Amazon Web Services (AWS) jumped into the no-code/low-code space with the beta launch of its Honeycode platform that is designed to make it easier to build mobile and web applications in the AWS environment. The launch continues what has been an increased focus into the no-code/low-code space by the market’s large hyperscalers.

No- or low-code platforms are targeted at simplifying the developer experience for enterprises. They typically use automation or artificial intelligence (AI), which allows a person with no experience with traditional coding languages to construct applications. They can also support more established developers working in new environments.

The AWS Honeycode service is a fully managed offering that uses a visual application builder to create applications. It taps into AWS’ databases to provide monitoring and support for those applications. It handles what Amazon said are the “three-tiers of functionality” that are found in most business applications: the database, business logic, and user interface.

The interface is similar to a spreadsheet that allows uses to select a pre-built template. That template includes a pre-defined data model, business logic, and back-end support. More advanced users can also import data into a blank template for more custom control. It’s also designed to scale up to 100,000 rows in each workbook.

Larry Augustin, VP at AWS, said that the product solves what has been a point of interest for customers.

“The idea was that we could extend the power of AWS to a set of users that today were not as easily able to take advantage of AWS because they really needed to be able to build on it develop something,” Augustin said. “Many companies have business processes, projects, and operations that are happening down the line of business with the role of analyst or manager whose job it is to run those processes.”

He added that Honeycode opens up that model to allow a broader set of employees to run those processes. This can free up those dedicated managers to work on more mission-critical processes and helps to solve challenging job functions.

“So that's the idea that many of our target users here are spreadsheet experts. Spreadsheets have been around for decades and they know how to use it and how to use them and the interface works for them,” Augustin said. “So starting with a spreadsheet interface, which they're very familiar with, they can now use Honeycode to create an application for mobile and web.”

And in terms of a specific target, Augustin said that Honeycode was really focused on no-code processes.

“Our goal was really to enable true no-code applications by those non-coders out in the organization,” Augustin said. “This is not a stepping-stone to writing code and it's not a framework for doing some work that maybe a person who writes code, but not full time, plugs some code in to finish it. Our goal here really was true no code and enable applications to be created by a person, that analyst or project manager for example in a business, who does not write code at all.”

Augustin said that the product’s initial launch is somewhat targeted at more internal use by organizations, but that it was looking to build out its ability to better support external facing applications.

Honeycode is initially available in AWS’ US West (Oregon) region, with further expansion planned. AWS cited Slack and SmugMug as early users of the platform.

John Bratincevic, a senior analyst at Forrester Research, said the launch is significant for AWS and the broader market, but was cautious on the initial release.

“It’s significant that Amazon has entered this market and it further validates the concept of the citizen developer,” Bratincevic said. “It also shows that customers want this and the other large cloud providers had one and [AWS] didn’t.”

The launch also fills in a whole that Forrester said was keeping AWS from being a more complete package as part of its most recent ranking of North American public cloud providers.

Despite the significance, Bratincevic did ding the platform for its current maturity, stating that it's immature.

“It feels like a prototype,” Bratincevic said. “I spent a couple of hours in it, and I have been using these products for the last decade and I kind of know how they are supposed to work and this one is still just really immature, even for a beta release.”

Bratincevic described difficulty in navigating the platform in attempting to tie together different components like spreadsheets and databases. He acknowledged that AWS has hung a beta tag on this initial launch, but even with that it was lacking in polish.

“It's a ways away from being competitive with really any other products in the market that I can think of in terms of what it is,” Bratincevic said. “Sure, it’s Amazon and you have to take notice of that. But, if I'm one of those platforms already in the market I look at the product and I'm not worried right now.”

He did add that "the bones are good, but that it just needs some more cooking."

The no-/low-code market itself is seeing increased attention from vendors that are trying to help enterprises deal with a shallow pool of developers.

Google, for example, earlier this year acquired AppSheet for an undisclosed amount and slid the operation into its cloud business unit. Microsoft operates in the space with its highly regarded PowerApps platform. And Apple is also a player with its Claris subsidiary.

Others in the space include OutSystems, Kony, Mendix, and Salesforce.