Low Code

[mark_burgin]

So, we are avid users of workspace - how is low code going to impact google apps scipt and the workspace platform?

[AndrewB]

With Apps Script you can extend and modify Google Workspace applications with custom logic. And with AppSheet you can build custom applications and business automations atop Google Workspace and other services and applications. 

This is a good article that outlines when to use which. 

[mark_burgin]

Yes, we are in both of those spaces and enjoying the experience. AppSheet has delivered efficiencies that are transforming our business processes through it’s ease of development and deployment. Is there any plan to deliver those deployment efficiencies into the workspace generally ?

[peterdykstra]

Hi Mark - there are plans in the works to help make AppSheet more readily available and easier to use in Workspace. Are there specific things you have in mind based on what you've been building?

[mark_burgin]

Our business model is to develop scalable solutions based on adapting the functionality of primarily google sheets.  We’re a project based business delivering story engineering into the visitor experience market.  

There’s always a business as usual solution which has to be adaptable to meet project specific demands.  AppSheet’s a dream from that respect, Google Apps script could do with a layer of drop and drag logic between the sheet and the javascript to make it more efficient to deploy solutions that are semi customisations of what’s gone before.  What SAP charge an arm an a leg for into large corps 

[mark_burgin]

I guess what I'm saying is there's a massive unoccupied space to support SME's who need to or want to scale without getting sucked too far into the SaaS model which is expensive an difficult to integrate flexibly.  You're in the space and doing great,  just capitalise on it before the other low code platforms do.

[jjonatann]

Hi Mark. I agree. The benefit to keep all inside Google Workspace is enormous..

Back in 2010, me and my colleagues created a sort of ERP to manage a construction/real state company with 100 employees only using the Google Workspace ("Google Apps" on that time). Our databases were Google Sheets (connected using Importrange) and the UI were Google Sites and Google Forms. We had some scripts to run some automations and workflows. And all under the company's control, under the same billing subscription.

It made so much success on that time, that we received an investment to create a product to enable other companies to do the same without code. We are working on it since then. Good discussion!

[alexbass6545]

Low-code platforms could change how users approach app development in Google Workspace. While Google Apps Script offers scripting capabilities, low-code tools provide a more visual, accessible way to build apps. This shift might lead to increased competition, but also offer expanded features and tighter integration with Workspace. Google could even integrate low-code options directly into Workspace. Ultimately, how users balance between Google Apps Script and low-code platforms will depend on evolving needs and preferences.