Development methods explained

To understand the value of low-code, it helps to look at how it compares to other development approaches.

High Code or Traditional Development

Traditional development requires writing large amounts of code. While it offers maximum flexibility, it is also time-consuming, costly, and highly dependent on scarce developer resources.

This led to the rise of off-the-shelf software, ready-made applications designed for specific industries or departments. While fast to implement, these solutions are often rigid and difficult to adapt.

Low Code / No Code

Low-code platforms aim to accelerate development by providing visual tools, reusable components, and simplified logic building. No-code platforms go one step further, enabling non-technical users to build applications without writing code.

However, not all low-code platforms are created equal.

Some focus purely on speed and accessibility, while others, like WEBCON BPS, combine speed with deep customization and enterprise-grade capabilities.

Common misconceptions about low-code

Low-code is only suitable for simple workflows
In reality, modern platforms can support complex, business-critical processes across departments.

Low-code is not suitable for enterprise environments
The right platforms provide full support for governance, scalability, and structured deployment models.

Low-code sacrifices control for speed
When implemented correctly, low-code enables both rapid delivery and strong control mechanisms.

From low-code to an application factory

At BPM Power, we look beyond the “low-code” label.

Our vision is to help organizations create an application factory — an environment where solutions can be delivered quickly where possible, without skipping the steps that matter.
This means:

• Combining speed with structure
• Enabling collaboration between business and IT
• Standardizing how applications are designed, built, and deployed
• Ensuring long-term maintainability

By dividing responsibilities while enabling both business and IT to develop the same application simultaneously, organizations can improve collaboration and reduce the traditional gap between the two.

Enterprise requirements: more than just speed

Speed is important — but for most organizations, it is not enough.
Applications must also meet critical enterprise requirements, such as:

• GDPR compliance
• Auditability and traceability
• Backup and continuity
• Scalability
• OTAP (DTAP) readiness

Modern low-code platforms like WEBCON BPS are fully capable of supporting these requirements, making them suitable for enterprise-wide adoption.

Choosing the right infrastructure

Low-code platforms typically operate within a Platform as a Service (PaaS) model, bridging the gap between:

• SaaS (Software as a Service): ready-to-use applications
• IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): full infrastructure control

This allows organizations to combine flexibility with ease of use, while avoiding the complexity of managing infrastructure themselves.

Speed versus Customizability

One of the key considerations when selecting a low-code platform is the balance between speed and customizability.

Speed enables rapid development and quick response to changing business needs
Customizability ensures applications fit your exact processes

The real value lies in finding the right balance, a platform that allows you to move fast without compromising on quality or control.

Why this matters

Organizations today need to move fast, but they also need control, governance, and scalability.
The true value of low-code is not in building something quickly at any cost, but in building the right applications efficiently, on a platform that is ready for long-term use.

In Conclusion

Low-code is not just a trend, it is a fundamental shift in how organizations approach application development and process automation. When used correctly, it enables faster innovation, better collaboration, and more control over business processes.

At BPM Power, we leverage solutions such as WEBCON BPS to help organizations design, automate, and optimize their processes in a way that is both fast and future-proof.

Want to explore how low-code can support your organization?
Feel free to reach out, we would be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.

The post What is low code? And how it will help your business appeared first on BPM Power.

In today’s fast-changing business world, risk management is not just an option—it is necessary for any company that wants to stay strong and grow. Companies often face problems that can threaten their goals and even their survival. At BPM Power, we know how important it is to manage risks well to protect businesses from unexpected problems and to take advantage of opportunities for growth. Let’s take a closer look at what risk management is, why it’s important, and how you can successfully bring it into your company.

The Importance of Risk Management

Risk management involves the process of identifying, assessing, controlling, and monitoring risks that can impact an organization’s objectives. These risks can range from operational and financial risks to compliance and reputational risks. It is crucial that organizations not only respond to risks when they arise but also develop proactive strategies to manage these risks before they become a problem.

For instance, in a time when cyber-attacks are becoming more common, a well-established risk management system allows an organization to not only detect and prevent a possible attack but also ensures a recovery plan is in place to minimize damage. By proactively addressing risks, businesses can not only avoid potential threats but also enhance their capacity to thrive in a challenging environment.

