Think fast
Thoughts and ideas on how to build tools, automate workflows and speed-up the workplace.
Top 5 Rapid Application Development Tools
Choosing the right rapid application development tools for your team is a tricky prospect. Most software procurement decisions come down to finding the most cost-effective way to perform a specific task. RAD is a little bit different. It’s not so much concerned with what you do, as how you do it. So, yes, RAD tools enable your development team to build software solutions, but more importantly, they allow them to do it quickly.
Ronan McQuillan
Sep 19, 2022
What is Throwaway Prototyping? In-Depth Guide
Throwaway prototyping is an alternative way of thinking about building applications. Prototypes play several vital roles in the development process. For instance, providing proof of concept, fleshing out NFRs, experimenting with ideas, or simply gathering feedback. There’s an innate tension here though. On the one hand, prototyping obviously drains resources. Namely, development hours and the labor costs that come along with them. On the flip side, this expenditure can be hugely beneficial, or even completely central to a project.
Ronan McQuillan
Sep 19, 2022
9 Enterprise Software Industry Trends for 2024
The way we build tools is constantly changing. New technologies, emergent risks, and external economic factors have always influenced business’ decision-making. Today we’re looking at nine enterprise software industry trends for 2023. But how much changes in a year really? It’s not like we’re all going to wake up on January 1st and completely gut our software stacks, is it? Unfortunately, it’s even worse than that. These changes are already on your doorstep.
Ronan McQuillan
Sep 18, 2022
7 Essential Types of Enterprise Software | 2024 Guide
In large organizations, demand for digitalization is on an exponential trajectory. However, there’s no single, unitary approach to building tools. Today we’ll explore why as we dive into the essential types of enterprise software. It should go without saying that unique workflows require unique solutions. So, we know that every enterprise and its constituent departments, teams, and business functions faces its own challenges, opportunities, and risks. Still, it’s not as if every software project is completely sui generis.
Ronan McQuillan
Sep 9, 2022
How to Build a MongoDB CRUD App with Budibase
NoSQL databases such as MongoDB seem intimidating at first. The MongoDB CRUD operations come from a different paradigm, which might be confusing if you are used to SQL databases. But it doesn’t need to be this way. Instead of manually figuring out how to perform CRUD operations in MongoDB, you can use the power of low-code to do it for you. That is, create an app that handles these differences, allowing you to interact with your DB, just like you would with other tools, like phpMyAdmin.
Ronan McQuillan
Aug 22, 2022
Spreadsheet vs Database | What's the Difference?
Data is everywhere in modern businesses. How you store, manage, and access this has a massive impact on your efficiency, effectiveness, and, ultimately, your success. Today we’re diving deep into spreadsheets vs databases. No doubt, you’re familiar with both of these types of platforms. At least, it’s a safe bet that you’re comfortable enough using a spreadsheet. You might even have some database skills already or maybe even a bit of SQL knowledge.
Ronan McQuillan
Aug 22, 2022
How to Build a Google Sheets Dashboard
Spreadsheets are great, but they also come along with a whole raft of limitations. You’ll know this if you’ve ever tried using spreadsheet tools to manage or monitor large datasets. Today we’re looking at one important workaround - how to build a Google Sheets dashboard. Of course, Google Sheets is incredibly useful for storing and manipulating all kinds of data. This could be financial data, personal information, KPIs, key metrics, or any other kind of business intelligence.
Ronan McQuillan
Aug 21, 2022
How to make an App from Excel Spreadsheets
We love to hate spreadsheets. They’re everywhere. We use Excel for everything from planning our vacations and weddings, to managing inventories, payroll, and just about any other business process under the sun. But, like any blunt instrument, spreadsheets are almost the most elegant solution. Today, we’re going to look at a better way to manage data, calculations, and workflows. That is, how to make an app from Excel spreadsheets. You see, spreadsheets offer a huge amount of flexibility - there’s a reason why they’re so ubiquitous.
Ronan McQuillan
Aug 21, 2022