What is OutSystems?
OutSystems is a high-performance low code platform with a single purpose: enable digital transformation in every organization, with a more secure, swift, and agile approach. It combines advanced mobile capabilities with the power of low-code development, with a visual approach to programming, drag-and-drop tools and automation of repetitive tasks. OutSystems speeds up the creation of software and applications, substantially reducing complexity and time-to-market.
Why is OutSystems so exciting?
There are a few reasons why OutSystems excites both small and giant companies alike. Let’s dive into them.
Speed and efficiency
For starters, with OutSystems you can build products faster and better, thanks to multiple ready to use and pre-vetted libraries. Changes are a no-brainer: since most functions do not require hard coding, they can be changed swiftly, providing the ability to test, change, and evolve continuously.
Seamless integration
OutSystems features multiple integrations, reducing the effort of integrating databases, systems, and software. This allows businesses to quickly incorporate new technology without overhauling their entire infrastructure.
Scalability and flexibility
OutSystems enhanced scalability keeps up business performance, regardless of complexity, data volume, and number of users. This technology is particularly useful for businesses concerned with their mobile experience (and who isn’t these days?). Rather than using different technology for web and mobile applications, OutSystems delivers a seamless omnichannel customer experience.
Enterprise-grade security
OutSystems features the latest security measures. Apps built with OutSystems benefit from an extra layer of security in the application code itself, shielding them against common web and mobile application vulnerabilities.
That’s only part of the reason OutSystems excites both small and giant companies alike. For starters, with OutSystems you can build products faster and better, thanks to multiple ready to use and pre-vetted libraries. Changes are a no brainer: since most functions do not require hard coding, they can be changed around swiftly, providing the ability to test, change and evolve continuously.
OutSystems also features multiple integrations, reducing the effort of integrating databases, systems, and software. Its enhanced scalability keeps up business performance, regardless of complexity, data volume, and number of users.
This technology is particularly useful for businesses concerned with their mobile experience (and who isn’t these days?). Rather than using different technology for web and mobile applications, OutSystems delivers a seamless omnichannel customer experience.
Last but certainly not least, OutSystems does not neglect safety, featuring the latest security measures. Apps built with OutSystems benefit from an extra layer of security in the application code itself, shielding them against common web and mobile application vulnerabilities.
As a result, anyone can deliver web apps and engaging native mobile experiences that provide a great user experience. However, there’s more to OutSystems than knowing how to drag and drop. Here are 10 key features everyone should know before trying it out.
10 OutSystems features you may not be aware of
Let’s take a high-level look at the most outstanding and perhaps less obvious features of OutSystems.
1. Progressive Web Apps
With OutSystems, users won’t have to download a heavy app from Google Play or Apple Store. Applications can run in any internet browser, simplifying app distribution among users. Progressive Web Apps are also much lighter and perform well even with lower speed internet connections. This represents an advantage when working with multiple devices or in places with lagging internet connection.
2. Artificial Intelligence
Outsystems relies on a vast library of integrations with artificial intelligence functionalities. Therefore, it is possible, for example, to use voice recognition and video calls in apps. This means contact centres can have AI suggest solutions and products to an assistant, depending on what customers request and even on their state of mind. Besides this feature, there are several other AI solutions included in OutSystems, like chatbots, well worth exploring.
For example, a customer service company with integrated AI into their OutSystems application may enable real-time customer sentiment analysis during calls, automatically suggesting product solutions based on the customer’s tone and words. A great way to increase conversion rates.
3. Code Mentor (AI-assisted development)
OutSystems comes along with a co-developer to work with you. We are talking about AI-assisted development that runs besides you in any flow throughout Service Studio. It provides various suggestions to fill in the properties for the newly created nodes that will pop-out in the list. When OutSystems gets it right, you’ll just have to press Enter key to insert it immediately. Therefore, you will be able to create logic flows faster and with more confidence, even for complex tasks.
If you are part of a software team using OutSystems’ Code Mentor feature, you can speed up the creation of complex logic flows. The AI assists by suggesting code that can be inserted with a single click, allows for faster app development, and reduces errors.
