over the data validation process, allowing adjustments to be made without significant technical intervention.
• Minimal Developer Intervention: The solution allows for the seamless implementation of new file types and validation rules. This ensures flexibility and scalability, with minimal need for extensive developer input, making it adaptable to evolving regulatory requirements.

By leveraging CLEVR's solution features, companies can’t only ensure compliance with CSRD but also enhance the accuracy and efficiency of their sustainability reporting.

Retailers have the unique opportunity to lead by example, showcasing their commitment to sustainability and influencing the entire value chain to become more transparent and cooperative. By focusing on sustainability now, retail companies can position themselves for long-term success, ensuring they are ready to meet both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations as the global push for sustainability grows stronger.

This shift is driven by the need for greater efficiency, agility, and innovation in manufacturing processes. Low-code platforms are enabling manufacturers to develop customized applications quicker without the need for deep programming skills.

How do these technologies help manufacturing companies streamline their operations and drive continuous improvement in their operations?

Benefits of adopting Low-code technology and AI in Manufacturing

The incorporation of AI into manufacturing workflows is enhancing predictive maintenance, optimizing supply chain management, and improving quality control. The synergy between AI and low-code technology not only simplifies the development process but also empowers manufacturers to harness complex data analytics and automation capabilities with ease.

With the help of low-code platforms, manufacturers can create AI-powered applications that automate routine tasks, freeing up human resources to focus on more critical and creative tasks.

Improving Efficiency with Intelligent Automation
Intelligent automation through AI and low-code technology helps manufacturers streamline production, reduce downtime, and boost efficiency. Machine learning algorithms enable real-time data analysis, leading to proactive decisions that prevent issues, resulting in higher quality products, improved customer satisfaction, and reduced costs.

Predictive Maintenance with IoT and Machine Learning
AI-integrated IoT devices allow manufacturers to monitor and analyze equipment data in real-time, facilitating predictive maintenance. This minimizes downtime and optimizes production schedules. Low-code platforms enable the development of custom IoT applications to gather and analyze data from various factory floor devices, providing valuable decision-making insights.

Enhancing Quality Control with Vision Systems
AI-powered vision systems have significantly improved quality control in manufacturing. These systems use machine learning to identify defects and anomalies, reducing the risk of faulty products. Low-code platforms allow for the quick development and deployment of customized vision systems, optimizing quality control while saving time and resources.

How Low-code Optimizes Manufacturing Processes: Case of Optime Subsea & the PIN Tool

Optime Subsea, a leading provider of innovative subsea technology, offering solutions for the oil and gas industry, faced a common challenge: while Configuration & Change Management (CM) in Teamcenter was systematic and robust, it remained siloed within the engineering department. This made it difficult for the system to benefit the broader organization and enhance overall company performance. They wanted to leverage CM2 in Teamcenter for managing technical changes due to its effectiveness.

After analyzing the challenge and identifying the needs, here is how CLEVR leveraged Mendix low-code technology to optimize their processes: The PIN Tool

1. Rapid Development with Mendix: With our deep expertise in Teamcenter and Mendix, we quickly developed a tailored Mendix solution for Optime Subsea: The Pin Tool.

2. Creation of the Pin App: We designed their first business process application, the Pin app (Problem/Improvement Notification). This tool allows users to create PINs associated with projects directly from Teamcenter, assign them to users through Azure AD connection, and register issues quickly.

3. Comprehensive Features

• Compatibility with all devices
• Ease of use with Single Sign-On functionality
• Public cloud deployment for accessibility and scalability
• Understandable dashboards and search capabilities
• The ability to add tasks, documents, images, notes, and other team members
• Conduct root cause analyses

4. Enhanced Organizational Performance: By streamlining the process of identifying and addressing issues, the Pin app helps improve overall company performance. It ensures that the Configuration & Change Management benefits extend beyond engineering, impacting the entire organization positively.

This use-case is one real-world example of low-code technology transforming manufacturing. Siemens, a globally recognized manufacturer of industrial machinery and equipment, has used the Mendix low-code platform to extend Teamcenter's capabilities significantly. This extension allows customers to streamline complex processes, integrate various functions seamlessly, and enhance overall efficiency.

