Software solutions for enhancing operations management : Exploring low-code as a fix for fragmented systems
Ruusunen, Melina (2025)
2025
Tietotekniikan DI-ohjelma - Master's Programme in Information Technology
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2025-06-17
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202506167248
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202506167248
Tiivistelmä
Low-code development platforms are becoming increasingly common in industrial environments as companies seek to improve their operational efficiency through digital tools. This master’s thesis explores digital solutions for supporting operations management in manufacturing environments, with a particular focus on examining the potential role of low-code platforms as part of broader digitalization efforts. Low-code platforms are designed to enable non-programmers to create applications by using graphical interfaces and predefined logic blocks. These tools are increasingly relevant as companies look for scalable and user-friendly alternatives to traditional software development.
The study explores user and organizational expectations, technical constraints, and integration-related challenges associated with digital tools. The main goals of the thesis are to understand how operations management is evolving in the digital era, assess the case company’s current digital tools, evaluate the potential role of low-code platforms, and propose a practical, scalable solution that supports both local operational needs and broader strategic objectives. It evaluates the impacts of low-code platform adoption on workflows, communication, and cross-functional collaboration. Additionally, the thesis considers technical features, integration capabilities, and organizational factors that influence successful implementation. Particular attention is given to how such tools can unify fragmented sys-tems and support daily management practices without the need to replace existing legacy systems.
A qualitative case study approach was used, combining a literature review with ten semi-structured interviews conducted with employees across five countries. The case company operates in the manufacturing industry, and interviewees represented various operational roles within the organization. The findings revealed a wide variance in tool usage, with many sites relying on manual workarounds or disconnected systems. Users emphasized the value of intuitive, transparent tools, while also identifying challenges such as duplicated effort, inconsistent practices, and limited data traceability and transparency.
A Power Apps solution developed at the company’s UK site served as a key example of how low-code platforms can improve responsiveness and streamline workflows. The findings underscore the importance of involving end users in development, providing sufficient training, and aligning digital tools with actual work practices. However, challenges remain in achieving standardization, long-term scalability and cross-site compatibility.
Overall, this thesis demonstrates that low-code platforms can bridge gaps between people, tools, and data within a complex manufacturing environment. Rather than replacing legacy systems, they offer a flexible layer of connectivity and customization that can adapt to site-specific needs while supporting broader digitalization efforts. While the study is based on a single case company, the findings may offer practical insights for similar organizations exploring low-code solutions.
The study explores user and organizational expectations, technical constraints, and integration-related challenges associated with digital tools. The main goals of the thesis are to understand how operations management is evolving in the digital era, assess the case company’s current digital tools, evaluate the potential role of low-code platforms, and propose a practical, scalable solution that supports both local operational needs and broader strategic objectives. It evaluates the impacts of low-code platform adoption on workflows, communication, and cross-functional collaboration. Additionally, the thesis considers technical features, integration capabilities, and organizational factors that influence successful implementation. Particular attention is given to how such tools can unify fragmented sys-tems and support daily management practices without the need to replace existing legacy systems.
A qualitative case study approach was used, combining a literature review with ten semi-structured interviews conducted with employees across five countries. The case company operates in the manufacturing industry, and interviewees represented various operational roles within the organization. The findings revealed a wide variance in tool usage, with many sites relying on manual workarounds or disconnected systems. Users emphasized the value of intuitive, transparent tools, while also identifying challenges such as duplicated effort, inconsistent practices, and limited data traceability and transparency.
A Power Apps solution developed at the company’s UK site served as a key example of how low-code platforms can improve responsiveness and streamline workflows. The findings underscore the importance of involving end users in development, providing sufficient training, and aligning digital tools with actual work practices. However, challenges remain in achieving standardization, long-term scalability and cross-site compatibility.
Overall, this thesis demonstrates that low-code platforms can bridge gaps between people, tools, and data within a complex manufacturing environment. Rather than replacing legacy systems, they offer a flexible layer of connectivity and customization that can adapt to site-specific needs while supporting broader digitalization efforts. While the study is based on a single case company, the findings may offer practical insights for similar organizations exploring low-code solutions.