Maxime, could you tell us about yourself and your company?
I'm building software projects for clients since 2008. In Adyax, first, a company I funded, specializing in Drupal CMS, then in code.store my current company. code.store is creating custom internal business software (like custom made CRMs, ERPs or PIMs) with low-code platforms. It lets us build custom software for a fraction of the costs of a more classical approach. Therefore we help businesses to automate as much operation as it's possible, leveraging software and AI.
How would you concretely explain low code and its benefits to someone unfamiliar with it?
Well, imagine building a house, you would first build walls, brick by brick, then the roof, then you would install pipes and wires, etc... This would correspond to a classical, full-code approach. You can adapt each pipe, how you lay bricks, and the colors of wires, but it takes 6 months to build a house. Now imagine you assemble a house with modules, not entire rooms, but building blocs: a fully wired wall with pipes, isolated but not painted and another wall with windows, then the roof is entirely ready too, but you still have to design the interior, select the right building blocs, etc... Overall you have a little bit more constraints, but your house is ready in 2 months. This is low-code.
How have you observed the adoption of low code in the media industry over recent years?
Currently, media are extremely price-sensitive and eager to go with a low-code CMS, for example (a Content Management System). We are partners with the best media CMS in the world: Arc XP, built inside the Washington Post after Jeff Bezos bought it. It's the most powerful, modular CMS out there.
What are the main misconceptions about low code and how do you address them?
We often hear that low-code and no-code are the same, they are not. Low code is for developers no-code for marketing or business teams. Another misconception is to think low-code could only be used for small projects, we see entire multi-billion businesses running on low-code only (Wakame insurance company or Heimstaden Real Estate). Finally, we often hear developers complain about low-code not letting them do things the way they used to do them. Well, the world changes, AI is here, coding will never be the same, building software neither.
Do you have any arguments to encourage media CTO to start a low code initiative for the next project?
Just do it!. Select the right tool: Retool, Xano, WeWeb, Supabase are the best in class for now. Then pick the most adventurous, younger developers and let them iterate with a business person. No middlemen! Check the result in 4 weeks max. You will be surprised.
Could you offer advice to people on selecting service providers or technology while integrating low code for media criteria?
I think the most important criterion is the experience with important low-code tools. And please eliminate anyone using Mendix, Outsystems or trying to sell you Microsoft Power Platform... Retool, WeWeb, Xano, Supabase, Superblocs, are the new big dogs.
In your view, how will low code for media evolve in the coming years?
Low code will be fueling at least 70 to 80% of all software existing in the world. And we're not far if you take in account older platforms like Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, all BPM software and old low-code platforms. A large migration will occur from costly SaaS to modern, AI-powered lightweight, open and standard platforms like Retool or Xano.
Do you have a message for our readers?
We love you, call us !
