Power Apps is an initiative by Microsoft that allows developers and non-technical users to build mobile applications from selectable templates. Using Microsoft Azure, the platform as a service offering, and built-on development tools that target nontechnical users (this suite of tools was formerly known as Project Siena), users can create, manage and share business apps on iOS, Android, and Windows devices.
The objective of Power Apps is to enable business users to build new capabilities via apps, without requiring that they have code expertise. Microsoft touts an intuitive visual design for Power Apps, with drag-and-drop functionality and a familiar look and feel taken from applications like PowerPoint.
Power Apps has connections to various Microsoft-based and third-party applications, including Microsoft SQL Server, SharePoint and OneDrive in the Office 365 productivity suite, as well as Dropbox, Google Docs, SAP, Oracle and Dynamics 365.
Application programming interfaces to enable these data connections, as well as the apps themselves are hosted on Microsoft Azure.
Building apps with Power Apps helps everyone from business analysts to professional developers work more efficiently together. Solve business problems with intuitive visual tools that don’t require code. Work faster with a platform that enables data integration and distribution, and extend the platform with building blocks for professional developers. Easily build and share apps on any device.
Power Apps enables a broad range of app scenarios to be created that infuse digital transformation into manual and outdated processes. Use Both canvas and mode-driven apps to build Power Apps that solve business problems for task and role-specific scenarios like inspections, field sales enablement, prospect to cash, and integrated marketing views.
Start by designing your user experience on the Power Apps canvas. Customize every detail of your app to optimize for specific tasks and roles. Create apps for any device that uses a wide variety of controls including cameras and location, or start from a sample app showcasing common business scenarios
Begin with your data model and business processes to automatically generate immersive, responsive applications that can run on any device. Use a simple drag-and-drop designer to customize business entities and tailor the user experience to specific roles.
Unlock your CDS data, integrate your model-driven forms, views, charts, and embed your Power BI reports or dashboards to create pixel-perfect low-code websites for your external users. Those users can access the portal through a variety of standards like Azure AD, LinkedIn, Microsoft Account, Okta, and more.
Use the build-in Common Data Service to store data and model processes and business logic. Take advantage of more than 200 connectors to integrate data and systems you already use. Extend Power Apps further as a professional developer with custom connectors and logic.
