In this episode, Adriano talks to Matthias Kunz, Head of Automation and AI at wemakefuture, about modern automation solutions and their own tool "0CodeKit". Among other things, we talk about the advantages and disadvantages of tools such as Make, Zapier, n8n and Microsoft Power Automate as well as use cases from Matthias' everyday life. He also explains what 0CodeKit is and why it can make developers' everyday lives so much easier.
Matthias Kunz is an impressive example of how the path to process automation can come from many directions. With a background in economics, politics and constitutional and international law, Matthias is anything but a classic IT expert. His first contact with automation was during his studies, when he experimented with the Zapier tool for a student organization. Later, in his professional life, he was often the one in the team who "knew his way around computers" and looked for ways to simplify processes. His fascination with automation arose from the need to organize events and conferences with limited resources - and to do so more efficiently.
A key moment was an automation project during his studies: he used a form to quickly process check-in procedures at a conference. This made it possible to manage a large number of participants with just two people - for Matthias, this was an impressive insight into the possibilities of automation.
wemakefuture is a low-code/no-code agency that specializes in process automation and process optimization. The company offers services ranging from web app development to the creation of central data hubs. However, the core of their work remains automation. Most of wemakefuture's customers are from the DACH region and Europe, but their automation solutions are used worldwide.
In the podcast, Matthias explains that the projects at wemakefuture vary greatly: While some customers only need small automations that move data records, for example, others require comprehensive solutions that automate a company's entire customer lifecycle. Projects can take anywhere from a few man-days to several years, depending on their complexity and scope.
According to Matthias, one exciting aspect of automation is collaboration with customers' internal IT teams. Although no-code/low-code solutions are becoming increasingly popular, many IT specialists are still skeptical of these solutions because they don't see them as "real programming". However, Matthias explains that many IT departments are happy to hand over routine tasks in order to concentrate on their core competencies. A successful implementation often leads to IT teams recognizing the benefits of automation and starting to implement similar solutions themselves.
In addition to the well-known platforms such as Make and Zapier, wemakefuture also uses Power Automate from Microsoft, especially in combination with Microsoft applications. Power Automate offers a number of advantages for Microsoft-based workflows and is often used when external APIs only offer limited access. This is where the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) functions of Power Automate are suitable. RPA makes it possible to use clickbots, for example. This means that processes can also be automated in older systems or public online portals.
However, RPA is only used at wemakefuture when no API is available. This is because APIs are much more efficient and less error-prone than click bots that simulate user actions.
In the podcast, Matthias talks about a particularly interesting area, freelancer management for clients from various industries, such as city tours, wedding band agencies and comic artist service providers. These clients work with a pool of freelancers and often need quick solutions for coordinating and communicating with these partners. Automation has enabled them to create quotes faster and manage requests more efficiently. Matthias describes how such projects particularly inspire him, as he can immerse himself deeply in the logic and structure of the processes.
0CodeKit is - if you like - an API toolbox. It offers the option of using over 140 different API endpoints that solve very specific tasks. For example, you can use a currency converter, but also calculate geographical distances or have an AI improve the image quality. wemakefuture built this tool itself. Matthias told us that they had wanted a tool like this in the past and therefore built it themselves without further ado.
A particular innovation in 0CodeKit is the implementation of text recognition and document analysis that goes beyond simple image recognition. For example, invoices can be automatically analyzed and the relevant information extracted. These functionalities, which were previously only available to expensive enterprise solutions, are now available to low-code developers, significantly expanding the scope of automation.
Another example is the ability to use AI to automatically tag content on social media or categorize support tickets. Such applications show how AI and automation can go hand in hand to improve both internal processes and the customer experience.
At the end of the episode, Matthias gave some valuable tips for anyone new to process automation. His advice: just try it out and be brave. In the beginning, it is important to automate everything possible and not to shy away if something doesn't work. Every experiment and every new automation option offers valuable learning experiences.
He also recommends using resources such as the Make Academy or our VisualMakers Make courses to familiarize yourself with the functions and possibilities of iPaaS platforms. Community content is also a valuable source for expanding your own knowledge and exchanging ideas with other low-code developers.