Key Components of Effective Risk Management

Effective risk management consists of several critical steps:

• Risk Identification: This is the first step, where potential risks that may affect the organization are identified. These can range from operational failures to regulatory changes or even natural disasters. A thorough analysis of both internal processes and external factors, such as market trends and regulations, is essential to obtain a comprehensive picture of potential risks.
• Risk Assessment: After identification, risks are evaluated based on their likelihood and potential impact. This helps organizations prioritize the most critical risks and develop strategies to address them. A good risk assessment process utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide an accurate picture of the risks threatening the business.
• Risk Mitigation: This is where strategies are developed and implemented to reduce the likelihood of risks or minimize their impact. This can range from preventive measures, such as enhanced security protocols, to establishing crisis plans and ensuring regulatory compliance. By taking these measures, organizations can increase their resilience and enhance their ability to handle unexpected situations.
• Risk Monitoring and Management: Risk management is an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring and regular evaluation. By tracking trends and proactively identifying new risks, organizations can respond quickly and adapt to changing circumstances. This is especially important in a world where changes happen rapidly and businesses need to remain agile to succeed.

Beyond this traditional approach to risk management, BPM Power places significant emphasis on increasing risk awareness within organizations. It’s vital that risks are not only managed at the top level but that all employees are aware of the risks the organization may face and their role in managing them.

Integrating Risk Management into Your Organization

At BPM Power, we offer not only risk management expertise, but also customized solutions tailored to your organization’s unique needs. Our approach goes beyond merely setting up a risk management system; we assist application owners in aligning their systems with the company’s risk management requirements, ensuring that every aspect of your operations is safeguarded. For any functionality not already in place, we can build custom applications in WEBCON BPS to meet your specific needs. With BPM Power, you can strengthen your organization’s capacity to handle risks, drive innovation, and ensure regulatory compliance, ultimately enhancing your risk management strategy and future-proofing your organization.

Practical Example

A great example of our work is our collaboration with a water authority in the Netherlands, where we significantly improved risk awareness across all levels. We not only assisted in the implementation of the risk management process but also spent considerable time discussing risks in specific processes with experts within the water authority. This approach led to the establishment of a robust risk management system and a culture where risk awareness is central. As a result, the water authority is better positioned to achieve its objectives and is better prepared for future challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, risk management is not a luxury but a necessity for any company striving for sustainable growth and long-term success. By embracing a sound risk management strategy, you can position your organization to face challenges with confidence and seize new opportunities. Are you ready to effectively address risks in your organization? Consider the steps necessary to enhance your risk management and ensure your organization is prepared for the future.

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Business and IT are in conflict, not necessarily in terms of actual fights happening in the office, but their goals cause conflict, explains Arno van der Heijden in the webinar. Before we dive into what these goals are, let’s define these two groups: who is business and who is IT?

The Business Team

When we talk about business, we simply talk about every aspect of a business that is not IT. Whether it be HR, Sales, Customer Service, or literally any other department you can think of. It’s the people whose purpose within the organization is not to implement, maintain, develop or sustain any technological aspects. Their customer is the business’ customer, making sure everything is running smoothly in order to satisfy the customer’s needs.

The IT Team

A bit of a stereotypical picture. Men behind computer screen with a bunch of text on them. When discussing IT this is typically the situation we refer to. Although nowadays IT teams do not consist solely of developers. Within IT we find system administration, maintenance, networking, database management, security operations, et cetera. The only differentiator between these two groups is that any IT professional has some responsibility for an aspect of the information technology within the organization.

Root Causes of the Divide

We briefly touched on it, business and IT have different objectives. One might think this is not necessarily a problem. By all means, HR has different objectives than sales does, but these do not interfere with one another. In the case of business versus IT, we see something else. These objectives are actively conflicting with one another.

