We held an in-house study session, and I’d like to introduce it. The theme was “Basics of Security.” The session was led by Chicken Kiwi from Team 0.
During this study session, we learned about the risks involved when a security incident occurs and the basic measures that can be taken during daily work to prevent such incidents.
The session followed this flow:
The necessity of security ・Potential issues ・The five key principles of information security ・Security measures implemented by Dandelions ・Information security quiz ・Session Overview
The Necessity of Security
Here, we studied the necessity of security measures and the social, legal, and moral impacts on the company in case an incident occurs. We explored how security is crucial for maintaining the integrity and reputation of the company.
Potential Issues
In this part, we learned about possible security risks from actual case studies. We discussed not only the impact on the company from attacks but also the legal responsibilities of the company and management when security measures are insufficient, as well as how it can affect relationships between companies.
The Five Key Principles of Information Security
From the security guidelines published by IPA (Information-technology Promotion Agency), we learned about the key security measures individuals should take. We primarily reviewed the following points with examples and solutions:
Keep your OS and software up to date. Use antivirus software. Strengthen your passwords. Review sharing settings. Be aware of threats and attack methods.
Summary
This time, we studied the importance of security and basic countermeasures. The study session was based on the security guidelines published by IPA. IPA provides various resources on information security, so if you’re interested, please visit their website.
Since then, more of our team members have gained experience with OutSystems, prompting us to conduct another trend analysis to explore the future outlook of low-code tools.
What Are Low-Code and No-Code?
The adoption of low-code and no-code tools is increasing to improve app development efficiency, enabling faster development and cost reduction.
Low-Code: Requires minimal coding for app development. Some programming knowledge is necessary, but it allows for flexible customization.
No-Code: Enables intuitive app creation without coding. However, customization options are more limited.
[Comparison table with representative tools]
Comparison of Major Low-Code & No-Code PlatformsThe market share of low-code and no-code platforms is primarily based on industry recognition and the number of companies adopting them. Below are the leading platforms ranked by market share:
Microsoft Power Apps
A widely adopted platform due to its strong integration with Microsoft products (especially Office 365 and Azure). As part of the Microsoft ecosystem, it allows businesses to easily create and manage applications.
Adoption: Used by organizations of all sizes worldwide, from small businesses to large enterprises.
OutSystems
A low-code platform specializing in enterprise solutions, excelling in large-scale and complex app development. It features strong automation and AI functionalities and is particularly popular among large corporations.
Adoption: Commonly used in industries like finance, manufacturing, and public institutions.
Mendix
A low-code platform designed for enterprise applications, known for its integration with SAP and industry-specific approach. It supports both cloud-based and on-premises deployment, providing an advanced development environment.
Adoption: Frequently used in manufacturing and logistics industries.
Appian
Specialized in Business Process Management (BPM), this platform excels in process automation and complex workflow management. It is designed for enterprises looking to optimize business operations.
Adoption: Popular in industries such as banking, insurance, and pharmaceuticals.
Future of Low-Code and No-Code
The future of low-code and no-code tools looks promising, with market growth and technological advancements driving increased adoption. The integration of AI will further enhance development speed and expand possibilities for both enterprises and individual developers.
Market Growth
The global low-code/no-code market was valued at $17 billion in 2022.
It is projected to grow to $45 billion by 2027.
The market is expected to expand rapidly over the next 5–10 years.
Key Trends in the Low-Code/No-Code Market
Stronger Integration Between AI & Low-Code/No-Code AI will automate development processes, allowing for natural language-based app development, eliminating the need for manual coding. Additionally, AI will optimize UI/UX design and code generation.
Examples of AI Integration:
Power Apps’ “Copilot” and OutSystems’ “AI Mentor”
Developers can input commands like “Create a product management app”, and AI will automatically generate the application.
AI will analyze user behavior and optimize UI layout automatically.
With further AI advancements, even complex logic and data analysis will be handled by AI, accelerating the shift toward true no-code development.
Developers’ roles will transition from coding to designing and managing applications.
Conclusion
Based on market share, Microsoft Power Apps dominates the low-code space due to its strong integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem. However, OutSystems also maintains a strong position, particularly in enterprise applications.
While large enterprises have been the primary adopters, the question remains whether low-code tools will expand further into SMEs and general users.
Looking ahead, as low-code tools and AI continue to merge, developers will focus more on designing applications, while AI handles coding. Exploring how OutSystems can integrate with AI will be a key consideration moving forward.
