Introduction

Large organisation and enterprises develop and maintain complex IT solutions that are scalable, secure, and adaptable to meet business needs system integration.

While low-code and no-code platforms have gained popularity for their ease of use, they often fall short when it comes to building future proof, large-scale, enterprise-grade applications. This is where pro-code development platforms shine, offering a structured yet flexible foundation for IT teams working on mission-critical solutions.

The need for pro-code in enterprise IT

Large-scale and enterprise software projects are inherently complex, requiring high levels of customisation, integration, and scalability. In those settings, many organisations face challenges such as:

• Scalability: Business growth demands software that can scale efficiently, integrating with legacy systems and handling increasing workloads.

• Custom development needs: Organisations frequently require custom-built features, unique business logic, and specialised workflows that low-code platforms cannot fully support.

• Security and compliance: Large enterprises must adhere to strict regulatory requirements and security policies, often requiring deep customisation that low-code solutions cannot offer.

• Ownership and control: With pro-code, companies maintain full ownership over their software architecture, ensuring long-term flexibility and innovation.

Why choose pro-code for complex IT projects?

Low-code and no-code platforms are overall more suitable for small-scale or less complex applications as they come with inherent limitations that often make them unsuitable for large, complex IT demands and ecosystems.

Let us explore some of the key reasons opting for pro-code when building advanced IT solutions by comparing no-code, low-code and pro-code:

The total cost of ownership: pro-code vs. low-Code

One of the biggest considerations for enterprises is the total cost of ownership (TCO) when choosing a development approach. While low-code solutions may seem cost-effective upfront due to reduced development time and a lower need for coding expertise, they often come with hidden costs that increase over time.

Often hidden cost factors:

• Licensing fees: Low-code platforms often operate on a subscription-based pricing model, with costs increasing as usage scales. In contrast, pro-code solutions allow enterprises to build their own platforms without ongoing vendor dependency.

• Integration costs: Low-code platforms require extensive workarounds and middleware for complex integrations, which increases costs in the long run.

• Customisation cost: Low-code platforms tend to restrict functional development to predefined components, making complex modifications like unique workflows and advanced functionality expensive.

• Security and compliance expenses: Meeting enterprise security standards often demands additional tools and resources, while pro-code platforms allow for fully tailored security solutions.

• Long-term scalability costs: Low-code platforms often struggle with performance bottlenecks, leading to costly re-engineering efforts as use and business scale grows.

By choosing pro-code development, large organisations and enterprises can avoid vendor lock-in, reduce rework costs, and gain full control over their long-term IT investment.

Real-world success: RGS Nordic’s customer portal

A great example of the power of pro-code development platforms is Sprinting Software’s the recent development of RGS Nordic’s customer portal using Sprinting Platform.

RGS Nordic, a leading Danish waste management company, needed a new self-service portal with enhanced functionality to improve efficiency and modernise its operations. Their previous system was outdated, lacked necessary features, and was costly to develop further.

By leveraging Sprinting Platform’s pre-built enterprise features such as CI/CD capabilities and scalable architecture in combination with pro-code customisation, the new portal was rapidly developed and deployed. Key project benefits included:

• Cost efficient components: The use of Sprinting Platform’s existing components like Active Directory, backoffice, user roles management, etc. significantly reduced development time and cost.

• Seamless system integration: The portal could be customised to integrate with RGS Nordic’s internal data systems ensuring real-time data display without redundant processes.

• Pro-code customisation: The pro-code of Sprinting Platform allowed RGS Nordic to fully design the functionality needed and shape the portal to be perfectly fitted for purpose.

Data, BI and Performance Manager Michael Rygaard at RGS Nordic says: “We are thrilled having a simply excellent customer portal that first and foremost makes it easier to be a customer at RGS Nordic.”

You can read more about the RGS Nordic customer portal project in this case study.

Conclusion

For companies wanting to develop a complex or large-scale digital transformation solution, choosing the right development approach is crucial.

While low-code platforms offer speed and simplicity, they often lack the flexibility, scalability, and security required for mission-critical applications. Over time it can be costly to bring the solution to the desired target state.

Pro-Code supported solutions ensure long-term success by providing the customisation, integration, and control enterprises need. If on top of this basing the development on a pro-code development platform that also offers out-of-the box capabilities, your project will have a great head-start.

You are welcome to read about Sprinting Software’s pro-code development platform, Sprinting Platform.