Can anybody shed any light on the new PowerApps licensing plans? I'm having trouble wrapping my head around what is going on.
I specifically went out last year and purchased a number of Office 365 premium licenses as well as the F1 plan for employees in the field, so that we could use powerapps.
I am using a combination of an Azure SQL database(pay as you go license) and SharePoint (under the 365 licensing) to function as the back end for my apps.
Am I now no longer going to be able to develop and distribute Apps to my employees under these licenses? Am I now being asked by microsoft to go out and buy more licenses specific to PowerApps?
Hope this is the right place to ask the 365 messages aren't very clear.
Has anyone else also noticed that Excel Online (Business) is a standard connector and Word Online (Business) is a premium connector? What is the logic behind that?
I'm also struggling to fathom how Microsoft are able to do this, especially for existing license subscribers - Does this not fall under the pervue of the Trade Descriptions Act, Consumer Rights Act, or subject to an industry regulator?
Surely users have signed up to a "Contracted Service" that Microsfot is either removing completely (by changing the access to Azure SQL Connectors), or suddenly charging an increased price for the same service (additional PowerApps Licenses).
I have Service Contracts with my Clients, and If I attempted to increase the price of a service in the middle of the contract, I would be taken to Court. And if I suddenly removed a service that was originally included in the contract, I would also be liable for any damages that the ceased service causes my clients.
I understand the general move to the subscription model, but I think we should ask ourselves if we would accept this behaviour from other companies that sell their products as services in this manor?
If Xerox (godfathers of the pay-per-use subscription model) told your company in the middle of a contract that you had to pay a 500% increase on your fees or they will come round and remove the machines - I think the company lawyers of any medium/large company would quickly get involved! (and copiers are pretty low value compared to I.T. budgets!)
Which Industry Regulator do you think we should get in touch with?
James.
Honestly, this whole thing screams class action lawsuit. I'm right with you.
Microsoft are "The Dealer" and we are "The Users". To get someone hooked you offer them a service for free, analyse the usage telemetry over a year or two, then decide what you are going to charge for based on which connectors/triggers/actions are most vital for organizations that have rolled out Flows to their production user base. These changes were based on hard data and revenue forecasts with the full knowledge that the "The Users" will probably keep on paying because to not pay would have a detrimental effect on their organization. Whooops, have I just described ransomware?
Based on my experience this is a 'Going-Out-of-Business' pricing strategy. Let me explain.
I'm now retired but I worked for a large organization. There was a large reorganization and we picked up responsibility for an organization that was involved in developing high performance products for high performance computers. I was assigned to manage the design organization even though I was unfamiliar with the technology. After a lot of analysis we determined the product pricing was based on the most optimistic manufacturing yields. Based on realistic yields we would need to double or triple price. We met with customers and started a 'Going-Out-of-Business' plan.
This seems to directly mirror what Microsoft is doing. They determined the cost of developing and supporting PowerApps and the connectors and adjusted prices accordingly. The technology is not affordable for most companies. I really think they should do some usage based pricing model like Azure Function Apps.
I have just gotten an email , AGAIN, to renew my trial. I have already done so a month ago. Does that mean I will have to do so every month until 2024? are the users of my PowerApp, that uses a premium connection, have to do the same?
Could someone let me know if my experience is unique and I may need to call support or something. According to Microsoft, grandfathered apps will still run until 2024, is that rule attached to as long as we renew licensing or is it two separate things? Why I have the feeling that Microsoft is actually trying to keep us in the dark, those of us with grandfathered app, to push us to quit using PowerApps ASAP.
I know it's late notice, but Bennett Adelson is hosting a webinar today with a Microsoft rep regarding the Power Platform. I plan to post some of these questions as this may be the only way to get access to someone from Microsoft on this subject.