On the one hand we have the business. The business side of an organization needs to be flexibel. With the constant effects of external factors influencing daily business, flexibility is not desirable, it is required. Delivering products or services on time, in accordance with contracts, whilst managing any negative or positive influences is not an easy task. When applying this to IT related projects, this might mean that when a system is outdated, or non existent, business professionals might ask IT to get it fixed/implemented as soon as possible. There is no time to wait. 

IT professionals on the other hand have a responsibility for security, functionality and innovation. Every piece of information on any employees’ computer is business information, which might be confidential in some way, or perhaps might include personal information. Allowing just any piece of hardware of software in an organization is impossible to manage for any IT team. Then there is the challenge of keeping these products and systems running, which in some cases might be a thousand-fold of laptops, printers, networks and not even to mention applications. We have seen scenarios where businesses run over 400 applications in different systems: would you like to manage those?

Communication Barriers

A big difficulty in the gap between business and IT is caused by communication, or a lack thereof. Business and IT people are often very different at their core. This means their way of thinking and the approach they take at their work is different. 

However, this is not the only thing that makes communication difficult. The jargon and technical language used by IT members can often be perplexing to business professionals. This leads to misinterpretations, which can cause unmet expectations. The lack of a common language between these two groups is a giant barrier to effective collaboration and mutual understanding.

Organizational Culture

Organizational culture significantly influences whether business and IT work together seamlessly, or operate in silos. The values, beliefs, and practices that shape how company employees interact, make decisions, and solve problems is perhaps the biggest influence. 

In many organizations, a culture that promotes silos is a main culprit behind the gap. When business and IT are encouraged to prioritize their own goals and objectives over those of the organization as a whole, it fosters an environment where collaboration is the exception, not the norm. 

Working in silos often leads to unsuccessful implementations of new applications. When IT and business do not work together on implementations, it results in solutions that only partially meet business requirements. 

Real-World Impact on Organizations

The impact of the divide between business and IT can have tangible effects on your organization’s ability to innovate, respond to market changes, and execute strategies efficiently. In our webinar, we discussed the example of the acquisition of a CRM system. The system was supposed to be the perfect solution to the business’ needs. However, fell short due to a lack of comprehensive understanding and collaboration between business and IT. This shows how crucial alignment between different departments is for the success of such initiatives.

Conclusion

In the webinar “De Kunst van Samenwerken: Bruggen Bouwen tussen Business en IT” we offered valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities found in the midst of the business and IT landscape. By understanding the root causes of the business-IT divide, such as differing priorities, communication barriers, and organizational culture, companies can take meaningful steps towards fostering a more collaborative, efficient, and innovative environment.

Stay tuned for the next installment in this series, where we’ll explore the crucial role of software in bridging the gap between business and IT, again leveraging insights from our webinar.

The post The Business-IT Divide: Understanding the Root Causes and Impact appeared first on BPM Power.

Process mapping is the activity of visualizing all steps involved in a business process. Creating a process map allows employees across departments to identify and understand steps taken in a process. This helps ease the identification of bottlenecks and redundancies. But how do you approach the creation of a process map? Let’s walk through our process of creating a process map.

Step 1: Create an Overview

Now when starting to look into process mapping, people often focus on one specific (sub-)process. This is understandable, as often we are missing oversight in a certain process or perhaps we are even noticing some inefficiencies. However, a best practice approach involves taking a comprehensive view of the department to understand how various chain processes interconnect. Creating an overarching process overview first allows us to delve deeper into the intricacies of individual subprocesses.

To give an example of why this is important, let’s take a look at the billing process. This process is especially important to have clear understanding of, as it literally brings in the money. Several departments actively engage in the billing process, including Sales handling sales, the Service Team executing services, Logistics managing product delivery, the Finance Department processing invoices, and the Approval Committee reviewing and approving invoices, among others. Depending on the organization this process differs, but in general the billing process requires information from different channels and proper execution of the sold services or delivery of the sold goods. 

If we were to only look at the billing process, we might overlook inefficiencies, redundancies or problems elsewhere in the chain. We would then be executing something called sub-optimization. When a team optimizes one small piece of a long chain process without considering any other steps in the flow, this action can negatively impact other processes or create bottlenecks elsewhere in the chain.

