The Power Apps design interface enables users to design and develop new apps without code.
The second image shows the default dashboard for a fundraising application in Power Apps.
Power Apps: Benefits and Types for Your Organisation
24 Oct, 2024
Microsoft Power Apps is an enterprise-grade Microsoft product suite that enables both developers and non-technical users to build custom applications to fulfil various business needs. It allows users, both professional developers but also those without coding experience (protected by industry-leading security and governance features), to create apps that integrate with other Microsoft services like Dataverse, SharePoint, Office 365, and Dynamics 365, as well as various external platforms. But what exactly are Power Apps, and how can they benefit your organisation?
What Are Microsoft Power Apps?
Power Apps is a popular suite of low-code services used to build business apps. In addition to low-code/no-code app development, the platform combines self-service analytics and automation. Hosted on the Microsoft Azure cloud, the application suite can use enterprise data stored on a singular data platform such as Microsoft Dataverse or in various data sources such as SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, or Microsoft SQL Server. Application programming interfaces (APIs) enable such data connections. Importantly, Power Apps includes governance and security capabilities that meet the standards of some of the world’s largest, most security-conscious organisations.
What Are the Benefits of Power Apps?
- 1
No-Code/Low-Code Development
Simplifies the app development process by allowing users to build apps with drag-and-drop components, reducing the need for extensive programming skills.
- 2
Cost-Effective
Traditional custom app development can be expensive and time-consuming. Microsoft offers a more affordable solution by allowing internal teams to create their own apps, reducing reliance on external developers.
- 3
Seamless Integration
Easily integrates with various Microsoft services and other data sources, enabling businesses to streamline workflows and centralise data management.
- 4
Mobile-First
Apps built with Power Apps are mobile-friendly, making it easier for organisations to empower employees who work remotely or on the go.
- 5
Rapid Deployment
Simplifies the app creation process, allowing apps to be developed and deployed quickly, providing businesses with faster solutions to problems or opportunities.
- 6
Robust security features
Including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Advanced Data Exfiltration Protection and Microsoft Sentinel integration.
- 7
Enterprise-grade governance features
Including environment management, connector governance, Sensitivity labels and a number of other capabilities to help your organisation to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Microsoft Power Platform components include Power BI, Power Apps and Flow.
How Can Power Apps Help Your Organisation?
Power Apps can help your organisation by streamlining various business processes. Whether it’s simplifying employee onboarding, improving inventory management, automating approval workflows, or enhancing customer service, Power Apps can create custom solutions to fit your organisation’s unique requirements. Additionally, it reduces operational bottlenecks by empowering employees to build apps without waiting on IT departments or third-party developers.
Microsoft AI Builder creates object detection models
Why Use Power Apps?
Using Power Apps gives organisations flexibility and control over their internal processes. It allows businesses to:
- No-Code/Low-Code Development: Enables users without coding expertise to create fully functional applications using a drag-and-drop interface. This reduces the need for professional developers, empowering employees across departments to design and deploy their own apps.
- Cost Efficiency: Developing custom software or hiring external developers can be costly. Power Apps offers a more affordable alternative, allowing you to build apps in-house with existing resources. Additionally, Power Apps is often included in Microsoft 365 plans, so you may already have access to it without extra fees.
- Seamless Integration with Microsoft Tools: Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft’s ecosystem, including Office 365, Dynamics 365, SharePoint, Teams, and Power BI. This integration allows for creating apps that work alongside the tools your organisation is already using, simplifying workflows and improving efficiency.
- Enterprise-Grade Governance and Security: Ensures that your applications and data are secure and compliant with industry standards, making it suitable for even the most security-conscious organisations.
What Types of Power Apps Are There?
- Canvas Apps: These apps start with a blank canvas, allowing you to design the user interface by dragging and dropping elements. They are ideal for creating highly customised apps (1).
- Model-Driven Apps: These apps are built on top of your data model and offer a more structured approach, focusing on the data and business processes.
- Power Pages: These are micro-apps with lightweight UI elements that can be used across multiple applications (1).
Is there AI Builder in Power Apps?
Al Builder is a turnkey tool that integrates with Power Apps, allowing developers to build AI models through a point-and-click experience. It supports various model types for different business scenarios. For example, users can:
- Refine a custom object detection model to identify products in images.
- Use a prebuilt scanning model to automate reports and receipts.
- Create a custom prediction model for marketing campaigns using historical data.
AI Builder and Power Apps enable business users to incorporate intelligence into business processes, canvas apps, and model-driven apps.
How HSO Can Help with Power Apps
As a trusted Microsoft partner, HSO specialises in helping organisations maximise their use of Power Apps. Whether new to the platform or looking to optimise your existing apps, HSO can provide expert guidance and support. HSO can help you leverage Power Apps to digitise manual processes, integrate with existing systems, and gain valuable insights into your business operations. Our expertise ensures that your Power Apps solutions are tailored to meet your business needs and drive innovation.
Ready to transform your business with Power Apps?
Get in touch with HSO today!
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