How INFORMAT Designs a Two-Layer Data Model for Low-Code Platforms

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A technical post on DEV Community examines how low-code platforms should approach data model design, using INFORMAT as a case study. The author argues that a platform's true capability depends not on how fast pages are assembled, but on whether its underlying data model can support complex business logic. The piece introduces a two-layer architecture: a metadata layer that defines the platform's own configuration structures, and a business data layer where users dynamically create and extend their own models. Central to the approach is designing around business objects — such as customers, contracts, and tasks — rather than around pages or simple field collections. The author also highlights that field design must carry business semantics, not just data types, enabling workflows, permissions, and AI features to share a common foundation.

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