CLEVR, as a partner of Siemens

and Mendix, has the expertise and knowledge to develop customized Mendix low-code solutions and expand them into Siemens' portfolio. This collaboration highlights the immense potential of low-code platforms in delivering highly effective, scalable, and user-friendly applications tailored to specific needs.

Low-Code and AI Integration

Low-code platforms like Mendix provide a solid framework for integrating AI technologies and data sources, essential for any AI project. By supporting core AI algorithms, businesses can refine their processes further. Low-code platforms enable rapid prototyping and customization, making them ideal for AI-enhanced manufacturing. Manufacturers can quickly develop and deploy applications that integrate AI capabilities, such as predictive maintenance, quality control, or supply chain optimization.

Moreover, Mendix's visual modeling tools enable cross-functional collaboration between business analysts and data scientists. The low-code platform provides a single collaborative environment for developing AI projects with seamless integration of AI components.

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The future of manufacturing is being reshaped by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and low-code technologies. This powerful combination promises faster, more cost-effective product development with a strong emphasis on functional applications.

As manufacturers increasingly embrace these advanced technologies, the potential for unprecedented innovation and enhanced efficiency will continue to expand.

In today's fast-evolving industries, products are increasingly complex, blending electrical, mechanical, and software elements. This complexity presents significant challenges for traditional product management and manufacturing methods.

Teamcenter's Structure Partitions provide an effective solution by segmenting a product's structure into smaller, manageable "Partitions." This method simplifies focusing on individual components while maintaining a holistic view, streamlining the development process, improving efficiency, and reducing error risks through parallel development and easier change tracking.

Adopting a modular and flexible approach, Structure Partitions are crucial for fostering innovation and enabling swift market response. But in high-stakes sectors like shipbuilding, where the Digital Twin concept is critical, how do companies effectively manage the blend of disciplines that modern products embody?

Overcoming Challenges through Structure Partitions

Consider a ship: it has diverse requirements for organizing its digital twin data. On one hand, there's a need for functional organization, such as grouping all components of a propulsion system—main engine, propeller, fuel supply, etc.—based on their roles. On the other hand, spatial organization is crucial, with sections, compartments, and rooms arranged according to their physical locations.

This aspect of organization—spatial and functional—highlights a significant challenge. For instance, an engine plays a critical role in both the spatial layout of the engine room and the functional operation of the propulsion system. Consequently, it must be represented in both structures, leading to complexities in data management.

While this might seem manageable on a small scale, the challenges magnify with larger products and involved disciplines. Traditional approaches to managing these multi-structured data can strain organizations, especially when changes occur. Issues include:

• Determining who has the authority to change a component's location within the product and ensuring this process is managed accurately.
• Implementing changes across all structures if a component is modified, which is essential to maintain consistency across the digital twin.

These problems often lead to inconsistencies among the various [sub] structures that describe your product. Identifying and resolving these challenges can be both time-consuming and expensive, particularly during critical stages of product development when delays or failures carry significant consequences.

In essence, the task of efficiently managing the digital twin of complex products like ships underscores the need for innovative solutions that can handle the intricacies of both functional and spatial data organization.

How Teamcenter's Structure Partitions Transform Product Management?

Teamcenter's Structure Partitions offer a sophisticated way to manage complex product structures by allowing specific subsets of a product's structure to be viewed in different configurations without altering the actual product structure. This approach enables organizations to meet various structural organization and viewing requirements without resorting to creating multiple substructures or duplicating component instances.

Structure Partitions facilitate the organization of a product in a logical or hierarchical manner, enhancing the way users interact with and understand the product structure. To cater to diverse user needs, Structure Partitions are divided into distinct Partition Schemes, each designed for a specific organizational perspective:

• Partition Scheme – System: Focuses on the system-level organization of components.
• Partition Scheme – Spatial: Organizes components based on their physical location within the product.
• Partition Scheme – Physical: Centers on tangible aspects of the product's components.
• Partition Scheme – Functional: Groups components according to their functional roles within the product.

To maintain clarity and prevent user confusion, only one Partition Scheme of a type is permitted per product. Each scheme can encompass various partitions. For instance, while there may be only one spatial division for a product, the number of spaces—defined as Partitions within the Spatial Partition Scheme—can vary.

