No 'vibe coding' but agentic application development
The rise of 'vibe coding' – quickly building applications using AI based on simple instructions – makes it possible to develop software in a short time that previously took weeks or months. However, this method of development is often used as a quick fix, without sufficient attention to issues such as security, scalability, and management. As a result, many organizations face the same challenge: building something is now relatively easy, but how do you ensure that those applications are also safe, remain reliable as they grow, and integrate well with existing systems? In practice, AI pilots often remain stuck in the experimental phase, while the pressure increases to actually bring these applications into production. Particularly organizations with complex IT landscapes and legacy systems struggle with the transition from AI experiment to production
This reluctance is not unfounded. Using AI for mission-critical applications carries real risks. Without the right attention to the basics, such as architecture, data security, and application management, these applications can lead to errors, security issues, and systems that are difficult to adapt or maintain. What starts as a quick solution can thus grow into a new problem. At the same time, that same technology, if applied correctly, offers unprecedented speed and flexibility. The difference lies in the foundations.
This phase marks a turning point. While 'vibe coding' primarily focuses on speed and experimentation, the need for a mature approach suitable for mission-critical processes and complex IT environments is growing. Therefore, Ciphix prefers to speak of agentic application development: an approach where AI is applied within the frameworks necessary to develop and manage applications at the enterprise level.
A combination of different disciplines is necessary to make this possible. Most specialists possess only one piece of the puzzle: application development, automation, integration, or AI. Ciphix combines these end-to-end in one team. Without handoffs between specialists, without loss of context, and with one point of contact who understands both the business problem and the technical complexity.
From experiment to production environment
Agentic application development also changes the way organizations view software. The traditional trade-off between building in-house and purchasing standard software is shifting. Where organizations have long relied on SaaS solutions, there is now room to realize custom solutions more quickly and purposefully. This offers more flexibility and control over their own software landscape, while reducing dependence on standard solutions and associated licensing costs.
It is precisely this combination of AI with knowledge of architecture, governance, and complex IT environments that makes the difference between an experiment and a solution that works at scale. For example, applications for project planning or sales processes can be rebuilt in a short time using AI, often at significantly lower costs. At the same time, the demand for support in actually bringing these types of applications into production is growing, as that is where the complexity increases.
"The speed of innovation is currently unprecedented," says Marilou van Doorn, CEO of Ciphix. "We have seen waves come, including low-code, RPA, iPaaS, but what is happening now with AI is of a completely different order. The threshold for building applications is dropping rapidly, and that changes everything. But speed without a foundation is not an advantage; it is a risk. The difference between a pilot and a solution that works at scale is not in the technology. It lies in the people who know what they are building and why. And there, with those smart people, is exactly where Ciphix makes the difference."
Building on existing strengths
The new direction builds on Ciphix's existing approach, where organizations are guided from strategy to implementation and further development. This often involves companies with a strong legacy that want to modernize but get stuck in complexity. The core of the approach remains unchanged: Ciphix always starts with the right problem, works closely with the client, and then makes a well-founded choice between building or buying. This concretely begins with Sprint 0: a discovery phase in which the real problem is defined before any line of code is written.
Ciphix sees agentic application development as the new norm, where organizations become increasingly less dependent on traditional SaaS solutions and take more control over application development. With this direction, the company positions itself as a partner that enables this step to production within complex enterprise environments.
About Ciphix
Ciphix helps organizations grow with smart automation, innovative technology, and a thoughtful application of AI. As a one-stop shop for digital acceleration, Ciphix combines three core propositions: modern apps, integrated systems, and AI automation. It believes that true AI impact begins with a strong foundation of processes and systems, thereby increasing efficiency in a coherent manner. Therefore, organizations are guided step by step: first getting the basics right, then accelerating with AI. With strong partnerships with Mendix, Workato, and UiPath, sustainable value and innovation are delivered across the entire value chain. For more information: https://ciphix.io/