Thanks for the hint on the webinar. Did not find a way to join it though, so please keep us posted on the answers you potentially get. I have had an open case with Microsoft for more than two months now, I have just asked what my running costs will be in the future with existing functionality. I have been bounced around between 8 different support agents and 3-4 different departments and no one has been able to answer that simpel question to this day. And it's an extremely simpel setup with O365, PowerApps and Flow, for 20 users - that's it. The problem is, I'm sure they can not believe their own calculations when they calculate the before- and after price - it's really scary stuff. I have also read about the grandfathering until 2024, but I actually think it might only be until 2020 (one year). Would be interesting if we could get an official statement on the 5 years - I'm not so sure. And keep in mind, if you need to add a connection to your app during those 5 years - you're done - licenses will be required. I really still can't believe I'm experiencing this from a reputable company as Microsoft. I'm still expecting either myself or them to wake up at some point.
I listened in to the webinar. The subject of licensing was raised, specifically the SQL connector. His response was basically that they found people using Azure SQL for things they (in Microsoft's opinion I guess) should be using CDS for, presumably motivated by cost.
So it feels like they want to encourage anyone with needs that can't be met with SharePoint lists to move to CDS, so instead of bringing the price of that down, or including it with the seeded plan, they chose to jack the price of the SQL connector up in line with CDS.
This is obviously flawed thinking for many reasons, the most obvious of which is that many organisations already have their data in SQL, so enabling citizen development on that data will now cost more than the LoB app that primarily accesses it.
I was hopeful that sustained feedback about these changes would cause a U turn, but sadly I think they're digging in on this one. Seems to be the way things go these days.
@WillPage - Excellent synopsis! The other point is that they are making these subscription pricing update decisions based on analysis of Power Apps and Power Automate telemetry. It is a totally calculated financial decision based on knowing EXACTLY what connectors and what volume of transactions are passing through them in terms of usage. This is a specifically targeted set of changes designed to influence how organizations build apps. Your CDS/SQL explanation makes perfect sense.
The other odd fact is the length of the grandfathering rights - excessive in my view to try and compensate for the wrong. It is like they knew there would be an outcry over this change, so they can point to the grandfathering rights as a way of compensating for them. But that hasn't worked has it?
Welcome to our September 2023 Newsletter, where we highlight the latest news, product releases, podcasts, upcoming events, and the great work of our Power Platform Community members. As usual, please make sure you follow our News & Announcements in the Community to stay up to date. Another great way to connect is to join our Power Platform Community on LinkedIn. You can join our LInkedIn community here. MPPC's Got Power - Submissions end September 28th! Are you ready to showcase your skills at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference in Las Vegas? Don't miss out on the "MPPC's Got Power" talent show, a grand celebration of connection, inspiration, and shared journeys. Whether you're a technical innovator, a talented storyteller, or have a hidden creative side, we want to see what you've got! With three categories to choose from, you have the chance to shine on stage and make your mark in the Microsoft Power Platform community. Click the GIF to sign up by Thursday 28th September to be part of an unforgettable MPPC23 experience. Now is your time to shine! Check Out the Low Code Approach Podcast Give the Low Code Approach Podcast a listen! Hosted by Sean Fiene, Wendy Haddad, and Kenric Auguillard, this innovative show shines a light on how Microsoft MVPs, product team members, and Community users are building exciting solutions using Microsoft Power Platform. Plus, with guests like Kartik Kanakasabesan, April Dunnam, Ricardo Duncan Jr., Sonja Gu, Phil Topness, Shane Young and more, this weekly show is a must for all you Business Applications enthusiasts out there. Click the image below to check it out! COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS Check out the most active Community users for August 2023. These hardworking members are posting regularly, answering questions, writing blogs, giving kudos, and providing top solutions in their communities across Power Platform. Huge thanks to these amazing community members for their great contributions last month! trice602poweractivateLaurensMWarrenBelzAmikBCBuizerSamLedcreativeopinion timlExpiscornovusManishSolankiMattJimisonfernandosilvaMisterMarkPstork1saudali_25hafizsultan242Lucas001ragavanrajanp_doc UPCOMING EVENT: 365 EDUCON CHICAGO Whether you're new to Microsoft 365, Power Platform and SharePoint, or an experienced power user, admin or developer, 365 EduCon has content designed to fit your experience level and area of interest. Their workshops and sessions are taught by Microsoft Certified Trainers, MVPs, Regional Directors, and Engineers. Find out more and register here: Home - Microsoft 365 EduCon Chicago - A Microsoft 365 Conference.