A key advantage of Structure Partitions is their ability to represent a single component within multiple Partitions simultaneously, without complicating the overall product structure. For example, a ship's engine might concurrently belong to the Machinery Partition (Functional), Propulsion Partition (System), and MidShip - Engineroom Area Partition (Spatial). This multiplicity allows the same component to be seamlessly integrated into different product views, eliminating the need for complex arrangements of separate substructures.

Through the innovative use of Structure Partitions in Teamcenter, companies can transform the way they manage complex product structures. This approach not only simplifies management tasks but also streamlines how teams view and interact with diverse product requirements, enhancing efficiency and clarity. By reducing administrative overhead and minimizing the risk of errors, CLEVR emerges as a pioneer, offering advanced solutions that empower modern product management strategies. For those looking to elevate their approach to managing product complexities, connecting with Sönke Hoppe for expert advice and support from CLEVR can provide the necessary insights and tools for success.

In a rapidly advancing digital era, the winners are those with not just industry expertise but also access to robust, integrated systems. Siemens, a global leader in industrial manufacturing, is playing a significant role in this area with an ecosystem built around its product - Teamcenter.

Teamcenter, a modern Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system, bridges people to the information they need to produce top-tier products. It facilitates cross-departmental and geographic collaboration, providing a singular source of product and process knowledge. As the cornerstone of the Siemens Ecosystem, Teamcenter manages and shares data across various applications and systems.

The power of integration within this ecosystem is undeniable. Traditional setups often find themselves grappling with data silos where information is stored in separate systems, creating hurdles for teams to access and utilize the data effectively. The integration offered by Teamcenter eradicates these silos, making all pertinent information readily available across the organization. It fosters improved communication, enhances productivity, and ultimately drives innovation.

Siemens' partnership with CLEVR, a company known for its expertise in digital transformation, further amplifies the power of this integrated ecosystem. This collaboration combines Siemens' robust Teamcenter platform and CLEVR’s deep industry knowledge, providing businesses with a comprehensive solution that aligns with their unique needs.

Benefits of Integration within the Siemens Ecosystem

1. Enhances Process Efficiency
2. One of the primary benefits of integration within the Siemens Ecosystem is the significant enhancement in process efficiency. With Teamcenter serving as a single platform for managing product data, businesses can drastically reduce the time spent searching for information across multiple systems. This streamlined access to data allows teams to work more efficiently, speeding up product development and reducing time-to-market.
3. Fosters Innovative Solutions
4. Innovation thrives when information flows freely. By breaking down data silos and facilitating seamless collaboration, Teamcenter opens new avenues for innovative thinking. Teams can leverage the shared pool of product and process knowledge to brainstorm novel solutions, iterate designs rapidly, and bring groundbreaking products to market.
5. Provides a Comprehensive View of Operations
6. Another key advantage of the Siemens Ecosystem is the holistic view it provides of business operations. By integrating data from various sources into a single platform, Teamcenter allows decision-makers to gain a comprehensive understanding of their product lifecycle. This visibility enables businesses to identify bottlenecks, uncover opportunities for improvement, and make informed decisions that drive operational excellence.
7. Enables Data-Driven Decision Making
8. In today's competitive business environment, making decisions based on gut feelings or intuition is no longer viable. Instead, businesses need to leverage data to drive their strategic decisions. The Siemens Ecosystem, with Teamcenter at its core, empowers businesses to do just this. The platform provides real-time access to critical data, enabling businesses to analyse trends, predict outcomes, and make data-driven decisions that align with their strategic goals.
9. In conclusion, the integration within the Siemens Ecosystem, powered by Teamcenter, offers a multitude of benefits. From improving process efficiency to fostering innovation, providing a comprehensive view of operations, and enabling data-driven decision-making, this ecosystem equips businesses with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.

In an era where efficiency, agility, and innovation are the keys to competitive advantage, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) has emerged as a strategic imperative for enterprises across various industries. PLM, a systematic approach to managing the lifecycle of a product from concept to disposal, serves as the backbone of many organizations, streamlining processes, reducing errors, and fostering innovation.

However, in the diverse and complex world of business, one size rarely fits all. Each industry, and indeed each enterprise within that industry, has its unique set of challenges, requirements, and objectives. This is where the significance of customized PLM solutions comes into play.

