Google launches App Maker so companies can create apps for internal processes quickly
Google has finally rolled out its App Maker, that is, its “low-code application development environment” available to workforces everywhere – and it is hoping the tool will be widely adopted by teams within companies to optimise their systems and processes.
Google had first launched the App Maker in its Early Adopter Program a little less than two years ago - and it is now making it available to all, with newer features and improvements. “Today, we’re making App Maker generally available to help you rethink how your teams operate. App Maker is G Suite’s low-code application development environment that makes it easy for teams to build custom apps to speed up workflows and make processes better,” read the official release on its site.
Stating that the right custom mobile app can save each employee 7.5 hours per week, but the IT budgets prioritise building big enterprise apps like CRM, ERP and SCM over custom apps that serve relatively more niche use cases, the article reads, “App Maker enable(s) your line-of-business teams to build apps for the jobs these bigger apps don't tackle. With App Maker, you can revamp company processes like requesting purchase orders or filing and resolving help desk tickets, as if you designed and built the processes yourself.”
Over the last few months, Google states it has worked closely with customers and partners around the world, including EA, Colgate-Palmolive, SADA Systems and more, to understand the gaps in business processes. As a result of this R&D, it has incorporated the following new features in the offering:
- Open: App Maker offers built-in support for Cloud SQL (GCP account required), offering high performance, scalability and convenience. It also supports a Bring Your Own Database (“BYODB”) model, letting you connect it to your own database using JDBC or a REST API.
- Fast: Responsive templates, samples, a drag-and-drop UI design and declarative data modeling make it easier for IT developers, or anyone who wants to automate work, to design and build apps even faster.
- Connected: Whether it’s Gmail, Calendar or Sheets, App Maker makes it a cinch to connect with the data and services you need, all while making your apps more powerful. Plus, you can use Apps Script to access over 40 Google services, Google Cloud Platform and other third-party services that support JDBC and REST.
- Managed: G Suite administrators now have visibility over the apps running in their organisation including owners, usage metrics and OAuth permissions. Expanded OAuth Whitelisting controls mean administrators will also be able to prevent apps from running without their approval. Learn more.
It has been made available to all G Suite Business and Enterprise customers, as well as G Suite for Education customers – and more information on how it can be harnessed and deployed can be found at this codelab.