Step 2: Take Inventory

Once we have identified which processes are part of the chain, we start to take inventory of everything involved. We start by identifying the processes that make up the chain and then proceed to take inventory of everything involved. This step is crucial for creating a comprehensive process map, as it allows us to overview not only the people and their actions, but also to identify the data and systems in use. We then focus on understanding how people interact with these systems and how the systems integrate with each other.

In order to create a complete process map. We take inventory of the following:

• Internal stakeholders: Identify roles involved in each process, focusing on responsibilities rather than individual names. Document whether a department or a specific role is accountable.
• External officials: Consider external parties involved, such as clients in billing processes or suppliers if you’re receiving bills. It’s crucial to understand their roles, including any outsourced steps.
• Systems: Most processes involve some system, ranging from basic Excel sheets to advanced ERP systems. It’s crucial to understand all systems utilized in the process, and how they interconnect.

Last but possibly the first thing you should be doing is defining the goal of the process. It could be accuracy, timeliness, completeness, legality or something else. But when mapping a process, it is good to keep in mind why this process exists in the first place. As this helps you understand each step better.

Step 3: Building a Process Map

Once all information is gathered, including interview notes, existing process documents, and other relevant data, it’s time to convert this into a process map. This step involves creating a visual representation that accurately depicts each step of the actual process.

Now there are many ways to go about creating a flowchart. Whether you draw one on paper or create one in Microsoft Visio (our preferred tool) it is really up to your preferences. Important when building a flowchart is to keep it as simple as possible.

The flowchart needs to be simple and clear for everyone to understand. The chart should not only detail the actions taken by individuals, but also illustrate when and how different systems communicate, as well as the methods of data storage and transfer. The inclusion of the interfacing between systems means you will have one illustration that includes every single action taken, which will help you in the long run when trying to optimize or potentially digitize and automate.

To Sum Up

So, in summary to create a process map we follow a three-step approach. Now of course each of these steps requires some time and input from the people within your organization, but experience teaches us that even one session of sitting down with colleagues and discussing the steps everyone takes already offers great insight into potential redundancies or bottlenecks.

However, keep in mind that when creating your process map it is not necessary to immediately dive into fixing potential problems. It is completely thinkable that one step in the process might seem long and gruesome, but it may serve a higher purpose to the overall efficiency of the chain process. So before making any changes, make sure to understand the process and its goal as a whole. 

The Benefits of Process Mapping

Mapping a process is time consuming and requires effort from a multi disciplinary team. To help you convince your team its benefits are worth reaping, let’s go over the benefits of a good process map.

Facilitating clear understanding

Let’s begin by exploring the fundamental benefits of proper process mapping, primarily its ability to enhance internal communication, which often gets overlooked in the daily hustle and bustle.

1. Visual representation: A process map is quite literally a map. It transforms complex procedures into a visual format, making it easier to comprehend. Humans are visual creates; a well-designed process map can convey more effectively than pages of text.
2. Standardized language: Process mapping provides standardized language. There are several languages to use, the most popular example being BPMN. This allows for anyone within the organization, regardless of their department or role.
3. Detailed breakdown: By breaking down each step, stakeholders can see how individual tasks contribute to the process at large. This helps create a greater understanding of the process at a whole.

These three benefits form the core of why process mapping is essential. It’s not just about having a roadmap to reach our goals; it’s about choosing the most efficient path to our destination. Effective communication with colleagues about the chosen route ensures everyone’s involvement and understanding, even when less conventional paths are taken.

Enhancing communication across teams

When looking at chain processes, we often see cross-departmental processes. Communication across departments and different teams is not always optimal. In a situation where management and stakeholders work in one process together, a process map can be a great tool.

1. Cross-departmental collaboration: Process maps facilitate the discussions across different departments. Let’s take marketing and sales for example. A process map that illustrates how the marketing department’s activities impact sales, and vice versa, will help them better coordinate their actions and collaborate more efficiently.
2. Onboarding and training: For new employees, process maps serve as a training tool. It provides them with an overview of their role fits within the organizational processes. It does not eliminate their need for communication with the team but serves as a nice cheat sheet.
3. Conflict resolution: When there is disagreement on how a process should be carried out, being able to look back on what you decided in the first place can help resolve conflict.

