How Low-code Automation Differs from Traditional Solutions

7 September 2026

by Richard Higginbotham

Organisations are under constant pressure to deliver better services, improve efficiency and respond quickly to changing requirements. But traditional approaches to software development and process automation can make change slow and resource-intensive. 

Low-code automation offers a different approach. By combining visual application development with workflows, process management, integrations and automation, organisations can build and adapt digital solutions faster – while still giving professional developers the control they need. 

But how does low-code automation actually differ from traditional development and automation? And what role does AI play?

1. What is low-code automation?
2. How does low-code automation differ from traditional development?
3. Low-code automation vs traditional automation
4. What is a low-code workflow? 
5. What are the benefits of low-code business process automation?
6. How is generative AI changing low-code?
7. Will AI replace low-code?
8. What should you look for in a low-code automation platform?
9. Low-code automation is about more than building apps
10. Low-code automation FAQs

What is low-code automation?

Low-code automation brings together low-code application development and process automation to help organisations digitise and automate how work gets done. 

Rather than building an application and then finding separate ways to automate the processes around it, teams can use low-code tools to create applications, configure workflows, connect systems and automate tasks as part of the same solution. 

For example, a digital application could:

1. Capture information through a form
2. Automatically create a case
3. Route work to the appropriate team
4. Trigger notifications
5. Connect to existing systems
6. Escalate exceptions for human review
7. Use AI to analyse or summarise information.

This means low-code automation is about more than simply building an application with less code. It is about connecting people, processes, applications, data and automation.

How does low-code automation differ from traditional development?

Traditional software development relies primarily on professional developers writing code to create and maintain applications. 

This remains the right approach for some highly specialised or complex requirements. However, it can create a significant dependency on development teams when organisations need to make frequent changes or deliver smaller applications quickly. 

Low-code changes how much of this work needs to be done manually. 
Visual development tools allow teams to configure data models, workflows, integrations and user experiences without writing everything from scratch. Professional developers can still extend solutions with custom code where required. 

This creates a more collaborative model in which business teams can contribute their understanding of processes while developers retain control over more complex technical requirements. 

The result can be a shorter cycle between: 

Identify – design – build – test – improve – deploy

Low-code automation vs traditional automation

Low-code automation is also broader than using a single automation technology. 
Technologies such as robotic process automation (RPA), business process management (BPM), workflow automation, process mapping and AI can each address different parts of a business process. 

RPA, for example, can automate repetitive tasks by interacting with existing applications. BPM focuses on managing and improving business processes. Workflow automation can determine what happens next and who needs to act. 

Low-code application development adds another important layer: It can provide the applications, interfaces and data structures around those processes. 

These technologies do not necessarily compete with one another. They can work together to support end-to-end process automation. 

For example: 

Process mapped – application built – workflow configured – AI or IDP processes information – RPA completes a repetitive task – employee reviews an exception 

The low-code application and workflow can provide the structure that connects these different capabilities into a single process.

What is a low-code workflow?

A low-code workflow uses visual tools to define the steps, rules and actions within a business process. 

A simple example might look like:

1. Request submitted
2. Information validated
3. Case created
4. Task assigned
5. Decision required?
6. Yes or No
7. Human review automated completion.

Because the workflow is configured visually, it can be easier to understand and adapt as the underlying process changes. 

This can be particularly useful for organisations dealing with complex processes that cross teams, systems or departments.

What are the benefits of low-code business process automation?

Faster application delivery 

Visual development and reusable components can reduce the amount of bespoke development required, helping organisations deliver new services and adapt existing ones more quickly.

Greater collaboration between business and IT 

Business users understand how processes work. Developers understand the technology and architecture. 

Low-code allows both groups to contribute, while governance controls help ensure solutions are developed safely.

Connected processes 

Low-code process automation can connect applications, data and workflows, helping reduce manual handoffs and the need to move information between disconnected systems. 

Continuous improvement 

Processes change. Low-code makes it easier to adapt applications and workflows rather than treating every change as a completely new development project. 

Automation where it makes sense 

Not every step needs to be automated. Low-code can support processes where routine work is automated while exceptions and decisions are routed to employees.

How is generative AI changing low-code?

Generative AI is beginning to change how applications and workflows themselves are created. 

Rather than configuring every element manually, developers and business users can increasingly describe what they want in natural language and use AI to help generate application logic, code or workflow components. 

This could make low-code development even more accessible and accelerate the process of turning an idea into a working solution. 

It also changes the role of the low-code platform. AI can help with the creation of a solution, while the platform still provides the environment for governance, security, integration, testing and deployment. 

For Netcall, this is an area of continued development. Liberty Create already includes embedded AI capabilities such as Ask Liberty AI, Knowledge Management, NLP services and predictive models.

Will AI replace low-code?

Probably not. Instead, AI is likely to change how low-code solutions are designed and built. 

AI can help generate application logic and accelerate development, but organisations still need to determine what a process should do, what data can be accessed, who can take action and what governance controls should apply. 

That makes low-code and AI complementary. 

AI can help people build and improve solutions faster, while the low-code platform provides the structured environment in which those solutions can be configured, integrated, governed and deployed. 

The combination could make it possible for more people to contribute to digital transformation without removing the need for professional development and IT oversight.

What should you look for in a low-code automation platform?

If your objective is genuine business process automation rather than simply building applications, consider whether a platform provides: 

Application development and workflow 

Look for the ability to build applications and configure the workflows behind them within the same environment. 

Integration 

Automation is difficult when systems remain isolated. API capabilities, connectors and integration options are important for connecting new applications to existing technology. 

Business and developer collaboration 

Business users should be able to contribute to application and process design, while developers should have the tools to extend solutions when more complex requirements arise. 

AI and automation 

Consider how the platform supports AI and whether it can be extended with additional automation technologies such as RPA or intelligent document processing. 

Governance and security 

Speed should not come at the expense of control. Enterprise environments need appropriate security, access controls, audit trails and governance.

Low-code automation is about more than building apps

The real value of low-code automation is not simply that applications can be developed with less code. 

It is the ability to connect applications, workflows, processes, people and automation so organisations can change how work gets done. 

Liberty Create is Netcall’s enterprise low-code application development platform. It provides visual tools for building data models, workflows, integrations and user experiences, with governance and security controls that support collaboration between business users and professional developers.
 
Create also supports use cases including case management, Business Process Management (BPM), CRM and multi-experience services. It can operate standalone or be extended with other Liberty capabilities, including RPA and intelligent document processing, when additional automation is required.

About the author

Richard Higginbotham

Product Marketing – Intelligent Automation

Richard and his team bring the Liberty platform to life – showing how people and AI can work better together. With a background in transformation, data and enterprise tech, he’s helped organisations across sectors modernise operations and reimagine service delivery, delivering human-centric solutions that make work smarter, safer and more effective.