What Are Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate?
Low-code, and no-code automation platforms have emerged as the ultimate solution to an environment where access to developers is expensive and limited. While development expertise may still have a place in future business operations, companies also need to be able to create innovations without relying on a skills-short environment. With low-code and no-code technology, anyone in a business can drag-and-drop a new workflow automation into place with the platforms they use or simplify an existing task.
Gartner predicts around 75% of major companies will be deploying at least four low-code development tools by 2024. Microsoft, as one of the major pioneers of the technology landscape, is one of the companies leading the way to this flexible future.
Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate, part of the Power Platform suite, are tools designed to help companies build solutions for common problems in seconds – without existing developer knowledge. Users can create rich interactive forms in SharePoint, and easily add Automation into their business.
Crucially, people in the Microsoft ecosystem can also rapidly develop and deploy apps without the guidance of tech professionals from the IT segment. This is becoming increasingly crucial at a time when more employees are working in remote and hybrid environments. One of the features making the Microsoft ecosystem so compelling as a platform for low-code and no-code development and Automation, is it’s flexibility. Not only can you infuse your apps and processes with AI, but you can link them to insights from Microsoft Graph and Power BI. It’s even possible to build apps within Microsoft Teams and link them to the add-on services you already use.
What are Microsoft Power Pages?
If your company has explored the low-code solutions offered by Microsoft before, you may be familiar with the “Power Apps portal” capability. Microsoft recently updated this solution to the “Power Pages” standalone product. Power Pages enables users to rapidly design, configure, and publish website environments capable of engaging customers, partners, and communities.
The Power Pages low-code development and hosting platform was designed by Microsoft to help users create modern, secure, and data-centric web solutions. Whether you’re a professional developer or citizen creator, Power Pages creates “portals” where internal and external audiences can view, and interact with data from the Microsoft Dataverse, or Dynamics 365.
If you’re planning on enhancing your customer service and collaboration strategy with Microsoft Teams, Power Apps, and Automation, Power Pages could be an ideal solution. A separate solution to Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate, Power Pages come with a “Design Studio”, where users can unlock ready-to-use templates and create customizable experiences from scratch. The Design Studio allows users to create web pages with text, imagery, data forms and lists, as well as video.
Apps and Automation in Practice: The Benefits
The digital evolution of the workplace is showing a wide number of companies how effective the right applications and workflows can be to improve productivity. Setting up a workflow which automatically notifies a business supervisor when someone requests time off as a remote worker makes it much easier to manage shift information. Arranging automations which allow for records of a call to be transcribed and stored in the right environment post-conversation reduces the time staff spends on repetitive tasks.
Low-code and no-code automation tools like Microsoft Power Apps and Microsoft Power Automate (within the Power Platform), allows business leaders to automate all kinds of business processes, with minimal coding, making it easier for non-technical users to upgrade their workflows.
Some points to consider when enabling citizen developers include:
• Create clear policies:
Ensure your employees know the rules and guidelines they should be following when building automations and apps within the Microsoft Power Platform. Which strategies do they need to implement to keep the technology secure? How can they get an app or automation approved before they begin using it?
• Leverage the right platform:
Tools like the Microsoft Power Platform don’t just enable citizen developers; they also pave the way for better control over crucial innovation. Within the Microsoft environment, companies can gain more control over which apps and automations their teams create, and which data they can use to create their automations.
• Maintain visibility:
End-users who automate too many processes on their own can create a jumble of complex and high-risk scenarios. Using a low-code platform where you can track every app and process created is crucial. An easyto-use environment like Microsoft Power Platform reduces the risk of shadow IT by encouraging adoption throughout the business.
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How Can Companies Leverage Apps and Automation?