Supporting Continuous Improvement

Facilitating continuous improvement is another great benefit of process mapping. Because like we shortly mentioned before, being able to look at the visualization of your process, helps you quickly identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

1. Feedback and suggestions: A visual map does not only help you to identify these bottlenecks, it’s also a great tool to invite feedback from team members who are directly involved in the process. Their insights are just as valuable as your own and incredibly valuable for continuous improvement.
2. Identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies: We will say it one more time, laying out a process visually helps your brain think better. Some of these bottlenecks might not be apparent when writing down a process, or during routine execution.

A process map to help decision-making

Last but not least, perhaps the greatest benefit of all, using process maps as a tool for decision making.

1. Strategic planning: Process maps provide a clear picture of how current operations are run, which is essential for strategic planning and forecasting.
2. Resource allocation: Understanding the flow and requirements of your process, means you can make more informed decisions about resource allocation.
3. Risk management: Process maps are great in helping you identify potential risks at various stages of a process. This allows you to make use of proactive risk management strategies.
4. Compliance: A process map allows you to keep track of your process and its flow, which is great when needing to comply with law and regulations. 

Conclusion

The role of process mapping in achieving clarity and enhancing communication cannot be overstated. It serves as a multi-faceted tool that not only simplifies the understanding of complex processes but also fosters effective communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement across an organization. By integrating process mapping into their BPM strategy, businesses can create a more transparent, efficient, and cohesive workflow environment.

The post This Is Process Mapping: All Steps to Take Before Automating appeared first on BPM Power.

You’ve probably heard the term before: agile. It has been a buzzword among managers for quite a while now, primarily applied in the project management field. Adopting agile practices has significantly increased in popularity over the last few years. According to the 15th Annual State of Agile Report, 97% of organizations have begun practicing agile.

Managing business processes can be done in many ways. Traditional methods require rigid processes, set in stone, so to speak. However, in practice, processes are seldom always the same. Many conditions influence a process. So, perhaps an agile approach to process management isn’t a bad idea? Let’s weigh the pros and cons of agile process management.

Agile Process Management Benefits

Whether we call it Agile Process Management (APM), Flexible Process Management, Adaptive Process Management, or something else, we are talking about the ability to make changes as necessary. Here are some significant benefits to this approach:

• Increased Agility: APM allows your business to adjust any process quickly in response to changes, whether they stem from an internal shift or external market dynamics. This agility can provide a significant competitive advantage, enabling your business to seize opportunities and mitigate risks more effectively.
• Improved Efficiency: By allowing for real-time adjustments, APM can help eliminate bottlenecks and reduce waste. This leads to improved operational efficiency and productivity, thereby driving better business outcomes.
• Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: With APM, your business can easily adapt to meet changing customer needs and expectations. This improves customer satisfaction and loyalty, which are crucial for growth and success in today’s customer-centric business landscape.
• Improved Accuracy: Adapting to external change also increases the accuracy of your processes, ensuring that all required data is processed accurately, efficiently, and within a given timeframe.

Challenges, Anyone?

Now you might think: great, where do I start? However, before we dive in, let’s consider the requirements and potential challenges at hand. Becoming adaptive to change is not something that can be done overnight, nor within every organization. Change requires resources: money, time, expertise, and even technology, with expertise being the most crucial.

Changing a process is a process itself. It requires careful thought and consideration. Deploying changes recklessly can cause resistance and potentially lead to more problems than benefits. It’s crucial to conduct a pros and cons analysis of the changes you want to make. Do the benefits outweigh the cost of change? Another important question to ask yourself: does my new idea have any implications for the process further down the line? Are there any subprocesses that could be affected? Setting up a change process can greatly benefit the outcome of your APM practices and keep employees happy, which is, of course, your main goal.

Technology: An APM Success Driver

Despite the important considerations of agile process management, and recognizing that it’s not for all organizations, we do recommend considering it. Thanks to today’s technology, adopting APM has become more realistic than ever.

