Maximize Efficiency and Scalability with OutSystems Low-Code Platform

Maximize your OutSystems applications with our guide to creating top-notch components. Discover best practices for building reusable components that enhance efficiency and scalability. Innovate with Findernest, your OutSystems low-code partner. Transform digitally with Findernest, a leading OutSystems Development Company. We create efficient low-code applications that improve customer experiences and workplace innovation. Our team delivers custom, secure, scalable apps rapidly using agile methods. As certified OutSystems partners, we provide comprehensive digital services—consulting, development, and support—focused on cost-effective solutions and AI-driven improvement.

OutSystems is a software development platform that rapidly creates secure, scalable mobile and web applications for enterprises. It covers all aspects from the user interface to the database, using a " low-code development concept." The increasing demand to meet evolving customer expectations and deliver solutions aligned with market trends has led to a need for tools that can quickly and accurately build innovative products, ensuring future scalability. Traditional coding methods often struggle to match the modern need for speed and agility in software development. This is where the OutSystems low-code platform comes in to fill the gap.

As a leading platform in the software development arena, OutSystems allows organizations to efficiently build, deploy, and manage robust, enterprise-grade applications with minimal manual coding. By simplifying the intricacies of traditional programming languages, OutSystems enables a new wave of technologists, referred to as citizen developers, to create feature-rich, scalable, and secure applications using an easy-to-use visual interface.

OutSystems is a low-code platform that allows you to create precise mobile and web apps using drag-and-drop features that can be easily integrated with third-party systems and tailored to your business needs. It harnesses the power of AI, cloud technology, DevOps, and visual modeling to involve citizen developers in app development, resulting in user-focused apps. Although OutSystems provides pre-built templates for app creation, you can also incorporate custom codes for unique features and functionalities. This approach eliminates the need to code apps from the ground up, leading to mobile and web applications that are ready for the future, developed swiftly and on a large scale.

Here are some noteworthy features of OutSystem's low-code platform: 

• The OutSystems cloud-native architecture allows you to create unique customer experiences that transform your legacy architectures, simplify enterprise app development, and accelerate business processes.
• The OutSystems low-code solutions result in enterprise-level apps with serious productivity, eliminating high maintenance costs and easing optimization and enhancements.  
• OutSystems empowers enterprise owners to expedite application development from months to weeks. Its drag-and-drop capabilities and graphic user interfaces streamline the application development process. 
• Not just the development of apps, OutSystems also eases and speeds up the integration of applications with on-premises and existing cloud databases.

Understanding the Basics of OutSystems Components

OutSystems components are reusable units that encapsulate specific functionalities within an OutSystems application. These components can range from simple UI elements like buttons, forms, and navigation menus to complex logic-driven modules that handle intricate business processes and data manipulations. By encapsulating functionality, these components promote modularity and separation of concerns, making it easier to manage and update individual parts of an application without affecting the entire system. Boost innovation with Findernest, your OutSystems low-code solution partner. Accelerate your digital transformation with Findernest, a leading OutSystems Development Company. Our team specializes in crafting efficient, high-performing, low-code applications that enhance customer experiences and workplace innovation. Using agile methodologies, we rapidly produce custom, secure, scalable apps that are cloud-ready. As certified OutSystems partners, we provide full digital services—consulting, development, and support—focused on cost-effective, modern solutions and AI-driven continuous improvement to keep your business ahead.

Understanding how to create and use these components effectively can significantly enhance the scalability and maintainability of your applications. Basic components include UI widgets, which are the building blocks of the user interface, server actions that execute business logic on the server side, and data models that define the structure and relationships of the data used within the application. These components can be combined and reused across various applications, allowing developers to build new features quickly and consistently. Additionally, leveraging these reusable components can lead to a more standardized codebase, reducing the likelihood of errors and improving overall code quality.

Speed up your digital transformation with Findernest, a top OutSystems Development Company. Our team specializes in crafting efficient, high-performing, low-code applications that enhance customer experiences and workplace innovation. Using agile methodologies, we rapidly produce custom, secure, scalable apps that are cloud-ready. As certified OutSystems partners, we provide full digital services—consulting, development, and support—focused on cost-effective, modern solutions and AI-driven continuous improvement to keep your business ahead.