In the last couple of years, the demand for high-speed automation and app creation has accelerated. According to analysts like Gartner, around 65% of all coding will be accomplished in-house in the next five years, using low-code systems and bots. Tools like Microsoft Power Platform are designed to help companies update and enhance all kinds of outdated processes in a convenient, and scalable fashion. With Power Automate, companies can leverage low-code drag-and-drop tools, as well as hundreds of pre-built connectors to automate mundane and repetitive tasks draining business efficiency. For instance, in the Human Resources landscape, Apps and Automation solutions built by citizen developers can help to manage shift patterns and improve the way teams align in a hybrid environment. These tools can be particularly important now that managers and supervisors have the shifts and schedules of employees in a range of different environments to keep track of.
With the Power Platform, companies can record and visualise their processes using the Microsoft in-built process advisor, which also provides guided recommendations on how to enhance flows and improve business performance. There’s even an in-built AI Builder tool which makes it easier to discover new opportunities with automation.
Apps and Automations can even make the workplace more secure and safe. For instance, with third party connectors and integrations, companies could create automated ecosystems wherein an IoT tool can automatically inform an entire team when a fire is detected using sensors. This information can be issued throughout the entire workplace in seconds.
A solution like Teams Voice Management means companies can leverage all the power of Teams phone system, without the stress of manual number provisioning, request processes, or phone number management. You can even automate licence provisioning from an easy-to-use application interface, and access state-of-the-art reporting dashboards in seconds. As companies make the rapid transition into Microsoft Teams UCaaS with direct routing, the Resonate Voice Management solution addresses challenges which would otherwise create communication complexity, like running PowerShell scripts, manually maintaining phone number assignment spreadsheets, or dealing with visibility into licence usage.
The Teams Voice Management solution from Resonate is just an initial insight into what’s possible when we bring the strength of the Power Platform into the communication landscape. The technology can also help to enhance the CX strategy of all kinds of businesses too.
For instance, the Resonate Call Queue and Auto Attendant Manager application automates the creation of Auto Attendant and Call Queue workflows and provides a self-service management feature for owners of those workflows. This kind of functionality currently isn’t available as standard within Microsoft Teams, but it provides business leaders with a wide range of benefits. An easy-to-use interface for managing call queues and auto attendants can drive a range of positive results for today’s fastpaced business environments, from time saving, to error reduction, and overall improved customer sentiment.
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With the Call Queue and Auto Attendant Manager solution, companies can access:
Request and approval processes:
Manage request and approval processes from end-to-end in an easy-to-understand environment within the management app.
Comprehensive tracking:
IT admins and leaders can manage and track call queue and auto attendant workflows within a simple interface.
Integrations:
It’s easy to integrate this solution with the Teams Voice Management solution from Resonate to create an entirely automated experience across Teams.
Reporting and metrics:
In-depth insights offer a behind-the-scenes look of how each service is being accessed to help with future budget decisions and licence allocation.
Resonate, as a group of highly experienced and knowledgeable experts in the Microsoft environment, can help you to make the most of your Microsoft ecosystem.
As a Gold partner, we understand the intricacies of the Microsoft ecosystem better than most and can help you to discover all the benefits the Power Platform has to offer.
We can even give you pre-built environments for your communication ecosystem, so you don’t have to deal with the stress of managing citizen developers on your own. This means fewer risks for your business when you’re struggling to keep track of all the new creators in your landscape.
Is the Future in Low Code?
The low code environment is an exciting opportunity for today’s companies. Opening the door to more diverse opportunities for apps and automation, tools like the Power Platform ensure everyone in the modern world can make a difference to the way their business operates.
Creative solutions like the Microsoft Power Platform enable individual users and the partner companies working with Microsoft to deliver new innovation like never before. Reach out to Resonate today to find out how we can help you discover the benefits of Power Apps and Automation.
More About Apps and Automation
Need better tools to help your employees? Want to reduce pressure on the IT Admin team? Keen to save money on Microsoft licensing? Resonate has developed an off-the-shelf portfolio of powerful enterprise-grade tools and solutions built using Power Platform and focused on Voice for Teams. Expert Voice Tooling from the voice experts.
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