Making adjustments on the fly requires your employees’ input. They are “in the field” and encounter the need for changes firsthand. For APM to be successful, a way to keep them engaged is absolutely necessary. Citizen development offers a significant opportunity here. Many software platforms allow business people to make suggestions, draft designs, and help IT develop successful applications. This not only keeps your employees engaged and feeling part of the team but also greatly increases software adoption in general.

In addition to allowing business people to design changes, you need a platform that can manage implementing change flexibly. Often systems fail when trying to implement changes while running an instance. Technology like InstantChange provides this capability. Once the need for change is final, having software that can implement change without repercussions is a must.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, Agile Process Management isn’t just a passing phase, it’s a crucial approach for businesses looking to keep pace in a rapidly changing world. The impact of technology in this scenario is significant. It smoothens workflows, boosts collaboration, and helps react faster to evolving market trends.

Embracing Agile methods, coupled with the right technology, equips your business with a competitive edge in an increasingly dynamic environment. As we navigate the future, it’s important to fully adopt these practices and nurture a corporate culture that’s ready to learn, adapt, and grow. Remember, transitioning to Agile isn’t a sprint, but a marathon, and it offers substantial rewards in the long run.

Want to learn more about implementing APM in your organization, or do you need a sounding board for any other process-related topics? Feel free to get in touch. We would love to share thoughts with you on how we can all become more efficient.

The post Agile Process Management: Benefits, Challenges, and Success Drivers appeared first on BPM Power.

Why GDPR Came About

We are all data. Our names, phone numbers, emails and our characteristics have become data. Protecting our personal information is crucial, as it is being used for many purposes. Before GDPR, most people didn’t know what data was being collected about them, how it was used, or if it was shared with others.

The European Union created the GDPR to give its citizens more say over their personal data and make organizations responsible for managing that data. The law sets guidelines for collecting, processing, and protecting personal data and applies to all organizations working with EU citizens’ data, no matter where they’re located.

One major benefit of the GDPR for businesses is the uniformity it brings across the European Union. Since all member states follow the same regulation, it simplifies the process for companies operating in multiple countries within the EU. This harmonized approach helps businesses save time and resources by reducing the need to navigate diverse data protection laws in different jurisdictions.

The uniformity of GDPR across the EU means that citizens enjoy the same data rights no matter which member state they are in. This consistency not only simplifies understanding and exercising their data rights but also ensures that these rights are upheld to the same high standard across the Union.

GDPR’s Promises

The first step of data protection is data awareness. Increasing effort has made individuals aware of the data they produce, and often (un)knowingly share with organizations across the globe. Often businesses that obtain data, process it or even sell it to third parties.

Thanks to GDPR, organizations now are obliged to give individuals access to their personal data, so they can find out how these companies are using it. They have the right to get a copy of their data, know why it’s being processed, and learn who it is shared with. Organizations must provide this information in a clear, easy-to-understand way and respond to requests within a reasonable time. This level of transparency lets people take control of their personal data and keeps companies on their toes.

Organizations must not only share the data they have on people, but they also need to keep it secure. They’re responsible for protecting data from unauthorized access, leaks, and destruction. Since GDPR came into the picture, organizations have been reporting data breaches more frequently and letting affected individuals know as required.

GDPR has become the global standard for data protection. Many countries have adopted similar laws, leading to a greater focus on data protection as a human right and helping to create a global framework for protecting personal data.

What’s Next on the Horizon?

While GDPR has achieved many of its goals, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. One big criticism is that it’s put a ton of pressure on businesses to comply with complex rules. Getting on board with GDPR took a lot of time and resources, from reviewing data processing activities and updating policies to training Data Protection Officers and preparing for data access requests.

So, what can be done to make GDPR even better? While GDPR has given supervisory authorities plenty of power to enforce data protection rules, some people think they’re not using these powers effectively.

Authorities like the ICO in the UK, CNIL in France, and AP in the Netherlands often lack the expertise and resources to do their jobs effectively. This can lead to poor investigations, inconsistent enforcement, slow response times, and a lack of guidance and support.

