Do you use low-code platforms for applications to edit RDB data in an audit-proof manner?
Do you store critical business data in relational databases and need a way to allow users without database expertise to edit this data within secure workflows based on the dual-control principle, while integrating these process steps seamlessly into your business processes?
These highly specialized requirements often still lead to the development of custom solutions today. Since this can involve significant challenges (see comparison of in-house development), more and more companies are using low-code (or no-code) platforms — such as Mendix, OutSystems, and Microsoft Power Apps — even for implementing complex company applications. These platforms are flexible and address the need for rapid digitalization, as they greatly accelerate the creation of custom applications and (almost) completely eliminate the need for programming.
BOI FreeDa specializes in the use case of audit-proof maintenance of data from relational databases. It enables users without SQL knowledge to work with data from RDBs. As a standard solution, BOI FreeDa provides all the necessary functionalities for this use case and offers several advantages over in-house development — even when using Low-Code/No-Code platforms.
Maintain data using your own low-code application or BOI FreeDa
What is a low-code platform?
- A low-code platform is a software development environment that replaces the development of applications using text-based programming languages with the creation of applications using visual application design tools and other graphical modeling methods. They evolved from earlier Rapid Application Development (RAD) tools such as Excel, Lotus Notes, and Microsoft Access, which already provided basic development-related functions for empoyees in the operating department without IT expertise. Thanks to drag-and-drop functionality, modern low-code and no-code solutions require only minimal prior technical knowledge.
What is the difference between low-code and no-code?
- No-code platforms enable non-IT professionals working in operating departments who have little or no programming knowledge to create applications with standard features, as they do not require actual programming. Low-code applications, on the other hand, do require some programming effort. The terms are sometimes used as synonyms.
What are the benefits of in-house development using low-code?
- Low-code and no-code platforms offer an alternative to traditional software development, which requires programmers to have extensive knowledge of programming languages, development environments, and testing and deployment processes. These platforms abstract the underlying technical complexity and instead provide user-friendly, visual tools for developing applications. The foundation is a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) through which components and application programming interfaces (APIs) can be integrated and iteratively customized. The applications developed in this way are powerful enough to be deployed company-wide.
How are in-house applications actually developed using low-code platforms?
- Typically, they feature reusable components and drag-and-drop functionality that allows process steps to be linked into complete workflows. Application development is often done graphically, similar to creating a flowchart, by combining pre-built building blocks.
What does BOI FreeDa offer for audit-compliant table maintenance?
- BOI FreeDa is a standard solution designed for users without IT expertise — especially in the area of relational databases — and developed specifically for secure, traceable, and scalable table maintenance in relational databases. BOI FreeDa offers the ability to integrate automated data maintenance processes into existing business processes — including a complete audit trail, versioning, approval workflows, and much more.
What are the benefits of table maintenance using BOI FreeDa compared to in-house solutions built with low-code?
- BOI FreeDa offers out-of-the-box standard software functionality for the audit-proof editing and maintenance of data from relational databases, including a standardized interface for role- and permission-based data maintenance without the need for custom development. BOI FreeDa bridges the gap between powerful systems for managing critical business data and custom-developed in-house solutions.
The comparison in detail
Data maintenance with BOI FreeDa vs. in-house development with low-code
BOI FreeDa
Can be introduced within a few
weeks
In-house development
with low-code
Initial applications can be created
quickly; however, they often
require further work to ensure
stability and security
BOI FreeDa
Out of the box: audit trail, versioning, traceable changes including user and timestamps
In-house development
with low-code
Must be modeled manually using
low-code building blocks; often
limited in terms of audit compliance
BOI FreeDa
Supports all major relational
databases
In-house development
with low-code
Usually limited to specific databases or dependent on connectors
BOI FreeDa
Automatic assurance of database
compliance; rule-based and verifiable mechanisms directly at
the table level
In-house development
with low-code
Rules and tests must be defined
and tested individually
BOI FreeDa
Standardized interfaces for
automated processes
In-house development
with low-code
Interface modeling is possible,
but is often not versioned or difficult to make backward compatible
BOI FreeDa
Optimized for table maintenance
without database knowledge
In-house development
with low-code
Standard interfaces are often generic, with limited usability for complex tables
BOI FreeDa
Low: production-tested, auditproof, and stable
In-house development
with low-code
Medium to high: platform lockin,
limited auditability, custom extensions are risky
BOI FreeDa
High configurability, extensibility
via APIs and standardized
modules
In-house development
with low-code
Significant flexibility in mask and
process design, but governance and stability are costly
FAQ: Practical perspective
Which system is best in practice?
What benefits and challenges should you expect when developing in-house solutions with low-code?
- Benefits: Very quick to get started, often without (in-depth) IT expertise. Operating departments can create web applications, user interfaces, and processes on their own. Well-suited for small, non-critical use cases.
- Challenges: As complexity grows, limitations become apparent: lack of scalability, limited audit trail, and dependence on the platform. Follow-up work is required to meet compliance requirements. In the long term, costs and risks increase, particularly regarding regulatory requirements and the scaling of these applications, which can lead to potentially escalating infrastructure and storage costs. Because development is very straightforward, it can become difficult to keep track of which applications exist within the company, what they do, and what data they generate or use.
What benefits and challenges should you expect when using BOI FreeDa?
- Benefits: A clearly predictable total cost of ownership. Operating departments can edit critical data in an audit-proof manner via a central web interface — without requiring database knowledge. Changes are controlled, verified, and documented with version control. BOI FreeDa integrates seamlessly into business processes and supports all common relational databases.
- Challenges: Initial integration and implementation of governance rules are required. Special logic may need to be supplemented with customer-specific extensions. Its use is optimized for the use case of audit-proof data maintenance.
Which system is best suited for which tasks?
- In-house development with low-code: fast, flexible, and cost-effective for specific use cases — but with risks regarding audit compliance, governance, and scalability. Low- and no-code tools therefore entail increased administrative overhead and require strict enforcement of data governance rules. Total cost of ownership is difficult to calculate in the long term.
- BOI FreeDa: specially developed for audit-proof and centralized table maintenance, with a short time-to-value, clear governance, and predictable costs. Future-proof thanks to manufacturer supportand continuous development.