OutSystems offers many advantages for businesses, including: 

• Low-code development: OutSystems can be used for a variety of applications, including internal operations such as employee management systems, inventory tracking, and workflow automation, as well as customer-facing applications like e-commerce platforms, customer service portals, and mobile apps. This versatility makes it ideal for businesses looking to streamline their processes and enhance user experiences. Additionally, OutSystems can deliver solutions up to 4-6 times faster than traditional coding methods, significantly reducing development time and accelerating time-to-market for new applications. This rapid development capability allows organizations to respond quickly to market changes and customer needs, maintaining a competitive edge. 
• Real-time monitoring: OutSystems provides real-time monitoring and reporting of app performance and usage, allowing developers and business stakeholders to gain immediate insights into their applications' performance. This feature includes detailed analytics on user interactions, system performance metrics, and error tracking, enabling teams to identify and address any issues that may arise quickly. With customizable dashboards and alerts, users can stay informed about critical performance indicators and make data-driven decisions to optimize their applications. This real-time visibility ensures that applications run smoothly and efficiently, ultimately enhancing the user experience and supporting continuous improvement efforts. 
• Security: OutSystems offers fully secured functionality, ensuring that your applications are protected against a wide range of security threats. This includes built-in features such as data encryption, secure authentication mechanisms, and role-based access control to safeguard sensitive information. Additionally, OutSystems adheres to industry-standard security protocols and compliance requirements, providing peace of mind that your applications meet stringent security standards. Regular security updates and patches are also provided to address emerging vulnerabilities, ensuring that your applications remain secure over time. With these comprehensive security measures, OutSystems helps you maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of your applications and data. 
• DevOps automation: OutSystems provides complete DevOps automation, streamlining the entire development and deployment process. This includes automated build, test, and deployment pipelines that ensure your applications are consistently delivered with high quality and reliability. By integrating with popular DevOps tools and platforms, OutSystems allows for seamless continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), enabling teams to deploy updates and new features rapidly. Additionally, the platform offers robust monitoring and logging capabilities, giving developers real-time insights into the health and performance of their applications. This comprehensive DevOps automation not only accelerates development cycles but also enhances collaboration between development and operations teams, ultimately leading to more efficient and effective software delivery.
• Access control: OutSystems offers access control and permission management, providing a robust framework to ensure that only authorized users can access specific functionalities and data within your applications. This includes defining user roles and permissions and allowing administrators to grant or restrict access based on the user's role within the organization. With role-based access control (RBAC), you can create detailed permission sets that align with your business requirements, ensuring that sensitive information is protected and that users have the appropriate level of access to perform their tasks. Additionally, OutSystems supports integration with external identity providers and single sign-on (SSO) solutions, streamlining the authentication process and enhancing security. This comprehensive access control and permission management system helps maintain the integrity and confidentiality of your applications, while also simplifying user management and compliance with regulatory standards. 
• Agile development: OutSystems offers native support for Agile development, providing a robust framework that aligns with Agile methodologies to enhance collaboration, flexibility, and iterative progress. This support includes features such as sprint planning, backlog management, and real-time collaboration tools that enable development teams to work efficiently and adapt to changing requirements. By integrating seamlessly with popular Agile tools and platforms, OutSystems ensures that teams can maintain a continuous delivery pipeline, fostering an environment of rapid iteration and continuous improvement. This native support for Agile development helps organizations deliver high-quality applications faster, respond to user feedback promptly, and stay competitive in a dynamic market.
• Debugging: OutSystems has an integrated debugging engine that provides developers with powerful tools to identify, diagnose, and resolve issues within their applications. This debugging engine allows for real-time inspection of application behavior, enabling developers to set breakpoints, step through code, and examine variable states at different execution points. With features such as call stack analysis and error logging, the integrated debugging engine helps streamline the troubleshooting process, making it easier to pinpoint the root cause of problems and implement effective solutions. This robust debugging capability ensures that applications are not only functional but also optimized for performance and reliability, ultimately enhancing the overall development experience. 
• Multilingual support: OutSystems offers multilingual support, enabling developers to create applications that cater to a global audience by supporting multiple languages. This feature allows you to easily translate and localize your applications, ensuring that users from different regions can interact with your software in their native language. The platform provides tools for managing translations, including resource files and language packs, which streamline the process of adding new languages and updating existing ones. Additionally, OutSystems supports right-to-left (RTL) languages, ensuring that your applications are accessible and user-friendly for all audiences. This comprehensive multilingual support helps businesses expand their reach and improve user satisfaction by delivering a more personalized and inclusive experience. 
• Batch processes and scheduling: OutSystems offers full support for batch processes and scheduling, providing a robust framework for automating repetitive tasks and managing time-based operations within your applications. This includes the ability to define and execute batch jobs that can process large volumes of data efficiently, ensuring that resource-intensive tasks are handled seamlessly in the background. Additionally, OutSystems' scheduling capabilities allow you to set up recurring tasks, such as data synchronization, report generation, and system maintenance, at specified intervals. With features like job prioritization, error handling, and detailed logging, you can monitor and manage these processes effectively, ensuring that your applications run smoothly and reliably. This comprehensive support for batch processes and scheduling helps streamline operations, reduce manual intervention, and enhance overall system performance. 
• App development life cycle: OutSystems supports the entire app development life cycle, encompassing every stage from initial planning and design to development, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance. This comprehensive support ensures that developers can efficiently manage each phase of the process, leveraging tools and features that streamline workflows and enhance productivity. During the planning and design phase, OutSystems provides robust modeling tools and templates to help teams visualize and structure their applications. In the development phase, the platform's low-code environment accelerates coding and allows for rapid prototyping. Testing is facilitated through integrated testing tools that ensure quality and performance. Deployment is simplified with automated pipelines and version control, ensuring smooth rollouts. Finally, OutSystems offers extensive monitoring and analytics for maintenance, enabling continuous improvement and quick resolution of any issues. This end-to-end support makes OutSystems an ideal choice for organizations looking to deliver high-quality applications efficiently and effectively.

