Solution:
- Pilot LowCode/NoCode project to select the best tech stack for internal tools development and rapid development/prototyping for our clients
- Quick implementation of internal CMS to solve the real business case
- Flexibility with object fields, workflow, reporting
- Keeping all the data inside the company’s database
- The cheapest and easiest change and maintenance without developers
Tech stack:
- Initially we selected no-code platform Coda.
- The following platforms were considered/evaluated: Airtable, Fibery, and Code no-code platforms.
- But later we faced performance issues and decided to switch from no-code to low-code platform with our own data storage. And we selected Postgres + JetAdmin.
- The following platforms were considered/evaluated: Retool, Tooljet, JetAdmin, Internal, Appsmith, UI Bakery, and ForestAdmin.
- We also considered but quickly rejected Stacker, AppGyver, Node-Red, Thingsboard, Xano, Git Butler, Sonadier, MightyForms, Blur Admin, Tabler, KissFlow, DatoCMS, SunSed, Betty Blocks, Knack, Interflow, NocoDB, BudiBase, Google AppSheet
- Later we faced support issues and also considering pricing and functional limitations we decided to switch to completely free Appsmith.
Results
- Implemented internal CMS using Appsmith
- Later (using our previous lessons learned) we quickly implemented a CMS prototype for a big retail company using Appsmith
- We now consider Appsmith as our platform of choice for quick prototyping and small internal tools
- However, no-code/low-code platforms are still NOT an approach for ambitious products that require large growth and flexibility