The Evolution of Low (No) Code

Let's take a look behind the scenes. In the first part of this article, let's discover how, thanks to the Platform, a powerful, comprehensive suite for processing incoming documents has been created and how the Platform continues to drive the ongoing expansion of this solution. 

In part two, let's dive into a world where creating new business applications becomes easy and intuitive. Learn how the platform "thinks" and helps create business applications quickly and with high quality.

Part 1: Comprehensive solution suite

In view of the fact that up to 95 percent of the required building blocks are already available and easily reusable, it would perhaps be quite legitimate to speak of no-code with the Tangro platform. After all, hardly any code needs to be written. In principle, development is based on the Lego principle. However, while Lego now requires a vast number of different building blocks, the patented platform gets by with around 40 highly reusable software modules. Even though new building blocks can be added at any time - most software development projects can be implemented with the existing elements. With unbeatable speed.

Fast development

The platform's performance is reflected in the Tangro Inbound Suite. Once the core product, software for automated invoice processing and verification in SAP, had been developed, it was possible to add further applications to this solution in a short time. For example, document inbound for order confirmations was implemented in just three weeks. The development of a solution for shipping notifications took less than a month. In addition, new customer requirements and supplementary features are constantly being added, and here, too, development times are remarkably short, averaging one to two days.

The advantages for all sides are therefore obvious: for the software manufacturer Tangro, the optimal use of development capacities. For the customer, a comprehensive solution suite for the optimization of document-based processes in purchase-to-pay and order-to-cash, which includes all common document types. From invoices, order confirmations, delivery bills and shipping notifications to sales orders, payment notifications and much more.

"Even employees who don't
come from IT, can
with the Tangro platform
start directly."

Steffen Gieraths,
SaaS Development Manager,
Tangro

Reuse

Developing such a comprehensive solution with such high quality in the shortest possible time was only possible with the help of the reusable modules. In 20 years of use, the software modules have been extensively tested, adapted and offer the highest quality. At the same time, the patented low-code development opens up a unique opportunity from which all customers benefit: The core for this is the software extension in Tangro's central development system, and not - as is usually the case - in each customer's system. The enhancements are delivered using the proven SAP transport system. This means that new features are available to all customers on request. The development costs are borne once only by the company that commissioned the change request. Conversely, this company in turn benefits from change requests that other companies have commissioned. In general, Tangro continuously develops its products. All customers benefit from these new features.

Conversion S/4 Hana

The added value of the central development principle is particularly evident in the conversion to S/4. In conventional development, modifications or enhancements are carried out in the customer systems. This means that for each customer, all the changes made in previous years have to be analyzed and adapted to S/4. The costs for this can quickly run into five figures for companies - not to mention the time involved. This is not a pleasant situation for the software manufacturer either, because he has to tie up considerable capacities for the conversion effort.

At Tangro, on the other hand, adjustments for S/4 were made once in the central development system. Delivery to all customers takes place in the usual way with the SAP transport system.

"Design thinking is an approach that is inherently lived at the Tangro platform:
An application is created
here always from the user's perspective."

Matthias Berg-Neels,
Product Development Manager,
Tangro

Part 2: Low-code for add-ons in the SAP environment

In addition, the low-code platform is ideal for developing your own applications in the SAP environment. New developments with the Tangro platform can also be used on-premise. This fulfills a central requirement that was clearly formulated by DSAG members, but which SAP Build cannot provide.

With the Tangro platform, users get the best of both worlds: Development takes place centrally in the cloud, allowing existing building blocks to be reused by all users. Here, too, delivery takes place via transport request. The resulting applications run in the Abap runtime and access SAP data directly. No infrastructure is required. Last but not least, the applications created in this way can also be made available in the BTP.

Design thinking is an approach that is inherently lived at the Tangro platform: Here, an application is always created from the user's perspective. At the user level, it is first determined what is needed. Because it is often difficult to formulate the exact requirements and define the necessary fields here, Tangro uses the possibilities of ChatGPT.

"Tangro has taken a patented approach that goes far beyond traditional low-code solutions."

Andreas Krings-Stern,
Web Applications Manager,
Tangro

Artificial intelligence

If, for example, software is to be developed to manage company cars in the company, the request is made to describe the request in more detail. A formulation such as "Develop software for company car management" helps further. The AI suggests possible application areas as well as the fields it knows on the UI. The desired fields are integrated into the UI. 

Depending on which fields have been implemented, the process logic for processing the entries can be derived directly from this. For example, if the company car application requires a statement for e-mobility, the system automatically recognizes what is to be calculated when the corresponding fields "Gross amount", "Net amount" and "VAT" are inserted. It inserts the calculation operation required for this directly into the process.

Intuitive work

Unlike other low-code platforms, no time-consuming study of extensive manuals is required to work with the Tangro platform. The user-friendly design enables a smooth start without extensive prior knowledge. Even employees who do not come from an IT background can get started right away, especially since extensive help permanently guides the user through the platform.

The user can see at a glance which steps are possible and which options are available for designing the UI. The representation of the application on the left side of the screen and the development environment on the right side provide a continuous overview of the progress. Without changing the view, the result can be seen in real time. 

Thanks to the patented Tangro platform, companies not only have a comprehensive solution for document processing in SAP. But it is also a way to independently develop customized solutions.