Getting Started with PowerApps
PowerApps is exactly what it sounds like: a platform to empower your organization to create and maintain the apps that will grow and modernize your business. But as they say, with great power comes great responsibility — meaning if you’re just getting started with PowerApps, you might feel a little intimidated by this comprehensive development platform.
PowerApps Overview: What Is PowerApps?
PowerApps is a development platform that can be used to create mobile and web apps, with the platform following a low-code approach to creating custom apps. One of the biggest advantages of using PowerApps is that it enables users to leverage many features of other Microsoft programs such as Teams and Office 365. Further, PowerApps can be accessed from anywhere – via mobile devices or by using a desktop browser.
Features and Functionality
A key highlight of PowerApps is that it allows developers to easily build apps using a full-featured platform. Secondly, it also allows app developers to connect all their data using pre-built connectors as well as custom connectors. These connectors use a feature known as Common Data Service for apps to ensure that app developers can pull data from external products such as Office 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, Power BI and Microsoft Flow.
Additionally, PowerApps offers pro-dev extensibility features. App developers can easily extend the capabilities of their app by using custom APIs. These APIs can be used for functionalities like the ability to upload custom images as well as camera control. Finally, another major benefit of using PowerApps is that the platform offers strong enterprise governance and security. PowerApps allows its users to protect data integrity and privacy while also supporting efficient data access and collaboration.
Key Benefits
All of this technical information is great, but if you’re not a developer, you’d probably like to know how PowerApps benefits your business goals. Here are some of the ways that PowerApps brings value to your organization.
More Development Agility
PowerApps offers a great degree of agility when it comes to app development. This speed and flexibility ensure that different types of organizations can utilize the PowerApps platform. For instance, if you are a small e-commerce business looking to launch an app, then PowerApps could help in developing a compelling and engaging tool that pulls in your product data directly from Office 365.
Speed & savings
Building an app using the PowerApps platform does not require you to put in a lot of time and effort. The platform allows you to build an app without having to deep-dive into code, saving you time and money. For instance, if you’re a medium-sized business looking to develop an app for internal communications, the Common Data Service offered by PowerApps can help you build the app quickly (without needing a PhD in computer science).
Greater Efficiency
The platform also enables developers to build highly efficient apps by leveraging the power of APIs. Such APIs can come in handy when you’re looking to add advanced functionalities to your app. These tools can also help you define interactions between multiple software intermediaries.
Ready to launch your PowerApps?
Use Cases for PowerApps
When it comes to implementing PowerApps, there is no limit to what you can create. From automating manual processes to getting a big-picture view of profitability and productivity through immersive dashboards, there are few business problems that can’t be solved in part by PowerApps.
Employee Onboarding
PowerApps helps organizations simplify tasks like orchestrating employee onboarding and offboarding. For example, PowerApps can help you link cross-department tasks and create customized process flows. Organizations can also make use of automatic provisioning of Office 365/Dynamics licensing. Further, they can also automate the onboarding process by pulling data from Azure.
Virtual Receptionist
Another potential use case could be to create a virtual receptionist app. Such applications allow organizations to connect their customers with the correct department without any human intervention. Organizations can easily create a kiosk-style application using PowerApps, as well. Such a virtual receptionist app can also prove to be a launching point for AI discussions, thereby aiding business growth.
Social Sentiment Analysis
Organizations that want to leverage the power of analytics can also use the PowerApps platform to create customized social sentiment apps. These apps can combine everything from the Power Platform and create a single dashboard. Cognitive sentiments can also be added to the application. Alternatively, PowerApps can also be embedded in PowerBI, making it easier for you to view customized reports.
Getting started with Avtex Power Plays
If you’re ready to utilize PowerApps to strengthen and grow business, Avtex is here to help. We have been working with the PowerApps platform since its launch, and we are keenly aware of the key strengths of the platform. Our familiarity with the app ensures that you are in good hands, from implementation to your first app deployment and beyond.
Avtex also offers Assessment and Accelerator Power Plays designed to help our clients make the most out of PowerApps. Leveraging our OPI Framework, clients are able to build and deploy applications with the help of our team of experts. If you think PowerApps is right for you, Avtex is ready to start the conversation.