For our next post, we’ll explore the potential of OutSystems and AI integration and what it can achieve. Stay tuned!
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Nice to meet you! My name is “Su,” and I joined Dandelions in August last year.
Self-Introduction
Before joining Dandelions, I lived in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture. Nagaoka is a charming city with rich nature and a relaxed atmosphere. But the most unforgettable experience for me was definitely the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival!
Nagaoka Fireworks Festival
When I saw it for the first time, I was truly amazed. The breathtaking fireworks filling the night sky made me feel as if I had stepped into another world. A local resident told me, “It’s one of the biggest fireworks festivals in Japan.” I also learned that for the people of Nagaoka, this event is particularly special—it has been held as a tribute to post-war recovery and continues to carry deep historical significance. Knowing this background made the experience even more moving.
What Led Me to Join the Company
I joined Dandelions in August 2024. When I came across the company’s official website on a job search platform, I felt that the atmosphere seemed enjoyable. I was looking to shift my career to web development, as I have always been fascinated by the ever-evolving world of technology. I wanted to grow while learning the latest technologies and believed that being involved in various projects would allow me to gain diverse experience and skills. Dandelions offers plenty of opportunities for this, providing an environment where I can pursue personal growth.
Additionally, Dandelions has many employees from different countries, and I was strongly attracted to the workplace environment where I could collaborate with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. I was convinced that working in such a diverse setting, where different perspectives are valued, would contribute to my own growth as well.
Impressions After Joining
Since I had no prior experience working in the IT industry, I initially lacked confidence and felt anxious. However, Dandelions offers well-structured training programs for newcomers, allowing me to learn the fundamentals thoroughly. Thanks to this supportive environment, I was able to ease into my work with confidence. Through training, I gradually acquired the skills and knowledge necessary for practical work, which helped me build my confidence step by step.
The workplace atmosphere is also excellent. My senior colleagues are kind and provide guidance patiently. Their everyday conversations help create a relaxed and welcoming work environment, making it easier to focus on my tasks without worry. Thanks to this warm support, my initial concerns have gradually faded, and I now feel fulfilled in my daily work.
Moving forward, I hope to continue learning and growing through my experiences at Dandelions. With the support of those around me, I will keep improving myself and strive to achieve even better results.
From July 26 to July 28, 2024, we went on a company trip. This time, our destination was Kyushu (Fukuoka & Oita)! Here’s a look at our journey.
From Chubu Centrair International Airport to Fukuoka Airport
For Dandelions, this was our first time traveling by airplane. With about 30 participants, we were a bit worried that someone might oversleep and miss the flight, but thankfully, everyone made it on time, and we departed without any issues!
Upon arriving at Fukuoka Airport, we boarded a tour bus. Our tour guide had a fantastic sense of humor, making the trip even more enjoyable!
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Our first stop was Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Currently, it’s making headlines due to the “Reiwa Great Renovation”, the first major restoration in 124 years, featuring a special temporary hall of worship.
After visiting the shrine, we had some free time to explore the area. Some enjoyed street food, while others completed their souvenir shopping based on the tour guide’s recommendations.
Lunch at Yushoku Kobo Chabana
For our first day’s lunch, we dined at “Yushoku Kobo Chabana”. This traditional Japanese-style restaurant, set in a restored old house, provided a relaxing atmosphere where we enjoyed seasonal dishes.
In the afternoon, we explored two of Beppu’s famous “Hells”:
Chinoike Jigoku is said to be the oldest natural hot spring in Japan, and its striking appearance and strong smell left a powerful impression. A medicinal product called “Chinoike Ointment” was also available for limited sale.
Tatsumaki Jigoku is a geyser, designated as a natural monument of Beppu City, where hot water erupts at regular intervals. The dynamic bursts of hot water were truly spectacular.
Hotel Stay: Beppu Onsen “Hotel Shiragiku”
We stayed at the famous Beppu Onsen Hotel Shiragiku. As per Dandelions’ tradition, we held a lively company banquet, where we enjoyed a great evening together. As a special highlight, our company president presented outstanding employees with a unique “Hell T-shirt” as a token of appreciation!
After the banquet, we ventured out into Beppu’s nightlife!
One of the notable places was “Takegawara Onsen”, which is said to have inspired Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away”.
