OPAC 71: When low-code turns constraints into opportunity

Unlike major metropolitan areas, OPAC 71 faces a very specific situation: it has vacant housing and must be particularly creative to attract and retain its tenants.

For Jean Quetu, CIO of OPAC 71, process digitalization is a key lever:

“We have a very proactive digitalization policy to make our offering more attractive and improve the efficiency of our CRM.”

However, recent regulatory changes, such as reductions in housing benefits (APL), have reduced the financial resources available to OPAC 71.
In this context, innovation had to happen quickly—and with fewer resources.

Overcoming initial skepticism

In this situation, OPAC 71 tested a new approach: developing a mobile application using OutSystems, a Low-Code platform.

Initially seen as a limited solution, this choice proved surprisingly effective.

“I used to see Low-Code as a kind of ‘poor man’s IT,’ useful for POCs but insufficient for production projects. Today, my view has radically changed given the results achieved,” says Jean Quetu.

The application, initially designed for agents and building caretakers, aims to simplify their daily tasks:

• Monitoring building cleanliness
• Inspecting the general condition of properties
• Managing requests in common areas
• Verifying the completion of maintenance work

To meet this challenge, a multidisciplinary team was mobilized, with weekly support from OutSystems to assist business teams, who were often new to development.

• 3 weeks to deliver a first testable version
• 8 weeks for final deployment
• System integration completed in one hour, thanks to an API-oriented architecture

Jean Quetu adds:

“In a traditional setup, this project would have taken around six months just to deliver a first version, not counting the adjustments after user feedback.”

The overall outcome is highly positive: field teams are more efficient, and information is fed back in real time thanks to rapid synchronization with the information system.

“With this application, our agents spend less time on data entry and more time in the field. It’s a real plus for our relationship with tenants,” explains the CIO.

However, the project also highlighted the importance of user support.
During the testing phase, an overload of information overwhelmed agents. Workflows had to be redesigned to transmit only the data relevant to each role.

“Ultimately, the longest part of the project wasn’t development, but supporting teams so they could truly adopt the tool. The success of an application depends on user adoption,” emphasizes Jean Quetu.

Building on this experience, OPAC 71 plans to extend the application’s use:

• Suppliers: enabling them to track ongoing work
• Residents: allowing them to report issues directly from their mobile devices

Jean Quetu remains cautious:

“The speed of Low-Code tools could encourage multiplying projects. We must not forget what matters most: measuring and ensuring user adoption.”

In conclusion, this initiative shows how Low-Code can be a powerful ally for organizations facing strong constraints.

It does not replace a well-thought-out strategy, but it enables its implementation with unmatched agility.

“Digital technology doesn’t solve everything, but it helps us strengthen our presence in the field, in the service of our tenants,” concludes Jean Quetu.