What are Enterprise Microservices, and How Does Low-Code Fit In?

Read on to discover how low-code microservices platforms are transforming the way software is developed.

What Are Microservices?

Microservices are a cloud-native approach to software development. Unlike monolithic architectures, which operate as a single unified service, microservices break applications into small, loosely coupled components that can be developed, scaled, and deployed independently.

Microservices are a superior development strategy because they allow developers to:

• Make changes quickly without redeploying the entire application

• Add new features without downtime

• Test and debug components individually without disrupting the entire system

To understand their full potential, let’s look more closely at enterprise microservices.

Enterprise (in Enterprise Microservices)

While microservices simplify individual components, enterprise systems composed of many microservices are far from simple.

Like a sprawling city or a colony of ants, the microservices across an enterprise form a “system of systems.” Each software module or business unit typically owns its own cluster of microservices, interconnected through application dependencies, integration layers, and API management systems. According to Conway’s Law, the architecture of these systems often mirrors the organizational structure itself.

Some of these systems or APIs are so complex that only their creators can fully navigate them. Others are developer-friendly, complete with API documentation, definitions, and SDKs.

Micro (in Microservices)

The prefix “micro” represents a critical design principle: Keep APIs small and simple.

Although microservices are technically a type of software architecture, the term has increasingly come to stand in for APIs, services, or even simple backend components in everyday conversation.

The term “micro” is a constant reminder to avoid unnecessary complexity. Anyone who has dealt with legacy platforms or systems knows how messy architecture can become—with endless modules and patchwork fixes to keep things running.

Each microservice functions as a self-contained feature or API managing a specific, consumable module.

In customer-facing applications, this modularity is crucial because software must continuously evolve to meet user needs. Without clear boundaries, APIs can grow unwieldy—becoming hard to understand, navigate, version, document, and deploy. That’s why best practices recommend breaking large functions into smaller, meaningful APIs—the essence of “micro” in microservices.

Example: Google Maps lets you search addresses, get directions, view street images, and more. But from an API perspective, each of these is a separate microservice.

Services (in Microservices)

The terms service, API, web service, and microservice are often used interchangeably.

A service provides a function that allows systems to interact or retrieve data programmatically. For instance, a mock API named “addRecord” might allow a program to insert a record into a central database. This kind of API is vital for integrating multiple systems while maintaining centralized data integrity.

In most cases, “service” refers to a web API over HTTP(S)—the most common and firewall-friendly protocol. Terms like REST, SOAP, Swagger, and even JSON/YAML/XML (though technically data formats) are all part of the HTTP-based ecosystem for web services.

What Role Does Low-Code Play?

Enterprise microservices can form a highly complex web of dependencies, making it difficult for companies to test, innovate, or even launch new features or product updates.

Low-code helps solve this challenge by introducing an abstraction layer on top of enterprise microservices. It is a software development framework that enables rapid solution creation and collaboration throughout the application lifecycle. Low-code hides internal complexities and exposes a user-friendly, visual interface.

With enterprise microservices, low-code platforms can easily tap into existing systems’ data and logic. Low-code applications can:

• Digitize data collection and aggregation
• Ensure data validation and business rule compliance
• Integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise ecosystems

Solutions can be delivered as mobile apps, web forms, voice assistants, or any other interface—removing technical barriers and making ERP, CRM, and other enterprise systems more accessible. This stands in stark contrast to the rigidity of traditional monolithic systems.

Ultimately, a low-code microservices platform combines the power of microservice architecture with the speed and agility of low-code development.

What Is a Low-Code Microservices Platform?

A low-code microservices platform allows you to build digital solutions faster and more efficiently.

Low-code leverages reusable building blocks to rapidly iterate and customize cross-platform applications. These reusable components are the backbone of efficient low-code projects—especially when built on a microservices framework.

Low-code and enterprise microservices are often developed by small, agile DevOps teams. Mendix, for example, applies microservices architecture with Agile DevOps workflows—a topic explored further in our Enterprise Architecture Principles Guide.