Power Platform Training September 2023

Are you a modern App Maker or may want to become one? Either way, get the edge on modern app development by checking out Dynamics Edge’s offerings for Power Platform Training September 2023 and all year long 2023!

It’s undeniable: in the world of economics and global business, power dynamics shape the outcomes of free trade. Today, in the era of digitization, this power has shifted to a new dimension, creating a narrative that is often overlooked – Power, Platforms and the Free Trade Delusion.

Free Trade Delusion is a term that encapsulates the misconception that free trade always leads to mutual benefits for all parties involved. However, the reality is far more complex. Asymmetric power, a phenomenon certainly not unique to financial markets, ensures that certain participants reap larger benefits than others. Factors such as economic size, technological prowess, and policy-making capacity often dictate the winners and losers in this landscape.

Enter Microsoft’s Power Platform, a key player in this modern ecosystem of power and commerce. Power Platform uniquely offers opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to lower their entry barriers and circumvent potential pitfalls of the Free Trade Delusion. But what sets it apart from other platforms? And how does it accomplish this? Let’s explore two of its main features: Power Apps Canvas App and Model Driven App.

Power Apps Canvas App and Model Driven App are both integral components of Microsoft’s low-code platform to make rich business apps, yet they serve distinct purposes and are suited to different scenarios. An understanding of Power Platform Canvas App vs Model Driven App is therefore quite essential for any business, government agency, or any other kind of organization looking to leverage this platform’s capabilities.

When it comes to a Power Platform Canvas App vs Model Driven App, a Canvas App is like a painter’s canvas, providing total freedom to customize your app development. It allows the designer to start from scratch, connecting to a myriad of data sources, including Dataverse and SharePoint lists, and even combining multiple data sources at once. This app type is tailor-made for scenarios requiring custom user interfaces and experiences, making it an ideal choice for a federal government agency that requires personalized solutions for its unique operational needs.

Model Driven Apps, on the other hand, have a more fixed design approach. These apps are primarily driven by the Power Apps Dataverse, formerly known as the CDM Common Data Model or CDS Common Data Service. They follow a data-first approach, emphasizing the use of pre-made components and streamlined navigation. While this approach might be seen as more rigid in design, it can provide significant benefits for organizations that rely heavily on structured data, such as supply chain manufacturers, as it allows them to manage complex processes with a robust data model.

In terms of responsiveness, both types of apps deliver effectively. Power Apps Canvas Apps are responsive due to their flexible design interface, which allows developers to optimize for different screen sizes and devices. Model Driven Apps, on the other hand, are responsive by design, thanks to their data-first approach, which dynamically adjusts the UI based on the data schema and relationships.

Ultimately, the choice between a Canvas App and a Model Driven App depends largely on the organization’s needs. A Canvas App offers more customization and is ideal for creating specific user experiences, while a Model Driven App provides a more rigid, data-focused structure beneficial for handling complex data-centric operations.

Consider a retail electronics store wanting to create a custom app for tracking inventory or a consulting services provider needing a personalized solution for project management. For these, a Power Apps Canvas App would be the preferred choice. Canvas apps start with a blank empty slate, offering total freedom to customize your app development. These apps are great for governments and businesses who need custom user experiences and interfaces. This versatility can take your app-making skills to the next level.

On the other hand, model driven apps are quite a bit more fixed in place for design compared with canvas apps. They follow a data-first approach, anchored by Power Apps Dataverse, formerly known as the CDM Common Data Model or CDS Common Data Service. This is advantageous for a supply chain manufacturer of computers & computer parts, for instance, which requires a robust data model to manage complex logistical processes. A model-driven app empowers you to add components fast and assures uniform navigation, albeit with less flexibility for user experience as they’re driven by the Dataverse data model.

The language used for customization and formulas across the Power Platform, known as PowerFX,  plays a pivotal role in building these apps. If you want to “create an app like appmagic using the magical capabilities of” Power FX, the possibilities are endless.

Interestingly, you can also embed a Canvas App into a Model-Driven app, providing a blend of custom user interfaces with data-intensive functionality. Yet, Power Pages formerly known as Power Apps Portals are something else entirely, serving as a way to share data with external users.

Exam PL-100: Microsoft Power Platform App Maker, is an essential certification for those seeking to deepen their understanding of these applications and make a career in the field. It’s designed for professionals who can envision and create business solutions to automate tasks and processes. By preparing for this exam, you get an opportunity to explore the nuances of model-driven and canvas apps, furthering your understanding of their unique strengths and best use cases.

The impact of Power Platform on governmental operations is noteworthy. Power Platform government shows how these tools can streamline processes and enhance productivity in different layers of government – federal, state, city, and local. Federal agencies could, for instance, leverage the Power Platform to automate paperwork, while a local government agency could use it to streamline citizen engagement processes.

Microsoft’s Power Platform is a powerful tool for navigating the power dynamics and challenges inherent in today’s digital, free-trade landscape. By providing a low-code development platform and the tools to harness data effectively, it offers a way for small and medium-sized businesses to not just survive, but thrive in a world shaped by power, platforms, and the free trade delusion.