Are you attending the Microsoft Power Platform Conference 2023 in Las Vegas? If so, we invite you to join us for the MPPC's Got Power Talent Show! Our talent show is more than a show—it's a grand celebration of connection, inspiration, and shared journeys. Through stories, skills, and collective experiences, we come together to uplift, inspire, and revel in the magic of our community's diverse talents. This year, our talent event promises to be an unforgettable experience, echoing louder and brighter than anything you've seen before. We're casting a wider net with three captivating categories: Demo Technical Solutions: Show us your Power Platform innovations, be it apps, flows, chatbots, websites or dashboards... Storytelling: Share tales of your journey with Power Platform. Hidden Talents: Unveil your creative side—be it dancing, singing, rapping, poetry, or comedy. Let your talent shine! Got That Special Spark? A Story That Demands to Be Heard? Your moment is now! 🚀 Sign up to Showcase Your Brilliance: https://aka.ms/MPPCGotPowerSignUp 🔥 Deadline for submissions: Thursday, Sept 28th How It Works: Submit this form to sign up: https://aka.ms/MPPCGotPowerSignUp We'll contact you if you're selected. Get ready to be onstage! The Spotlight is Yours: Each participant has 3-5 minutes to shine, with insightful commentary from our panel of judges. We’re not just giving you a stage; we’re handing you the platform to make your mark. Be the Story We Tell: Your talents and narratives will not just entertain but inspire, serving as the bedrock for our community’s future stories and successes. Celebration, Surprises, and Connections: As the curtain falls, the excitement continues! Await surprise awards and seize the chance to mingle with industry experts, Microsoft Power Platform leaders, and community luminaries. It's not just a show; it's an opportunity to forge connections and celebrate shared successes. Event Details: 📆 Date and Time: Wed Oct 4th, 6:30-9:00PM 📍 Location: MPPC23 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV, USA
The Reading Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Group is a community-driven initiative that started in September 2022. It has quickly earned recognition for its enthusiastic leadership and resilience in the face of challenges. With a focus on promoting learning and networking among professionals in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform ecosystem, the group has grown steadily and gained a reputation for its commitment to its members! The group, which had its inaugural event in January 2023 at the Microsoft UK Headquarters in Reading, has since organized three successful gatherings, including a recent social lunch. They maintain a regular schedule of four events per year, each attended by an average of 20-25 enthusiastic participants who enjoy engaging talks and, of course, pizza. The Reading User Group's presence is primarily spread through LinkedIn and Meetup, with the support of the wider community. This thriving community is managed by a dedicated team consisting of Fraser Dear, Tim Leung, and Andrew Bibby, who serves as the main point of contact for the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups. Andrew Bibby, an active figure in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform community, nominated this group due to his admiration for the Reading UK User Group's efforts. He emphasized their remarkable enthusiasm and success in running the group, noting that they navigated challenges such as finding venues with resilience and smiles on their faces. Despite being a relatively new group with 20-30 members, they have managed to achieve high attendance at their meetings. The group's journey began when Fraser Dear moved to the Reading area and realized the absence of a user group catering to professionals in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform space. He reached out to Andrew, who provided valuable guidance and support, allowing the Reading User Group to officially join the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups community. One of the group's notable achievements was overcoming the challenge of finding a suitable venue. Initially, their "home" was the Microsoft UK HQ in Reading. However, due to office closures, they had to seek a new location with limited time. Fortunately, a connection with Stephanie Stacey from Microsoft led them to Reading College and its Institute of Technology. The college generously offered them event space and support, forging a mutually beneficial partnership where the group promotes the Institute and encourages its members to support the next generation of IT professionals. With the dedication of its leadership team, the Reading Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Group is poised to continue growing and thriving! Their story exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives and the positive impact they can have on professional development and networking in the tech industry. As they move forward with their upcoming events and collaborations with Reading College, the group is likely to remain a valuable resource for professionals in the Reading area and beyond.
