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Work is more digitized today than ever, and the need to manage it has resulted in an increased number of apps used to collect and distribute data. Statistics show that approximately 143 billion apps and games were downloaded in 2021.
As the demand for apps grows, a lot of companies are finding it hard to keep up with the strain on resources due to rising development and maintenance costs. If this sounds like your current situation, maybe it’s time to give Microsoft Power Apps a try.
This fast-growing low-code platform is the future of app development and has come up with a way to add value to businesses without straining their resources.
With it, small and mid-sized businesses can now improve efficiency by building custom apps that meet their specific needs. If you’re wondering how PowerApps can help with your app development, this quick guide is worth a read.
Let’s dive in!
Microsoft Power Apps – A Development Platform Ahead of the Game
PowerApps takes off the app building load from your company’s IT department and hands it over to everyone in your organization. Every department, whether sales, marketing, or human resources, can build apps to meet their specific department needs.
This app-building solution offers a streamlined drag-and-drop platform that requires no coding skills and helps you build mobile and desktop apps that manage complex business processes.
Any app you build with it is stored in Microsoft Dataverse or online data sources like Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Dynamic 365, SQL Server, and more.
Why PowerApps is the Future of App Development
If you are not convinced how PowerApps sets itself apart from other programs, here are more details.
Low-code approach
Though app development is a tough nut to crack, Microsoft’s approach enables even non-tech savvy individuals to build custom apps. The low-code approach is also much faster at building apps than traditional app-building methods.
User-friendly interface
An app’s look and functionality are essential to engage users. PowerApps ensures design consistency across mobile and desktops. The drag-and-drop interface is easy to use and pleasant to look at.
Fast loading apps
When you choose PowerApps for your app development, you’re guaranteed fast loading times, which is key for a seamless experience and increased user retention. For most apps, it shouldn’t take more than five seconds to load fully.
Security
Microsoft knows that a security breach can cost you your business and put your customers at risk, and therefore they provide security in layers as follows:
- App-level security
- Form-level security
- Record-level security
- Field-level security
Flexibility
Gone are the days’ users would be tied to their desktops to complete tasks. Today’s work opportunities require flexibility which Power Apps provides. This platform differs from most of its competitors in that it allows you to create apps from a mobile device.
Integration
You can connect data with multiple services such as Dynamics 365, SharePoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and others. Since the integration is both ways, you can access PowerApps from Office 365 or vice versa.
No third-party involved
Unlike traditional app development which requires a third party’s approval, PowerApps doesn’t require this kind of approval. If you’ve introduced new features to your app, users will see the changes immediately and try out the new features without delay when waiting for a third party’s approval.
What Can You Do With PowerApps?
PowerApps is a platform-as-a-service offered by Microsoft Power Platform. Therefore, the apps it builds run on Chrome, Firefox, and all other modern browsers.
To give you an idea of what it is like to use PowerApps, here’s a list of apps you can build:
- The Onboarding app offers new employees resources such as policy guidelines to make their onboarding experience hassle-free.
- Quality check apps that capture product images and document issues.
- Apps that allow your customers to shop and receive updates on new products.
- Expense approval apps where employees enter details of expenses such as business trips.
- Apps that share multiple files by uploading only once.
- Event registration apps that enable event attendees to register while checking in.
PowerApps has a simple drag-and-drop interface where you can add media, forms, screens, and text fields. You can also store data inside your app or connect it to external sources.
Looking Into the Future
Connecting PowerApps to your business can help to significantly improve your operations, and save time and development costs. If your business is facing unique challenges, building custom apps helps you track employee expenses, create new employee onboarding apps, run data analytics, and so much more.
You no longer have to wait for IT gurus to build your company’s apps. PowerApps provides a simple drag-and-drop interface that anyone in your organization can use. The platform is also cheap to maintain after deployment.
With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why Microsoft PowerApps is the future of app development!
