This document discusses why RAD (Rapid Application Development) tools are important for modern app development. Traditional development tools use structured methodologies that are time-consuming and inflexible, making it difficult to respond quickly to changing business needs. RAD tools allow for faster development through templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and less code. They also enable iterative development and regular adaptation to changing requirements, making them better suited for today's agile business environment. RAD tools help foster enterprise innovation by allowing all employees to participate in app building and innovation.
2. NEW AGE ENTERPRISE CHALLENGES
• Global Competition
• Scarce, Expensive Resources
• Complex Supply Chains
• Social-media Empowered Customers
• Demanding, Consumerized Employees
• Disruptive Business Models
3. SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISES
• Enable Agility to Keep Up
• Democratize Decision Making
• Foster Innovation Throughout the Organization
IBM CIO Study – Successful Companies…
• Build a workplace strategy and roadmap
that drives innovation and productivity
• Enable secure anytime, anywhere access
instead of restricting usage
4. ENTERPRISE’S TRADITIONAL AREAS OF FOCUS
4
Systems of
Innovation
Systems of
Differentiation
Systems
of Record
Gartner calls it “Pace-layered applications architecture”
Resources deployed were proportional
e.g. HR DB and apps.
e.g. Leave Management app.
Specific to company policy.
e.g. Innovative customized
leaves for employees based
on the historical pattern of
availing leaves
5. THE FUTURE FOCUS
5
Low change
Incremental Change
High Volume of Change + New Paradigm
RAD
Source
of Data
Source of Process
functionality
Build rapidly. Experiment.
All can build.
Source
of Data
Competitive advantage lies with companies that get the top-tier right
RAD enables to foster enterprise
innovation by enabling apps to be
built with agility and democratizes
decision making by allowing all
employees to participate in
innovation and app building
6. APPLICATIONS ARE KEY ENABLERS
• Making information more broadly available
• Gather input and interaction from broader constituents
• Improved accessibility = faster
• Capturing and refining competitive and innovative processes
• Automation for consistency and speed
• Improved customer service
7. WHAT ARE THE USER'S EXPECTATIONS FROM AN APP?
A typical user wants the app to:
• Be always available on multiple devices
• Be customized and personalized
• Be fast and engaging
• Be Connected and social
• Provide integrated experiences without any hassle
• Have good looking UI
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8. WHAT ARE ENTERPRISE'S EXPECTATIONS?
• Be secure, scalable and easily maintainable
• Be available anytime, anywhere, and anyplace
• Have agility
• Involve Business Users
• Have lower TCO
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9. WHY TRADITIONAL DEV TOOLS WILL NOT WORK?
Traditional development tools use structured methodologies which consist of
easily defined stages such as feasibility study, analysis, design, implementation,
testing and installation.
Each stage requires formal completion before the next stage can begin.
9
Analysis Design
Implement
ation
Testing Installation
Traditional dev tools disadvantages:
• Time consuming and slow
• Little room for iteration
• Difficulty responding to changes of today’s business demands
• Not user friendly
• Follows rigid process model
10. RAPID APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT TOOLS
10
• Reduce time to create the app
• Faster development with templates and elements
• Less code with drag and drop functionality
• Great UI
• Continuous delivery Design
Develop
ImplementTest
Install
Iterative
Development
11. WHY RAD TOOLS ARE BETTER THAN THE
TRADITIONAL TOOLS?
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Traditional Tools
• Highly risky and uncertain
• Less customer interaction
during dev phase
• Dependent on set of
predetermined processes
RAD Tools
• Modern looking UI using a Visual
editor
• Easy to use data model designer
• Bind UI components to databases
and web services
• Integrate easily with enterprise
systems and SaaS services
• Collaboration with team members
• Regular adaptation to changing
requirements
Systems of Record — Established packaged applications or legacy homegrown systems that support core transaction processing and manage the organization's critical master data. The rate of change is low, because the processes are well-established and common to most organizations, and often are subject to regulatory requirements.
Systems of Differentiation — Applications that enable unique company processes or industry-specific capabilities. They have a medium life cycle (one to three years), but need to be reconfigured frequently to accommodate changing business practices or customer requirements.
Systems of Innovation — New applications that are built on an ad hoc basis to address new business requirements or opportunities. These are typically short life cycle projects (zero to 12 months) using departmental or outside resources and consumer-grade technologies.