As the sun sets on the #SummerofSolutions Challenge, it's time to reflect and celebrate! The journey we embarked upon together was not just about providing answers – it was about fostering a sense of community, encouraging collaboration, and unlocking the true potential of the Power Platform tools. From the initial announcement to the final week's push, the Summer of Solutions Challenge has been a whirlwind of engagement and growth. It was a call to action for every member of our Power Platform community, urging them to contribute their expertise, engage in discussions, and elevate collective knowledge across the community as part of the low-code revolution. Reflecting on the Impact As the challenge ends, it's essential to reflect on the impact it’s had across our Power Platform communities: Community Resilience: The challenge demonstrated the resilience of our community. Despite geographical distances and diverse backgrounds, we came together to contribute, learn, and collaborate. This resilience is the cornerstone of our collective strength.Diverse Expertise: The solutions shared during the challenge underscore the incredible expertise within our community. From intricate technical insights to creative problem-solving, our members showcased their diverse skill sets, enhancing our community's depth.Shared Learning: Solutions spurred shared learning. They provided opportunities for members to grasp new concepts, expand their horizons, and uncover the Power Platform tools' untapped potential. This learning ripple effect will continue to shape our growth. Empowerment: Solutions empowered community members. They validated their knowledge, boosted their confidence, and highlighted their contributions. Each solution shared was a step towards personal and communal empowerment. We are proud and thankful as we conclude the Summer of Solutions Challenge. The challenge showed the potential of teamwork, the benefit of knowledge-sharing, and the resilience of our Power Platform community. The solutions offered by each member are more than just answers; they are the expression of our shared commitment to innovation, growth, and progress! Drum roll, Please... And now, without further ado, it's time to announce the winners who have risen above the rest in the Summer of Solutions Challenge! These are the top community users and Super Users who have not only earned recognition but have become beacons of inspiration for us all. Power Apps Community: Community User Winner: @SpongYe Super User Winner: Pending Acceptance Power Automate Community: Community User Winner: @trice602 Super User Winner: @Expiscornovus Power Virtual Agents Community: Community User Winner: Pending AcceptanceSuper User: Pending Acceptance Power Pages Community: Community User Winner: @OOlashyn Super User Winner: @ChristianAbata We are also pleased to announced two additional tickets that we are awarding to the Overall Top Solution providers in the following communities: Power Apps: @LaurensM Power Automate: @ManishSolanki Thank you for making this challenge a resounding success. Your participation has reaffirmed the strength of our community and the boundless potential that lies within each of us. Let's keep the spirit of collaboration alive as we continue on this incredible journey in Power Platform together.Winners, we will see you in Vegas! Every other amazing solutions superstar, we will see you in the Community!Congratulations, everyone!
Ayonija Shatakshi, a seasoned senior consultant at Improving, Ohio, is a passionate advocate for M365, SharePoint, Power Platform, and Azure, recognizing how they synergize to deliver top-notch solutions. Recently, we asked Ayonija to share her journey as a user group leader, shedding light on her motivations and the benefits she's reaped from her community involvement. Ayonija embarked on her role as a user group leader in December 2022, driven by a desire to explore how the community leveraged various Power Platform components. When she couldn't find a suitable local group, she decided to create one herself! Speaking about the impact of the community on her professional and personal growth, Ayonija says, "It's fascinating to witness how everyone navigates the world of Power Platform, dealing with license constraints and keeping up with new features. There's so much to learn from their experiences. Her favorite aspect of being a user group leader is the opportunity to network and engage in face-to-face discussions with fellow enthusiasts, fostering deeper connections within the community. Offering advice to budding user group leaders, Ayonija emphasized the importance of communication and consistency, two pillars that sustain any successful community initiative. When asked why she encourages others to become user group leaders, Ayonija said, "Being part of a user group is one of the best ways to connect with experienced professionals in the same field and glean knowledge from them. If there isn't a local group, consider starting one; you'll soon find like-minded individuals." Her highlight from the past year as a user group leader was witnessing consistent growth within the group, a testament to the thriving community she has nurtured. Advocating for user group participation, Ayonija stated, "It's the fastest route to learning from the community, gaining insights, and staying updated on industry trends." Check out her group: Cleveland Power Platform User Group