On the second day, despite the temptation to relax at the hotel, we resumed our Hell Tour. With clear skies and intense heat, walking through the various hot springs truly felt like a journey through hell!
Lunch at “Geothermal Tourism Lab Midori”
For lunch, we visited “Geothermal Tourism Lab Midori”, where we enjoyed food steamed using natural geothermal heat while soaking our feet in a hot spring foot bath. The footbath was so hot that many people ended up with bright red feet! We also indulged in a delicious geothermal pudding for dessert.
Iichiko Hita Distillery
Next, we visited the Iichiko Hita Distillery. After a brewery tour, we explored the gift shop, which featured not only shochu but also a variety of other products. Many participants picked up souvenirs to take home.
Hita Mameda Town
The last stop on Day 2 was Hita Mameda Town, a historical district with Edo-period architecture. This area is a popular tourist attraction, and one of its most striking features was the massive “Hita Geta” (wooden clogs) standing over 4 meters tall!
Extended Stay Group
Previously, Dandelions’ company trips were limited to one night and two days, but this year, we leveled up!
Since we had traveled all the way from Nagoya to Kyushu, some members decided to extend their stay and continue exploring for a third day.
Time flew by, and before we knew it, it was time to return to Nagoya.
Throughout the trip, participants actively uploaded and shared photos in our internal app’s album. This time, we broke the record with over 800 photos—the highest number in Dandelions’ company trip history! That alone speaks to how much everyone enjoyed and cherished this trip.
We look forward to sharing our next company trip blog with you—stay tuned!
In this engirring blog, we introduce the learning topics we work on daily.
What is Local-First?
Recently, the concept of Local-First has been gaining attention. Many applications are designed with an online-first approach, where data is stored in the cloud. This allows users to access their data from any device and easily share it with others. However, applications that rely on online connectivity have several disadvantages, such as:
Data is inaccessible without an internet connection.
The application becomes unusable if the server goes down.
Communication with the server can introduce delays, reducing responsiveness.
Storing personal data in the cloud poses security risks from external access.
The Local-First approach addresses these issues. In Local-First applications, data is primarily stored on the user’s device and synchronized only when needed. This approach offers several benefits:
Data remains accessible even without an internet connection.
The application functions independently, unaffected by service outages.
Immediate data read/write operations without relying on a server.
Personal data is managed locally, reducing dependency on the cloud.
Examples of Local-First Applications
Several applications utilize the Local-First approach, including:
Evernote: Allows users to create and view notes even while offline. Synchronization with the cloud ensures data availability across devices.
Notion: An all-in-one productivity tool featuring document management, task tracking, and database functionality. Users can edit content offline, and changes are synced to the cloud to maintain data consistency.
Let’s Build an Application! (TypeScript Edition)
To experience the Local-First approach, let’s build a simple To-Do App that runs entirely within a browser! This application will store data locally, ensuring that tasks remain saved even after a page reload.
Below, we introduce the key implementation details.
ToDo の追加（データをローカルに保存）
async function addTodo(text: string) {
const todo = {
_id: new Date().toISOString(), // 一意のID
text,
completed: false
};
// データをローカルに保存
await db.put(todo);
}
ToDo の表示（保存されたデータを取得）
async function renderTodos() {
const result = await db.allDocs({ include_docs: true });
result.rows.forEach(row => {
// タスクを取得して表示
console.log(row.doc.text);
});
}
ToDo の削除
async function deleteTodo(id: string) {
const doc = await db.get(id);
// タスクを削除
await db.remove(doc);
}
Running the To-Do App
Open the application in a web browser.
Enter a task and click the Add button—the task will be added to the list below.
Close the browser. (Normally, this would cause the entered tasks to be lost.)
Reopen the application in the browser. (The previously entered tasks remain displayed.)
Click on a task to delete it.
Thoughts on Running the App
One of the standout features of this To-Do App is its ability to function independently of the internet, managing data entirely within the browser. By storing data locally, users can continue using the application even while offline.
Key Takeaways:
Data persists even after a page reload!
The app works without a server!
Fast performance with instant data retrieval!
Applications that don’t rely on servers or the cloud might seem somewhat uncommon, but the Local-First approach proves to be highly valuable for offline functionality and data privacy. While this project was a simple implementation, it could be extended with cloud synchronization or mobile support for a more versatile experience.
Exploring the possibilities of Local-First applications has been insightful, and I look forward to leveraging this concept further.
