Why All Businesses Need to use Microsoft PowerApps
Microsoft PowerApps is a platform that facilitates the development of mobile apps for Windows, Android, and iOS. The platform provides users with an interface that allows them to build business apps using formulas instead of code. The formulas were designed similar to Microsoft Excel, making it easy to learn even for people without a programming background.
Apps built on PowerApps are deployed from the platform, and it works with all mobile and desktop devices, no matter the operating system. With PowerApps, businesses can build in-house apps that can be shared with all the members of the team.
Here are some benefits of using Microsoft PowerApps:
Simplifies software development
Generally, mobile app developers have to create different apps for the different operating systems that they want the app to run on (Windows, iOS, Android etc.). That is more work, more time expended, more resources exhausted, and more costs incurred. If they need to make any modifications, this long process is repeated all over again. This waste of time and resources is not good for business.
PowerApps helps businesses reduce the timeline (from months to hours), costs, and resources needed to build new business applications. For one, you don’t need to master many programming languages to develop an app, all you have to do is learn how to use PowerApps. Additionally, you do not need to create an application for the different operating systems. Just create your app on PowerApps and the interface makes up for the differences in operating systems.
Cost effective
In addition to speeding up the developmental process, PowerApps also comes with some out-of-box functions and connections that make business apps less complex, thereby reducing maintenance costs. Over time, these reductions will translate into a shift in budgetary allocations, allowing businesses to shift some funds from ICT to, say, business development or hiring new staff.
PowerApps could also be a tool provided with your Office 365 subscription so no additional cost for just using PowerApps.
Improves mobility and cloud functionality
As soon as an application is developed on PowerApps, it can be easily shared with every member of the team. They, in turn, can access it via the PowerApps app on their phones, tablets, and PCs—regardless of the device’s operating system. This is a marked improvement on traditional apps that are not always mobile-friendly and require a complicated installation process on PCs.
PowerApps also comes with easy cloud connectivity to Azure, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive for Business and many others. This allows you to leverage cloud-based tools and extend your app’s functionality. It also means secure storage for all data, and access to data that was saved in the cloud from other apps.
Provides a better fit between business processes and applications
PowerApps provides users with a wide selection of templates from which they can build their apps; along with the option to start from a blank canvas. Since little to no knowledge of coding is required to build the apps, business analysts and powerusers may build their apps themselves. As a result, they can build applications that work hand-in-hand with the business processes that they envisioned.
Traditionally, before an app can be built, business analysts have to convey exactly what they need to the developer. The developer then has to come up with the technical requirements, architecture, and app design that meets the needs of the analyst. Along the way, many important features get lost and misinterpretations happen. With PowerApps, analysts have full rein over their application, and should they need the assistance of a developer, it would be in a reduced capacity.
PowerApps allows easy integration with business tools
Apps deployed from PowerApps can be integrated with over 200 connectors, giving users access to data from Office 365, Excel, and SharePoint. As mentioned above, there are also connectors to cloud services like Azure, Salesforce, OneDrive, and Dropbox. Other connectors on PowerApps include Slack, Dynamic 365, SQL Server, etc. Users may also incorporate apps built on PowerApps with Custom APIs.
The Takeaway
PowerApps make it possible for people without coding skills to develop business applications within hours. This alone opens up a world of opportunities for small businesses that need technological tools. Additionally, apps developed on the platform come with a wide range of features and functionality, and they can be accessed from all the major operating systems. PowerApps also comes with cloud connectivity and it allows users to import data from other sources. This extensive array of features belies the fact that PowerApps was launched less than 2 years ago—in January 2017.
Every organization that aims to leverage the most recent technological tools should be thinking about adopting PowerApps. It not only saves you time and money; but it also makes it easier for your workers to collaborate effectively and your business to operate more efficiently.