OutSystems' Kalyankar on how AI-led low-code tackles legacy issues, developer shortages and boosts agility

India's low-code application development platform market is expected to reach close to $7,339.7 million in revenue by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate of 28.3%. Low-code platforms are tools that enable the development of applications with minimal or no traditional coding, often using visual tools and drag-and-drop interfaces, and speed up the software development lifecycle, allowing businesses to quickly upgrade legacy systems or create new web or mobile applications with the features that today’s mobile customers expect at a fraction of the cost. As low code picks pace among enterprises, Boston-headquartered OutSystems is looking at growth opportunities in India.

“We see immense potential in the Indian market, fuelled by the country’s rapid digital transformation, its vast pool of skilled tech talent, and the growing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered low-code platforms across diverse industries,” Naveen Kumar Kalyankar, Regional Vice President, OutSystems India, told TechCircle in an interview.

OutSystems, founded in 2001 by Paulo Rosado and backed by Goldman Sachs and KKR, addresses the inefficiencies of traditional software development. Backed by Goldman Sachs and KKR, the company works with Global Systems Integrator (GSI) partners like Infosys, Tech Mahindra and NTT Data in India.

The company forayed into the Indian market by setting up its research and development (R&D) centre in Bengaluru in 2021, which facilitates building a chunk of the company’s modern application development platforms by simplifying the application development and maintenance process to drive innovation and elevate the customer experience.

Speaking about the Indian market trends, Kalyankar, in India and the APAC region, many organisations continue to rely heavily on legacy systems, making it challenging to drive rapid innovation. Modernising these systems is often resource-intensive and comes with the risks of data loss and operational disruptions. Additionally, a shortage of skilled developers in the region creates further hurdles for businesses aiming to build and scale new enterprise solutions.

From that perspective, he says, AI-powered low-code platforms offer a practical solution by enabling faster software development and expanding the pool of individuals who can participate in the app-building process. This approach not only alleviates pressure on IT teams but also accelerates digital transformation efforts.

While AI-led low-code tools effectively tackle digitisation hurdles like legacy systems, developer shortages, and boost development speed and agility, Kalyankar cautions against deploying AI-led low-code tools without addressing governance, security, and compliance. He advises Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to choose enterprise-grade platforms with built-in security, disaster recovery, and compliance to enable secure innovation.

He believes companies should mitigate security risks by embedding enterprise-grade security and compliance throughout the development lifecycle, simplifying governance and updates. That said, the integration of AI and high-performance low-code optimises the entire process, from User Experience (UX) design to data integration, protecting against data loss, breaches, and unauthorized access while maintaining control.

Kalyankar also said that when scaling AI-driven solutions in low-code, organisations should involve IT early to align development with business goals. Selecting the right AI-powered platform, ensuring data readiness, and tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) like speed to value and AI maturity is critical for success.

In India, the company will continue to tap industries like banking, financial services, shipping, logistics, and manufacturing, where it is offering AI-powered low-code solutions by enabling faster software development and expanding the pool of app builders, accelerating digital transformation efforts. Kalyankar said, “We aim to expand our presence in India and help customers successfully develop and deploy AI-powered web and mobile apps, providing excellent service and support through regional offices.”