Software Developers Boost GenAI Strategies with Mendix

Enterprise software vendors are wise to be wary of the risks some Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools pose to data, processes, and culture. However, delaying an AI implementation strategy is even riskier. As software developers learn how to streamline coding processes with GenAI, the pace and quality of their output will vastly increase—leaving the competition behind.

For 20 years, the Mendix low-code platform has increased developers’ productivity. Part of the secret recipe is reducing the time to value for new technology implementation. Mendix is already introducing innovative features that automate and augment software development with GenAI, whereas other development platforms are still in the trial-and-error stage.

Let’s examine how software vendors can access and implement AI from ideation to experimentation to deployment with the Mendix low-code platform.

Mendix has more experience boosting productivity with AI

AI optimizations are nothing new to software developers who build on Mendix — the first platform to offer AI-assisted low-code development in 2018. The machine learning, process automation, and other robot-infused features available in the current release of the Mendix platform are not only mature and tested but also secure and transparent.

Embracing the collaborative, productive framework of low-code technology helps vendors stay in front of innovation in software development. Low code and GenAI have similar goals — both reduce the operational requirements for producing output. GenAI can write you a first draft, and machine learning can automate a process. The low-code technology umbrella that includes module-based composability and rapid prototyping also includes chatbot design and development assistants, and other GenAI enhancements.

AI tools, integrations, and connectors that benefit software development

Mendix differs in the maturity of the platform applications and features that boost quality and productivity. From the Machine Learning Kit to the newly released Mendix Artificial Intelligence Assistant (Maia)—now a standard part of the platform IDE—Mendix has a proven record of delivering tools, services, and features that improve independent software vendors’ (ISVs) performance.

GenAI is an unfolding technology. As part of the Siemens family, Mendix has access to cutting-edge technologies and the backing to support its development.

In addition, Mendix is the only low-code platform that supports external AI service and embedded ML model integration. Through a thriving marketplace and partnerships with SAP, AWS, and more, Mendix makes it easier to build AI-infused solutions with more flexibility, less overhead, and shorter times to market.

Maia: Next-generation AI-Assisted Development (AIAD)

Commercial software developers working on the Mendix platform are already using GenAI to automate tasks and augment the abilities of their engineering teams. However, the next iteration of the Mendix-assisted development experience is light years beyond what was previously available on the market.

Maia allows enterprise software developers to embrace AI quickly and deliver solutions with human-like intelligence, insight, and awareness. With Maia and Mendix, ISVs don’t have to be experts in large language models or manage a foundation model to benefit from GenAI technology.

Build applications smarter

Maia helps ISVs make better decisions, find emerging issues before they become serious problems, and optimize development efficiency. The Studio Pro integrated development environment (IDE) includes contextually accurate development guidance built into the platform.

Maia Chat boosts productivity and efficiency by delivering answers that leverage previous conversations and source documentation. In response to queries, Maia provides easy-to-understand instructions that clarify processes.

From guidance to action, Maia also assists with optimizing for quality and productivity. New GenAI-driven functionality includes:

Maia Best Practices Recommender: Check application models for Mendix best practices, detect anti-patterns, and guide developers with step-by-step resolutions.
Maia Logic Recommender: Use deep learning to provide real-time, context-driven recommendations. Assist with modeling and the creation of application logic.
Maia Workflow Recommender: Suggest applicable microflows or valid activities the workflow can jump to.

Combining guidance and assistance capabilities, Maia also automates dev processes and generates application components. With Maia, devs can instantly summarize content and edit to fit the application and audience. With the upcoming release 10.13, ISVs will be able to create new products and industry domain models by simply asking Maia to generate them.

Build smarter applications

Enterprise software vendors look to GenAI solutions to boost their own productivity so that their products and services are of the highest quality and available sooner. But they must also consider generative AI for the enterprise applications that they market to their customers. When it comes to GenAI-enabled applications, the Mendix platform couples years of machine learning and process automation innovation with connectors to the best third-party products and services available.

Better AI tools for software developers

Maia is changing the possibilities of AI-assisted development by guiding, assisting, and even generating software solutions. However, creating opportunities for AI-optimized products and services sometimes extends beyond your enterprise’s aptitude and bandwidth for development and governance.

The Mendix Machine Learning (ML) Kit, for instance, combines the interoperability of the Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX) framework with access to pre-trained ML models to build next-generation applications quickly. The ML Kit empowers developers to use AI to improve business processes, automate manual tasks, and deliver customer satisfaction.

The Machine Learning Kit comes loaded with benefits

Combining the low-code visual IDE of the Mendix Studio Pro platform with the ML Kit facilitates integration with AI capabilities and can decrease ML deployment from weeks to hours. With the ONNX Model Zoo, ML Kit users can integrate prebuilt machine translation, body, face, and gesture analysis, and speech and audio processing capabilities out of the box.

Community marketplace of easy GenAI enhancements

The ML Kit is just the beginning of AI optimizations available to software developers on the Mendix platform. The Mendix Marketplace brings together apps, widgets, modules, and connectors built internally by Mendix and other vendors, developers, and partners on the Mendix platform.

AWS Bedrock Connector: Integrate with leading FMs

AWS Bedrock is a fully managed service that connects to foundation models (FMs) from Amazon and other leading GenAI startups. With the Mendix Amazon Bedrock Connector, software developers get access to all the benefits of high-tech FMs without the overhead or resource management responsibilities. The following FMs are available through Amazon Bedrock as of July 2024:

AI tools with less risk and more support

One of the most important elements of the Mendix low-code AI experience is risk management and data security. Users are covered both through Mendix and the connector service. By connecting to Amazon Bedrock, users benefit from Amazon’s cutting-edge security protocols. Enterprises can also enact additional content filters and guardrails to ensure the security and integrity of their data.

In addition to Amazon protocols, Menidx built its low-code platform on trust, with industry-leading data privacy, governance, and security protocols. Mendix security measures undergo monthly external penetration testing. Mendix Runtime and Mendix Client are scanned daily using the latest technologies in static analysis and software composition analysis to ensure no unmitigated vulnerabilities remain.

Mendix is trusted in low-code and AI

GenAI will permanently change the pace, quality, and scalability of commercial software production. The winners will get in front of the AI hype cycle with an actionable strategy. But, they will also need technology that harnesses GenAI in ways that software developers can use and customers want.

Software vendors that partner with Mendix benefit from 20 years of experience building productivity and product quality into their low-code platform. Backed by Siemens and partnered with AWS, SAP, and other global technology leaders, Mendix is poised to continue as the top platform for AI and low-code technology.

Lastly, for commercial software vendors looking to build and execute an AI-enhanced strategy, the Mendix ISV Program provides the attention and support they need to launch a flourishing business.

Mendix helps software vendors realize transformative AI benefits in their processes and products. Learn more today.

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