Monitoring OutSystems applications

OutSystems provides built-in monitoring and analytics tools that enable proactive management of application performance to make it easier to detect, identify, and troubleshoot issues in real-time.

These tools are automatically available through the platform, and all OutSystems applications are instrumented to collect logs and performance events and store them in a standard relational database. These metrics are collected by default, requiring no extra work on the part of developers and adding no overhead to the runtime environment.

OutSystems makes more than a dozen monitoring logs available for analysis and troubleshooting. Aside from providing comprehensive reports by type and time window, developers can also use analytics dashboards to spot bottlenecks on the client, network, and server that negatively impact APDEX values. Once these issues are identified they can be followed up for resolution.

A great number of monitoring and troubleshooting use cases can be served by the out-of-the-box tools. However, OutSystems demonstrates its strength as a development platform by making it easy to integrate this wealth of logged data with leading industry-strength monitoring and analysis platforms provided by third-party vendors.

OutSystems monitoring tools

Before exploring use cases let’s briefly mention the built-in monitoring and analysis included in every OutSystems installation:

• Service Center provides monitoring logs and analytics reports about performance issues of the platform and applications.
• LifeTime gives an aggregated view into Web application performance and end-user experience.
• Performance Monitoring API provides access to detailed performance data of request events and deep analysis of performance issues.
• App Feedback can be enabled in LifeTime so key users, during the acceptance stage, deployment, and after release, can send suggestions or report problems.
• Asynchronous Logging API can be used in your OutSystems applications for more advanced monitoring by referencing the module which provides actions.
• Business Activity Monitoring enables developers to start monitoring and optimizing processes immediately after deployment without the need for any development effort.

OutSystems-supported components

OutSystems supports quick and easy integration with monitoring and analysis dashboards available through Firebase plugins for the following services:

• Firebase Crashlytics, a real-time crash reporting tool for prioritizing and fixing crashes based on the impact on real users.
• Google Analytics for Firebase provides free, unlimited reporting on key events and user properties.
• Firebase Performance Monitoring gives insight into app performance from the user's point of view with detailed trace and network data.

Advanced Techniques for Enhancing Component Functionality

To enhance your components' functionality, consider implementing advanced techniques such as dynamic properties, custom events, and extensibility points. Dynamic properties allow your components to adapt to different contexts, providing greater flexibility.