In this blog post, we delve deeper into the importance of customization in PLM solutions and how it can transform your business operations. Stay tuned as we unpack the myriad benefits of a tailor-made PLM approach.

Understanding Your Unique Needs

Before embarking on the journey of customizing your PLM platform, it is crucial to first identify and understand your unique business needs. This process involves a comprehensive analysis of your business operations, product development processes, and the challenges you face.

Start by conducting an audit of your current processes. Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas where errors frequently occur. Speak to your team members who are involved in these processes - their insights can often shed light on issues you may not have considered.

Next, align these needs with your business goals. Do you want to bring products to market faster? Are you looking to improve cross-functional collaboration? Or perhaps you're trying to reduce the cost of non-compliance? By aligning your PLM platform with these goals, you ensure that the solution you implement is not just a band-aid, but a strategic tool that drives your business forward.

Customizing the PLM Platform

Once you've identified your needs and goals, the next step is to tailor your PLM platform accordingly. This involves customizing the features, workflows, and user interfaces to suit your specific requirements.

For instance, you might need custom dashboards for different roles within your organization, or automated workflows that streamline your product development process. Perhaps you need advanced data management capabilities to handle complex product structures, or integration with other business systems like ERP or CRM.

Remember, the goal of customization is not to add as many features as possible, but to create a tool that is efficient, user-friendly, and meets your specific needs. When done right, a customized PLM platform can drastically improve productivity, reduce time-to-market, and foster innovation.

Choosing the Right PLM Provider: CLEVR

Selecting a PLM provider is a critical decision that can significantly impact your organization's performance and competitiveness. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Industry Expertise: Does the provider have a deep understanding of your industry and its unique challenges? Can they offer relevant insights and recommendations?
• Customization Capabilities: Does the provider offer customization? Can they tailor the PLM solution to fit your specific needs and align with your business goals?
• Integration: Can the PLM platform seamlessly integrate with your existing systems? Is the provider capable of ensuring a smooth implementation process?
• Support: Does the provider offer ongoing support and training to ensure you can fully leverage the PLM platform?

CLEVR ticks all these boxes. With their deep industry expertise, customization capabilities, seamless integration, and robust support, they stand out as a reliable PLM provider. Choosing a provider like CLEVR, who offers customization, ensures that your PLM solution can adapt and evolve with your business needs, delivering long-term value.

Implementing a PLM solution is not just about adopting a new technology; it's about transforming your business operations to become more efficient, competitive, and profitable. Customizing your PLM platform to align with your unique needs and goals can significantly drive this transformation.

Whether you're in the manufacturing industry or any other sector dealing with complex product lifecycles, a tailored PLM solution can be a game-changer. And with a reliable provider like CLEVR, you can be assured of a solution that fits your specific requirements and delivers long-term value.

Don't wait. Contact CLEVR today and take the first step towards transforming your product lifecycle management.

In the fast-paced world of technology and industry, change management is a pivotal element. Businesses sailing the swift currents of technological progress need to adapt to these new advancements. This adaptation requires alterations not just in their technology, but also in their organizational structure, processes, methodologies, roles, and integrations.

This article will delve into the importance of change management, present its essential components, and shed light on how CLEVR, a leader in digital transformation, steers this process. Guided by our Expert and Business Consultant, Malin Ragnarsson, this article showcases the indispensability of change management, its key facets, and CLEVR's approach to navigating this complex landscape.

The Need for Change Management

In the dynamic business landscape, managing change effectively is vital. Not only does this relate to new technology or software implementations, but it also extends to operational adaptations due to technological advancements like AI and cloud computing. Mergers, acquisitions, regulatory alterations, market trends, and cultural transformations all demand strategic and skillful change management. Without it, businesses risk efficiency losses, non-compliance, missed opportunities and unsuccessful transitions.