4. Reactive web applications
With OutSystems, there is no need for expensive roundtrips to make an app reactive to user interactions, which is especially useful for apps that rely on data-intensive and dynamic interface patterns. A reactive app can mean the difference between a happy customer and a lost business opportunity. Besides, the pressure on the backend servers is also decreased, making these apps scale much better under heavy loads, leading to a smoother and pleasanter user experience.
A financial services provider can build a dynamic dashboard using OutSystems, where users can see real-time updates to stock prices and portfolio performance. The reactive features ensure the app remains responsive without needing constant reloading.
5. Customized Branding
You can use Theme Editor to customize the overall style of your app and preview it without leaving Service Studio. Since these themes use CSS variables, it is quite easy to simply change the colours or the webpages’ styles, particularly when developing multi-tenant apps, each on a different theme.
There are 18 default colour palettes available, or you can custom a palette based on the main colours from the logo of your company. OutSystems also allows you to customize font, structure and shape, as well as the login screen background. You can also find built-in screen templates ready to use for developing your applications. You can choose from a different set of Web Screen Templates and Mobile Screen Templates.
For instance, a multi-tenant SaaS platform can leverage OutSystems’ Theme Editor to customize the user interface for each client, ensuring that their app’s branding is consistent with their company’s identity without coding changes.
6. Integration with External Services ad Robust API
OutSystems can integrate applications with external services such as databases, social media platforms, and cloud storage. This allows you to access and use data from these services within your applications, without worrying about data migration. OutSystems provides seamless integration via SOAP, REST, or SAP APIs making it easier for developers to access data in new, meaningful ways. Exposing data is even simpler, extensive support for APIs, OutSystems makes it easy to build your own integrations. This can be done either with REST APIs or SOAP web services without hard coding.
7. Advanced Data Visualization
What if we told you could produce professional-looking reports and dashboards in your app in hours rather than weeks? From charts to maps, with HTML5 or JavaScript, developers can use OutSystems’ advanced data visualization tools to extract more information from data. Most of these reporting tools work seamlessly across desktop browsers or mobile devices. Developers can thus focus on insights’ analyses and spend less time taking care of technical implementations.
If you work on more advanced scenarios, OutSystems can step it up as well. Its open architecture excels integrates fully with the vast majority of business intelligence or data reporting tools. All it takes is a standard SQL Server or Oracle database.
Imagine a healthcare provider using OutSystems. It allows to create a dashboard that displays real-time patient data in charts, maps, and graphs, enabling health professionals to make informed decisions quickly.
8. Multi-Language Support
OutSystems also supports applications in multiple languages. You can define a primary language, and add multiple secondary languages that vary from region to region. This means you can create apps catered to a global audience. The platform supports dynamic language switching, ensuring customers can shop in their preferred language.
9. Automated deployment
OutSystems supports automated deployment and continuous integration. This means a development team can automate the deployment process of their app across different environments. For instance, when a new feature is developed or a bug is fixed, the app can be automatically tested and deployed to production with minimal manual intervention, reducing the risk of errors and speeding up time to market.
10. Native app development
OutSystems also enables the creation of native mobile apps for iOS and Android, streamlining mobile app development through its drag-and-drop interface and pre-built components.
Is OutSystems for You?
If you’re looking to accelerate your digital transformation, streamline app development, and ensure high-quality user experiences, OutSystems could be the right platform for you.
Overall, OutSystems is a smart choice for organizations aiming to develop scalable and secure apps faster. Its low-code platform allows even non-developers to contribute, speeding up time-to-market. If your business requires complex, multi-channel solutions that integrate seamlessly across web and mobile platforms, OutSystems offers the necessary tools.
However, it may not be the right fit for every business, so it’s important to assess your specific needs before committing.
Near Partner and OutSystems development: need a tailor-made app?
If you just fell in love with OutSystems, we totally understand. We also have a crush on low-code development. Get in touch to install and setup any OutSystems environment. At Near Partner, we can take care of the entire platform lifecycle, from initial build and integration through implementation, change management and quality assurance.
