We’ve mentioned the no-code platform several times in passing over the last few months (and over the last few years in pretty much all of our materials we’ve ever published) but what is a no-code platform? And how can a no-code platform provide a benefit to you?
The answer to the first question is relatively simple – a no-code platform is a platform that has been built to allow you to tweak, customise, and use your program with minimal-to-no programming experience. A no-code framework is a programming platform that uses a visual development interface to enable non-technical users to build applications by dragging and dropping software components to create a full app. Users don’t need any previous coding experience to build applications using no-code. Such platforms accomplish this by generating ready-to-use code blocks (a series of code for a given function) that can be dragged and dropped into place to run under preset limits. We fully believe that software should not dictate what you can or cannot do, and a no-code platform lets you take more control of your CLM solution without needing to step into someone else’s area of speciality.
The second question... well for the second question we’re going to need subheaders.
More Than One Way To Skim A Contract
One of the biggest issues we have run up against in the world of CLM is that no two companies work with contracts in the exact same way. Everyone works with a specific voice, rhythm, and cadence that is uniquely theirs – and once you start to examine and appreciate the scale of these differences, some of the challenges of CLM implementation become apparent.
Not only does each business work with contracts in a unique way, but each business works with different contracts and different contract suites. On top of how they work, and what they work with, there is also no guarantee that businesses will work with the same contracts in the same way in the future. The variables that a piece of CLM software needs to be able to keep track of start stacking all the way into infinity, an almost impossible ask from an initial implementation.
To obtain the true potential from a CLM solution, businesses need better. They need software that can flex to any requirements, extend into any scenario and connect to any data or environment where contracts are needed. This is the promise of no-code CLM platforms like Agiloft.
Code? Where We're Going We Won't Need Code
Now that we’ve talked about the problems in a normal CLM implmentation, let’s talk about why we champion Agiloft’s no-code platform and the solutions it allows us to offer your business.
Flexibility
Allows end users to configure to workflows (e.g., new contract requests, amendment approvals) to their unique requirements or industry-specific processes, and enables businesses to address any type of use case—any function (e.g., sales, legal, procurement) or any type of contract with the same core capabilities.
Extensibility
Extends contracting integration into adjacent processes (e.g., converting a sourcing award into a contract, driving post-signature contract compliance using GRC-system based auditing processes) Anywhere a contract is used, CLM can be useful—often it is the missing link of execution and performance management.
Connectivity
This goes both ways—in the CLM and outside of the CLM. In the CLM, it’s about integrations that bring needed data to your environment when you need it (e.g., risk insights related to specific clauses directly in MS Word or Splunk data directly delivered in the context of a contract to check on performance levels in a hosting agreement). Outside the CLM, it’s about integrations that allow you to work in whatever environment you want so you can get to your contracts anywhere (e.g., Salesforce, Teams integration experiences).
The ability for the end user to easily customise their CLM experience on the fly allows for enhancements and efficiency that can only be achieved through time and experience. Being able to drag-and-drop the components you want changes the experience from automatic to systematic (maybe even hydromatic) as users without coding knowledge are enabled to customise the software to deal with your businesses’ unique needs as and when they evolve.
But Wait, There's More!
Flexibility, extensibility, and connectivity are only the broad start of what a no-code platform can do for you. Code-dependant platforms tend to offer a more silo’d (or ‘agnostic’) approach to contract management. These approaches work fine at the start, but quickly encounter their own self-imposed limitations as businesses grow, mature, or face unexpected challenges that they must quickly adapt to.
Agiloft’s no-code platform allows for continuing benefit the more you use it and the more familiar you get with the processes. From an increased overall agility in navigating and adopting evolving regulatory or business requirements, to the ability to continuously tweak the system yourself until it truly fits like a glove, to growing the capabilities and adoption rate internally (remember, the whole point of no-code is so that the userbase can be larger and less specialised) which, in-tun, increases cross-functional collaboration and communication, to continuing to save money and increase ROI by being able to capture everything you need in your own CLM solution without leaning constantly on external programming help.
Agiloft has been built as a no-code platform from its inception, and as (amazing, beautiful, incredibly competent, nice smelling) implementers we have seen the benefits time and time again with our clients, and with ourselves. No-code doesn’t just benefit your business, it benefits our ability to adapt a CLM solution that you can work with across a staggering number of industries and specifications. Hiding beneath an incredibly simple interface and an adaptable surface lies a staggering amount of effort and complexity that works shockingly hard to benefit the end-user.
Now if you want to see how the no-code platform works for yourself and your business, why don’t you get in touch with us at: solutions@saasamgroup.com and we can guide you through the process of getting a CLM solution of your very own!
Original words by Nick Heinzmann of Spendmatters (https://www.agiloft.com/pdfs/spend-matters-mtc-no-code-clm-white-paper.pdf) additional words by C. Redpath