Custom events enable components to communicate with other parts of the application, facilitating seamless integration. Extensibility points, such as hooks or plugin interfaces, allow other developers to extend your component's functionality without modifying its core logic.

Testing and Deploying OutSystems Components

Testing is a critical step in the component development process. Ensure your components are thoroughly tested in isolation and within the context of a larger application. Unit tests and integration tests can help identify and fix issues early.

Once your components have passed all tests, you can deploy them to your OutSystems environment. Make sure to follow deployment best practices, such as versioning and documentation, to facilitate smooth integration and future maintenance.

Transitioning from the Silk UI Framework to OutSystems UI and Its Benefits

Now, let's explore the differences between OutSystems UI and the Silk UI framework, and whether you should consider transitioning to OutSystems UI.

Initially, the Silk UI framework was effective in streamlining and speeding up UI development. However, as time progressed, market trends shifted, demands evolved, and user experiences became crucial differentiators. This created a need for innovation that would keep businesses using OutSystems competitive.

OutSystems UI is an ideal successor to the Silk UI framework, incorporating all its features while introducing new tools and functionalities. These enhancements assist developers in simultaneously creating mobile and web applications with minimal costs. Designed with future development in mind, OutSystems UI will receive ongoing support and updates. For businesses looking to utilize a low-code UI framework for developing mobile and web applications, transitioning to OutSystems UI is crucial to leverage its capabilities.

However, if you're not prepared to dedicate the necessary time and resources for this migration, you can continue to build, manage, operate, and maintain robust applications with the Silk UI framework. Keep in mind, though, that OutSystems will no longer offer updates or new features for Silk UI, restricting you to its existing functionalities.

There are a few paths you can undertake for migrating the UI of Silk web apps to OutSystems UI:

• Replacing each UI pattern in Silk with an equivalent OutSystems UI pattern
• Updating screens one-by-one by altering the ‘source web block’ in each
• Renaming workflows and adjusting patterns from OutSystems UI to maintain the same ‘source web block’

Why Choose Findernest as Your OutSystems Business Partner

Choosing Findernest as an OutSystems business partner offers numerous advantages that can significantly enhance your organization's digital transformation journey. Here are the key reasons to consider this partnership:

1. Comprehensive Expertise in Low-Code Development

   Findernest specializes in low-code solutions, which are essential for accelerating application development. Their proficiency in OutSystems allows businesses to rapidly develop, deploy, and manage applications with minimal coding, leading to quicker time-to-market and reduced development costs.

2. Tailored Solutions for Unique Business Needs

   Findernest emphasizes a personalized approach by immersing itself in the specific business requirements of its clients. This ensures that the solutions provided are not one-size-fits-all but rather customized to address unique challenges and goals. Their focus on understanding client needs leads to more effective and relevant outcomes.

3. Access to Cutting-Edge Technologies

   As a partner of major technology providers like Microsoft, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform, Findernest provides clients with access to advanced technologies and resources. This partnership enhances their ability to deliver innovative solutions that leverage cloud services, AI capabilities, and robust cybersecurity measures.

4. Strong Support and Resources

   Findernest benefits from comprehensive support packages from its technology partners. This includes technical advisory hours, product support, and marketing resources, which translate into high-quality service delivery for clients. Their dedicated support team is available around-the-clock, ensuring that clients receive timely assistance whenever needed.

5. Proven Track Record of Success

   With a commitment to excellence and a history of delivering transformative solutions, Findernest has established itself as a trusted partner for many organizations. Their focus on measurable results and customer satisfaction is evident in their long-standing relationships with clients across various industries.

6. Accelerated Innovation and Development

   The partnership with OutSystems enables Findernest to drive innovation within its service offerings. By utilizing low-code platforms, they can facilitate faster development cycles and quicker iterations on projects, allowing businesses to remain competitive in rapidly changing markets.

7. Enhanced Security and Compliance

   Findernest's collaboration with Microsoft allows them to implement advanced security protocols essential for protecting sensitive data and maintaining compliance with industry standards such as HIPAA and GDPR. This is particularly beneficial for clients operating in regulated industries.

Conclusion