What is our primary use case?
We are a big global company that is involved in a large volume of setups involving Microsoft solutions like Power Apps, Power BI, and Power Automate for different environments across departments in organizations functioning at a global level. So we are involved in delivering services while focusing on the setup processes for different environments and departments. It helps the people at work since solutions like Power Apps and Power Automate function excellently.
What is most valuable?
I would say that it's a very advanced product because it empowers people to do simple things, which previously may have required people to have some technical skills. So, no matter which department or what technical skills a person possesses, it has become very easy to build or automate certain processes. In my company, we chose Microsoft Power Apps since it helps us with small and medium tasks like making certain processes, generating reports, and so on.
What needs improvement?
Though I don't remember enough details about the solution to comment on it, I think the solution does need to add some technical features to it since I remember that we had faced some gaps while trying to automate certain processes. One area where the solution lacks is the limited size of the database it offers its users. So, some businesses planning to scale up may face certain restrictions while using the solution. Microsoft Power Apps also needs to provide its users with certain specific connectors within the solution. I won't be aggressive enough to complain more about the solution since, in our company, we have a lot of specific handmade tools, and so we don't explicitly expect Microsoft to create specific connectors for Power Apps.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have experience with Microsoft Power Apps for three years. Also, I don't remember the solution's version since I used it six months ago.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is generally stable, but some limitations, such as the embedded database usage limits, can impair its functionality.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Since my previous company had a specific license agreement with Microsoft, the solution was scalable. The solution allowed for adding new licenses to the company on demand through a step-by-step procedure. This task was carried out during the first stage of the solution's deployment process after we discovered the need for additional licenses.
So, around 65,000 employees were using the solution in the environment flawlessly. Also, my previous company had plans to increase the number of users. The company had decided that since the platform was an excellent one, it should predominantly be used for small and medium processes. Management was planning to scale it up and was waiting for Microsoft to provide a more powerful capacity solution at a time when the company had around 1,00,000 employees.
How are customer service and support?
Technicians from Microsoft visited our company and helped us sort out certain issues, specifically strategic issues.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
In our company, we were previously using Microsoft SharePoint Dev. We, later on, chose Microsoft Power Apps since it helps us automate small and medium processes.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup process for the solution is not complex. So, the company had made arrangements to help us manage the initial kickoff and deployment processes. Since it may not be a very easy process, it is more or less a mediocre one.
Because there were a lot of employees in my previous organization, it took around one year for the deployment process to be completed. Taking into consideration the environment, the initial settings, and the need to take care of security, the entire deployment process would take around one year.
The deployment process was carried out in three stages. If we consider the deployment's first stage, it is free for one year, though I can't recollect it entirely. However, I can say that it was related to Microsoft Azure since it was about security involving steps like how to create the security levels and which levels one can create. So, this process was carried out to create, considering our structure, resources, strategies in the company, security, and environment. The second stage involved the creation of real environments and splitting environments, divisions, and departments. The third stage involved communication and promotion. We then created the specific site devoted to the tools in Power Apps before creating a knowledge base consisting of general articles, specific articles, and the general question and answer section.
What about the implementation team?
We sourced the solution's version for free projects from a company, and the company was really helpful.
Regarding deployment and maintenance, our company had technical resources, promotional resources, analytics, and so on. So, we had a big in-house team using all the available resources. So, around fifteen people in a team were looking at the implementation part of the solution. Also, our sales company had a team of ten members. In short, a significant number of resources were engaged in the solution's maintenance phases.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I had not participated in the evaluation process, and our management communicated with consultants and other resources to investigate solutions, after which they possibly chose Microsoft Power Apps.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend those considering the solution give it a try. Our organization had some initial doubts, but after comparing it with other platforms in the market, we found it to be highly advanced. Additionally, since we have received excellent support from the vendors, we are confident they will not leave us to face any issues with the solution alone. Many consulting companies are also available to provide further assistance. These factors have made Power Apps and Power Automate popular. Owing to the solution's ability to solve a company's small and medium automated processes, I rate the overall solution an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.