I have had serious reliability problems with powerapps particularly with data not loading. From the comments in the forum other people are also having the same issue.
Now I ask, does microsoft expect us to take powerapps apps to production now? Or we are not supposed to do that yet? If anybody could clarify that I would appreciate it.
Hi
I have been with Project Siena and now PowerApps since the first day. Let me share with you and hope it helps for you to think twic before you go further into writing apps:
1. I am using Excel (with DropBox, so far the fastest in Saving / Reading).
2. All my apps are saving fast and normal, without any disturbance.
3. Speed of saving depends on internet. Herein Malaysia, for 2-4mps speed (Home Wi-Fi) and 3G-LTE for phone, it still works pretty acceptavle (DropBox..average saving duration: 4-8 sec).
4. When saving data in Tablet Apps, Phone Apps can load data for the first time but failed to REFRESH (PG is notified of this issue and hope it will be resolved soon).
5. Sharing only ot the same domain. This is expected to be more open in future. Hopefully.
6. Printing from within Apps is still not possible forcing user has to print from Excel (which is very risky as original datasource will be corrupted).
Others: I would say that most of the functions, formula, layout, etc. are depending on apps writer. Apart from Printing & Sharing of Apps, (and also loading of phone apps speed), PowerApps has rendered a pretty perfect platform for creating all kind of apps.
Anyway, it is just my experience in using Project Siena (which I had published about 10 apps in Windows Store, under PK Hong, which may view / download) and PowerApps (for commercial, MRP, etc.).
Best wishes.
Hpkeong,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I also believe in the platform and have devoted significant time to learn it.
Let me share my experience: I have two apps, one using excel in onedrive for business and another using sql azure. I have no problem with the time it takes to save the data. The problem is the time to load the data and, most important, how often it fails to load the data without warning. It seems the problem got worse after the single sign in announcement, but I am just speculating. The problem happens in all platforms (ios, windows, web). My company uses office 365 and, of course, we want people to use onedrive for business instead of Dropbox.
Last thursday I brought a meeting with 5 people to show the potential of the platform and the data would not load. The day before it had loaded. The next day it loaded again. If you close the app and try to load it again it often does not load. And it happens with sql azure too.
Now there is another problem: in Edge when I click a button to navigate to another screen the app refreshes to the same screen (often not loading the data). In Chrome it works.
Hello both, I have been experimenting over the last few weeks and I also think this platform has real potential.
In regards to printing/reporting I use Excel itself, and in particular the combination of PowerQuery (to get direct access to the data source) and PowerPivot (to define the measures to be reported). This does not have the same issues of data corruption that Hpkeong mentions, because you can have a reporting Excel file using the data from another file in read-only mode. But this is all part of Power BI with a thriving community.
Back to PowerApps and I am also experiencing data download reliability problems, also with SQL Azure. This happens mostly when I try to do analysis on datasets with >500 rows (e.g. summing of thousands of cash movements to calculate the current outstanding balance). I suspect this is an issue because delegation is still being refined and more importantly because we can only access the data of tables in SQL Azure and not the queries. This must surely be just a question of time, and then a lot of the processing can be delegated to the server.
Please vote for this idea: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/PowerApps-Ideas/PowerApps-must-also-see-SQL-Azure-Queries-not-on...
Regarding Edge, unfortunately it is unusable but Chrome is a good alternative.
Bump. I'd really like an official response on this question. What expectations should we all have at this point? It's a good question since we're more than six months into the first release.
From my experience, PowerApps is indeed powerful, but the thing holding me back from considering my apps to be end products is the record limitation. The app buttons, filters, and galleries work the way they need to. Once delegation is extended to Excel/OneDrive/Dropbox, there's no stopping what's possible with PowerApps.
Dear Comrade
I am very sure PowerApps Group will definitely see our enthusiastic in making apps with their powerful PowerApps.
Things maynot be perfect initially but expectations on the stability of PowerApps is crucial to all of us.
Win 10 Mobile is a nightmare though Win 10 Tablet is Excellent.
Sincerely wishing that PowerApps will eventually be a real Cross-Platform Apps Creator for Productivity, etc.
Just a few more steps, and surely market will accept.
6 months (+ 2 years in Project Siena) shall be a sufficient period for Microsoft, such a Giant group with thousand of engineers to give us the best.
Awaiting for Stable PowerApps Studio, though not the final (and definitely keep going on for innovative).
Sincerely yours.
Thank you folks for the great feedback in this thread. Yes, we are painfully aware that there are some rough edges today and I want to assure you that we are working hard to fix them and make PowerApps more reliable and performant. We are making improvements every week and rolling out client updates with these fixes every two weeks. I will say take a bet on PowerApps and go to production if it addresses your business scenarios today. From our side, we will support you if you run into any issues.
I want to summarize the key feedback from this thread and provide a quick update on these issues:
1. Improve connector reliability (data loading): We take reliability issues seriously and are putting a number of fixes in place to address this. You will notice continuous improvements in this area. We are also investing in building a good error handling experience when your data fails to load, so you know what went wrong. Sometimes these errors are external to PowerApps and we want to make sure we communicate these clearly.
2. Improve data load performance (for SQL Azure), esp for larger data sets: Performance is a top priority for PowerApps and we are also investing in improving the overall app start time, including time to establish connection and load data. Again, this is an area where you'll see continuous improvements.