Key Components of Change Management

Successful change management revolves around several key tasks:

• Reason for Change and Expected Benefits
• Grasping the reason for change and anticipated benefits is key to change management. This clarity drives the change direction and aligns stakeholders. It's vital to document and communicate the change reasons to those affected. Management must outline the goals and expected benefits, which serve as a measure of the change effectiveness during and post-implementation.
• Change Readiness and GAP identification
• An assessment of readiness is crucial to understand an organization's ability to adapt to change by identifying the gap between existing and future processes. This insight helps comprehend the magnitude of the impending shift. Assigning a Change Manager fosters synergy with the Project Manager, integrating change management tasks into the project plan. Transparent communication about the change's rationale and benefits for stakeholders and employees is key.
• Stakeholder Identification and Analysis
• Identifying and analyzing stakeholders is crucial to determine who will be affected by and can influence a change. This process involves identifying stakeholders like employees adapting to new technology or undertaking new tasks. The results are essential for creating a training plan and communication strategy related to the change.
• Communication and Engagement Strategies
• Effective change management relies on good communication and engagement. Creating these strategies is key for managing change and involving stakeholders. This requires timely, precise communication to relevant parties. For example, supervisors should explain the benefits to employees, while executives should convey the reasons for change and its organizational advantages.
• Training Strategies
• Training strategies play a pivotal role in change management by equipping stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to adapt. Crafting well-suited training plans is part of preparing employees for change, considering the organization's needs and the extent of the change. This could include relevant employee training, process training, and the use of e-learning tools.
• Sustaining the Change
• Maintaining change is a vital final step in change management. After implementation and adaptation, strategies must be developed for long-term sustainability and to reap its benefits. This may include actions like decommissioning old systems, rewarding employees for adapting and offering ongoing training and support.

CLEVR: Your Change Management Expert

CLEVR provides comprehensive change management solutions, tackling the challenges of software implementation. We assign a dedicated change resource to each project, ensuring smooth transitions. Our team consists of APMG and Prosci certified experts who use standardized methodologies. Whether it's a sequential or sprint-based project, our method effectively handles change activities.

Our experts' certifications guarantee a consistent vocabulary and approach during change management, making the process efficient and effective. Partner with CLEVR to maximize your new software implementation benefits.
Contact us today to learn how we can help your business in managing change efficiently.

Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) has emerged as a vital component in the manufacturing industry, providing comprehensive visibility into all manufacturing processes. This enhanced visibility allows businesses to optimize their performance and efficiency. As reported by Gartner, the implementation of MOM has led to substantial improvements in key performance indicators for companies, and by 2027, Gartner predicts that 80% of manufacturing operations management solutions will be cloud-native and edge-driven, closing the IT/OT convergence gap.

These figures highlight the transformative impact of MOM in enhancing production, efficiently managing inventory, and improving operational performance. Given the significant role of MOM in manufacturing, one might wonder about the part played by Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) within this framework, and this is what we are going to explore in this article.

The Role of Manufacturing Execution Systems in MOM

The incorporation of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) within MOM has further refined manufacturing practices. By offering real-time control over the production process and reducing waste, MES amplifies productivity and promotes sustainable manufacturing practices, connecting and coordinating all shop-floor operations and data in real-time. Building on this, here are some standout advantages of MES:

Enhancing Control and Reducing Waste
The primary strength of MES lies in its ability to offer real-time control over the production process. This means that managers can oversee every step of manufacturing as it happens, adjusting as necessary to ensure optimal efficiency. By identifying and eliminating bottlenecks, MES helps to significantly reduce waste, leading to more sustainable manufacturing practices.

Boosting Productivity
The benefits of MES extend beyond control and sustainability. By automating routine tasks, MES frees up human resources for more complex and strategic activities. This not only amplifies productivity but also improves the quality of output. Furthermore, with MES, manufacturers gain valuable insights into their operations, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and implement strategic changes.

MES and Industry 4.0: A Dynamic Duo

As the manufacturing sector moves towards Industry 4.0, the role of MES in MOM is becoming even more critical. By seamlessly integrating with other advanced technologies like IoT, AI, and machine learning, MES can facilitate smart manufacturing. This involves predictive maintenance, advanced scheduling, and real-time analytics, all of which contribute to enhanced efficiency, flexibility, and competitiveness.

The incorporation of MES within MOM is not just refining manufacturing practices – it's revolutionizing them. With its potential to amplify productivity, reduce waste, and promote sustainable and smart manufacturing, MES is set to play a defining role in the future of manufacturing.