What the EU should do next is make sure these authorities have the resources and support they need to enforce GDPR and protect people’s data rights effectively. This could involve providing more funding, improving training programs, and encouraging collaboration between supervisory authorities across member states.

In Conclusion

To sum it up, GDPR has undoubtedly changed the game when it comes to privacy-focused regulation. However, there’s still work to be done to make sure it’s enforced effectively and to strengthen data protection even more.

At BPM Power, we understand the complexities of GDPR compliance and are here to help businesses navigate this privacy-focused landscape. Our expert team offers tailored solutions, guidance, and support to ensure your organization stays compliant and keeps personal data secure. Don’t let GDPR challenges hold your business back; contact BPM Power today, and let us be your trusted partner in data protection and privacy management.

The post Five Years of GDPR: Privacy Game-Changer or Work in Progress appeared first on BPM Power.

Unmasking Shadow IT

Unauthorized technology within organizations is often a blind spot. Think software applications, or services that are used by employees without the approval or knowledge of the IT department or other managers within the company. These technologies may be used to store or transmit sensitive data, which can create security and compliance risks for the organization.

Meet Jenny, from the finance department. Jenny uses her personal email accounts to send work-related emails. This could pose an array of risks: 

• Security: Jenny’s personal email account might not have the same level of security measures as her professional account does.
• Data protection and compliance: Using a personal account might result in non-compliance with data protection laws.
• Data loss: When Jenny leaves the company, her superiors no longer have access to her communications, which could result in important work lost.
• Audit-ability: Tracking and monitoring is important in many businesses, especially within financial departments. Jenny’s personal mail accounts cannot be tracked. Causing issues with accountability, transparency and again compliance with policies;

Additional examples include employees utilizing unauthorized applications that may lack proper security measures, or using company-provided hardware for personal activities. Each of these instances introduces significant security vulnerabilities that can put the organization at risk.

The Hidden Dangers of End User Computing

End user computing (EUC) occurs when your employees make use of approved applications, like Microsoft Excel or Access, but for different purposes than they were intended. 

Let’s consider another example. Suppose Jenny uses Microsoft Excel to calculate finances instead of the designated application. She might accidentally overlook a minor error. A seemingly insignificant mistake in a formula could ultimately result in a discrepancy of €500,000. Regrettably, this is not just an example, but a situation we have witnessed in practice, and it is crucial to understand that these painful scenarios can and should be prevented.

Light at the End of the Tunnel: Digitization and Automation

At this point, it should be evident that both shadow IT and end-user computing can pose significant risks to any business. You might be wondering: that’s all well and good, but what’s the solution to these issues?

Numerous potential solutions exist, but based on our experience, the most effective and manageable approach is to digitize and automate processes. By simplifying employees’ workflows through automation, organizations can reduce the tendency for employees to create “desire paths” or workarounds, thereby minimizing the risks associated with shadow IT and end-user Computing.

Low-Code Solutions: A Path to a Secure IT Environment

One way to implement digitization and automation is by using low-code or no-code platforms. These platforms enable businesses to create custom applications and automate processes without requiring extensive coding knowledge. By utilizing low-code solutions, we can quickly develop and deploy applications tailored to the specific needs of the organization, ensuring that employees are equipped with the appropriate tools and reducing the risks associated with Shadow IT and End User Computing.

By adopting digitization and automation, you can not only minimize risks but also improve overall efficiency, enhance collaboration, and reduce costs. Ultimately, this approach fosters a more secure and compliant IT environment, empowering employees while maintaining robust oversight and control.

Conclusion: Collaborating for Success in a Digital World

In today’s fast-paced business environment, addressing the challenges posed by Shadow IT and End User Computing is crucial to maintaining a secure and compliant IT infrastructure. By understanding the risks involved and implementing digitization and automation solutions, organizations can empower their employees with the right tools and resources, while minimizing potential vulnerabilities. As we move forward, fostering collaboration between IT departments and business units, and adopting a proactive approach to managing technology use will be essential in mitigating risks and ensuring the success and growth of businesses in an increasingly digital world.

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