We are excited to announce a new preview feature: Copilot in Power Pages for Visual Studio Code desktop. This feature provides you with coding assistance while you edit your site code in Visual Studio Code desktop using natural language chat interaction. You can use Copilot in Power Pages to describe your expected code behavior and get AI-generated code snippets that you can refine and use for various aspects of your site development. Note: To use this feature, you need to sign into your environment, and it is only available in the US region in English language. 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You can use Form and List customization to change the layout, style, validation, and actions of your Forms and Lists. With Copilot, you can chat with the AI assistant and get code snippets for adding custom validation and interactivity to your Forms and Lists in your site code. Sample prompt for form validation Generate JavaScript code for form field validation to ensure age is greater than 18. Sample prompt for list customization Write JavaScript code to highlight the row where loan status is approved in table list. To learn more about Form and List customization, visit form link and list link. 2. Webpage customizations Webpage customizations is a feature that allows you to customize various aspects of your webpages such as HTML components, styles, and more. You can use Webpage customizations to enhance the look and feel of your site pages. With Copilot, you can chat with the AI assistant and get code snippets for generating HTML components and adding styles to your pages in your site code. Sample prompt Write HTML code for the webpage to show loan registration form FAQ as a list group. To learn more about Webpage customizations, visit this link. 3. Web Template Web Template is a feature that allows you to create HTML templates for your site pages. You can use Web Template to define the layout, style, and content of your pages. With Copilot, you can chat with the AI assistant and get code snippets for creating and using Web Templates in your site code. Sample prompt Create a web template with breadcrumb and page title. To learn more about Web Template, visit this link. 4. Liquid Liquid is a feature that allows you to add dynamic content to your Webpages or Web Templates. You can use Liquid to access data from Dataverse or other sources and display it on your pages. With Copilot, you can chat with the AI assistant and get code snippets for writing Liquid expressions in your site code. Sample prompt Generate liquid code to check if user has admin role. To learn more about Liquid, visit this link. 5. FetchXML FetchXML is a feature that allows you to query data from Dataverse using XML syntax. You can use FetchXML to filter, sort, aggregate, or join data from different entities. With Copilot, you can chat with the AI assistant and get code snippets for writing FetchXML queries in your site code. Sample prompt Generate a fetchxml liquid query to retrieve the list of contacts who are having credit score more than 500 and are active. To learn more about FetchXML, visit this link. 6. Web API Web API is a feature that allows you to interact with Dataverse records using HTTP requests. You can use Web API to create, read, update, or delete records from different entities. With Copilot, you can chat with the AI assistant and get code snippets for writing Web API requests in your site code. Sample prompt Generate Web API code to query active contact records. To learn more about Web API, visit this link. 7. Content Snippets Content Snippets is a feature that allows you to write reusable content blocks that can be used across multiple pages. You can use Content Snippets to store common HTML, CSS, or JavaScript code that you want to reuse on different pages. With Copilot, you can chat with the AI assistant and get code snippets for creating and using Content Snippets in your site code. Sample prompt Generate content snippets to display copyright, current date and "All rights reserved." message. To learn more about Content Snippets, visit this link. 8. Provide feedback In every response of the Copilot chat, select the feedback options, a thumb up (👍) if you like the response or thumb down (👎) if you didn’t like it. Your feedback greatly helps improve the capabilities of this feature. How to use Copilot Install Power Platform Extension: Ensure you have the Power Platform Tools extension (version 2.0.3 or higher) installed within Visual Studio Code .Access Copilot: Download and open your Power Pages site root folder in Visual Studio Code and activate the Copilot feature from left navigation by selecting “Power Platform”.Engage in Natural Language Interaction: Describe the expected behavior of your code using natural language. Copilot will generate code snippets based on your descriptions.Insert or copy AI generated code to your site: If you are happy with the generated code, you can easily copy and paste the code snippet or insert the code to Power Pages site.Refine and Implement: Review the AI-generated code snippets, refining them as needed to match your exact requirements.Provide feedback: Select the feedback options, a thumb up (👍) if you like the response or thumb down (👎) if you didn’t like it and provide your feedback. We are looking forward to your feedback Copilot in Power Pages is designed to streamline your coding journey and amplify your creativity. Your feedback is crucial in shaping the future of this feature. We want to hear from you! See documentation here for a detailed overview. Full product blog here: Get coding assistance with Copilot while editing site code in Visual Studio Code desktop| Microsoft Power Page Thank you, Neeraj Nandwana