A Beginner’s guide to understand what is Microsoft Power Apps?

Microsoft Power Apps is a Microsoft Power Platform (a suite of products that is designed for non-developers). Released in 2016, PowerApps is currently available in 42 Countries. Businesses use it to create unique and creative applications to support multiple business functions. Also, businesses can build apps to solve their business problem.

Microsoft Power Apps

Are you looking for Power Apps Solutions to drive business productivity?

Do you want to know about Power Apps and how they help business?

So, let’s go further and learn about Microsoft Power Apps.

What is Microsoft Power Apps?

Microsoft Power Apps is a Microsoft’s development platform, designed for building web and mobile applications. It allows users to build custom business applications using templates quickly. It is also known as a low code tool. Because it requires low or no conventional coding, but just formulas to build the app.

Power Apps builds apps that connect to multiple data sources, like Power BI, SharePoint, Azure SQL, Outlook, Excel, and others. Also, it can connect external data sources as well. Once the app is ready, you can publish, connect and share it with your business team on multiple devices, like Mobile, Laptop, Tab.

It is a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution to build quick and efficient applications. You can build user-friendly and responsive designs. Though, these apps need to comply with the corporate rules and policies.

Some key features are:

  • Cloud-based Platform
  • Top security with multifactor authentication
  • Allows integration with other Power Platform Products
  • Dataverse Connectivity

What types of apps can you build in Power Apps?

In Microsoft Power Apps you can create three types of apps:

1. Canvas Apps –

Canvas Apps are built using no-code, drag-and-drop app builder within Power Apps. Users can build app using a visual editor and can preview the app. Custom apps can connect with over 200 data sources including Excel, SharePoint, SQL Server, cloud services, and on-premise databases.

Power Apps’s apps can run in a web browser, or through a ‘player’ app on i0S and Android. Also, the app can run offline in mobile devices. These apps let you easily organize and interface by positioning controls and fields in a “pixel-perfect” user experience. The idea behind this is to integrate business knowledge and creativity in the app design. 

There are 3 ways you can choose from to create Canvas App:

  • Using Data Source to build app
  • Applying a Template to build app
  • Starting everything from scratch

2. Model-driven Apps –

Model-driven Apps are more logic-focused applications. It offers less visual control and more advanced capabilities like charting, dashboard, and workflow. The design of these apps depends upon the components included. Model-driven Apps require Common Data Services access to be built. This helps in rapid process, form and business rules building. These apps are best suited for back-office business work.

3. Portal Apps –

Portal Apps let you build external-facing websites graphically. This allows external user to sign in with a multiple sign in options. It includes content management and security features. And users can build forms that connect data in the Dataverse database.

Microsoft Power Apps Functions

1. Search Function:

PowerApps Search Function helps to locate the records that contain required string. This string can be anywhere in the column.

2. Filter Function:

PowerApps Filter Function helps to locate the records that fulfill a particular Formula or a condition.

3. Lookup Function:

PowerApps Lookup Function helps to locate a record based on the formula first and then uses a reduction formula to reduce the record to a single value. 

Applications of Microsoft Power Apps

  • Create quick and custom Apps using templates and visual designs that works on all major devices.
  • Power Apps include Azure app services, so to help employees get mobile apps quickly in their devices.
  • Power Apps build data connections and APIs with existing business systems. Thus, helping employees develop apps as per their needs.
  • Power Apps maintain data access and corporate policies, by focusing on privacy and data security issues.
  • Users can even share their Custom Apps like documents.
  • Power Apps can connect to cloud services using built-in connections.

Advantages of using Microsoft Power Apps

  1. Easy App Creation
  2. Connects to Multiple Data Sources
  3. Cost-effective Solution
  4. Integrated with Microsoft Flow
  5. Efficient User Interface 

CONCLUSION

Microsoft Power Apps allows users to speed up the business apps development process. It is a very cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized businesses. They allow you to design better custom apps for solving your business needs.

So, Hopefully this blog post has helped you with your understanding of Power Apps and their importance in any business organization.

Hire Microsoft Power Apps Developer

Firebrain Solutions is a Microsoft Consulting Services and Solution Provider. Hire Power Apps Developer to help you with business needs and solutions. Firebrain Solutions provides effective services with Power Apps for the business. Our developers will help you build creative and useful apps that increase and enhance your business productivity. Take your business to next level.

So, get the most out of Power Apps using our services. Connect with Firebrain Solutions today to hire Power Apps Developer and get other Microsoft Solutions for your business.