The Appian Effect: Why the corporate rush?

#lowcode #bpm

When a scenario of writing ‘n’ lines of codes reduces to few lines of code occurs, then obviously it’s a game changer, time saver and complexity reducer and yes! right there comes the role of lowcode and the widely used platform called Appian. And yeah, of course in this article, l have talked about Appian and how Appian is acting as the best development platform and a highly welcomed method in today’s world. Let's dive in! So, in this blog….

What is Lowcode and Appian?
Key differences between Appian and other high level programming languages
Importance for Logical Thinking and Problem Solving
Updation and Enhancement Releases
Appian Community
Easy Maintenance
Project Management in Appian
Companies and various fields Vs Appian

Lowcode and Appian?

As the name defines, the low-code is the software development methodology which can be done without complex coding and some pre-built functions and objects. Appian is a largely used low-code platform that offers a variety of products for use and assists developers in creating applications quickly and progressively. Widely Appian is being used for building the BPM process because of its well known secure structure that is needed in the all fields of business corporations.

Key differences between Appian and other high level languages Environment

In high level languages like Java, Python and C, the use of Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is involved. It acts as a main environment for development. But when we use Appian, it uses the cloud as an environment. This way of rendering the environment is called Platform as a service (PAAS) and Appian mainly uses cloud access from google.

Development Style

In Appian, the concept of code from scratch does exist, but really does not exist. Not to confuse you, but let's dig in deeper! For example, if you're building an application for managing the leaves system of employees, in high level coding we have to design even the button of the leave request form from the scratch, but in Appian when it comes to interfaces, just dragging the button component and dropping it, will do the work. So, logically you will be building the application from the scratch but technically the use of builtin components contradicts that.

Objects/Artifacts

Appian provides a lot of objects and artifacts to use, which reduces the complexity of the code and increases the readability of the same. Those objects/Artifacts have a few key differences. Some of the mostly used objects are,

Expression Rule
Integrations
Custom Data Type
Records
Query Record Data
Report

Expression Rules

Expression rule is used to perform a particular task and return the output, as per developer wishes. That is, in high level language we can say, expression rules are like functions that have a set of statements inside them to perform a task and return the output. Using the expression rules reduces the complexity of the code and the use of function within the function will be easier and mostly understandable by other developers too.

This picture depicts the function named JT_getEmployee with 2 inputs and returning all the employees.

Integrations

In high level languages, we developers mostly use tools such as Postman API, for getting and posting the date from one system to another. In Appian, there is a separate designated component for integration which can do the same work as the other tools and return the output too, if the developer asked for. In this sense, it reduces the external use of the tools hence the security of the data and the company increases. And as an addon, obviously the cost for the software decreased because of the reliance on other tools apart from the environment.

Custom Data Type

Custom Datatype is the one of the most used artifacts in Appian. It defines the structure of the data we are about to save in the variable. In a high level language like C, we call this feature Structure. In Appian, using CDT reduces the hindrance of changing size of the any data type inside the structure, where is in high level language we have to take a conscious step while doing this.

The above picture serves as an example of the Custom Datatype of name VMA_Vehical with all the fields and their corresponding types.

Records

Records are the tables that we use in high level language, but the key change here is the data that we store and retrieve can be maintained only in the Appian environment, if the developer wants. By doing so, the data is highly secured. And the records can not be accessed by any of the developers. It also has a security configuration which protects the data at a big level.

Query Record Data

Query record data is the component that gets the data from the records that have the data. Since both the Records and Query Record Data are interrelated and exist in the same environment the data fetching speed is higher when compared to other languages. The below picture is a n example of the record which has all the data of the employees in the employee table.

Reports

This is indeed a very useful feature for the management people, who alway relies one the data and analysis. These objects will collect the data from the records and the process and produce the bar chart for the users. Let’s take an example of the leave request system again. Consider the environment has the data of the employees who are all taking leave on this particular day, so with this feature we can create a bar chart, pie chart or a tabular column to visually see the details about the employees either collectively or individually. This feature is specific to Appian where as in high level language we need help from the other tools like Tableau.

Importance for Logical Thinking and Problem Solving

Although we discussed that Appian does not really need a lot of work for satisfying the requirements of the clients, logical thinking and problem solving are the key skills in Appian Development too. Appian does provide a lot of objects and artifacts for the ease of the developers to reduce the complexity and increase the efficiency of the team, but only with logical thinking problem solving skill, a developer can analyze and properly use the appropriate object and components to the application. When it comes to solving a problem or providing a solution to the requirement, these skills are needed irrespective of Appian or any other high level programming languages.

Updation and Enhancement Releases

Like other programming languages, Appian also gets updates frequently. For each and every release, the new versions of the environment get updates. After releasing, the company releases the documents for the enhanced features and how to use them for the learning perspective of the Appian developers. So there is no less or loss, compared to other languages.

Appian Community

When it comes to programming the discussion forum and sources are the main factors. For high level languages forums like stackoverflow and medium exist, similarly for Appian, there is a big forum and resources community called Appian Community. In this community, there are latest releases of the Appian, documentations for the objects, environment and the people’s discussion regarding the clarifications, doubts and solutions are available. This community acts as a crucial part in this Appian domain as stackoverflow, medium for other high level programming languages.

Easy Maintenance

Not only in programming, even in post developing steps Appian acts as a best. The most crucial phase in the software development cycle is Deployment and maintenance. In Appian the deployment part can be done easily and for the record we can even store the file with proper logs and approval. When it comes to maintenance in the higher environment or updation in the software in the lower environment, Appian applications are easily maintainable and modifiable.

Project Management in Appian

As like any other platforms and languages, the project management in Appian is easily achievable. In fact, Appian is known for its Rapid development method. Hence the deliverables are made as per clients timeline and quickly delivered. When it comes to resolving bugs and enhancing the requirement of the Clients, Appian is very flexible and changes are feasible. Since the outputs are fruitful in the Appian, the tracking of the stories in the perspective of the management team, becomes easier.

Companies and various fields Vs Appian

Because of all the flexibility, efficiency and the advantages in the area of readability, complexity and security, the most of the companies in today's world are using and approaching Appian as theri business process development platform. Deloitte, KMPS, Accenture, Infosys, Capgemini, Cognizant, Wipro are few big companies that are using Appian for their business processes and providing the solutions to their clients in the fields like Pharmaceutical, Banking, Government, Human Resources and Education. JP Morgan Chase and co. is the example for the financial secretary that uses Appian for streamlining their business process. Similarly, the biggest pharmaceutical company in the middle east called Novartis uses Appian in most of their important processes.

So as I discussed, Appian stands for its easy understanding, readability and complexity. Project Management in Appian, especially attracting business Organizations. A lot of companies in today’s world are indulging themselves deeply in the use of this platform. Although there are a lot of big companies who are all already using it, the reach for this platform and the Appian developers keeps on increasing in the present days and in future too, it sure will be seen as successful and the same as any of the high level programming languages. What is your thought on the same? Are you also considering learning Appian and being a developer who is in high demand in the future? If so, here is the go ahead for you to start your learning journey! Appian Community Learn: https://community.appian.com/learn. All the best!

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