Low-Code, No-Code And Robotics Are Reshaping Digital Transformation

Forbes

21-05-2025

Sanjoy Sarkar - SVP, Director - Application Development & Support, First Citizens Bank . getty
Over the course of my decade in technology leadership, I've had the opportunity to guide numerous large-scale digital transformation initiatives across banking, consulting and enterprise technology. From merger-driven system integrations to enterprise-wide process reengineering, low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms and intelligent automation have consistently played a pivotal role in my work. Whether we were empowering non-technical business users to prototype their own solutions or helping IT teams accelerate delivery cycles, LCNC has enabled us to deliver real impact fast.
To me, LCNC and robotic process automation (RPA) aren't trends—they're essential pillars of modern enterprise strategy. They empower teams, reduce friction and enable agility in ways we couldn't have imagined a decade ago. This article is my attempt to demystify that journey.
In my experience, choosing the right LCNC platform can make or break a digital transformation initiative. Over the years, I've evaluated and implemented several LCNC tools across different organizations, and I've learned that it's not just about flashy features or slick UI. It's about how well the platform scales, how easily it integrates into your existing tech stack and whether it can handle both simple use cases and enterprise-grade complexity.
One lesson I've learned the hard way is that governance cannot be an afterthought. I've seen what happens when teams build freely without controls—and it often results in shadow IT, duplicated logic and compliance risk. That's why I always emphasize selecting platforms with built-in role-based access control (RBAC), version control and audit trails. These features allow business users to innovate, but within a framework that IT can trust. And don't forget to assess the vendor's track record, community ecosystem and support model—because the right partner matters just as much as the right platform. Security, Compliance And Best Practices
As organizations expand their LCNC and RPA footprints, security and compliance must stay front and center. In regulated industries like finance and healthcare, this isn't optional—it's mission-critical.
I always advocate for a zero-trust approach: strict authentication, encrypted data flows and well-defined access policies. LCNC tools often move fast—but security has to move faster. I've led programs where we embedded automated testing, code scans and centralized monitoring into our development lifecycle from day one, which made a huge difference in identifying risks early.
And finally, none of this works without culture. Building a security-first mindset across teams—through training, awareness and ongoing engagement—has been one of the most effective ways I've seen to reduce risk while keeping innovation flowing. Lessons From The Field: Real-World Challenges And How To Avoid Them
With RPA, one common misstep I've seen is jumping straight into bot deployment without first optimizing the process. I once inherited a set of bots that were automating a poorly designed workflow. The result? Constant bot failures and more rework than relief. We eventually paused the automation, reengineered the process with business SMEs and only then deployed bots—this time with long-term success.
In one of my initial LCNC rollouts, I discovered collaboration is a must for LCNC. LCNC doesn't mean no IT—it means more intentional collaboration between business and IT. Metrics And ROI Considerations
To make a compelling case for LCNC and robotics, organizations must measure the return on investment (ROI) and business impact of these technologies. Enterprises leveraging low-code platforms can reduce their application development time by over 50%, allowing them to respond faster to market demands.
Additionally, automation through RPA and process orchestration has led to an average operational cost reduction of 30%. These platforms also enhance workforce productivity, with reports indicating that a majority of workers could save six hours a week with automation, allowing them to focus on higher-value strategic initiatives. Furthermore, companies implementing automated workflows have observed improvements in compliance and risk management, reducing regulatory penalties and operational errors.
Enterprises that effectively embrace LCNC and robotics are positioned to gain a significant competitive advantage. This technological shift can enable businesses to launch new digital offerings faster, optimize operational costs, enhance compliance and governance and foster a culture of innovation. More importantly, this transformation is reshaping the future of work, empowering organizations to build resilient, high-performing and agile digital enterprises. The question is no longer about whether to adopt LCNC and robotics, but rather how fast enterprises can harness their potential to stay ahead in the digital race.
These aren't just technologies to me. They're tools I've used to solve real problems, often under immense pressure. Whether it's during a crisis, a merger or a daily operations challenge, LCNC and RPA have consistently proven their value. More than that, they've changed the way people work—and how they feel about their work. That's why I remain passionate about driving this transformation forward.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely my own and do not reflect the views of my employer.
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