3. Extend delegation support (>500 records) for Excel on OneDrive/Dropbox: We just introduced delegation support for SQL Azure and Salesforce and are working on extending them to other connectors. We understand this is a big limitation to build any enterprise apps and this support is coming soon for multiple connectors and multiple operators.
4. Support for Edge: Web player (running apps on a browser) is a relatively new feature (we started supporting it end of April) and we are fixing bugs and rolling out updates every week. There is known set of issues we're fixing with supporting different browser types and new issues/bugs that we and our customers find. Please report issues you find to our support team and it will help us prioritize and fix these.
5. Share apps with users outside your tenant/domain and
6. Support for printing: These two features are on our backlog and we understand they are important, but not on our immediate list. We'll address them going forward, in the months to come.
Again, I want to thank you for being awesome early adopters and providing great feedback. We are glad that you are on this journey with us and we'll make every effort to support you and make you successful!
Thank you for the response, Darshan.
Hi Darshan:
My respect to you and your team for making PowerApps such a powerful software.
[PC Magazine gave PowerApps the lowest score, and we wish to prove them wrong.
http://in.pcmag.com/zoho-projects/104878/feature/building-an-app-with-no-coding-myth-or-reality
(Appian, Zoho Creator, Salesforce Lightning, and Microsoft PowerApps)]
With continous effort (hopefully in parallel with Annual Update of Win 10 by the end of 29/Jul/2016), PowerApps will remove "Preview" and becomes one of the official member of Productivity Software, together with MS Office, PowerBI (awaiting for next integration) and MS Flow (awaiting for next improvement).
MRP, MRP II, ERP and then SAP.... I had been going thru these era since 1989 ~ now(MRP, MRP II, ERP) & 1992 (SAP).
Just sharing: a non-customized edition of SAP for SMI in Malaysia costs MYR 200,000 (min) or USD 50,000, and it takes about 3-6 months to complete.
With PowerApps, (and as a Quality, Productivity Consutlant, and I am a Non-IT guy), one can manage to use your powerful PowerApps to finish Productivity Apps, at least sufficient to be used for Sales, Planning (with BOM), Production and Quality Inspection till Warehouse control within 2 weeks ~ 1 month. I wish this encourage more to indulge into writing Productivity Apps for SMI with lowest cost as possible.
Your comments on Points 1 & 4 are important. Points & 6 will finally be the solution for Industries to love it (My existing 3 customers are using/testing/debugging and awaiting your printing features).
Many thanks and cheers!
The download button for the windows store for powerapp studio isnt working. Im on windows 10. Any help?
After all the planning and preparing, the annual Microsoft Power Platform Conference is finally here! We are excited to see so many of our community in Las Vegas this week. To help make sure you don't miss any of the workshops, sessions, and events we have planned, make sure to check out this handy Community One-Sheet, and download the pdf today! Make sure to stop by the Community Lounge to meet @hugobernier, @EricArcher, @heaher_italent, and @AshleyFelts from our team! See you in Vegas!
Join us for the first-ever the Biz Apps Community User Group meeting live from the Power Platform Conference! This one hour user group meeting is all about discovering the value and benefits of User Groups! Discover how you can find a group in your local area or about specific topics where you can learn new skills and meet like-minded people as a user group member. Hear from User Group leaders about why they do what they do and what resources they receive to help them succeed as community ambassadors. If you have never attended a User Group meeting before, this will be a great introduction! We hope you are inspired to find a group that meets your unique interests! October 5th at 2:15 pm Pacific time If you're attending #MPPC23 in Las Vegas, join us in person! Find out more here: https://powerplatformconf.com/#!/session/Biz%20Apps%20Community%20User%20Group%20Meeting%20-%20Live%20from%20MPPC/6172 Not at MPPC23? Attend vvirtually by registering here: https://aka.ms/MPPCusergroupmeeting2023 If you can't attend this meeting live, don't worry! We will record this meeting and share it with the Community at powerusers.microsoft.com
We are excited to kick off our new #TuesdayTIps series, "Back to Basics." This weekly series is our way of helping the amazing members of our community--both new members and seasoned veterans--learn and grow in how to best engage in the community! Each Tuesday, we will feature new areas of content that will help you best understand the community--from ranking and badges to profile avatars, from Super Users to blogging in the community. Our hope is that this information will help each of our community members grow in their experience with Power Platform, with the community, and with each other! This Week's Tips: Account Support: Changing Passwords, Changing Email Addresses or Usernames, "Need Admin Approval," Etc.Wondering how to get support for your community account? Check out the details on these common questions and more. Just follow the link below for articles that explain it all.Community Account Support - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) All About GDPR: How It Affects Closing Your Community Account (And Why You Should Think Twice Before You Do)GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), took effect May 25th 2018. A European privacy law, GDPR imposes new rules on companies and other organizations offering goods and services to people in the European Union (EU), or that collect and analyze data tied to EU residents. GDPR applies no matter where you are located, and it affects what happens when you decide to close your account. Read the details here:All About GDPR - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) Getting to Know You: Setting Up Your Community Profile, Customizing Your Profile, and More.Your community profile helps other members of the community get to know you as you begin to engage and interact. Your profile is a mirror of your activity in the community. Find out how to set it up, change your avatar, adjust your time zone, and more. Click on the link below to find out how:Community Profile, Time Zone, Picture (Avatar) & D... - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) That's it for this week. Tune in for more Tuesday Tips next Tuesday and join the community as we get "Back to Basics."
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.