The platform for no-code process automation

Yes, Catalytic can be used entirely without code. Most of our users do not have a technical background, yet build powerful solutions. However, Catalytic offers a few levels of use for builders with varying degrees of coding experience. Here’s an overview:

• No-code citizen developers:

Citizen developers are non-IT business users who build solutions that would traditionally otherwise be done by developers. With no-code and brief training, this can be anyone tech-savvy, usually those comfortable with spreadsheet features such as VLOOKUP and pivot tables. They are able to use the majority of our platform without code to create robust workflows that use forms, routing, document generation, and integration connectors.

• Low-code citizen developers:

These are users who are comfortable with more in-depth configuration and simple scripting with JavaScript. These builders will be able to leverage more advanced workflow logic, custom integrations, and parallelized data processing.

• Professional developers: 

Developers and technical users can incorporate more advanced scripting and code custom Actions in the platform. They can also use the Catalytic Command Line Interface (CLI) or the Catalytic Software Development Kit (SDK) for extended use.

Catalytic has been built from ground-up to be a seamless, all-in-one platform for business users to create a wide range of enterprise workflows. To accomplish this vision, we combined the best aspects of the tech categories above into a practical, flexible, data-based platform that matches the way people actually work.

This isn’t everything that makes us different, but here’s a quick rundown:

• Catalytic vs. Robotic Process Automation (RPA):

Unlike RPA, which creates bots that emulate people working on desktop and other screen-based applications, Catalytic automates at the data level and with APIs for more reliability, agility and visibility.

If you think of a process as an assembly line, RPA bots act as one individual “station,” while Catalytic workflows take care of multiple steps on the line and act as the conveyor belt connecting and moving the entire process forward.

• Catalytic vs. Digital Process Automation (DPA):

In many ways, Catalytic is the next-gen DPA. We share the concept of orchestration of people, and the emphasis on process improvement and data management. However, unlike many DPAs, we also focus on no-code ease of use combined with more powerful automation and integration capabilities into our platform, empowering citizen developers to address more problems and create more complex enterprise solutions.

• Catalytic vs. Integration Platform as a Service (IPaaS):

Catalytic and IPaaS both have the ability to connect and orchestrate systems together. However, where IPaaS is just focused on enabling the passing of information between a large number of systems, Catalytic interacts with common business systems as part of a more robust workflow involving task assignments, forms, deliverables, data processing, machine learning and more.

• Catalytic vs. no-code app development:

Catalytic requires little to no coding, similar to no-code/low-code app development platforms. However, where no-code/low-code app development platforms create traditional end-user applications designed around an interface such as web apps and mobile apps, Catalytic creates workflows that automate and coordinate more behind-the-scenes types of processes.

Citizen developers, as well as software developers, can act as “builders” developing workflows on the Catalytic platform. With increasing technical skill levels, these builders are able to tackle increasingly complex workflows. Workflows can also be built on a collaborative basis with different skill levels addressing different portions of the workflows, and creating reusable components that others can leverage.

Catalytic provides a true enterprise-ready platform for citizen development with three major aspects:

• Easy to use. The no-code, outline-based interface for building workflows and using automation features is intuitive enough for anyone with proficient in tools like Excel. The rest of the modern and mobile-friendly platform makes it easy for any user to manage and track workflows and tasks in progress.
• Safe to use. Catalytic provides a number of control features designed for governance of citizen developers at scale:
  • A centralized platform with real-time visibility
  • Access controls and permissions
  • Testing and version control 
  • Data encryption & retention policies
  • Automatic, proactive issue detection/routing
  • Workflow review and publication process
• Training and community. From the first workflow to ongoing development, Catalytic Academy, help documentation and the Catalytic Community forum provide the resources to learn, grow, and be inspired to improve and automate operations.

Catalytic customers have built a wide variety of workflows that impact their customers, employees and suppliers. They have built workflows where no process existed previously. They have built workflows to augment existing systems or to “fill in the gaps” between systems. Customers have built strategic, productized workflows that they have taken to market to enhance or build new revenue streams.

However, many start by digitizing and automating repetitive processes and patterns like:

• Onboarding/offboarding customers, suppliers, and employees
• Creating consolidated reports, KPIs, and deliverables
• Processing and routing forms, orders, and requests

While you can ultimately build almost anything, a good place to start is prioritizing a workflow that would be both a quick win and something that would create the most impact on your team or company. We’ve guided many customers through the discovery and planning process and can help you do the same to ensure success.

Book a product demo with us, jump in and start a free trial, or both. Either way, you’ll get to see firsthand how Catalytic can work for you. Then we can build a plan for success together.