JourneyTEAM reviews our best practices for successfully implementing the Microsoft Power Platform and how to build smarter, more intuitive Power Apps applications.
Business apps are everywhere. And for every application used, there’s thousands that go unused and hundreds still trying to find the right audience. That’s only half the problem. Many businesses struggle to find the right platform that can maximize the application’s potential.
One of the most popular application development platforms among businesses is the Microsoft Power Platform with over 2.5 million developers actively using the platform to build apps, analyze BI, and automate workflows. Additionally, 86% of Fortune 500 companies are now using Power Apps, a 250% growth increase since 2019.
Despite the incredible growth the platform has seen in recent years, many business teams struggle to realize the full power of the solution due to improper implementation. As a result, they’ve created ineffective applications that lengthen processes, increase user error, and slow down innovation.
At JourneyTEAM, we’ve supported dozens of organizations in successfully implementing the platform and unleash the true potential of Microsoft Power Apps. Below, we’ll share our top tips for implementation as well as how to successfully build and deploy powerful, intuitive business applications that accelerate digital transformation.
View the full Power Apps webinar below.
Why Was the Power Platform Created?
The Power Platform was designed to bridge the ‘app gap’ as Microsoft calls it. Rather than rely on the expertise and cost of a professional developer, Power Apps allows all users to build, deploy, and test applications without the help of professionals. The solution is a little- to no-code platform with simple, intuitive tools that simplify application design and development. According to research conducted by Forrester, business teams that deployed Power Platform reduced application development costs by up to 74% and saved workers up to 3.2 hours of work each week.
What is the Power Platform?
The Power Platform is a collection of four technologies:
Power BI: Power BI is a data visualization tool that enable you to visualize business data and report on insights using the platform’s real-time, intuitive dashboard.
Power Apps: This is a suite of applications and tools designed for application development.
Power Automate: Power Automate utilizes a no-code approach so you can build automated workflows between multiple business applications or services.
Power Virtual Agents: This is an AI-powered chatbot designed to help contact center employees resolve common customer problems in a virtual experience.
Each of these technologies is built on Dataverse and can seamlessly integrate into additional Microsoft solutions such as Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365. The platform also features more than 300 pre-built connectors which enable you to integrate with other third-party systems.
With these technologies, you can easily gather, analyze, manipulate, and report on data to unlock powerful business insights, automate processes, and more. With streamlined, automated processes in place, your team can focus more of their time on value-adding tasks.
Microsoft Power Platform in Action
JourneyTEAM developers have built hundreds of business applications using the Power Platform, specifically Power Apps, with each one designed to serve a unique purpose. For example, Kolby Beck, a Solutions Architect for JourneyTEAM, created a robust data entry app for a California-based agricultural business.
To ensure safe working conditions for all employees (and to remain compliant with OSHA regulations), managers were required to fill out a form detailing the weather and overall conditions of each field. This paper report was filled out three times a day and faxed to headquarters where data was either manually inputted into a computer or filed away.
Kolby created an application where managers could complete their daily checklist directly from their devices. Reports were then automatically uploaded into a database. This allowed higher-ups to easily access reports and business data at any time. The application was also built with offline functionality, ensuring managers could access it while offline.
6 Tips for Successful Power App Deployment
The Microsoft Power Platform has the ability to completely transform your organization. However, the implementation and development of the platform is not always an easy task. Here are six things to consider to ensure application deployment is successful.
1. The End-User
Who is the application for? Who will be using the application on a day-to-day basis? It’s crucial to ensure the app you’re building solves their unique problems.
2. Create User Stories
User stories or profiles help articulate the value the application will deliver and provide a better understanding of what users want in functionality. This ensures that developers spend more time developing user/customer-centric features and a more focused content strategy.
3. Get User Feedback
Regular feedback from end-users ensures you’re building an application they’ll actually use. Without user buy-in, you risk spending a lot of time and money on something that will go unused.
4. Simplify Design
Once an application is finished, start cutting things out. Get rid of drop-downs that you don’t really need or icons that take away from the apps core principles. Eliminate as much of the ‘fluff’ as possible and keep the design simple.
5. Simplify Process
The application you’re building should be a recreation of Excel. For example, if you’re building an app that is simply a table for data to be inputted in, you may be better off using Excel. Your application should simplify and streamline current processes rather than add an extra step.
6. Watch Users Use the App
Take the time to actually watch users interact with the application. Real user interaction can highlight design or process flaws and where improvements are needed. Oftentimes, a small tweak or simplification is all that’s needed to eliminate user errors and create a truly intuitive application.
Deploy Confidently with JourneyTEAM
No matter the application you’re looking to create, JourneyTEAM helps you do it with confidence. Our unique ‘client-owned, JourneyTEAM directed’ implementation approach puts the power and control of development in your hands while we provide as much—or as little—support as you need.
Our Power Platform Sherpa program eliminates any dependencies on us for future application development. The five-week implementation schedule features nine workshops taught by expert developers, one-on-one sessions, access to industry experts, and more. This ensures you and your team have all the knowledge and skills needed to fully leverage Power Apps and the rest of the Power Platform. Coupled with our Power BI classes, you can confidently build and deploy business applications that accelerate your team’s digital transformation.
Get Started with JourneyTEAM
Let JourneyTEAM guide you through the Power Platform implementation process. Contact us or register for our Sherpa program here.