Mendix Makers｜How Mendix resolves the complexity of digital transformation of industrial enterprises

MX: Before using the Mendix low-code platform to develop applications, what tools did you and your team primarily use?

Tian Yueping: In our department, as a team dedicated to industrial digital transformation, we provide solutions for industries such as manufacturing, artificial intelligence, smart buildings, and healthcare. We use various tools to meet different project requirements, primarily working with programming languages like Java, Python, JavaScript, and C#. These languages are especially important for developing industrial solutions due to their powerful features and broad applicability.

MX: What limitations or challenges did the previous tools have?

Tian Yueping: Every tool has its limitations and challenges, which can affect development efficiency, project maintenance, and the performance of the final product. Beyond technical limitations, challenges also arose in project management and team collaboration, such as version control, code merging conflicts, and the complexity of continuous integration and deployment processes.

MX: How did you first learn about Mendix?

Tian Yueping: I initially learned about Mendix through our company’s official website. Many of the industrial solutions provided by our company highlighted the platform’s ability for rapid development and deployment. These use cases demonstrated how Mendix helps enterprises and development teams shorten development cycles, reduce costs, and improve flexibility and scalability. I also participated in a project focused on carbon emissions management, where a portion of the functionalities was developed using Mendix. Through this hands-on experience, I gained deeper insights into the platform’s capabilities and advantages. I observed how Mendix’s intuitive graphical interface, allowing drag-and-drop component assembly and model-driven development, greatly simplified traditional coding complexities.

MX: What are the main reasons for adopting Mendix as your application development platform?

Tian Yueping: The main reasons for adopting Mendix can be analyzed from various perspectives, including organizational drivers, project requirements, cost-effectiveness, development speed, and communication efficiency. As digital transformation becomes a growing trend, organizations need to quickly and efficiently develop applications to meet market demands. Mendix provides the ability to respond rapidly to market changes and accelerate innovation. By reducing the need for manual coding, the platform significantly lowers development costs and allows non-technical personnel to participate in the development process, reducing dependency on professional developers and thus cutting labor costs.

MX: What applications have you and your team developed using Mendix so far? Are these applications used internally or to support other departments?

Tian Yueping: To date, my team and I have developed a range of applications using the Mendix platform, serving both internal departmental needs and supporting other business units. Below are some key examples:

• Production Line Carbon Emission Estimation: This application estimates carbon emissions during the production process, supporting corporate environmental and sustainability goals. It collects and analyzes production data, providing real-time carbon emission estimates and reports.
• Production Line Modeling and Simulation: This tool simulates and optimizes production processes, helping improve production efficiency and resource utilization. Mendix’s low-code environment allows us to quickly build and adjust models to meet changing production demands.
• Factory Quality Management: This application tracks and manages quality issues during production, helping teams identify problems, take corrective actions, and continuously improve product quality.
• 8D Analysis Tool: This tool follows the 8D problem-solving methodology to identify root causes and develop effective solutions for issues.
• Idea Collection System: This application encourages internal innovation by allowing employees to submit and share new ideas and improvement suggestions through a centralized platform.
• EHS Risk Assessment Management: This tool evaluates and manages Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) risks, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations while protecting employees and the environment.

These applications not only enhanced our department’s internal operational efficiency but also supported other business units by helping them better manage daily operations and improve decision-making quality.

MX: What Mendix components/modules have you used in these applications, and what are your impressions?

Tian Yueping: We fully utilized various components and modules provided by Mendix Studio Pro, along with some third-party integrations and extensions. Below are the key components/modules we used and our feedback:

• Login Authentication (SAML and OIDC): Used for single sign-on (SSO), enabling seamless user access to our applications. These modules enhance security and simplify user management processes.
• Email Module: This module is used for sending automated notifications and updates, which is particularly important for quality management and issue-resolution tools. It improves communication efficiency and ensures timely information delivery.
• AnyChart: A third-party charting and visualization tool that helps us create complex data visualizations, especially useful for carbon emission estimation and quality management applications. It enhances data readability and insights.
• Excel Import/Export: Allows users to easily import and export Excel files, which is critical for data management and reporting features. It increases data processing efficiency and reduces manual operations.
• PDF-Word Modules: Used for generating PDF and Word documents, particularly useful in creating reports and document management applications. These modules offer flexibility in formatting and compatibility.
• Drag & Drop Module: Used to create intuitive user interfaces, especially in modeling and simulation tools. It improves user experience, making it accessible even for non-technical users.
• SharePoint Integration: Allows seamless collaboration with SharePoint, crucial for document management and team collaboration applications. It enhances cross-platform functionality.
• Siemens UI Resource: A customized UI resource package aligning with Siemens’ corporate branding and design standards, ensuring visual consistency across applications.

MX: Where do you seek help or find answers when facing challenges with Mendix development?

Tian Yueping: Several resources help us resolve issues:

• Mendix Community: Mendix has an active developer community where I can post questions or search for similar issues faced by other developers. Community members are often helpful and provide practical solutions.
• Mendix Official Documentation: Mendix’s comprehensive documentation includes tutorials, guides, and API references. I frequently use it to find best practices and understand specific features.
• Online Tutorials and Courses: Numerous free and paid tutorials online help me learn new skills and solve specific problems. Video tutorials on YouTube and other educational platforms are particularly helpful.
• Yammer: Our company uses Yammer as an internal social network tool where I can seek help from colleagues or share my experiences and lessons learned during Mendix development.