The push for digital transformation continues to accelerate across industries, but many organizations still struggle with the "messy middle"—a phase where IT backlogs, resource constraints, and fragmented systems slow down progress. For SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP), a leader in clean energy generation in the Philippines, this challenge became a catalyst for change.
Rather than waiting for traditional IT-driven solutions, SNAP took a business-led approach to automation. By embracing low-code technology, the company empowered its teams to streamline internal processes, improve collaboration, and reduce operational bottlenecks. Their partnership with Kissflow’s low-code platform has been instrumental in making this shift happen.
The Need for Scalable Digital Transformation
SNAP operates in a highly dynamic industry, where managing energy production and infrastructure requires both agility and efficiency. However, like many large enterprises, they encountered challenges with manual workflows, administrative delays, and the growing demand for automation.
A common misconception is that hiring more developers is the answer to these digital transformation roadblocks. But as highlighted in the Kissflow x Rockbird Media roundtable, 72% of IT leaders report that growing backlogs prevent them from focusing on strategic projects. The solution? Citizen development—a model where business users take an active role in building IT-approved applications without heavy coding.
SNAP embraced this approach by implementing Kissflow’s low-code platform, allowing non-technical teams to digitize over 95 business processes. This meant that employees could now design and deploy solutions tailored to their needs, rather than relying on IT teams to build them from scratch.
Bridging the Gap Between IT and Business Teams
One of the biggest takeaways from the Kissflow x Rockbird Media roundtable was the importance of collaboration between IT and business teams. The traditional approach—where IT builds solutions in isolation—often leads to inefficiencies and misaligned priorities. Instead, low-code platforms provide a bridge, enabling both technical and non-technical teams to co-create applications that drive efficiency.
For SNAP, this approach resulted in the development of custom applications such as Executive Assistants Central for managing administrative requests, Supply Chain Hub for vendor coordination, and iServe, an HR process automation tool. These solutions were built without long development cycles, proving that business users can lead innovation when given the right tools.
The Rise of Low-Code in Southeast Asia
This shift toward business-led automation isn’t unique to SNAP. Across Southeast Asia, companies are increasingly recognizing the value of low-code and no-code platforms to accelerate digital transformation.
During a recent Kakacomputer interview, Rakesh Nandakumar, Associate VP for Southeast Asia at Kissflow, shared insights on why low-code adoption is gaining traction. According to him, the ability for business users to build solutions independently is changing the way organizations approach innovation.
"We are seeing a massive shift in how businesses operate," Rakesh explained. "Low-code lets the people who actually use these processes take control—allowing them to build and refine solutions without waiting for developers."
🎧 L*isten to the full discussion on Kakacomputer:
* 👉 Sp[otify: Conversation with Rakesh Nandakumar
A People-First Approach to Digital Transformation
SNAP’s experience highlights a key lesson: successful digital transformation is not just about technology—it’s about empowering people. By putting automation tools into the hands of their employees, SNAP has built a culture of continuous improvement, where teams can proactively solve challenges and optimize workflows.
The insights from the Kissflow x Rockbird Media roundtable reinforce this idea. Organizations that embrace citizen development can unlock greater efficiency, reduce IT dependency, and accelerate their transformation efforts. This is especially critical in industries like energy, manufacturing, and retail, where agility and scalability are essential.
SNAP’s journey is proof that digital transformation doesn’t have to be complicated. By adopting a low-code, people-first approach, businesses can innovate faster, streamline operations, and stay ahead in an increasingly digital world.
As more organizations explore this path, one thing remains clear: the future of business automation belongs to companies that empower their teams to lead innovation from within.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andresito de Guzman is an Engineering Lead at The Outsource People and the Community Lead for PWA Pilipinas. With a degree in Human Biology from De La Salle University - Dasmariñas, Andresito is passionate about creating great web experiences and fostering tech communities. Recognized as one of the PH100 2024 by StellarPH, he is also a co-host of the KaKaComputer podcast, where he discusses the latest in IT. Andresito's innovative projects, like Siyasat and Project Tren, showcase his commitment to solving real-world problems and promoting digital inclusion.
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