Low-code platforms have gained momentum in recent years. They promise fast app development, reduced upfront costs, and a way to deliver quick wins without large technical teams. For small organisations or early-stage pilots, this can provide valuable speed and flexibility.
However, enterprise manufacturing has different priorities. Multiple plants, complex supply chains, strict compliance requirements, and long-term operational excellence programmes demand a more rigorous approach. In this environment, low-code often reveals limitations that carry both operational and financial consequences.
Common Limitations of Low-Code in Manufacturing
Independent research has highlighted recurring challenges with low-code adoption at scale.
- Vendor Lock-In
Many low-code solutions rely on proprietary frameworks. Migration or scaling to alternative systems can be costly, adding long-term financial risk.
- Integration Gaps
Manufacturing systems typically include ERP, MES, SCADA, and shop-floor tools. Low-code connectors rarely address the full range, requiring custom integration work and increasing costs.
- Scalability Concerns
High transaction volumes, multi-plant rollouts, and mission-critical operations demand performance at scale. Low-code may not consistently support this level of complexity.
- Security and Compliance Risks
Abstracted development can obscure potential vulnerabilities. Deloitte notes that without strong governance, low-code deployments may inadvertently expose compliance risks.
- Technical Debt
Shadow applications, workarounds, and quick fixes can accumulate over time, creating maintenance burdens and raising lifecycle costs.
- Hidden Costs
Beyond licences, organisations often incur additional integration, governance, and support expenses that offset initial savings.
In practice, low-code can work well for straightforward tools such as checklists, audits, or simple forms. But when it comes to complex, data-driven systems like performance management dashboards, competency tracking, performance reviews, or multi-site collaboration boards where logic, integration, and governance are essential, low-code frameworks quickly reach their limits.
These risks are particularly relevant for TPM and OpEx professionals tasked with maintaining reliable, predictable, and financially sound operations.
Where Low-Code in Manufacturing Adds Value
It is important to note that low-code has valid applications:
- • Pilots and proof-of-concepts where speed is more important than long-term scale.
- • Situations where technical teams are limited and rapid testing of ideas is required.
- • Lightweight, non-critical tools that do not need deep integration or compliance coverage.
In these cases, low-code can serve as a practical way to explore new ideas or validate concepts quickly.
Priorities for Enterprise Manufacturing
When evaluating technology platforms in the context of TPM and Operational Excellence, manufacturers typically prioritise:
- Architectures Built for Scale
Systems should expand across plants and functions without generating technical debt or compromising reliability.
- Robust Integration
Seamless connection to ERP, MES, and plant-level systems is critical to avoid silos and operational risk. Deloitte’s 2025 Smart Manufacturing Survey highlights integration as one of the top challenges for executives.
- Future-Readiness
Platforms should support predictive analytics, AI, and continuous improvement as standard, not as later add-ons. While some low-code platforms deliver AI capabilities, these are typically limited to surface-level automation or chatbots. The true value of AI in manufacturing depends on integrated data architectures and built-in intelligence layers that low-code simply cannot provide. Manufacturers aiming for AI-driven Operational Excellence need systems designed for it from the ground up.
- Security and Compliance by Design
Strong governance frameworks reduce exposure to breaches or regulatory issues. Retrofitting security is less effective and often more expensive.
- Lifecycle Cost Transparency
Technology investments should be evaluated against Total Cost of Ownership, not just initial price. This includes licensing, integration, support, and upgrade paths.
Key Takeaway
Low-code has a place in manufacturing, particularly for small-scale or non-critical applications. But for enterprise-wide TPM and OpEx programmes, the long-term priorities are clear: scalability, integration, governance, and financial predictability.
Manufacturers considering technology choices should weigh the short-term advantages of speed against the long-term requirements of risk management and Total Cost of Ownership. The most effective platforms are those designed from the outset to support enterprise realities, not just today’s pilots, but tomorrow’s operational excellence.
