Reading time: 2 min
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Whether low‑code enterprise platforms still make sense in an AI‑driven world
- The key factors to consider before investing in custom software
- Where low‑code delivers value beyond AI‑generated and traditional development
- How leaders should frame low‑code as a strategic, long‑term capability
Let’s talk about the things many people tend to avoid, or simply find uncomfortable to discuss.
I get this question almost every day, especially when speaking with new prospects or organisations that are genuinely exploring their options:
Is it still worth investing in a low‑code enterprise platform like Mendix?
My honest answer is simple: it depends.
But if you press me for a view, then yes. I would say it’s still a solid investment for at least the next three to five years. Beyond that, the landscape will undoubtedly continue to evolve. Even so, today low‑code still offers clear advantages compared to both AI‑generated code and traditional development approaches.
Author of the blog:
Harmjan Oonk
Why Low‑Code Is Still a Sound Investment
1. AI accelerates building – Low-Code accelerates delivery
AI can generate code, but it does not solve problems like:
- governance
- integration complexity
- security and compliance
- lifecycle management
- long‑term maintainability
Enterprise low‑code platforms provide a structured and governed environment where AI‑assisted development can be applied safely and repeatedly. In practice, AI makes low‑code more powerful, not redundant.
2. The Real Bottleneck Was Never Coding
In most organisations, delays are caused by:
- business–IT handovers
- unclear requirements
- disconnected tools
- long release cycles
Low‑code reduces these frictions by enabling faster iteration, making processes explicit, and improving collaboration between business and IT. AI may help generate solutions faster, but low‑code helps organisations absorb and operationalise change.
3. Build vs Buy Is No Longer Binary
Low‑code sits between:
- rigid SaaS configuration, and
- fully custom software development
That middle ground is increasingly valuable for:
- differentiating customer experiences
- safely extending SaaS platforms
- replacing tactical legacy systems
- building process‑centric applications quickly
When Low‑Code Is Not a Good Investment
Low‑code is not the right choice if:
- your needs are largely addressed by standard SaaS
- you are looking for pure no‑code tooling for business users only
- there is no architectural ownership or governance in place
- decisions are driven purely by license cost instead of time‑to‑value
Low‑code delivers return on investment through reuse, scale, and speed—not through one‑off applications.
How Executives Should Look at This Investment
I often suggest reframing the question from:
“Should we invest in low‑code tooling?”
to:
“Where do we need speed and control at the same time?”
If the answer includes:
- multi‑year digital roadmaps
- legacy modernisation
- AI‑enabled processes
- large‑scale system integration
…then enterprise low‑code remains a strategic asset, not a tactical shortcut.
Built for What’s Next
AI may change how software is built, but low‑code defines how fast and how safely organisations can deliver value. When speed, control, and scalability all matter, enterprise low‑code remains a smart strategic investment.
At CAPE, we help organisations make intentional platform choices that support real business outcomes. If you’re evaluating low‑code in the context of AI, legacy modernisation, or digital scale‑up, let’s talk about what makes sense for your organisation, now and next.
Harmjan Oonk
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