Power Apps Development
Best pratice for Microsoft Power Apps development
What is Microsoft Power Apps?
Microsoft Power Apps is a toolbox filled with tools for developing web-based applications. Power Apps is closely integrated with other tools in the Microsoft Power platform: Power BI and Power Automate (Flows).
With Power Apps, it is possible to automate and streamline heavy manual and time-consuming business processes without the need for costly coding.
Power Apps can be integrated with the company’s data platform (Common Data Service) or with various internal and external online data sources such as SharePoint, Excel, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and SQL Server.
What are the benefits of using Power Apps?
For non-technical users, it is easy to build simple Power Apps using the many predefined templates. The Power Apps toolbox is highly versatile, and with the intuitive user interface, it is easy to customize the templates, add text, images, videos, forms, etc. You can quickly create value-added apps tailored to your specific needs.
For professional developers, it is easy to configure custom apps from scratch without spending time on time-consuming coding. Professional developers often use the Rapid App Development (RAD) method to configure multiple low-code application components that are subsequently assembled into a complete solution.
Read our Power Apps customer cases
What types of Power Apps can I configure myself?
Below, we have listed different types of Power Apps. The approach to developing Power Apps can vary individually. Below is our recommendation regarding the level of difficulty and associated risks.
Development of custom hobby applications
Development of custom hobby applications with low complexity for department-specific purposes. These applications can be developed based on templates available in the Power Apps template library. The templates can be customized as needed without extensive technical knowledge.
Hobby applications are characterized by being:
- Quick to set up (cost-effective)
- Plug and play with little or minimal customization
- Simple in structure (low complexity)
- Limited to a few predefined users or a department (no scalability requirements)
- Isolated or connected to non-critical data
Recommendation: Hobby applications can be set up by anyone in the organization. If there is a need for customization or guidance, our Power Apps experts are ready to help.
Development of mobile applications
Power Apps is compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows. It is possible to develop Power Apps that can be used on mobile devices and tablets by employees on the go and in the field.
Mobile applications are characterized by being:
- Custom-designed (high degree of customization)
- Difficult to set up (requires know-how)
- More cost-intensive (longer configuration time)
- More complex
- Limited to a few predefined users or a department (no scalability requirements)
- Isolated or typically not connected to critical data
- AI-enabled (in some cases)
Recommendation: Mobile applications require technical expertise (simple mobile applications can be set up by in-house resources with technical know-how). We recommend professional assistance or guidance for configuring complex mobile applications.
Development of database applications
With database applications, companies can replace complex and unwieldy spreadsheets with manageable database apps that collect, organize, analyze, and manage data from a variety of different data sources.
Database applications are characterized by being:
- Technically demanding to set up
- Customized for specific needs
- More cost-intensive (longer configuration time)
- More complex (requires knowledge of how and for what purpose data is collected and displayed)
- Limited to a few predefined users or a department (no scalability requirements)
- Connected to data sources (possibly critical data)
- AI-enabled (in some cases)
- Risky, as it can connect to business-critical data sources that could be exposed in the wrong context.
Recommendation: Database applications require technical knowledge (simple database applications can be set up by in-house resources with technical know-how). We recommend professional assistance or consultation when configuring complex database applications.
Development of business-critical enterprise applications
Developing enterprise applications typically requires high demands in terms of accessing data sources, data volume, scalability, and automation of complex business processes. It requires significant technical knowledge and know-how.
Enterprise applications are characterized by being:
- Technically demanding to set up
- Customized to the company’s needs
- Long configuration time (more costly)
- Highly complex
- Demanding in terms of robustness and scalability
- Connected to data sources (often connected to critical data)
- AI-enabled (in many cases)
- Risky, as it can connect to business-critical data sources that could be exposed in the wrong context.
Recommendation: Developing enterprise applications requires extensive technical expertise and know-how. We recommend utilizing Power Apps experts when configuring enterprise applications.
We can help you get started with developing Power Apps
There are many pitfalls when developing Power Apps, and it requires both knowledge and skills to develop well-functioning and intuitive Power Apps.
At digitalworkspace365, we are experts in the Power Platform: Power Apps, Power BI, and Power Automate (Flows). We have many years of experience in developing Power Apps for a wide range of companies. We provide expert assistance in the following areas:
- Training in best practice Power Apps development
- Consultancy for Power Apps development at all levels, whether you need hobby applications, mobile applications, database applications, or enterprise applications.
- Advice on leveraging the possibilities of Power Apps
- Consultation on automation and streamlining of internal business processes.
- Consultancy, technical guidance, and advice on Governance on the Power Platform.
Do you need effective Power Apps in Microsoft 365
- or are you just curious?
Then don't hesitate to contact me for a non-binding conversation about the possibilities.